Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight to Feature Ferlin Husky

Join me Sunday, May 17th for the life and music of Ferlin Husky on the Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight at 11 a.m.

Ferlin was raised in rural Flat River, Missouri which is about fifty miles south of St. Louis.  After serving five years in the Merchant Marines during World War II, he settled in Bakersfield, California working as a DJ.

As a singer he made a breakthrough when he recorded Gone in November 1956. It became a number one hit in 1957.  He first recorded Gone as Terry Preston in 1952 with little success.  The song's popularity led to a summer replacement host in 1957 for Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scout Show. He also began his acting career on television and by doing some film work.

Ferlin charted three dozen hits between 1961 and 1972.  Bob Ferguson wrote Wings of a Dove, which became his biggest hit in 1960.  It went to #1 on the country chart for ten non-consecutive weeks.  It became his third and final #1 on the country chart  and spent a total of nine months on the chart.

He was married four times and for the last six years of his life he lived with the longtime love of his life, Leona Williams, who was the  former wife of Merle Haggard.  He died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Nashville on March 17, 2011 at the age of 85.

You can hear all your favorite country classics tunes Sunday's from 9 am to 1 pm.  We take your requests at 320-252-9897 or by email to dick@minnesotasnewcountry.com.