Merle Travis Biography
| Born as | Merle Robert Travis |
| Occup. | Musician |
| From | USA |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Jean Jeannie Hayward |
| Born | November 29, 1917
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, USA |
| Died | October 20, 1983
San Diego, California, USA |
| Cause | Heart attack |
| Aged | 65 years |
Merle Travis was born Merle Robert Travis on November 29, 1917, in Rosewood, Kentucky, USA. He was a significant American nation singer, songwriter, and also guitar player whose impact on the songs world, especially the development of fingerpicking guitar styles, continues to be highly really felt today. Travis was understood for his signature "Travis Picking" design, which he established while listening to epic guitarists such as Mose Rager and Ike Everly.
Travis's early life was marked by his moms and dads' love of songs and also their influence on his developing skill. He was motivated to play the guitar by his daddy, Robert Travis, that was a talented amateur fiddle gamer, and also his mommy, Emma Travis, a pianist. As a teenager, Travis dropped out of institution as well as began functioning odd jobs to sustain his household throughout the Great Depression. Throughout this time, he refined his skills by listening to performers on the radio as well as regional artists.
He began his songs job by performing as a guitar player in various radio shows and also bars before ultimately making his mark in the 1940s as an extremely in-demand session guitar player in California. It was during these sessions that he played along with other artists such as Tex Ritter, Grandpa Jones, Johnny Bond, and Wesley Tuttle, and his popularity started to grow.
A few of his most renowned tracks include "Sixteen Tons", which was a leading pinch hit
Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1955, as well as "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette", the greatest hit for Tex Williams. Other noteworthy songs penned by Travis are "Dark as a Dungeon", "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed", as well as "Nine Pound Hammer". These tracks not only display his songwriting ability but also his efforts in highlighting the difficulties encountered by coal miners and working-class people of his time.
During the peak of his job, Travis appeared consistently on tv programs such as "Town Hall Party". He was a featured artist on Cliffie Stone's Hometown Jamboree, a preferred Los Angeles c and w television show. His work in movies, including display appearances as well as composing soundtracks, helped to solidify his reputation as a functional as well as talented musician.
Travis's influence on guitar methods extended far past his life time. His design of picking passionate generations of guitarists, significantly
Chet Atkins, who mentioned Travis as a substantial influence on his style. Other guitar players, such as
Doc Watson as well as
Scotty Moore, also claim Merle Travis as a substantial influence.
Unfortunately, personal concerns and falling short health and wellness started to take a toll on Travis's profession in the 1970s. He had problem with alcoholism, which led to strained connections with fellow artists as well as family members. Nevertheless, even in the face of these challenges, Travis remained to perform and also sometimes record songs.
Merle Travis passed away on October 20, 1983, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, at the age of 65. His heritage was sealed in 1970 when he was sworn in right into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and once again in 1977, with his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Today, the Merle Travis Music Center in Powderly, Kentucky stands as a testament to his considerable contributions to American songs.
Our collection contains 4 quotes who is written / told by Merle.
Related authors: Doc Watson (Musician), Tennessee Ernie Ford (Musician), Scotty Moore (Musician), Chet Atkins (Musician), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
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