Dick Damron
Joseph Glenn "Dick" Damron was a Canadian country music singer and songwriter. Damron experimented with many musical styles in the country genre, including outlaw, rockabilly, and honky-tonk, as well as gospel. Over a recording career spanning 60 years he recorded more than 25 albums, received numerous country music awards, and was inducted into the International Country Music Hall Of Fame, in Beaumont, Texas.
Early career
Dick Damron was born in Bentley, Alberta on March 22, 1934. Damron started his career performing in both rock and country bands, including the Musical Round-Up Gang and the Nightriders. His recording career began in 1959 with his original 45 "Havin' a Party" / "Rockin' Baby". Then, in 1960 he recorded two LPs for his own label, Holiday. In 1961, he issued his first Nashville studio album on Quality Records, then had a Canadian #1 hit with "Hitchhiking" in 1963. He continued recording and touring throughout the 1960s, building up a growing fan base.Damron had a breakthrough hit in 1970 with "Countryfied" for Apex records. He found further success throughout the 1970s with singles such as "Rise 'n' Shine", "The Long Green Line", "Mother, Love and Country", and "Susan Flowers".
In 1978 Damron signed his first major label contract and began recording for RCA. By this point he had become an established performer in the outlaw style and a well known songwriter. His most popular singles for RCA included "Silver and Shine", "Whisky Jack", "Honky Tonk Angels and Good Ol' Boys", and "Good Ol' Time Country Rock 'n' Roll".
Throughout the years Damron has performed at many notable shows and venues, including the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. He also toured Europe many times throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including a performance at the Wembley International Country Music Festival in London, England. He spent six seasons as the resident band at Howard Hughes' Desert Inn in Las Vegas from 1985 to 1991. He appeared on Canadian television networks CBC and CTV, and at a concert at the Calgary Stampede.