May 11, 2008
Legend Eddy Arnold passes
Singer and songwriter Eddy Arnold, known as the "ambassador of Country music," died Thursday in Nashville. He was 89. At the height of his career, Arnold was among the top recording artists of all time, with record sales of more than 85 million.
Known primarily as a Country music star, Eddy Arnold considered himself an all-around performer. He touched the hearts of his Country fans, while proving himself as a smooth, pop balladeer.
Born Richard Edward Arnold near Henderson, Tennessee, the son of sharecroppers, he had to leave school to help on the family farm. As Arnold grew up listening to blues and mountain music, his mother taught him to play guitar and sing. He soon became an entertainer at local dances and gatherings near his home. After making his Jackson, Tennessee radio debut in 1936, Arnold performed in Memphis, and played in nightclubs in St. Louis.
His big break came in 1940, when he landed a job as vocalist with "Pee Wee" King and His Golden West Cowboys. Arnold joined the Grand Ole Opry's Camel Caravan in 1941 and 1942, where he entertained servicemen, and was made a full-fledged member of the Opry in 1943.
As a tribute to his rural heritage, he was billed as the "Tennessee Plowboy." Eddy Arnold was offered a recording contract with RCA Records in 1944, and had his first hit in 1945 with a yodeling tune titled "Cattle Call."
Over the years, Eddy Arnold had 91 tunes in Billboard magazine's Top 10. Twenty-eight of those reached Number One on the Country chart.
Known primarily as a Country music star, Eddy Arnold considered himself an all-around performer. He touched the hearts of his Country fans, while proving himself as a smooth, pop balladeer.
Born Richard Edward Arnold near Henderson, Tennessee, the son of sharecroppers, he had to leave school to help on the family farm. As Arnold grew up listening to blues and mountain music, his mother taught him to play guitar and sing. He soon became an entertainer at local dances and gatherings near his home. After making his Jackson, Tennessee radio debut in 1936, Arnold performed in Memphis, and played in nightclubs in St. Louis.
His big break came in 1940, when he landed a job as vocalist with "Pee Wee" King and His Golden West Cowboys. Arnold joined the Grand Ole Opry's Camel Caravan in 1941 and 1942, where he entertained servicemen, and was made a full-fledged member of the Opry in 1943.
As a tribute to his rural heritage, he was billed as the "Tennessee Plowboy." Eddy Arnold was offered a recording contract with RCA Records in 1944, and had his first hit in 1945 with a yodeling tune titled "Cattle Call."
Over the years, Eddy Arnold had 91 tunes in Billboard magazine's Top 10. Twenty-eight of those reached Number One on the Country chart.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
