Country singer Jack Greene dies

[Eugene]

Source: USA Today

Brian Mansfield, Special for USA TODAY 11:40a.m. EDT March 15, 2013

Country singer Jack Greene, who recorded such '60s favorites as There Goes My Everything and Statue of a Fool and was the Country Music Association's first male vocalist of the year, died Thursday.

The 83-year-old entertainer, nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant, was born in Maryville, Tenn., near the Smoky Mountains. Greene got his first guitar at age 10 and began playing on a local radio station, WGAP-AM, as a teen. He soon made his way to Atlanta, singing and playing guitar, string bass or drums in groups called the Cherokee Trio, the Rhythm Ranch Boys and the Peach Tree Cowboys.

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Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/03/15/jack-greene-dies-country-singer/1989819/

[graham4anything]

1. Damn, the country music hall of fame should have honored Jack with induction while alive

Now they will at some point, alot of good it will do.

This man could sing.
One of my favorites since I first heard his unbelievable voice in 1967. a year when WABC 77 in NYC played all the hits, no matter what genre, and it worked.

Statue of a Fool is amazing.

And even more amazing is, he kept his voice his entire life, and kept performing at the Grand Ole Opry.
And famously, when a newer mega star appeared (like Garth Brooks, or Alan Jackson or Reba etc. and did a few numbers, they always called on Jack to follow.
Because his voice brought the crowd back to the rest of the show, he was that good.

Damn Country Music Hall of Fame. Now you gotta do it and he won't be here to see it.

Much like the Rock Hall of Fame f'd up with Donna Summer among others.

There are about five or six other Grand Ole Opry stars that have been around for decades-
before it's too late, the HOF needs to induct those people (Like Jim Ed Brown and Jeanie Seely, who did alot of duets with Jack) before it's too late.

Go softly Jack.

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[Omaha Steve]

2. I grew up with dad playing his music all the time

Almost Persuaded was my favorite of his.

Jack Greene - Almost Persuaded Lyrics

Last night all alone in a barroom I met a girl with a drink in her hand
She had ruby red lips coal black hair and eyes that would tempt any man
Then she came and sat down at my table and as she placed her soft hands in mine
I found myself wanting to kiss her for temptation was flowing like wine
And I was almost persuaded to strip myself of my pride
Almost persuaded to push my conscience aside

Then we danced and she whispered I need you
Take me away from here and be my man
Then I looked into her eyes and I saw it the reflection of my wedding band
And I was almost persuaded to let strange lips lead me on
Almost persuaded but your sweet love made me stop and go home

[graham4anything]

3. Grand Ole Opry statement on Jack Greene

http://www.opry.com/news/2013/03-15.html

Grand Ole Opry star Jack Greene passed away peacefully in his sleep last night at his Nashville home, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Greene had been a member of the Opry since 1967 and was 83 years old. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be posted on opry.com when they are available.

Jack was born and raised in Maryville, TN and began his career at age 17 working in radio in Maryville and Knoxville. In the 1950s he moved to Atlanta, GA, where he formed his first band, The Peach Tree Cowboys. He moved back to Tennessee in 1962 and was enlisted by Ernest Tubb to join his band, The Texas Troubadours, as drummer. Jack’s skills as a vocalist and guitarist soon thrust him into the spotlight and he began opening shows for Ernest. In 1964, Jack released his first solo single, “The Last Letter.” Ernest encouraged him to pursue a solo career and he signed with Decca Records. His first Top 40 hit was in 1966 with “Ever Since My Baby Went Away.” Later that year, “There Goes My Everything” was released and became a huge hit, holding the No. 1 spot on the country chart for seven weeks and the There Goes My Everything album held the No. 1 chart position for a full year. In 1967 Jack swept the inaugural Country Music Association Awards by winning Male Vocalist of the Year as well as Album, Song, and Single of the Year for “There Goes My Everything.” He was the first country performer to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1967.

In 1970, Jack partnered with his fellow Opry member Jeannie Seely and they formed one of country music’s most successful duos as he also continued his solo career. The Associated Press once called Jack “the Garth Brooks of his era” and Garth demanded a retraction that they instead say Garth was “the Jack Greene of his era.” Billboard magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 “Most Played Artists” of the last 40 years. Jack was honored with a congratulatory message from President George Bush that was read at his 40th anniversary as an Opry member. In 2010 Jack released his last album – Precious Memories, Treasured Friends, a collection of duets with some of his friends.

[In_The_Wind]

4. Jack Greene will be missed.

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