Johnny
Horton was a country music star during the 1950's, and is still
popular to those who enjoy the older musical style embodied by him
and the likes of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr. and Ferlin Husky. His
ballads run the gamut from adventurous to amorous, and quite often
they are laced with humor.
Unfortunately
Horton was killed by a drunk driver on a narrow bridge in Texas on
November 5, 1960, and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Haughton,
Louisiana. [1]
Although
I was not born until after his death, I remember hearing Horton's
songs on the barber shop radio or on Dads car radio (when we got
close enough to the transmitter) well into the 1960's. Perhaps at
that young age and unbeknownst to me, my love of history was being
developed. Songs like Johnny Reb, Sink The Bismark, and
The Battle of New Orleans were
the most common of his songs based on a historical theme, and songs
like North! To Alaska! and
Whispering Pines would
always pop up. Johnny Horton has long been one of my favorites.
That
said, my YouTube research will usually find a path to Johnny Horton,
and for you listening pleasure, I present two more of my “finds”.
These songs were produced in 1959 or 1960, just in time for the
Centennial of the war which may have added to their popularity.
In
keeping with my policy of balance, there is one representing the
Union and one for the Confederacy.
I
posted this latest edition of YouTube Research in part to let my loyal
reader know I am still here. That is if that person has not given up
on me already. I am still chasing down stories to tell, but have
encountered several dead ends. That has discouraged me terribly.
Additionally I have been ill with an upper respiratory infection
which I have just about whooped and school started again in August.
Two more years and I will be “edjukatud”! Add trying to make a
living to the mix and spare time comes at a premium. I will say this.
Now would be a good time to “follow me by email”. I hate to waste
everyone’s time having them come and find old posts.
I
am also trying to regain some of my research and writing discipline
which has gone away over the last several weeks. Other bloggers seem
to have no trouble posting and I am sure they are just as busy if not
busier than I am. Rest assured though that I am still here and trying!
Thanks
for stopping by!
The
Picket
Source
1-
Retrieved from Wikipedia at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Horton
09-29-2012
