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What many believe
to be the “Cast of Legends”. The 1962 members of the Grand Ole Opry. |
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With Ernest Tubb
during Opry broadcast. |
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While touring,
this photo was taken of Patsy Cline and Sonny by her husband,
Charlie Dick, just a few weeks before her fatal plane crash.
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This close-knit
group was like family. They respected each other’s talents and their
voices blended perfectly with James’s. Stars in their own right,
they relinquished some of the spotlight to showcase Sonny at his
best. Many miles of enjoyment between these five.
Listen to audio clip from
"Take Good Care of Her". |
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Milo Liggett was
road manager, featured artist, and played a major role in all James’
personal appearances. His comedy with Sonny is remembered by loyal
fans throughout the country music industry. He also recorded for
Monument Records. Sonny and Milo continue to have a deep friendship. |
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The Southern
Gentleman, Minnie Pearl and Sonny enjoyed many appearances together.
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Sonny, Patsy
Cline, Ferlin Husky and Elvis Presley were among the original stars
placed in the Walkway of the Country Music Hall of Fame on Music
Row. |
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And a good time was had by all filming movie. Faron
Young – Merle Kilgore – Minnie Pearl – Jimmy Dickens – Kitty Wells –
Ruby Wright – Sonny – Curly Fox – Bill Phillips – Lamar Morris. |
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Fellow Capitol
Records artist Buck Owens presenting Sonny with award at the Grand
Ole Opry. |
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In 1967 the honors
continued when James would host the first CMA Award Show –
Country Music Association’s recognition of country’s top writers and
performers. With Bobbie Gentry as his co-host, the two no doubt
played a major role in what has become an annual event, and one of
television's highest rated programs.
Hear a clip
from Sonny's hit
"Born To Be With You" |
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Sonny James with
fellow Alabamian, Jim Nabors, when “Gomer Pyle” visited Sonny
backstage during his performance. Los Angles, California, late
1960’s. |
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On the road again
– this time more comfortable quarters for the Southern Gentleman.
A little known fact is that shows became much easier for all artists due to the
innovation and
vision of Sonny & his Southern Gentleman. Bass player & Road
Manager Milo Liggett was instrumental in developing what is now the
modern "touring coach concept" used by traveling artists worldwide. |
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Manager Bob Neal
maps out the next personal appearance schedule. |
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One of the most
heralded albums of his career—“The Astrodome Presents Sonny James in
Person”.
Click Here
for a live performance clip from this highly acclaimed album of
"Since I Met You Baby". |
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Visiting during his Astrodome appearance:
L to R: Sonny – Frank Broyles, Hall of Fame football coach
(Arkansas) – Jimmy Dean – Boots Randolph – Darryl Royal, Hall of
Fame football coach (Texas). |
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Bringing country
music to larger & larger venues, here is just one of the many shows performed in the late 1960's. |
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These “cowboys” are Southern Gentleman (left to
right) Milo Liggett – Duane West – Sonny - Glenn Huggins – Gary
Robble. |
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Tremendous crowds were drawn by this trio in the late
‘60s. L to R: Conway Twitty – Promoter Jimmy Jay – James – Roy
Clark. |
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Cover of a 1968 Country Music
Life Magazine. |
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Booked by the same
agency, Loretta Lynn and Sonny were often featured on the same
package. Pictured here with promoter Abe Hamza. |
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Often promoters
would feature a country artist and a motion picture personality.
This series of shows starred James and Jayne Mansfield at the peak
of her popularity. Her career was shortened by a tragic car
accident. This picture was taken 3 months before her death.
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promotional photo for one of Sonny & The Southern Gentleman's
appearances in a number of movies. |
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1965 Movie: Second Fiddle To A Steel Guitar
CAST: The Bowery Boys, Pamela Hayes, Sonny James, Kitty Wells,
George Hamilton IV, Webb Pierce, Faron Young, Lefty Frizzell,
Minnie Pearl, Carl & Pearl Butler, Bill Monroe, Little Jimmy
Dickens, Dell Reeves, Johnny Wright & Homer & Jethro. |
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1966 Movie: Las Vegas Hillbillys
CAST: Mamie Van Doren, Jayne Mansfield, Ferlin Husky, Sonny James |
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1967 Movie: Hillbillys in a Haunted House
CAST: Ferlin Husky, Joi Lansing, Don Bowman, John Carradine, Lon
Chaney Jr., Basil Rathbone, Merle Haggard, Sonny James, Linda Ho,
Molly Bee, George Barrows |
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Movie: Nashville Rebel
CAST: Tex Ritter, Sonny James, Faron Young, Loretta Lynn, Porter
Wagoner, The Wilburn Brothers, Henny Youngman & Waylon Jennings. |
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New venues opened
up for country artists in the 1960’s. - “Theaters in the Round”
where the stage would rotate continuously during a performance.
Pictured here in Salt Lake City. |
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Co-manager Luther
Wood spent many hours furthering James’ popularity- both with
Capitol Records and CBS. |
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The Southern
Gentleman in the studio. |
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Sonny believes the
talents of Carole Smith were responsible for a great deal of his
recording success. Sonny & Carole co-wrote many of his releases and
are the closest of friends. Picture here at one of James’s contract
signings (CBS). Carole, husband Lyman B. – Sonny and good friend
Budd King. |
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Sonny’s production
of Marie Osmond’s album “Paper Roses” sold millions. Pictured here
with awards for the album. He produced her first three successful
albums. |
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Ed Sullivan – his
frequent appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS-TV) introduced
James to millions of viewers. |
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Singing one of his
most popular hits – “Running Bear” on the Sullivan show.
Click Here to
download and listen to Running Bear. |
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Milo Liggett –
Gary Robble- Sonny – Duane West – Glenn Huggins. The
bass voice of Southern Gentleman Glenn Huggins is the recognizable
vocal
sound on
the #1 national hit "Running Bear". |
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Another great outlet for the entertainer was
television’s Mike Douglas Show.
L to R: Liberace – Douglas – James – actress Agnes Morehead and
actor Red Buttons. |
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James was an
admirer of the legendary movie actor George Burns. Here the two
appear during a TV taping. |
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Good Country
Pickin’ by the Southern Gentleman and friend, Glen Campbell, on the
CBS-TV “Good Time Hour”. |
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Sonny and Dolly
Parton during their taping of a television show. |
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Being in the music
industry afforded numerous opportunities to meet and enjoy many of
the greats in the sports world. Here on the practice field with two
of the greatest – Bobby Boyd, All Pro Defensive Back and Johnny
Unitas, All Pro Quarterback. (both Hall of Fame). |
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Hall of Fame
baseball legend, Dizzy Dean, wants to talk music with Sonny.
However, Sonny’s mind is on baseball and his admiration for Dizzy’s
career. |
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On January 31,
1971 Sonny James took a trip to the moon! By special request James
was honored to be the first country artist to record a program
exclusively for a moon flight. In appreciation, the crew of Apollo
14, Stuart Roosa, Edgar Mitchell and Commander Alan Shepard
presented him with a flag they carried to the moon – one of James’
prized possessions. |
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Pictures from the
Apollo 14 flight. |
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Picture of flag
carried to the moon and the official NASA letter sent to James to
commemorate this historic event. |
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One of the hit
albums for 1976 was “200 Year of Country Music”, celebrating our
nation’s Bicentennial and recreating the authentic country music
styles of the era with the help of many of the original band members
and nominated for top honors. |
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Sonny always gave
the audience a great show. He and his Southern Gentleman
enjoyed every minute of it. |
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An interview with
the legendary Mr. Ralph Emery. |
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A CBS Studio
session during the making of "200 Years of Country Music". |
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Sonny enjoys some
time with CBS Records executive Clive Davis. |
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His “200 Years of
Country Music” was presented by CBS to the archives of the Library
of Congress, Washington, D.C. |
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The Martin guitar
pictured on this album cover is the guitar he played on all of his
major hits – a sound so familiar to Sonny James fans.
Click Here to
download and listen to a track from this highly celebrated
recording. |
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Academy of Country
Music’s co-founder, Bill Boyd, gave James valuable exposure on the
highly rated annual award show from Los Angeles. |
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Presenting award
to Janie Frickie – with Sammie Smith. |
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His “King of the
Road” buddy, Roger Miller, seems to be searching for rent money in
James’ pocket during rehearsals for ACM awards show. |
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Always a fun time
doing Sam Lovullo’s “Hee-Haw” show. |
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Across Canada and
the U.S. this 1970’s CBC Television show originated in Toronto,
Ontario with host Tommy Hunter.
Listen to audio clip of "It's
The Little Things". |
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After many years
of performing at Nashville's "Fan Fair" celebration, this
performance was from Sonny's last appearance at this renowned event. |
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Sonny signing
autographs at 1979 Fan Fair promoting the CMA awards show. |
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Record World
magazine names Sonny James their Country Music Artist of the Decade. |
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