Archie Campbell

Archie Campbell (born November 7, 1914 in Bulls Gap, Tennessee, died August 29, 1987 in Knoxville, Tennessee) was a writer and star of Hee Haw, a popular long-running country-flavored television variety show. He was also a recording musician with several hits on the RCA label in the 1960s.

Related Topics:
November 7 - 1914 - Bulls Gap, Tennessee - August 29 - 1987 - Knoxville, Tennessee - Hee Haw - Country - RCA - 1960s

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Campbell studied art at Mars Hill College in North Carolina, after which he began a radio career at WNOX in Knoxville. After a year alongside Roy Acuff on their "Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round" he relocated to WDOD in Chattanooga, where he stayed until joining the United States Navy in 1941. At the end of World War II, Campbell returned to WNOX. He left that station for rival WROL where he helped start Knoxville's first country music television show (on WROL-TV), "Country Playhouse" that premiered in 1952 and ran until 1958.

Related Topics:
Mars Hill - North Carolina - WNOX - Roy Acuff - WDOD - Chattanooga - United States Navy - 1941 - World War II - WROL - WROL-TV - 1952 - 1958

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At the close of that show, he moved to Nashville to replace Rod Brasfield on the nationally-syndicated Prince Albert segment of the famous Grand Ole Opry. Shortly after, he signed a contract with RCA Victor and one of his early singles, "Trouble in the Amen Corner" reached the 1960 Country music Top 25. After an unsuccessful stint with the Starday label, Campbell returned to RCA in 1966 and had three Top 30 singles: "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" (1966), "The Dark End of the Street" (1968), and "Tell It like It Is" (1968). He was named "Comedian of the Year" in 1969 by the Country Music Association.

Related Topics:
Nashville - Rod Brasfield - Grand Ole Opry - RCA Victor - 1960 - Starday - 1966 - 1969 - Country Music Association

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In 1968 Campbell joined "Hee Haw" on CBS as a chief writer and on-air talent.

Related Topics:
1968 - CBS

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During his "Hee Haw" years Campbell also recorded several comedy/music albums such as Bull Session at Bull's Creek with Junior Samples and Archie Campbell (Elektra 1976). He frequently performed duets with singer Lorene Mann.

Related Topics:
Junior Samples - Elektra - Lorene Mann

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In 1984, Campbell hosted TNN's "Yesteryear" interview show. Campbell was an accomplished amateur golfer and built one of the earliest lighted golf courses in the United States. An avid painter, he also owned an art gallery and served on the school board in Knoxville, where he lived until he suffered a fatal heart attack in 1986. His childhood home on Main Street in Bull's Gap has been preserved as a memorial, and has been expanded into a "tourism complex and museum" which hosts annual "Archie Campbell Days" each September. He is buried near the town of Powell, Tennessee.

Related Topics:
1984 - TNN - Golf course - Heart attack - Powell, Tennessee

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