DON STEWART - March 30, 2003
E-mail: stew01@ptd.net
Hometown: Stevens, Pa. 17578
Comments:
NOTICE...............TO ALL EDDY ARNOLD FANS !!!!
This is to inform all fans that the Web Master Bill Comer Of this Web site is home after a serious operation. I'm sure after he gets his strength back he will be back on line with all your questions and answers. Just give him a little time to gain his strength back. Thanks to all of you for your Prayers and concern for Bill......God bless......Don Stewart

THe All Music Guide to Poplular Music Edited by Vladmir Bogdanov,Chris Woodstra,and Stephen Thomas Ertewine SAid and I quote:
Eddy Arnold moved Hillbilly music to the city,creating a sleek sound that relied on his smooth voice and occasionally lush orchestrations.In the process he became the most popular country performer of the century,spending more time at the top of the charts than any other artist.Arnold not only had 28 number one singles ,he has more charted singles than any other artist.More than any other country artist of the post war era ,he was responsible for bringing the music to the masses,to people who wouldnt normally listen to country music.Arnold was initially influenced by cowboy singers like Gene Autry,but as his career progresses he shaped his phrasing in the style of Pete cassell.Nevertheless,he was more of a crooner than a hillbilly singer,which is a large reason why he was embraced by the entertainment industry at large,and frequently crossed over to the pop charts.Arnolds career ran strong into the 90s.Although his records didnt dominate the charts like they once did in the 40s to 50s,he continued to fill concert halls and reissues of his older recordings sold well.
This was published in 2001.While most of its good why dont the authors do there homework and also include the monumental 1960s and his 7 decades on the charts?Or that he charted in 5 categorys including country,pop,sacred,adult contemporary,and Christmas?

#38-Gene Autry, 33-Jimmy Rodgers, 28-Chet Atkins.

The above artists near the bottom of the list of the performers who most influenced country music???????

#19-Kenny Rogers 18-Charlie Pride 17-Vince Gill 15-Elvis Presley 13-Randy Travis 10-Alan Jackson 7-Garth Brooks.

The above artists influenced country music more than #22 Eddy Arnold???????

There is something wrong in country music!

"Subject : RE: How can anyone not include Eddy Arnold in the top 40 country artists

Eddy Arnold was the first country artist on network tv 1949 the Milton Berle Show,the first country artist to host network tv specials from the country field,the first bonafide country crossover act.It was Eddy who bridged the gap between country and pop.
He was the first country artist to intro the Nashville Sound at Carnegie Hall.May 1966.The critics loved him.
Largely due to his career country radio grew from a paltry 6o stations in the early 60s to near 1500 by the decades end.
Eddy Arnold took country music to the masses.Without his career I doubt country would be where its at today.Lets we forget this huge talent!!!
Let the facts tell the story and not opinions!!"

Bill:  I believe that Mike Freda answers your question.  Bill Comer

Mike Freda - July 31, 2002
Comments:
"Like the rest of the music world that has taste, I am saddened that Eddy Arnold has once again been overlooked by the Kennedy Center.
In a way I am glad because I really do not think that Eddy belongs with those who are awarded this "honor." No, Eddy is a decent, honest, upright and moral family man. There are no scandals associated with him, no criminal record for him to be proud of, no all night drinking binges or drug abuse in his past. He is even an American citizen. How could he stand a chance with all these faults against him.
No, Eddy Arnold would add something all of those chosen for the honor and those who chose them put together lack: dignity.
There is no need to feel sorry for ourselves. We know and appreciate Eddy! All the others have to search in vain for the rest of their lives for what we already have."

Eddy & Sally Arnold made a large donation of Eddy Arnold career artifacts recently to the Country Music Hall Of Fame.
The Hall of Fame states it is the largest ever donation to the museum by any artist.
A special tribute was paid in his honor this morning and the event was broadcast live on WSM 650 AM Radio.
The event was hosted by Hall Of Fame Director Kyle Young and featured such stars as Bobby Bare...Brenda Lee and Cowboy Jack Clement to name just a few.
Arnold stated that it was his wish that more of the Country Music Artists would make career collection donations to the facility.
Eddy Arnold
AKA The Tennessee Plowboy
Born May 15, 1918 in Madisonville, TN
Years Active
Genres Country
Styles Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan, Honky Tonk, Country-Pop, Cowboy, Traditional Country
Instruments Vocals, Guitar
Tones Smooth, Lush, Plaintive, Sentimental, Rollicking, Gentle, Refined/Mannered, Poignant, Laid-Back/Mellow, Organic, Amiable/Good-Natured, Elegant, Soothing
Labels RCA Victor (62), Curb (5), MGM (4), Capitol (3), RCA Camden (2), Mercury (2), MCA (2)
Charts & Awards Click here for Billboard Chart Positions & GRAMMY Awards
See Also All Movie Guide Entry
Product Purchase Click here to buy sheet music
Eddy Arnold moved hillbilly music to the city, creating a sleek sound that relied on his smooth voice and occasionally lush orchestrations. In the process, he became the most popular country performer of the century, spending more weeks at the top of the charts than any other artist. Arnold not only had 28 number one singles, he has more charting singles than any other artist. More than any other country performer of the post-war era, he was responsible for bringing the music to the masses, to people that wouldn't normally listen to country music. Arnold was initially influenced by cowboy singers like Gene Autry, but as his career progressed, he shaped his phrasing in the style of Pete Cassell. Nevertheless, he was more of a crooner than a hillbilly singer, which is a large reason why he was embraced by the entertainment industry at large, and frequently crossed over to the pop charts. Arnold's career ran strong into the '90s. Although his records didn't dominate the charts like they did during the '40s and '50s, he continued to fill concert halls and reissues of his older recordings sold well.
Raised on a farm in Tennessee, Arnold was given a guitar at the age of 10 by his mother. His father, who had played fiddle and bass, died the following year. Arnold left school so he could help out on the farm. However, he began playing dances whenever he had a chance. Several years later, he made his first radio appearance on a station in Jackson. Arnold then moved to St. Louis, where he played in night clubs with fiddler Speedy McNatt. In St. Louis, Arnold landed a regular spot on WMPS Memphis, spending six years at the radio station. Through the show, the singer earned a dedicated following of fans.
During World War II, Eddy Arnold became part of the R.J. Reynolds' Camel
Caravan, which featured Redd Stewart, Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys, Minnie Pearl, and San Antonio Rose. The troupe performed for US troops throughout America, as well some selected dates in Panama. After the Camel Caravan, Arnold became the featured singer in the Golden West Cowboys while they performed on the Grand Ole Opry. At first, he appeared under the name "The Tennessee Plowboy," a nickname that followed him throughout his career.
Arnold recorded his first single, "Mommy Please Stay Home With Me," in 1944 for RCA Victor. At RCA, the singer received the guidance of the label's A&R head, Steve Sholes, which proved to be invaluable help for his career.
Eddy Arnold pursued a solo career in 1945, the same year he got married to Sally Gayhart. "Each Minute Seems a Million Years," released on RCA's Bluebird division that same year, became his first charting record, peaking in the Top Five. Arnold's career really took off the following year, when "That's How Much I Love You" peaked in the Top Three, staying there for 16 weeks and selling over 650,000 copies; its flip-side, "Chained to a Memory," also climbed into the Top Three. Arnold followed the single's success with two number one hits in 1947, "What Is Life Without Love" and "It's A Sin." However, that didn't compare to the success of his next record, "I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)." The single spent 46 weeks on the charts, with 21 of those weeks spent at the top; it also crossed over to the pop charts, reaching the Top 30. In the process, it became the number one single of the decade.
"I'll Hold You In My Heart" confirmed that Arnold had become a country superstar, as did the performance of his 1948 singles. All of his nine singles went into the top five, and five of them went to number one, including "Anytime," "What a Fool I Was," "Texarkana Baby," "Just a Little Lovin' (Will Go a Long, Long Way)," "My Daddy Is Only a Picture," and "Bouquet of Roses," which stayed at the top for 19 weeks. In total, Arnold racked up over 40 weeks on top of the charts during 1948, becoming the number one country star in America. He headlined all the radio shows and concerts he appeared on, and he was in demand throughout the nation. By the end of the year, Colonel Tom Parker had become his manager; Parker would later become Elvis Presley's manager. Throughout 1949, he continued to dominate the charts, releasing a succession of Top 10 singles, including the number one "Don't Rob Another Man's Castle," "One Kiss Too Many," "I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl I Love)," and "Take Me In Your Arms and Hold Me."
Eddy Arnold became a familiar face not only to country fans, but to the general public in the early '50s. He toured all of the US, as well as several foreign countries. All of the major television shows of the era, including The Perry Como Show and Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, featured the singer. Indeed, he became so popular that he was the first country star to have his own television show, Eddy Arnold Time. The show originally aired on NBC, but it later moved to ABC. Through all of this, his string of Top 10 hits remained unbroken, even though he didn't have another crossover pop hit until 1954. Nevertheless, the sheer amount of country hits was overwhelming: in 1950 he had seven, 13 in 1951 (including the number ones "There's Been a Change in Me," "Kentucky Waltz," "I Wanna Play House With You," "Easy on the Eyes," and "A Full Time Job."). The hits, including "Eddy's Song" (composed of the titles of previous hits), "How's the World Treating You?," "I Really Don't Want to Know," "My Everything," "The Cattle Call," "That Do Make It Nice," "Just Call Me Lonesome," and "The Richest Man (In the World)," continued to come in force until 1956.
Between 1956 and 1964, Arnold continued to chart, but he wasn't reaching the Top 10 at the same frequency of the previous decade. During this time, his style was beginning to change, as he was shedding his rootsy style for a slicker, polished sound that was more appropriate for urban settings than rural territories. Arnold became a crooner, complete with subdued instrumental backings, highlighted by gentle steel guitars and the occasional orchestra. The change in musical direction was a major commercial success, sparking a new era of chart dominance that began in 1965 with "What's He Doing In My World." Not only did he return to the top of the country charts, he once again crossed over to the pop charts. Arnold's second streak of major hits ran until 1969. During this time, he earned several number one and Top 10 singles, all of which were pop hits as well, including "Make the World Go Away," "I Want To Go With You," "The Last Word in Lonesome," "Somebody Like Me," "Lonely Again," "Turn the World Around," "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye," "They Don't Make Love Like They Used To," and "Please Don't Go."
In the early '70s, Arnold continued to appear on the country charts, although his pop hits dried up. The singer signed with MGM in 1972, ending 27 straight years at RCA. Arnold spent only four years at MGM, landing only one major hit, 1974's "I Wish That I Had Loved You Better." Returning to RCA in 1976, he closed out the decade with two hits — "Cowboy" (1976) and "If Everyone Had Someone Like You" (1978). Arnold managed to put two songs into the Top 10 in 1980 ("Let's Get It While the Gettin's Good," "That's What I Get for Loving You"), making him one of the few artists that charted in five different decades. He continued to record in the '90s, although he has yet to chart a hit single. Nevertheless, his concert and television appearances remained popular.
Beginning in the '60s, Eddy Arnold was bestowed with a numerous amount of awards. In 1966, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The following year, he was the first "Entertainer of the Year" named by the CMA. The ACM gave him the "Pioneer Award' in 1984; three years later, the Songwriters Guild gave him "The President's Award." Perhaps the truest gauge of his success is his record sales. Over the course of his career, he has sold over 85 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of the century. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine

EDDY'S WEB PAGE CELEBRATES IT'S 6TH ANNIVERSARY.

Web Masters Bill Comer and his son Bruce, started this GREAT Web Site In Nov. 1997.  Way back then, they waited until they thought they had enough data to start this site. This site was to become a Labor of Love, for Bill and his son, Bruce. Then on March 3rd, 1998, this Web site debuted. But it only had a counter...and no guest book page. I remember I looked at it about this time...and only 114 had viewed this start up web site. Exactly one week later on March 10, 1998 I looked at it again, and his son Bruce who is in the Marines signed this "New" guest book to Officially open it. His Marine Buddy....also signed it, but just for fun. When I saw the guest book I signed it on this date, and according to Bill Comer...became the very first Eddy Arnold Fan to sign his guest book.. I consider this a Great honor. Bill and I have over the years, become GREAT friends. This Web Site has come a long way since it's inception. You Eddy Arnold Fan's and your friends have made it what it is today. Bill and Bruce appreciate this from the bottom of their hearts. As I view this site, as I write this..... 166,368 fans have viewed this site. It it done so professionally...that if you do a "search" for an Eddy Arnold site on Yahoo. It will direct you to www.eddyarnold.com where it states "This is the most comprehensive web site on Eddy Arnold". But this site is not intended to honor Bill and his son, Bruce....but the legionary "Ambassador Of Country Music"...Mr Dr. Richard "Eddy" Arnold. Eddy Arnold will be celebrating his 85th Birthday May 15, 2003. Won't all you fans send him a card for his Birthday...but also to Congratulate him on being Honored by the Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum. Bill Comer and his son Bruce, want to thank Eddy's Wife Sally for sharing this great man with us for more than 50 years. God bless you Bill and Bruce....and also Eddy Arnold and his Wife Sally, and his Family. Don Stewart.
P.S. Please send A Birthday and/or congratulations card to the following address:
Mr. Eddy Arnold
P.O.Box 97
Brentwood, Tennessee 37024-0097
Thanks!!!!

Mary:  Many thanks for your very nice message.  You may contact Eddy by writing to him at the following address:
Dr. Eddy Arnold
P. O. Box 97
Brentwood, Tennessee  37024-0097

AMERICA : THE GOOD NEIGHBOR.

Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television Commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record:
"This Canadian thinks it's time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts.
None of these countries is today paying even the interest on it's remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.
When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent warmongering Americans.
I'd Like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build it's own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas
DC10?
If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. Your talk about Germany technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, you find men on the moon -not once, but several times - and home safely again.
You talk about scandals, and Americans put theirs right in the store windows for everybody to look at. Even their draft dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.
When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them and old caboose. Both are still broke.
I can name 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.
Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag held high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."
Stand proud America! Wear it proudly!!
[Gorton Sinclair died in 1989. He wrote this article during the Vietnam war in the 1970's]

I'd like to add my little note....this was written over 20 years ago. Today we are facing the same situation...no one is coming to our aid with this Iraq and North Korean problem of today. We are being called warmongers. And Countries like France and Germany are at the top of this list who are turning their backs on us. Had we lost WW2 we'd be speaking German or Japanese...if we were alive at all. I wonder what Gordon Sinclair would think about even Canada, not coming to our aid in 2003. Be proud to be an American. GOD BLESS AMERICA......Don
Stewart.

Tex Ritter recorded the above narration in the 1970s.  Bill Comer

Susan:  I will send you the words in a few days.  Bill Comer

http://www.tcmradio.com/country.htm

Don Stewart has been a supporter of this website since its inception.  He has been very helpful to the webmasters and has sent many fans to the site.  He is a dear friend and we appreciate his efforts in helping maintain this site for Eddy Arnold fans.  Bill Comer

Jerry:  Nice to hear from you once again.  Please drop by more often.  Bill Comer

Frank:  Nice to hear from you.  Please log on more often.  Bill Comer

Bill:  Nice to hear from you.  Please log on more often.  Bill Comer.

Don:  Eddy has never received the recognition he has earned many times over.  You just have to feel sorry for people who grew up and were not exposed to this kind, gentle man.  I've always said he's the greatest singer and performer in the world because I believe it with all my heart.  I believe, at times, Eddy has been annoyed by my saying that to him, so often, but I will never stop saying it.  Bill Comer

Don:  Many thanks for your endorsement and support of this website.  Happy New Year to you and all of Eddy Arnold's fans.   Bill Comer