Eddy Arnold Biography, Photos and Posters

Eddy Arnold

Biography

Born: May 15, 1918
City and Country of Origin: Henderson, Tennessee
Music Training:
Awards: 1966 inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame;
Top Recordings: "Cattle Call," "Cattle Call," "What's He Doing In My World?," "Make the World Go Away," "I Want to Go With You," "Somebody Like Me," "Lonely Again," "Turn the World Around," "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye"
Eddy Arnold Biography: Richard Edward Arnold was an American country music icon, the overall leader among country artists in an overall ranking for hits and their time on the charts. From 1945 through 1983 he had 145 charted songs, including 28 number-one hits. As a child growing up in Tennessee he lost both his father and the family farm. When he turned 18 he left home to make his mark on th emusic world.

After early struggles he landed a job as the lead male vocalist for the Pee Wee King band and by 1943 he had become a solo star on the Grand Ole Opry. He signed a recording contract with RCA and in December of 1944, he cut his first record. The first big hit for The Tennessee Plowboy, as he was called, was the 1946 recording of "That's How Much I Love You." His manager was non other than Col. Tom Parker, the very same Col. Parker who would later become the manager of Elvis Presley. Arnold dominated the country charts during the mid 20th Century having 13 of the to 20 songs in 1947-48.

Arnold had little trouble transitioning from radio to television making frequent appearances on the new medium. In 1955, he upset many in the country music establishment by going to New York to record with the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra. The pop-oriented arrangements of "Cattle Call" and "The Richest Man (In the World)", however, helped to expand his appeal beyond its country base.

With the advent of rock and roll his record sales began to tumble during the late 50s. This led him along with label-mate Jim Reeves to try more pop oriented string-laced arrangements a sound which would become known as the Nashville sound.

By 1964 he had turned to Jerry Purcell to manage his career. Arnold embarked on a "second career" that surpassed the success of the first one. In the process, he succeeded in his ambition of carrying his music to a more diverse audience. Already recorded by several other artists, "Make The World Go Away" was just another song until recorded by Arnold. Under the direction of producer Chet Atkins, and showcased by Bill Walker's arrangement and the talents of the Anita Kerr Singers and pianist Floyd Cramer, Arnold's rendition of "Make the World Go Away" became an international hit.

With Bill Walker's arrangements Arnold managed to turn out 16 straight hits through the late 60s. His career had grown to the point where he perfromed with symphonic orchestras in almost every city across the country including a stint at New York's Carnegie Hall. In the 70s he left RCA and signed on with MGM where he recorded 4 albums. He then returned to RCA to record Eddy, and the hit single "Cowboy." After a few more releases he retired from singing. In 2005 he returned to the recording studio to record "After All These Years" for RCA.

Among country singers Arnold stood out from the rest. He dressed conservatively and never wore glittery costumes synonomous with many country stars of his day. Although not classically trained he had the good sense to learn how to sing from his diaphragm and not through his nose as many of his contemporaries did. He also only worked with the best musicians like Roy Wiggins and Chet Atkins.

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