Gene Watson's Peers: Ferlin Husky
Gene Watson's peers within the country music industry
believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much
so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and
rightly so!
All of Gene's Peers who were contacted in 2006 were most gracious with their
time & words. It is here, within this special part of gene-watson.com, that
you have an opportunity to read a quote from
Ferlin Husky, which he submitted
to this site on Friday 21 July 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Ferlin Husky who has made a
special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone
Star Hero'.
Ferlin Husky
This quote was submitted on Friday 21 July 2006
'I have known Gene Watson since he first started in
this business.
He has one of the finest voices that I have ever heard - and
Simon likes him, too'.
Thank you, Ferlin Husky, for your
support of Gene Watson.
About Ferlin Husky...
Ferlin Husky was born on Thursday 3
December 1925 in Missouri, close to the communities of Flat
River, Hickory Grove & Cantrell, some fifty miles south of St. Louis.
'Little Tom', which reached No.7 on the country charts in 1961, was included
on Ferlin Husky's 'Memories of Home' (Capitol Records, 1961)
Ferlin received his musical inspiration from his mother & from an uncle
called Clyde Wilson; it was Clyde who taught Ferlin how to play guitar when
he was nine years old. In appreciation, Ferlin gave Clyde a songwriter
credit on a number of songs that he had written, most notably 'Little Tom',
which reached No.7 on the country charts in 1961.
Following stints in the Merchant Marines & as a disc jockey, Ferlin began performing in the Bakersfield, California area
as Terry Preston & he was eventually discovered by Tennessee
Ernie Ford's manager Cliffie Stone.
Ferlin Husky grew up during the Great Depression & came of age during World
War II; it was during his early days in Bakersfield, California that he
generously gave a helping hand to then struggling entertainers Tommy Collins,
Billy Mize, Dallas Frazier, Buck Owens & Roy Drusky.
It was also around this time that Ferlin Husky created a character called
Simon Crum, a hick philosopher who became so popular in his own right that
Capitol Records signed the singer in order to record tracks as his alter
ego.
Ferlin Husky's successful recordings for Capitol Records include 'A dear
John letter', a duet with Jean Shepard which reached No.1 in 1953,
'Gone' which reached No.1 in 1957, 'Country music is here to stay',
which was performed as Simon Crum reached No.2 in 1958 & 'Forgive me,
John', which was another duet with Jean Shepard, reached No.4 in 1963.
Ferlin Husky's greatest success was 'Wings of a dove', a song that spent
twelve weeks at No.1 on the country music singles chart in late 1960.
The song also peaked at No.12 on the pop listings & led the pace for a
further twenty-six hit songs for Capitol Records, a label Ferlin departed
from in 1972.
Despite the massive success of 'Wings of a dove', Ferlin Husky was not able
to sustain a presence on the country music charts during the 1960s. He
did remain, however, a popular concert attraction, but he had no Top 10 hits
between 'Wings of a dove' & 'Once', which reached No.4 in 1966. Ferlin
enjoyed his final Top 10 hit with 'Just for you' in 1967 & racked up minor
hits until 1975.
In 1977, Ferlin had heart surgery & briefly retired from performing.
During
the 1980s & 1990s, he performed regularly at the Grand Ole Opry.
Ferlin Husky has suffered from heart problems for many years & has been
hospitalised several times since the late 1970s, most recently for heart
surgery in 2005 & blood clots in his legs in 2007. He was admitted to
St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri on Sunday 19 April 2009, with
congestive heart failure & pneumonia.
On Wednesday 15 July 2009, his spokesman said he was recuperating at home
after being released from a Nashville hospital.
On Tuesday 23 February 2010, the Country Music Association announced Ferlin
Husky's induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
On Sunday 16 January 2011, Ferlin Husky was honoured at West St. Francois
County High School in Leadwood, MO where local singers & the high school
choir sang some of his hits. Ferlin also donated several items of
memorabilia, including his Country Music Hall of Fame Award, to the city of
Leadwood. They will be permanently stored at the High School.
On Thursday 17 March 2011, his management released a statement saying that
Ferlin Husky died from cardiac problems.
Visit Ferlin Husky's Official Site
