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Sonny James, country hitmaker of ‘Young Love,’ dies at 87
Washington Post ^ | February 23, 2016 | Kristin M. Hall

Posted on 02/23/2016 10:05:54 PM PST by BeadCounter

Sonny James, a country hall of fame singer who recorded smooth romantic ballads such as "Young Love" and turned pop songs into country hits, died Feb. 22 in Nashville. He was 87.

Family friend Gary Robble, who was the lead singer of Mr. James' backing band, announced the death but did not cite a cause.

Mr. James, who also was a songwriter, guitarist and fiddler, was promoted as the "Southern Gentleman" because of his gentle demeanor. Raised in Alabama, he started his music career with his family's band and, before he reached high school age, he already had performed on several country music radio shows.

Under the guidance of Ken Nelson, the producer who headed the country division of Capitol Records, Mr. James scored his biggest hit, "Young Love," (1956), which sold 3 million copies and became a No. 1 hit on the country and pop charts the next year. A decade later, he started an impressive run on top of the country charts with 16 consecutive No. 1 songs between 1967 and 1971.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Alabama
KEYWORDS: countrymusic; obit; obituary; sonnyjames; younglove
His lesser known "Miracles still happen" is an inspiring gospel song and one of my favorites.
1 posted on 02/23/2016 10:05:55 PM PST by BeadCounter
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To: BeadCounter

Went to watch him a long time ago...I believe it was in the early 70s.
Great performer.


2 posted on 02/23/2016 10:09:21 PM PST by crz
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To: BeadCounter

Although I loved his music, never considered him country. I’m probably a majority of one with this opinion.


3 posted on 02/23/2016 10:09:31 PM PST by doc1019 (Cruz)
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To: crz

At that concert, he was touring with the guy who did country bumpkin and I will be danged if I can remember the guys name...another great country performer. Cal Smith? I dunno know.


4 posted on 02/23/2016 10:11:42 PM PST by crz
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To: doc1019
Although I loved his music, never considered him country. I’m probably a majority of one with this opinion.

I don't necessarily dispute that, his original song, "Young Love" really is more of a pop success, a golden oldie, a ballad; Sha Na Na and many people have done that one. The articles say he played fiddle so perhaps some of his songs took on a countrified sound.

Young Love

5 posted on 02/23/2016 10:13:17 PM PST by BeadCounter (,)
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To: BeadCounter

I listen to “Young Love” all the time in the car. A wonderful song.


6 posted on 02/23/2016 10:16:11 PM PST by PghBaldy (12/14 - 930am -rampage begins... 12/15 - 1030am - Obama's advance team scouts photo-op locations.)
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To: BeadCounter

Thanks everybody for any responses, I really enjoy quite a few of his songs.


7 posted on 02/23/2016 10:18:38 PM PST by BeadCounter (,)
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To: BeadCounter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFyeBku9kQg

His version of Only the Lonely.

Listen to him run that guitar. That is really what I remember about his performing. He could sing and run a guitar like nobody I ever heard. String the cords together is what i mean about running a guitar.


8 posted on 02/23/2016 10:21:52 PM PST by crz
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To: BeadCounter

RIP.


9 posted on 02/23/2016 10:26:52 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: crz
At that concert, he was touring with the guy who did country bumpkin and I will be danged if I can remember the guys name...another great country performer. Cal Smith? I dunno know.

In my opinion, that's when country music was really good, probably the tail-end of its golden age.

10 posted on 02/23/2016 10:27:30 PM PST by BeadCounter (,)
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To: BeadCounter

Yup, all the greats back then. It was COUNTRY AND WESTERN and not all this rockabilly stuff like today.

A whole lot of them changed from rock and roll to country also. They could play and sing in several cords and not one cottin pickin cord like they do now.

A lot of them sound like drones now...


11 posted on 02/23/2016 10:31:56 PM PST by crz
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To: BeadCounter

I remember seeing and hearing him a lot during my youth. Always a pleasure to hear. RIP


12 posted on 02/23/2016 10:41:49 PM PST by Southside_Chicago_Republican (If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.)
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To: BeadCounter

I saw him once when I was a kid ... he played a show with Claude King (Wolverton Mountain) in the early 60’s up in Maine at the Lone Star Ranch.


13 posted on 02/23/2016 11:02:03 PM PST by jessduntno (The mind of a liberal...deceit, desire for control, greed, contradiction and fueled by hate.)
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To: BeadCounter

bookmark


14 posted on 02/23/2016 11:39:10 PM PST by GOP Poet
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To: BeadCounter
"Young Love"

A great classic! It is a real beauty and one of the best songs from the '50s.

15 posted on 02/24/2016 12:35:56 AM PST by UnwashedPeasant (A slave is one who waits for someone to come and free him.)
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To: BeadCounter

Condolences to family and friends of Sonny James. R.I.P., sir.

love


16 posted on 02/24/2016 2:24:08 AM PST by PGalt
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To: crz
Hello Country Bumpkin was written by Tom T. Hall of Henderson, Tennessee. Is that the one with which you were trying to remember?
17 posted on 02/24/2016 5:01:53 AM PST by vetvetdoug
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To: vetvetdoug
Hello Country Bumpkin was written by Tom T. Hall of Henderson, Tennessee. Is that the one with which you were trying to remember?

Country Bumpkin, Single by Cal Smith, written by Don Wayne.

18 posted on 02/24/2016 7:06:07 AM PST by BeadCounter (,)
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To: BeadCounter

I could have gone happily for the rest of my life without being reminded of that song.


19 posted on 02/24/2016 7:08:04 AM PST by AppyPappy (If you really want to irritate someone, point out something obvious they are trying hard to ignore.)
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To: BeadCounter

Thanks for the correction. I should double check my memory at times.


20 posted on 02/24/2016 10:45:14 AM PST by vetvetdoug
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