Ferlin Husky

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ferlin Husky


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Ferlin Husky
Alias = Terry Preston, Simon Crum
Born = birth date and age|1925|12|03
Died =
Origin = Flat River, Missouri, USA
Instrument = vocals
Genre = Country Music
Occupation = Country Music Artist
Years_active = 1945 – Present
Label = Capitol Records (1953–1972), ABC Records (1972–present)
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URL = http://www.ferlinhusky.com/

Ferlin Husky (born December 3 1925 in Flat River, Missouri) is an American singer who has become well-known as a country-pop chart-topper under various names, including Terry Preston and Simon Crum. In the 1950s and 60s, Husky had several hits, including "Gone" and "Wings of a Dove", each number one on the country charts.

As a member of the United States Merchant Marine, Husky entertained the troops on his ship in World War 2. His official website also states that his ship participated in the D-Day invasion of Cherbourg. After the war, Husky became a DJ in Missouri and Bakersfield, California, where he began using the moniker "Terry Preston" in order to hide his rural roots. As a honky tonk singer, Husky signed with Capitol Records in 1953 under the guidance of Cliffie Stone, also the manager for Tennessee Ernie Ford. With Capitol Records, he reverted to his given name. A few singles failed before "A Dear John Letter" with Jean Shepard became a #1 hit. The followup was called "Forgive Me John".

In 1955, Husky had a solo hit with "I Feel Better All Over (More Than Anywhere's Else)"/"Little Tom", and developed Simon Crum as a comic alter ego. As Crum, Husky signed a separate contract with Capitol Records and began releasing records, the biggest of which was 1959's "Country Music is Here to Stay" (No. 2 for three weeks).

In the late 1950s, Husky had a long string of hits, including the #1 "Gone," in 1957 (he first recorded "Gone" as Terry Preston in 1952, but the earlier version lacked the strings and backup singers of the newly-emerging Nashville sound). "Gone" was a "crossover" success, also reaching #4 on the popular charts; he then began an acting career, appearing on the "Kraft TV Theatre" program, and in the film "Mr. Rock & Roll" (his website states that he has had bit parts in 18 movies). Bob Ferguson's "Wings of a Dove" became his biggest hit in 1960, topping the country charts for ten weeks and attaining #12 on the pop charts. Although he didn't have any more #1 releases, he had over two dozen hits between 1961 and 1972 with the biggest being the Top 5's "Once" (1967) and "Just For You" (1968). In late 1972, after over 20 years with Capitol Records, Ferlin signed with ABC Records, where he scored several Top 40 hits into 1975 with the biggest of his hits there being the Top 20 "Rosie Cries A Lot" (1973). Ferlin briefly retired in 1977 following heart surgery but resumed touring after that. He remains a popular concert draw, performing at the Grand Ole Opry and elsewhere.

References

*Roy, Don. (1998). "Ferlin Husky". In "The Encyclopedia of Country Music". Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 252. (Birth year listed as 1927).

External links

* [http://hammer.prohosting.com/~coollz/ferlin.htm Prohosting.com information on Husky]
* http://www.ferlinhusky.com/
* [http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/artists/h/husk1000.htm A discography with sound checks]