American country music singer, guitarist, songwriter and author.
Born July 27, 1912 in Marshall, Arkansas, USA.
Died June 22, 1972 in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
He recorded over 600 sides and 60 albums for RCA and other labels in more than a 30-year span, and is best known for such hit songs (several of which he wrote or co-wrote) as Someday (You’ll Want Me to Want You), Detour, Chime Bells, Maybe I’ll Cry Over You, Pinto Pal, and the million-selling wartime hit There’s a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere.
He charted thirteen times between 1942 and 1969 on the U.S. charts, mostly on the country charts. In 1946 he charted six top 10 country charted songs, led by Wave to Me, My Lady which hit #3 country and #19 overall. He was also charted with duets with Rosalie Allen. In 1950, they charted on the country charts with Quicksilver, which hit #3; and in 1951 with Mockin’ Bird Hill, which hit #13. Two of his charted songs he co-wrote: Chime Bells and The Jimmie Rodgers Blues.
Awards: America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame (2005), Hollywood Walk of Fame (1960), Massachusetts CMA Hall of Fame (1985), Western Music Association Hall of Fame (1990) Member of the KWKH Louisiana Hayride, WATV Garden State Jamboree, WCOP Hayloft Jamboree, WFIL Hayloft Hoedown, WWVA Original Jamboree.