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Topic: Pee Wee King Dies |
Dan Crook
From:
Cypress, TX, U.S.A.
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Posted 8 Mar 2000 4:40 am |
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Frank ``Pee Wee'' King, who co-wrote the ``Tennessee Waltz'' and helped introduced several instruments and musical styles to the Grand Ole Opry, died Tuesday. He was 86.
King had been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack Feb. 28.
Born Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski in Abrams, Wis., King wrote ``Tennessee Waltz'' with fellow band member Redd Stewart in 1947. The two said they wrote it on an unfolded matchbox as they were riding in Stewart's truck.
While King's recording did well, a version of the song by Patti Page became a No. 1 pop hit and sold 65 million copies. It became the state song of Tennessee in 1965.
King joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1937. During his 10-year run on the popular country music radio show, he was among the first to do polkas, cowboy songs and waltzes, as well as use trumpets, drums and electric guitar in his band. King's Golden West Cowboys were outfitted in colorful western outfits designed by the Hollywood tailor Nudie, a look other stars emulated.
In 1974, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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D. Crook
Left-Handed Super-Pro |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2000 5:21 am
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One by one they go. Soon there will be just a memory left of what pioneered what we love so dearly.
When they are all gone, I don't see it ever coming back.
Time marches on.
Walk with Jesus and all things will be good,
carl |
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Al Johnson
From:
Sturgeon Bay, WI USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2000 4:47 pm
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I got to see the Golden West Cowboys and their great leader Pee Wee King. This was
from 1946 to 1955 a Western Swing Band with
great writers and singers and musicians.
The only band I know of to record Steel Guitar Rag twice, a vocal and as an instrumental both featuring Bobby Koefer.
Anyway I saw Pee Wee King and Band 3 times
and it was a real show group, western clothes
and always a steel man starting with Don
Davis, Roy Ayres, and Bobby Koefer, Bobby
would look straight ahead at the crowd and
play such great sounds, he was featured on
their instrumental recordings. Pee Wee knew
how to lead a band. We can't forget Redd
Stewart, a great voice, fiddle, guitar.
Thanks for reading. |
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Al Johnson
From:
Sturgeon Bay, WI USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2000 5:00 pm
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Pee Wee King featured Bobby Koefer on steel
guitar for 2-3 years on their instrumental
recordings. On both records of Steel Guitar
Rag, one vocal, one instrumental. All great
Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys
live and in person...WOW. |
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