Red Foley

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Clyde Julian "Red" Foley (born June 17, 1910 in Blue Lick , Kentucky , † September 19, 1968 in Fort Wayne , Indiana ) was an American country singer .

biography

Childhood and youth

Foley's parents ran a grocery store, and so he became familiar with the musical instruments on offer at an early age. He received singing lessons for a while. But his main interest was initially sport. After winning various singing competitions, he was discovered in 1930 for the WLS National Barn Dance in Chicago . At this point he was studying at Georgetown College, Kentucky .

Career

Foley spent seven years on the WLS National Barn Dance Show. As a singer, he performed with the Cumberland Ridge Runners. In 1933 his wife died giving birth to their first child. He married again a little later. His daughter from this second marriage to Judy Martin is Shirley Lee Foley, who has been married to singer Pat Boone since 1953 . Their daughter is singer Debby Boone .

In 1937 a new show was put on at WLW that was specially tailored to Red Foley, the Renfro Valley Barn Dance . Here he had the opportunity to prove his musical versatility. His repertoire ranged from gentle ballads to fast boogie woogie . Thanks to his pleasant voice and personable personality, he quickly gained popularity. Two years later he got his own show, Avalon Time .

The first records were recorded for a small label. In 1941 he signed with Decca Records . His first minor hit was Old Shep . In the same year he returned to the Barn Dance Show. During this time he also appeared several times in western films. In 1944 he had his first number 1 hit with Smoke On The Water . Further top 10 placements followed, including another top success with Shame On You . In 1946 he took over the role of the emcee of the Grand Ole Opry , in 1950 he had his first million seller with Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy . In the same year he achieved two more successes in the pop charts with Cincinnati Dancing Pig and Ou Lady Of Fatima . In 1947 he had a number one hit on the country charts with New Jolie Blonde .

In the early 1950s, his wife committed suicide after learning of his affair with Sally Sweet, who would later become his third wife. Foley retired from the public for some time, but continued to produce records. His hermit life lasted until 1954 when he was offered a new show. Ozark Jubilee became an instant hit and ran through 1960.

In the sixties Foley continued to produce records, but they could no longer place in the charts. For a while he starred in the television series Mr Smith Goes to Washington .

In 1967 Foley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame . For his services to the country music industry, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (6225 Hollywood Blvd.).

Red Foley died on September 19, 1968 at the age of 58 of complications from a heart attack . He was buried in the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.

Discography (albums)

  • 1951 - Red Foley Souvenir Album
  • 1953 - A Tribute To Jimmie Rodgers
  • 1953 - Sing A Song Of Christmas
  • 1954 - Lift Up Your Voice
  • 1955 - Lift Up Your Voice
  • 1955 - Beyond The Sunset
  • 1956 - Red & Ernie, Vol. 1
  • 1956 - Red & Ernie, Vol. 2
  • 1958 - Red Foley's Dickies Souvenir Album
  • 1958 - I Believe
  • 1958 - He Walks With Thee
  • 1958 - Beyond The Sunset
  • 1958 - My Keepsake Album
  • 1959 - Let's All Sing With Red Foley
  • 1960 - Kitty Wells' and Red Foley's Golden Favorites
  • 1961 - Rockin 'Chair
  • 1961 - Company's Comin '
  • 1961 - Songs Of Devotion
  • 1962 - Dear Hearts & Gentle People
  • 1962 - Life's Railroad To Heaven
  • 1962 - Hang Your Head In Shame
  • 1963 - The Red Foley Show
  • 1963 - Rock Of Ages
  • 1965 - I'm Bound For The Kingdom
  • 1967 - Songs For The Soul
  • 1969 - I Believe

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ US catalog number: Decca 46205. The title reached number 1 on the pop charts; compare Whitburn, Joel: Top Pop Records 1940-1955 . Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, 1973, p. 22

literature

  • Stambler, Irwin / Landon, Grelun: Encyclopedia Of Folk, Country And Western Music . New York / London: St. Martin's Press, 1969, pp. 97f
  • Dellar, Fred / Thompson, Roy: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Country Music . Foreword by Roy Acuff. London: Salamander Books, 1977, p. 89
  • Shestack, Melvin: The Country Music Encyclopaedia . London: Omnibus Press, 1977, pp. 75f

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Foley, Red
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Foley, Clyde Julian
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American country singer
DATE OF BIRTH June 17, 1910
PLACE OF BIRTH Blue Lick , Kentucky
DATE OF DEATH 19th September 1968
Place of death Fort Wayne , Indiana