Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight to Feature George Hamilton IV

Take some time Sunday August 30^th at 11 a.m. for the Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight. We’re featuring George Hamilton IV.

George Hamilton IV was born on July 19, 1937 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He began his career as a teen idol, but soon switched to country music. He was a regular on many country radio and television shows in the late 1950’s. He also had his own network TV show.

In 1960 he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His biggest hit came two years later with Abilene, a song written by John D. Loudermilk and Bob Gibson. The song spent four weeks at #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart. The success of Abilene was followed with the song Fort Worth or Houston, a top five hit in late 1964.

George was proclaimed the international ambassador of country music thanks to his performances around the world during the late 1970’s. He was an activist for the civil rights movement and performed as a warm up act for Bobby Kennedy’s ill-fated presidential campaign in 1968.

He suffered a heart attack on September 13^th, 2014 and died on September 17^th. On September 24^th, the Ryman Auditorium hosted his memorial service.  He is survived by his wife, Tinky, a daughter, two sons and four grandchildren.

Join me Sundays from 9 a.m. to  1 p.m. for the 98.1 Classic Show.  You can find us at 98.1 Minnesota’s New Country, online and on your mobile device. We take your requests at 320-252-9897 or by email to dick@minnesotasnewcountry.com.