Ferlin Husky - Gone (The Grand Ole Opry) video free download


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Duration: 02:21
Uploaded: 2012/04/01

Ferlin Husky had three separate careers. Out of the three, the best-known is his country-pop career, which brought him to the top of the charts in the late '50s, but he was also known as a honky tonk singer called Terry Preston and a country comic named Simon Crum. Of course, Preston and Crum are just footnotes to Husky's very popular career, even though Crum nearly became a household name as well. During the late '50s and early '60s, he had a string of Top 40 country hits, highlighted by two number one hits -- "Gone" and "Wings of a Dove" -- which each spent ten weeks at the top of the charts. Husky wasn't able to sustain that momentum, but both of the songs became country classics.

Born and raised outside on a Missouri farm, Husky became infatuated with music and began to play guitar as a child. During World War II, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines, where he occasionally entertained the troops onboard his ship. Following the war, he became a DJ in Missouri, then in Bakersfield, CA. While he was in California, Husky began using the name Terry Preston, because he believed his given name sounded too rural. He also began singing in honky tonks, using the Preston name. At one of his gigs, Tennessee Ernie Ford's manager Cliffie Stone heard Husky and took him under his wing. Stone helped Husky secure a record contract at Capitol Records in 1953. As soon as he signed with Capitol, he reverted to using Ferlin Husky as his performing name.

Husky's first records were generally ignored. It wasn't until he sang on Jean Shepard's "A Dear John Letter" that he had a hit. "A Dear John Letter" became a number one hit, but Husky wasn't able to follow it immediately with a solo hit, although the duo had a sequel, "Forgive Me John," later that year. Husky didn't have a solo hit until 1955, when "I Feel Better All Over (More Than Anywhere's Else)" and its flip side, "Little Tom," climbed into the country Top Ten. Around the same time, he developed his comic alter ego, Simon Crum. Husky signed Crum to a separate record contract with Capitol and began releasing records under that name.

Husky racked up a consistent string of hits during the late '50s, reaching his peak in 1957, when "Gone" spent ten weeks at number one; the song crossed over into the pop charts, climbing to number four. That same year, he began an acting career, starting with a spot on the Kraft TV Theatre television program and the film Mr. Rock & Roll. In 1958, Crum had a number two hit with "Country Music Is Here to Stay." Though he had several hits in 1959, none of his songs broke the Top Ten. In 1960, he had his biggest hit, the gospel song "Wings of a Dove," which was number one for a total of ten weeks and reached number 12 on the pop charts.

Despite the massive success of "Wings of a Dove," Husky wasn't able to sustain a presence on the country charts during the '60s. He remained a popular concert attraction, but he had no Top Ten hits between "Wings of a Dove" and "Once," which hit number four in 1966. A year after "Once," he had his final Top Ten hit with "Just for You." In the late '60s, Husky managed to incorporate the slicker, heavily produced sounds of contemporary country-pop into his music, which resulted in his brief career revitalization. Husky kept racking up minor hits until 1975. In 1977, he had heart surgery and briefly retired from performing. During the '80s and '90s, he performed regularly at the Grand Ole Opry, as well as Christy Lane's Theater in Branson, MO. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

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Comments

9 years ago

Plumber Bob

Allison Tuttle Le

9 years ago

onstageagain

A voice like no other ... man could sing... loved him... 

9 years ago

Anton Gorillo

Ferlin is an incomparable talent. His vocal renditions (Gone & There Goes...) have such heartfelt sincerity, which is a strange contrast to his joy for humor and laughter. Ferlin, aka Simon Crum, in my opinion, is one of the GREATS of real country music. 

9 years ago

The musical MIsCrEaNt.

Only he could sing it Best!!!

9 years ago

Ferlin Scarborough

Always enjoy listening to my name sake. 

9 years ago

Joe Kelly

Brilliant! 

9 years ago

hank eanes

Such a beautiful song by one of the greatest artist. Thank you very much for bringing back so many memories.

10 years ago

IGOR OZKARSKI

Ferlen recorded the orginal in 1954it didn´t take off. re-recorded itin 1957 & .....

10 years ago

Scotseasy

The compere wasn't up to much, but Ferlin wasn't put off, and sang his song well. Just a pity the song is so short !

10 years ago

Joan Morgan

I literally fell in love with this guy and his music, although I was born in the sixties in reggae land Jamaica. 

10 years ago

Jim Sharp

1950s classic country on the Grand Ole Opry. Ferlin Husky.#grandoleopry 

12 years ago

vera turner

He is one class act that will be missed..John, thank you for taking the time to give all this background on Ferlin; I love learning about people and found the information on him quite interesting. take care, vera

12 years ago

ebfan41

Terrific song by Ferlin Husky!! Thank you John for post! 5*****

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