Johnny Horton By: Bryon Thom Scott Sellers Scott Sellers Justin Jones Justin Jones

Family Background Born John Gale Horton in Los Angeles California 1925 to John Horton Sr. and Ella Claudia Robinson Johnny was one of four children Raised in Tyler Texas where his parents had a variety of jobs

Community and Education Mother taught him to play the guitar at age 11 Graduated high school in 1944 Attended 3 different colleges on basketball scholarships

Travel In his early years Johnny traveled extensively Moved to Alaska in 1949 and became a fisherman and began writing songs 1950 he moved back to Tyler and started entering talent contests 1950 he moved back to Tyler and started entering talent contests

Exposure Started winning many talent contests all over Texas Discovered by Fabor Robinson and signed with Corman Records in 1951 and later to Mercury records in 1952 Also in 1952 he married his first wife Donna Cook

Performances Landed a Saturday night spotlight show on KXLA- TV where he was billed as the singing fisherman 1953 Johnny moved to Shreveport where he joined the Louisiana Hayride The Hayride was the place to help launch or resurrect careers such as Elvis and Hank Williams

Johnny’s Love Life After moving to Louisiana Johnny’s wife divorced him and moved back to LA In 1953 after Hank Williams had died, Johnny married his widow Billy Jean

Musical Style Started his career off singing ballads 1955 signed with Columbia Records After signing with Columbia Horton switched to a Honky Tonk style of singing Columbia Horton switched to a Honky Tonk style of singing

Major Influences Hank Williams Elvis Presley Johnny Cash

Hits “Honky Tonk Man” was Johnny’s first big single Many more followed including: Johnny’s last single was “North to Alaska” which he wrote for a John Wayne movie “I’m a one woman man” “I’m coming home” “The woman I need”

Johnny’s Last Day Horton died on Nov. 4, 1960 in a car crash at the hands of a drunk driver He was on his way back home from a show in Austin, Texas A compilation of his Greatest hits was put out in 1987

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Questions Name one famous singer that influenced Johnny? Which famous singer’s wife did Horton marry? How did Horton die?