Claude King

Claude King (born February 5, 1923 in Keithville, Louisiana near the city of Shreveport) is an American country music singer and songwriter.

Related Topics:
February 5 - 1923 - Keithville, Louisiana - Shreveport - American - Country music

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At a young age, he was interested in music but his primary interest was athletics. He purchased a guitar at the age of 12 and although he learned to play it, most of his time was devoted to sports. This eventually resulted in being offered a baseball scholarship to the University of Idaho at Moscow.

Related Topics:
Guitar - Baseball - University of Idaho - Moscow

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

King later returned to Shreveport and joined the Louisiana Hayride radio show and recorded a few songs for Gotham Records, although none were successful. In 1961, he became more serious about a musical career and signed with the Nashville, Tennessee division of Columbia Records. He hit immediately, cutting "Big River, Big Man", a country Top 10 and even a small pop crossover success. He soon followed with The Commancheros inspired by the John Wayne movie of the same name. It was a Top 10 country hit in late 1961, also crossing over to the pop charts.

Related Topics:
Louisiana Hayride - Gotham Records - Nashville, Tennessee - Columbia Records - The Commancheros - John Wayne

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Claude King made his "career" recording in the spring of 1962. "Wolverton Mountain", written with Nashville veteran Merle Kilgore, was based on a real character, Clifton Clowers, who lived on Wolverton Mountain in Arkansas. The song became an immediate hit, going to No.1 for nine weeks during its 26-week run on the Billboard Country charts. It was also a pop Top 10.

Related Topics:
Merle Kilgore - Arkansas

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

King followed up that year with a American Civil War song, "The Burning Of Atlanta" which also went Top 10 on the country charts and again generated a lot of interest on the pop lists. In late 1962, he recorded "I've Got The World By The Tail" which narrowly missed the country Top 10.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He had another good year in 1963, scoring three solid country hits with "Sheepskin Valley", "Building a Bridge" and "Hey Lucille!". The hits continued in 1964 with "Sam Hill" and in 1965 he was back in the Top 10 with "Tiger Woman", co-written by Merle Kilgore. King also did well that year with "Little Buddy".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His smooth country style continued to find a flavor throughout the decade, especially songs like "Catch a Little Raindrop" and the Top 10 "All For The Love Of A Girl" in 1969. His singles continued to hit the country charts through 1972. He left the label in 1973 after having accomplished 29 hits.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Besides a successful career recording and touring, King also did some acting. He appeared in the 1982 television miniseries The Blue and the Gray and appeared in some feature films.

Related Topics:
Television miniseries - The Blue and the Gray

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1981, Governor Frank D. White paid tribute to Claude King and his big 1962 hit by declaring August 7 "Wolverton Mountain Day". By that time, King had almost retired from recording.

Related Topics:
Governor - Frank D. White

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~