In the early 1970s New Zealand country music pioneer Rusty Greaves appeared on America’s Grand Ole Opry at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. He made a further three appearances there before the show moved to Opryland Park where he performed seven times in ensuing years.
He was given the stage name “Rusty” by early mentor George Tollerton, of Fullers Entertainment Bureau, who exclaimed, “We can’t have a cowboy singer named Trevor!”
Rusty and Gladys Greaves were made honorary citizens of Metropolitan Nashville by then Mayor Richard Fulton in October 1978 for Greaves’ work as an ambassador for New Zealand and his dedication to country music.
Greaves is a cousin of fellow Zodiac artist Jack Riggir, father of New Zealand country star of the 1980s Patsy Riggir.