Hamilton was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States, on July 19, 1937, the son of Moravian parents George Hege Hamilton III and Mary Lilian (née Pendry). He was introduced to country music by his paternal grandfather, a railroad worker.
He was introduced to country music by his paternal grandfather, a railroad worker. His great-grandfather, the first George Hege Hamilton, was a farmer, of a family that came from Scotland to America in 1685.
George Hamilton IV attended Richard J. Reynolds High School, and is among several notable singers and songwriters to have attended that school, including Peter Holsapple and Greg Humphreys. While a 19-year-old student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Hamilton recorded “A Rose and a Baby Ruth” for a Chapel Hill record label, Colonial Records.
The song, written by John D. Loudermilk, climbed to number six on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart. By 1960, “A Rose and a Baby Ruth” had attained gold record status for ABC-Paramount (which had acquired the song from Colonial). The self-penned B-side of the record, “If You Don’t Know, I Ain’t Gonna Tell You”, revealed Hamilton’s ambitions to be a rockabilly-country singer.
After a string of pop hits, Hamilton joined the Rockabilly Tour playing with Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Little Richard, and several others throughout the country. Hamilton was then invited to Washington, DC, to become a member of the cast of The Jimmy Dean Show, where he performed regularly with Patsy Cline and Jimmy Dean.
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George Hamilton IV was an American country music singer and songwriter who was born on July 19, 1937, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and passed away on September 17, 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was best known for his hit songs, including “A Rose and a Baby Ruth,” “Before This Day Ends,” and “Abilene.”
Hamilton began his music career in the late 1950s, and his first big hit was “A Rose and a Baby Ruth,” which reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1957. He then signed with RCA Victor and became a regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry. In 1963, he released “Abilene,” which became his biggest hit and reached No. 1 on the country music charts.
Throughout his career, Hamilton released numerous albums and singles, and he was known for his smooth voice and easy-going style. He continued to perform and record music well into his later years, and he remained a beloved figure in the country music community until his death.
In addition to his music career, Hamilton was also an accomplished actor, appearing in several movies and TV shows over the years. He was also a member of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
George Hamilton IV was born on July 19, 1937, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar and singing at a young age. His parents were both musicians, and his father played fiddle and guitar, while his mother was a pianist.
George Hamilton IV passed away on September 17, 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, at the age of 77. The cause of his death was a heart attack. He had been hospitalized after suffering a fall at his home a few days earlier.
Hamilton had been an active performer and recording artist throughout his career, and his death was a great loss to the country music community. He was remembered for his smooth voice, easy-going style, and dedication to his craft.
Despite his passing, Hamilton’s music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world, and he remains an important figure in the history of country music.
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