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Since Nashville is
the center of the country music industry Sonny James was advised to
make his home in the beautiful hills of Tennessee. However, his
hometown that he’s so proud of is Hackleburg, Alabama, his
birthplace. This sign welcomes visitors to this friendly town. |
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Two of Sonny’s
closest friends – Former Mayors Whitey Cochran & Barney Shackelford. |
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Current Mayor &
hometown friend, Douglas Gunnin. |
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The country
birthplace of Sonny James. |
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Sonny as a baby. |
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Sonny at age four.
 Click Here to
download and listen to the very first recording of Sonny at age 4,
in 1933. Sonny sings and
plays the mandolin as his sister Thelma plays the guitar. This
song was an "on the air" performance recorded at WMSD shown directly
below. |
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Radio Station WMSD
(presently WLAY) Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Sonny made his singing
debut on this station when he was four years old, with sis Thelma. |
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James’s first instrument made by his father from the
bottom of a molasses bucket and tuned like a mandolin as displayed
in the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. |
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The Loden Family – Sonny, "MOM" Loden – "POP" Loden and
sister, Thelma. |
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The Loden Family
(Southerners) enjoyed their greatest success when they were
affiliated with WPTF and WNOX, Knoxville, Tennessee. |
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Sonny Loden And His Southerners.
Performing in Birmingham, Alabama 1947.
[L-R Guitarist (unknown), Little Ruby, Sonny Loden, Thelma Loden,
Pop Loden] |
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The cast of WPTF’s
Saturday night show with friends and fellow entertainers Johnny and
Jack and others.
Sonny's position
in this larger photo has been highlighted. |
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The 252nd
National Guard Unit left Guin, Alabama on September 9, 1950.
Pictured here preparing to board troop train.
Sonny's position
in this larger photo has been highlighted. |
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Sonny's Guard
Unit. The 252nd, 2nd Platoon.
Sonny's position
in this larger photo has been highlighted. |
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