John Hartford

John Hartford (actually John Cowan Harford, born December 30, 1937 in New York City; † June 4, 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee) was an American country singer and songwriter ( the t in the name in 1966 by Chet Atkins, Vice Chief the RCA label, pasted ).

Life

Early played, who grew up in St. Louis Hartford banjo in local bluegrass groups, including with Doug and Rodney Dillard ( The Dillards ), with whom he recorded two albums later Dillard - Hartford - Dillard (1977, 1980) and some of his pieces took over in their repertoire.

After school and military service, he worked as a radio disc jockey and in 1965 began to write their own title. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Nashville over, moderated a night mission and tried during the day to bring his pieces to the man. In 1966 he received a recording contract with RCA.

With John Hartford looks at life he had in January 1967 his debut album, followed in July Earth Words and Music. The title was taken from it " Gentle On My Mind", the number 60 on the Billboard country charts, was granted him a rapid commercial success. The cover of Glen Campbell was not only hit single, but then also the title track of a highly successful LP and brought Hartford in 1968 two Grammys one.

He was an early part of the " progressive" country and bluegrass movement that began to enrich the traditional form with electric instruments Through his work as a studio musician in Nashville and with the Byrds for Sweetheart of the Rodeo album (1968).

The revenue from "Gentle on My Mind " in 1972 allowed him to take a break and to fulfill his childhood dream to become a helmsman on a Mississippi paddle steamer. 1977, now back in the music business, he won the third Grammy with his album Mark Twang.

About a quarter of a century he worked for the preservation of traditional music and had shortly before his early death from cancer with his contributions to the soundtrack of the feature film O Brother, Where Art Thou? achieved another major success with his work, to obtain original, traditional music to the American mainstream of the new millennium.

Discography

In the period 1967-1987 created 22 LPs, as well as an additional 16 CDs during his lifetime.