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Biography
Infobox musical artist | | name = Del Reeves || image = Del Reeves promo photo.png || caption = || image_size = || background = solo_singer || birth_name = Franklin Delano Reeves || birth_date = birth date|1932|7|14|mf=y || death_date = death date and age|2007|1|1|1932|7|14 || origin = Sparta, North Carolina || genre = Country music|country || occupation = singer songwriter || years_active = 1961& ndash;2007 || label = United Artists Decca Records Columbia Records Capitol Records Reprise Records || associated_acts = Dick Curless Red Simpson Red Steagall Bobby Goldsboro Penny DeHaven Billie Jo Spears | Franklin Delano Reeves (July 14, 1932 & ndash; January 1, 2007), better known as Del Reeves , was an American country music singer, best known for his "girl-watching" novelty songs of the 1960s including " Girl on the Billboard " and "The Belles of the Southern Bell". He is also known for his 1968 truck driver|trucker 's anthem, "Looking At The World Through A Windshield", which demonstrated he was capable more than just novelty songs. He became one of the most successful male country singer s of the 1960s.
Biography
Rise to fame
Reeves was born in Sparta, North Carolina on July 14, 1932. He was named after Franklin Delano Roosevelt , who had been nominated by the Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party to be their presidential nominee just a few days before he was born.
In 1954, he signed on with Capitol Records . Later in the 1950s, he recorded for Decca Records , as well as Reprise Records and Columbia Records .
1960s& ndash;1970s
Everything began to change when Reeves signed with United Artists Records . The work he did for United Artists is probably his best-known work. He finally scored big in 1961 with the hit song "Be Quiet Mind". Later in 1965, he had his first #1 hit with "The Girl On The Billboard". His follow-up, "The Belles of the Southern Bell," made the country top five. During this time, he and his wife became a songwriting team and wrote songs for the likes of Rose Maddox , Carl Smith (country musician)|Carl Smith and Roy Drusky , to name a few.
His success continued throughout the rest of the 1960s. Songs that became hits during this time are "Be Glad" and "Good Time Charlie's". In the late 1960s, he recorded an album paying tribute to Jim Reeves (no relation) and also appeared in several Hollywood films, including a starring role in "Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers", and a supporting role in Burt Reynolds ' first big movie Sam Whiskey .
In the 1970s, he released a series of duets with Bobby Goldsboro and Penny DeHaven . He also returned to television, hosting the syndicated TV program, ''Del Reeves' Country Carnival .
His last big hit was "The Philadelphia Fillies". His career declined in the mid-1970s and then started to slowly move away from country music, although he recorded some duets with Billie Jo Spears in 1976.
Decline
In 1979, Reeves left his musical career to pursue a career as a music executive and played a big role in the signing of Billy Ray Cyrus .Citation needed|date=February 2007 He continued to record in the 1980s, just not as much and for smaller labels.
Reeves joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1966, where he continued to perform until his final years. His last Opry performance was in August 2002. He died from emphysema on New Year's Day , 2007.
"Teardrops Will Kiss the Morning Dew" (with Billie Jo Spears)
42
—
"My Better Half"
79
—
singles only
1977
"Ladies' Night"
78
—
1978
"When My Angel Turns into a Devil"
93
—
"Dig Down Deep"
79
—
1980
"Take Me to Your Heart"
82
—
Del Reeves
"What Am I Gonna Do? "
90
—
1981
Swinging Doors "
67
—
singles only
" Slow Hand "
53
—
1982
"Ain't Nobody Gonna Get My Body but You"
67
—
1986
"The Second Time Around"
95
—
''Here's Del Reeves
APeaked at #96 on Billboard Hot 100 and #31 on the RPM (magazine)|RPM Top Singles chart in Canada.
Notes
refimprove|date=October 2009reflist
References
Allmusic
Trott, Walt. (1998). "Del Reeves." In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Ed. New York: Oxford University Press. p.& nbsp;434.
Wolff, Kurt. Country Music: The Rough Guide.
External links
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/reeves_del/bio.jhtml Del Reeves At CMT.com
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/02/america/NA_GEN_US_Obit_Del_Reeves.php Del Reeves, Grand Ole Opry member known for country hit "Girl on the Billboard", dies at 74
Persondata | NAME =Reeves, Del | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH =July 14, 1932 | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH =January 1, 2007 | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Reeves, Del Category:1932 births Category:2007 deaths Category:People from Sparta, North Carolina Category:American country singers Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:Deaths from emphysema Category:Musicians from North Carolina Category:Grand Ole Opry members Category:United Artists Records artists
