Posted by Hanne and Mogens Jensen on September 18, 2014, 5:39 am
Dear Fan of our great Idol Gentleman Jim.
It was with sadness when I just read in the newspaper here in Copenhagen that another big country star George Hamilton IV died in Nashville after a heart attacks. My dear wife and Hanne had the great joy and pleasure to meet him backstage Grand Ole Opry a few years ago when we were invited by Joyce Jackson. He also had a wonderful voice and it sounded really good when he sang one of his big hit Abeline. Joyce wrote about him in her book that she published some years ago. Our thoughts are with his loved ones in this moment of sorrow. George was also we came to love by being a big fan of Jim Reeves, and thereby also became aware of his songs by having the great interest in country music, so because of Jim Reeves good voice lovely music in our part of the world, namely Scandinavia, we have become aware of other good Country singers as Country music industry in Nashville has a lot to thank Jim Reeves to as the man who opened the door to many Country stars in Europe but they have certainly forgotten. Wish you all a very nice autumn. Hanne and Mogens Jensen Copnehagen Denmark
Sorry to hear the sad news about George Hamilton IV passing away. I saw a great concert with Eddy Arnold, Skeeter Davis and George back in 1966 here on Long Island. Country music was as popular worldwide then as it is today, so this was a rare treat back in those days. Gonna miss you, George...
We had the pleasure of seeing George Hamilton perform here in Halifax Nova Scotia several years ago. He was one of the performers along with Bill Anderson, Kitty Wells and Jean Shepard. What a performance by all. George sang 'Canadian Pacific', my personal favourite of all his songs,a tune written by follow Canadian Ray griff. We always appreciated the Canadian connection in his selection of material. He will be sadly missed.
Just a very short note about the Canadian Connection mentioned by Roy......George hosted a television show in Canada for about six years.The show was taped in Hamilton,Ontario a city just west of Toronto.It featured many of the grand old opry stars of that era.As well,it was not unusual for George to feature songs written by Canadian song writers: Griff as noted, Joni Mitchell and many of Gordon Lightfoot's songs(more of his songs than anybody else has done if I recall). At one time he was actually signed to RCA by the Canadian branch of RCA.He eventually became known as the "international ambassador of country music yet he never ever received the Jim Reeves award for international music or if he did I must have missed that in my readings.If you read Larry's book you will find an interesting anecdote about George and Jim which was facilitated by Connie B. Gay who went on to be George's manager.Check it out. Cheers
I was shocked to hear my friend of 18 yrs had passed away last week. There will be a memorial Wednesday Sept 24, 2014 at The Ryman Aud. He truly was a gentleman and one of the nicest guys I knew.
on September 18, 2014, 5:39 am