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Claude King Dead: 'Louisiana Hayride' Member Was Country Music Pioneer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Country singer-songwriter Claude King, an original member of the Louisiana Hayride who was best known for the 1962 hit "Wolverton Mountain," has died. He was 90.

King had just celebrated his birthday and 67th wedding anniversary to his wife, Barbara, last month. The couple's eldest son, Duane King, said his father was found unresponsive in his bed early Thursday morning at his home in Shreveport. King was one of the original members of the Louisiana Hayride, the Saturday night show where Elvis Presley and Hank Williams Sr. got their start. The show transformed country and western music from 1948 to 1960 with music genres including hillbilly, western swing, jazz, blues and gospel.

King's hit "Wolverton Mountain" told a story of mountain man Clifton Clowers, who guarded his daughter from suitors. "Claude was a legend in the Louisiana music industry, one of the greatest songwriters, and a wonderful friend," said Maggie Warwick, owner of the Louisiana Hayride trademark and the production company, Louisiana Hayride Co. "Claude and Tillman Franks were on the Hayride from the very beginning."

Warwick, who also serves as chairwoman of the Louisiana Music Commission, said King was known for his guitar-playing skills and knack for writing songs.

"He had a gift for melody and lyrics that was very definable," Warwick said. "The range and melody and the feeling that goes with his songs, when you hear it, it's very unique and identifiable with Claude King. He had a personal style that was all his own."

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Listen to Claude King's 'Wolverton Mountain'




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Larry W Jones

Tribute song for Claude King:

Wolverton Mountain Man (Larry W Jones 03/20/2013) (song#6679)

Well, I was just a young lad going with the flow
When I first heard Claude King sing on the radio
I was at a soda fountain in Louisian
Listnin' 'bout a big bad Wolverton Mountain man

Now, old man Clowers made good hard liquor brandy
With a gun and a knife he was mighty handy
He had a pretty young daughter with raven hair
But Wolverton bears and birds protected her there

(instrumental)

Now I'm an older man and time goes marching on
And it was in March when I heard Claude King was gone
I wonder if he ever kissed Clifton's daughter's sweet lips
Or if he married that girl on one of his trips

I know Claude King climbed up on Wolverton Mountain
Cause all of his dreams were with that young girl he loved
He took his chances up on Wolverton Mountain
It was too lonesome down below than up above

Well, I was just a young lad going with the flow
When I first heard Claude King sing on the radio
Up on that Wolverton Mountain he loved her so

http://kingwoodkowboy.com/WolvertonMountainMan.html

March 23 2013 at 8:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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March 11 2013 at 10:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
elvismay

our band backed him up in Augusta, ga about 30 syear ago. He was such a gentleman and one of the nicest people on earth. It was great and a honor to play music with him.

March 08 2013 at 7:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Harley the man

R.I.P. Good memories for sure!

March 08 2013 at 7:07 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
nscalevel3

Bring back mnay good memories. RIP

March 08 2013 at 4:13 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
liondog96

90? I wish my mother-in-law lived that long. My love ones die in their fifties or earlier. I don't feel pitty for this guy.

March 08 2013 at 2:47 PM Report abuse -7 rate up rate down Reply
rpill

I love this era of country music. RIP.

March 08 2013 at 2:40 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
LONNIE

They Say Don't go _-_______. RIP Friend!

March 08 2013 at 12:14 PM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
Buckingham's

God bless Claude King! I hope now he finally made it up Wolverton Mountain, and got the girl.

March 08 2013 at 11:50 AM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply

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