Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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TWITTY, Conway

(b Harold Jenkins, 1 Sep. '33, Friars Point MS; d 5 June '93, Springfield MO) Country singer. Grew up in Helena AR; took his stage name from towns in Arkansas and Texas, in late '50s was a singer of pop rockaballads, turned to country '65 and in 20 years had 61 top ten hits incl. 31 no. ones. Following an initial interest in baseball he recorded for Sun under his real name, but no sides were released; he moved to Mercury, had a minor pop hit with 'I Need Your Lovin'' '57, moved to MGM and made no. 1 with 'It's Only Make Believe' '58, 13 more hits through '62 incl. top tens 'Danny Boy' and 'Lonely Boy Blue' '59. He already dabbled with country, writing 'Walk Me To The Door', top ten country hit for Ray Price early '63, and incl. country songs on his albums (in '70--71 MGM recycled tracks in album You Can't Take The Country Out Of Conway, reached the country chart with two singles incl. '60 hit 'What Am I Living For'). He moved to Nashville '65, signed with Decca and the hit machine started slowly, climbed to the top five, then no. 1 with 'Next In Line' '68. He teamed with Loretta Lynn for a series of duet hits '71--5; won a Grammy for their 'After The Fire Is Gone' '71 and they were CMA's Duo of the Year each year '72--5. His no. ones incl. 'Hello Darlin'' and '15 Years Ago', which also crossed to the pop chart '70, as did the Grammy-winning duet. 'You've Never Been This Far Before' '73 was his biggest crossover, almost making pop top 20. 'Don't Cry Joni' '75 reached top pop Hot 100, featuring his daughter; he was named CMA Male Vocalist that year. He ran a booking agency with Lynn, several music publishing companies, burger chain Twitty Burgers and a theme park called Twitty City in Hendersonville TN where you had to go through the gift shop to get out (the park was sold to a Christian cable TV company '95 and demolished). There were too many hits to list here; he switched to Elektra '82 and had three chart-toppers, went to WB '83 and carried on, moved back to MCA '87 for further hits incl. 'She's Got A Single Thing In Mind' and 'Crazy In Love'. Final project was superstar sessions for Country Rhythm And Blues, teamed with Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave) on 'Rainy Night In Georgia'. Later albums incl. Crazy In Love '90, Even Now '91, Final Touches '93 on MCA, plus compilations Silver Anniversary Collection '90 on MCA; Final Recordings Of His Greatest Hits '93 on Curb/Country Skyline. The High Priest Of Country Music on Edsel UK compiled 24 tracks.