ENTERTAINMENT
            Arnold giving up show biz for 'simple things'

                        Country singer Eddy Arnold tells a news conference
Tuesday in Las Vegas that he is retiring after 50 years in show business.
(AP)
             By Jay Orr / Tennessean Staff Writer
 

            Country Music Hall of Fame member Eddy Arnold will close the books Sunday on a live performing career that stretches back more than 60 years.

            "The Tennessee Plowboy," as Arnold was known in his early years, announced his retirement Tuesday during a press conference at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. He'll make his last appearance there Sunday, the day after his 81st birthday, at the end of a six-night, sold-out stand.  "I've been thinking about when and how I would do this for the past few years," Arnold said yesterday. "I finally decided I'm just going to do it."

            Arnold's wife, Sally, was with him when he delivered the
emotional news to the Las Vegas media.

            "I cried. I sure did," Arnold admitted. "All those things have to come. They have to come."

            He plans to spend time with his wife and on his boat, and he
wants to "go some places," Arnold says.  "I'm talking about going to Kentucky Lake, I'm talking about going to Pickwick Lake. Simple things -- stop and eat catfish, do those kinds of things."

            Arnold won't stop recording, however. He has finished an album with producer Chuck Howard that he hopes will be released in the fall.

            And he'll keep his office in Brentwood.

            "I'll answer my mail. I'll be getting mail from here till
doomsday. Even though it's fan mail, I answer it if it looks like it's from a sensible person."

            By one ranking, Arnold, a native of Henderson, is the top country music recording artist of all time. His professional career started when he joined Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys as featured singer. King brought him to the Grand Ole Opry, and Arnold began his solo career in 1943.  His many hits include I'll Hold You in my Heart (Till I Can Hold You in my Arms), Anytime and What's He Doing in my World. His smooth voice allowed him to make the transition from traditional country music to the more urbane Nashville Sound of the '60s.

            Though he is feeling well, Arnold said health was a consideration in his decision.

            "I've had open heart surgery and several things that caused this to come to a head," he said. "I get tired of getting on and off of planes and running somewhere. I just decided I'd do it."