Country Singer, Songwriter, Actor. Born in Duncan, Oklahoma, his mother, Mae Boren Axton, was a school teacher and songwriter, and co-wrote Elvis Presley's smash hit song, "Heartbreak Hotel". Raised primarily in Jacksonville, Florida, he studied classical piano as a child before switching to guitar, writing his first songs at 15. He played football in high school, and won a football scholarship to Oklahoma State University. In the late-fifties, he left college to join the United States Navy. He kept athletically active in the service by boxing, and went on to become the Heavyweight Champion of a task force of 35 ships. After his separation from the Navy in 1961, Hoyt went straight into the music business, writing and performing. He wrote "Joy To The World" and "Never Been To Spain," which were both recorded by the band "Three Dog Night" in the early 1970s. In 1979, Hoyt released the "Rusty Old Halo" album, on his own Jeremiah label, which stayed on the Country charts for a year. The songs "Della and the Dealer" and "Rusty Old Halo" from that album both hit the Top 20. He had over thirty albums released through the years. He was also an artist, having published a book of his original line drawings, and an actor. He appeared in numerous television shows and played parts in over a dozen movies. He also did memorable television commercial appearances and voice-overs. He suffered a stroke; his health continued to decline, and after a series of heart attacks he died at the age of 61.
Country Singer, Songwriter, Actor. Born in Duncan, Oklahoma, his mother, Mae Boren Axton, was a school teacher and songwriter, and co-wrote Elvis Presley's smash hit song, "Heartbreak Hotel". Raised primarily in Jacksonville, Florida, he studied classical piano as a child before switching to guitar, writing his first songs at 15. He played football in high school, and won a football scholarship to Oklahoma State University. In the late-fifties, he left college to join the United States Navy. He kept athletically active in the service by boxing, and went on to become the Heavyweight Champion of a task force of 35 ships. After his separation from the Navy in 1961, Hoyt went straight into the music business, writing and performing. He wrote "Joy To The World" and "Never Been To Spain," which were both recorded by the band "Three Dog Night" in the early 1970s. In 1979, Hoyt released the "Rusty Old Halo" album, on his own Jeremiah label, which stayed on the Country charts for a year. The songs "Della and the Dealer" and "Rusty Old Halo" from that album both hit the Top 20. He had over thirty albums released through the years. He was also an artist, having published a book of his original line drawings, and an actor. He appeared in numerous television shows and played parts in over a dozen movies. He also did memorable television commercial appearances and voice-overs. He suffered a stroke; his health continued to decline, and after a series of heart attacks he died at the age of 61.
Bio by: Jane Stacy Eubanks
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