Sonny James
Sonny James ( born May 1, 1929 as James Loden in Hackleburg, Alabama) is an American country singer. He is regarded as the leading representative of the Nashville Sounds and had 1953-1983 more than 70 hits on the pop and country charts; including 23 number-one title. The biggest hit of the " Southern Gentleman " in 1956 Young Love.
Sonny James - as James Loden was called from childhood - comes from a family with musical tradition. At the age of four years he was with his sisters as Loden Family on stage. It appeared in the clubs of the immediate surroundings and radio shows. A military conscription broke first his career. But even during his participation in the Korean War, he had the opportunity to his comrades and local people to talk with their own songs.
Career
After returning home, he put his performances continued in the country clubs. Here he met Chet Atkins, who in 1952 gave him a record deal with the Capitol label. His first single, That's Me Without You, made it into the country top 10. Then it took three years to Rent (One Empty Heart ) scored the next hit with For. A little later James created with Ric Young Love Carteys the breakthrough. The single reached number one for nine weeks on the country charts and reached # 2 on the pop charts.
Encouraged by the success, Sonny James concentrated in the coming years on the pop market. There he succeeded, although some notable successes such as First Date, First Kiss, First Love, the 1957 square reached 39, but he had promised more. His many tours and concert performances did not improve the situation. He eventually returned mid-1960s back to country music. Already his first single, You're the Only World I Know, reached number one on the country charts. It was the beginning of a long series of a total of 23 number - one hits, which lasted until 1972. Starting with I'll Never Find Another You get him from 1967 sixteen consecutive top hits.
His success was mainly due to the popularity of the Nashville Sounds, Sonny James like no other embodied. His songs were massively enriched with orchestral instrumentation and background choirs. Added to this was his clear and pleasant voice and romantic lyrics.
1972 joined the " Country Gentleman" to the Columbia label, where he succeeded the next top hit with When the Snow Is on the Roses. From the mid- 1970s, sales of his records could have been finally determined. He began at this time to work as a producer. With Marie Osmond him get here some successes, including the million-selling Paper Roses. In 1979 he joined the label again. Mid-1980s, he finished his career and now lives with his wife in Nashville.
Sonny James is a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1971, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.