George Hamilton IV
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George Hamilton IV Tavelis a way of life for George George IV watched Red Foley and Ernest Hamilton IV. One look at his passport Tubb go into the National Life building to confirms that. Certainly, no one would rehearse. Going over to watch rehearsals, he met Chet Atkins who invited him to go dispute his unofficial title as the "International backstage at the Opry that night. Ambassador of Country Music." After George IV moved to Nashville to Along with his title, George IV pursue a country music career, Chet signed has compiled an impressive list him to RCA Victor. In March 1960, George of firsts. He appeared at the first IV joined the Grand Ole Opry. That same "International Festival of Country year he had his first country hit, "Before Music" in London (1969) and This Day Ends." performed at the first such international festivals in Sweden In 1963, "Abilene" was his first No. 1. (1976), Finland (1977), Holland Other major hits included "Fort Worth, and Norway (1978), Germany Dallas, or Houston," "Truck Driving Man," (1979), Paris and Zurich (1980), "Early Morning Rain," "She's A Little Bit and Vienna, Austria (1984). Country," and "Break My Mind." "We're on, by George!" The IV and V wait for their cue to hit the Opry stage. He was the first American Several of his hits were written by country singer to appear in Russia and Canadian artist Gordon Lightfoot whose Czechoslovakia (1974) and the first work he admired. George IV worked GEORGE'S FAVORITE SONG American to record a studio album in extensively in Canada, even hosting a TV Eastern Europe (Prague, 1982). series in that country for six years. His other TV credits include starring in his IS "LIFE'S RAILWAY TO George IV was the first American country own show on ABC in 1959. singer to have his own British TV series. He also appeared in England's first Country From Canada, George IV ventured to HEAVEN." "THAT WAS MY Music Summer Season show. Europe, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Holy Land The "firsts" don't end here. George IV also GRANDFATHER'S FAVORITE where he videotaped two TV specials with was the first pop artist to switch to country Arthur Smith. music. As a college student, he gained SONG," HE SAYS. stardom with the 1956 million -selling Top He took a break from the Opry in 1971 10 pop hit "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" and to move back to North Carolina to spend spent weekends and vacations touring. "HE WAS A RAILROAD MAN time with his family and devote time to television work in Canada and Great One evening in 1960, sitting in the Ryman Britain. He moved back to Nashville in Auditorium enjoying the Opry, George IV AND HE TAUGHT ME TO 1976 and plays the Opry regularly when decided to switch from pop to country he's not off to Europe and points beyond. music. After all, his roots were in country. LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC. - At age 12 or 13, this North Carolina native saved his paper route money and, with his parents' permission, rode a bus to Nashville to see the Opry. From his room, 46 (; A \ I) ()I. ()I'11 I \ (' '2, 5.