Stonewall Jackson (musician)

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Stonewall Jackson (born November 6, 1932 in Tabor City , North Carolina ) is an American country singer and songwriter who had several hit parades in the 1960s.

Life

Beginnings

Stonewall Jackson, a descendant of the famous Southern General Thomas Jonathan Jackson , grew up in dire poverty. After the early death of his father, the mother and her children moved to a brother-in-law's farm. It was the time of the economic depression and Jackson had to work in the fields by the age of eight. He taught himself the first chords on an old guitar he'd bought in exchange for a rusted bike.

He served his army time in the US Navy, where he had his first appearances as a musician. After his release, he continued to work in agriculture. In 1956 he moved to Nashville with some money and some self-written songs to try his luck in the music business.

Career

Influential producer Wesley Rose took a liking to the young man and his music and recommended him to George D. Hay , the manager of the Grand Ole Opry . He spontaneously offered him a multi-year contract. It was the first time that a newcomer without a record deal became a permanent member of the Opry. After his first successful appearances and with the support of country veteran Ernest Tubb , it was not long before the big record companies became aware of the young musician. The Columbia label finally won the race in 1956.

His first single, Don't Be Angry , was released in January 1957. The follow-up production, a cover version of George Jones Life To Go , made it almost to the top of the country charts two years later. In the same year he achieved his greatest success with Waterloo . The song (which has nothing to do with the world hit of the same name by the Swedish group ABBA ) was number one for several weeks and made it into the top 10 of the pop hit parade.

After further successful singles, he managed his second number 1 hit in 1964 with BJ the DJ . By the end of the decade, almost every single one of his singles was in the top 20. Then the sales figures dropped noticeably. Only in 1971 was he able to place himself in the top of the country charts with Me and You and a Dog Named Boo . In 1973 he switched to the MGM label after disputes with his record company. Here he had one last modest success with the song Herman Schwartz .

Stonewall Jackson changed record labels several times, releasing new and old material. Although he was unable to build on his earlier successes, he remained connected to the scene and continued to perform in concerts. In 2007 he filed a lawsuit against the Grand Ole Opry because he was no longer allowed to make any further appearances. Jackson sued for age discrimination and breach of contract. In October 2008, Gaylord Entertainment, owner of Opry, announced that the dispute had been settled out of court. Jackson has since returned to the Opry.

Discography

  • 1959: The Dynamic Stonewall Jackson (Columbia)
  • 1963: Sadness In A Song (Columbia)
  • 1963: I Love A Song (Columbia)
  • 1965: Trouble & Me (Columbia)
  • 1966: All's Fair In Love 'N' War (Columbia)
  • 1967: Help Stamp Out Loneliness (Columbia)
  • 1968: Stonewall Jackson Country (Columbia)
  • 1968: Nothing Takes The Place Of Loving You (Columbia)
  • 1969: The Old Country Church (Columbia)
  • 1969: A Tribute To Hank Williams (Columbia)
  • 1970: The Lonesome In Me (Columbia)
  • 1970: The Real Thing (Columbia)
  • 1971: Stonewall Jackson Recorded Live At The Grand Ole Opry (Columbia)
  • 1971: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo (Columbia)
  • 1973: Stonewall Jackson Country (Columbia)
  • 1973: The Lonesome In Me (Columbia)
  • 1979: Platinum Country (Little Darlin ')
  • 1982: Solid Stonewall (Phono)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Court admits Stonewall Jackson lawsuit against the Grand Ole Opry ; Country Music News.de
  2. ^ Settled litigation between Stonewall Jackson and the Grand Ole Opry ; Country Music News.de  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www.countrymusicnews.de  
personal data
SURNAME Jackson, Stonewall
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American country singer and songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH November 6, 1932
PLACE OF BIRTH Tabor City , North Carolina