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Dick Damron
Canadian country music singer and songwriter (1934–2025) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Joseph Glenn "Dick" Damron (March 22, 1934 – March 29, 2025) was a Canadian country music singer and songwriter. Damron experimented with many musical styles in the country genre, including outlaw, rockabilly, and honky-tonk, as well as gospel. Over a recording career spanning 60 years he recorded more than 25 albums, received numerous country music awards, and was inducted into the International Country Music Hall Of Fame, in Beaumont, Texas.
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Early career
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Dick Damron was born in Bentley, Alberta on March 22, 1934.[1] Damron started his career performing in both rock and country bands, including the Musical Round-Up Gang (on CKRD radio, Red Deer) and the Nightriders. His recording career began in 1959 with his original 45 "Havin' a Party" / "Rockin' Baby". Then, in 1960 he recorded two LPs for his own label, Holiday. In 1961, he issued his first Nashville studio album on Quality Records, then had a Canadian #1 hit with "Hitchhiking" in 1963. He continued recording and touring throughout the 1960s, building up a growing fan base.
Damron had a breakthrough hit in 1970 with "Countryfied" for Apex records.[2] He found further success throughout the 1970s with singles such as "Rise 'n' Shine", "The Long Green Line", "Mother, Love and Country", and "Susan Flowers".
In 1978 Damron signed his first major label contract and began recording for RCA. By this point he had become an established performer in the outlaw style and a well known songwriter. His most popular singles for RCA included "Silver and Shine", "Whisky Jack", "Honky Tonk Angels and Good Ol' Boys", and "Good Ol' Time Country Rock 'n' Roll".
Throughout the years Damron has performed at many notable shows and venues, including the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville (1972). He also toured Europe many times throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including a performance at the Wembley International Country Music Festival in London, England. He spent six seasons as the resident band at Howard Hughes' Desert Inn in Las Vegas from 1985 to 1991. He appeared on Canadian television networks CBC and CTV, and at a concert at the Calgary Stampede.
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Musical contacts
As a solo artist, Damron played alongside musicians including Jerry Reed and Buddy Emmons in Nashville sessions, and James Burton sitting in at a Las Vegas jam. His main backup group was the Stoney Creek Band, which featured Brian Richard, Sam Taylor, and Myron Szott. His songs have been covered by numerous artists, including Charlie Pride, George Hamilton IV, Wilf Carter, Carroll Baker, Gary Buck, Terry Carisse, Jimmy Arthur Ordge, Orval Prophet, and Rhythm Pals.
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Author
Damron wrote the fictional thrillers Rockabye Baby Blues and Pacific Coast Radio, and the autobiography The Legend and the Legacy.
Death
Damron died in Lacombe, Alberta on March 29, 2025, at the age of 91.[3][4]
Awards
Damron won the Big Country award for top country music composer in 1976 and 1984, best male country singer award in the years 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1983. "Susan Flowers" was declared the Big Country best country single in 1997. He has won CCMA Awards as best male vocalist (1983), instrumentalist (1985), entertainer (1989), and for best single in 1984 ("Jesus, It's Me Again"). Between 1980 and 1983 he won the Texas Proud Award. He was inducted into the International Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Damron won seven BMI songwriter awards.
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Discography
Albums
Singles
Singles with Ginny Mitchell
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References
External links
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