Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Ferlin Husky: July 2006
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 Watson's Peers who were contacted during 2006 were most gracious with their time and words. It is here, within this special part of the Gene Watson Fan Site, 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 and 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 Husky received his musical inspiration from his mother and 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 and as a disc jockey, Ferlin Husky began performing in the Bakersfield, California area as Terry Preston and he was eventually discovered by Tennessee Ernie Ford's manager Cliffie Stone.
Ferlin Husky grew up during the Great Depression and 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 (Sunday 28 September 1930 - Tuesday 14 March 2000), Billy Mize, Dallas Frazier, Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006) and Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004).
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 and '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 which was 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 and led the pace for a further twenty six hit songs for Capitol Records, a label Ferlin Husky 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' and 'Once', which reached No.4 in 1966. Ferlin Husky enjoyed his final Top 10 hit with 'Just For You' in 1967 and racked up minor hits until 1975.
In 1977, Ferlin Husky had heart surgery and briefly retired from performing.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Ferlin Husky performed regularly at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Ferlin Husky recorded Dallas Frazier's 'Champagne Ladies' (co-written with Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens) and included the track on 'The Way It Was' (Heart of Texas Records, 2006).
Ferlin Husky's 'The Way It Was' (Heart of Texas Records, 2006), which was produced by Leona Williams and Justin Trevino, included two tracks, 'Dear John' and 'As Long As I Live', which were duets with Leona Williams, along with 'The Way It Was', which was written by Leona Williams.
Ferlin Husky had suffered from heart problems for many years and had been hospitalised several times since the late 1970s, most recently for heart surgery in 2005 and 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 and pneumonia.
On Wednesday 15 July 2009, Ferlin Husky's spokesman said he was recuperating at home after being released from a Nashville hospital.
On Tuesday 23 February 2010, the Country Music Association (CMA) 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 and 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 had died from cardiac problems.
Visit Ferlin Husky's Official Site