Country Musician. Born Clyde Julian Foley, he was a country music artist whom made a major contribution to the popularity of country music. In 1939, he became the first country artist to host a network radio program on NBC's Avalon Time Show. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in April 1946 and remained a regular on the show his whole career. As a solo artist, he sold over 25 million records and had over thirty Top 10 hits such as "Tennessee Saturday Night," "Smoke On The Water," "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" and "Freight Train Boogie." He also hosted the first popular country music series on network television, as ABC's main man on Ozark Jubilee. During the 1960s, he appeared on "The Tonight Show," "The Pat Boone Show" and toured the nation with the Grand Ole Opry travel show. He died in Fort Wayne, Indiana, while performing on the road with the Grand Ole Opry. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Country Musician. Born Clyde Julian Foley, he was a country music artist whom made a major contribution to the popularity of country music. In 1939, he became the first country artist to host a network radio program on NBC's Avalon Time Show. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in April 1946 and remained a regular on the show his whole career. As a solo artist, he sold over 25 million records and had over thirty Top 10 hits such as "Tennessee Saturday Night," "Smoke On The Water," "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" and "Freight Train Boogie." He also hosted the first popular country music series on network television, as ABC's main man on Ozark Jubilee. During the 1960s, he appeared on "The Tonight Show," "The Pat Boone Show" and toured the nation with the Grand Ole Opry travel show. He died in Fort Wayne, Indiana, while performing on the road with the Grand Ole Opry. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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