gold star for USAHOF

27. Slim Whitman

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27. Slim Whitman

As a child, Slim enjoyed the country music he heard on the radio but didn’t even think of a musical career for himself. Singing only came up while he was in the Navy. He’d sing to entertain the members of his own ship. His singing was so well received that his captain blocked his transfer to another boat (this saved his life as the boat he would’ve been going to ended up sinking). After World War II, he did odd jobs around Tampa while working on his music career. A talent manager heard him sing on the radio and he got signed to RCA records. He was never big on singing depressing country tunes, and always preferred soft, romantic songs that allowed him to show off his smooth, three-octave falsetto and yodeling abilities. His style was called “countrypolitan”. Whitman was never as big in the U.S. as he was in Europe and Australia, but he did have a solid number of hit songs on the U.S. charts. He also got a resurgence in the late 1970’s and 80’s when television ads for his albums began coming out. One of his albums became the biggest-selling tv advertised album in history, and he was in the public eye again for a little while. With his excellent voice, millions sold and worldwide fame, there should be a plaque with his name on it at some point in the future.

The Bullet Points

  • Eligible Since: Saturday, 01 January 1972
  • Country of Origin: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
  • Why they will get in: International success and acclaim, millions of records sold
  • Why they won't get in: Not as big of success in the U.S. as he had in other parts of the world
  • Radio Career: 1952-1956, 1965 & 1971
  • Top Twenty Hits: 17
  • Album Sales: Over 70 million
  • Essential Albums: I’m Casting My Lasso Towards The Sky (1948)
    Love Song Of The Waterfall (From America’s Favorite Folk Artist, 1952)
    Indian Love Call (From Favorites, 1952)
    Secret Love (From Favorites, 1954)
    Rose Marie (From Favorites, 1954)

Should Slim Whitman be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 0%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
Last modified on Friday, 05 May 2023 22:41
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