Posted by Pete Smith on February 27, 2009, 9:42 pm
81.157.254.115
In 1956 Hal Willis recorded his first hit for Atlantic Records. “Pink Cadillac” endeared itself to rockabilly fans worldwide and has since become a sought after classic. It also gave Hal and his wife Ginger, thanks to Hank Snow, the unique distinction of being the only Canadian performers ever to tour with Elvis Presley! Nine years on and Hal scored his really big hit with “The Lumberjack” which sold more than one and a half million copies globally and making number five on the Billboard chart. Born Leonard Gauthier in Quebec, Hal was a talented singer even as a child singing lead in school and church choirs. During his teens Hal became a lumberjack who, after long hours swinging an axe, would listen to the radio to relax. One evening, by chance, Hal tuned into the “Grand Ole Opry” where he heard Hank Williams singing “Lovesick Blues”. This was the turning point in the young lumberjack’s life. From that moment on Hal knew he wanted to be a country singer. There was a problem. Hal spoke only French but so determined was he to succeed he overcame this drawback by writing the song lyrics phonetically enabling him to sing in English even if he didn’t know what the hell he was singing about. Eventually Hal decided it was time to leave the family home and so with one suitcase, his guitar and what little money his parents could spare, he hit the road. Along the way Hal worked on the railroad, in the mines, as a lumberjack and as a truck driver. During the evenings, after delivering his consignment of beer, Hal performed as a country singer in local venues learning the necessary skills that would later make him a hit recording artist and popular live performer. Ginger and the Melodie Rangers were a very popular act on radio and one of Hal’s favourites. One can imagine his joy when the troupe visited his town for a two-month stint and Hal lost no time introducing his vocal talents to the lovely Ginger who instantly hired him to sing in her band. When the contract expired Ginger folded her band and with Hal as her partner moved to Montreal where the duo became extremely popular on the cabaret circuit. In 1951 Hal cut his first sessions for the Rodeo label and four years later, at the invitation of honky tonk legend Webb Pierce, the duo moved to Nashville and an appearance on “The Grand Ol’ Opry”. Ginger became Marty Robbins’ secretary whilst Hal was busy recording demos. Though his career has suffered its ups and downs for around a half of a century Hal Willis has been busy writing and recording some of the finest country songs you will hear, some happy, some sad, some downright zany but all with that mark of excellence that is surely Hal Willis. www.halwillis.com
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
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