Cowboy Copas
Lloyd Estel "Cowboy" Copas ( born July 15, 1913 in Blue Creek, Adams County, Ohio; † March 5, 1963 near Camden, Tennessee in a plane crash ) was an American country music singer, who in the 40s and 60s - years numerous hits like Candy Kisses, Alabama and Flat Top had.
Biography
In the early years of his career Copas worked with the Fiddler Natchee, the Indians and even held as Cowboy Copas. However, he sang not cowboy or western songs, but Honky Tonk and ballads. His livelihood, he played with great difficulty with appearances at radio stations. In the early 1940s, he put together his own band, the Gold Star Rangers. In 1943 he replaced Eddy Arnold in Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys. The entry into the professional music business was done with it.
In 1946 he signed with the newly founded King Records label a recording contract. His first single, the romantic song Filipino baby, became a hit. In the same year he became a cast member of the Grand Ole Opry. For nearly two decades he was one of their most famous stars. There followed a series of top 10 and top 20 hits, including Signed, Sealed and Delivered, Tennessee Waltz, I'm Waltzing With Tears in My Eyes and Candy Kisses.
In the 1950s, he was like many others displaced from dominating everything rock'n'roll. His straightforward Honky Tonk was no longer in demand. A change to Rockabilly with Circle Skirt with Dot Records could not bring new success. He lost his recording contract and moved in 1960 after several years of interruption to the Starday label. A little later he managed an unexpected comeback when his single Alabama was able to place at number one on the country charts and twelve weeks to maintain this position.
It was followed by several top 20 hits, the most famous Flat Top is from the year 1961. Cowboy Copas was just back in business when he came while returning from a benefit concert in a plane crash on March 5, 1963 lost their lives. With him died Patsy Cline and Hawkshaw Hawkins. His last single, Goodbye Kisses, was published posthumously and reached number 15 on the country charts.