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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
Musician Red Sovine (July 17, 1918-April 4, 1980) gained country music fame for his recitations, especially those incorporating sentimental truck driver themes. Born Woodrow Wilson Sovine in Charleston, he was influenced by Frank Welling and Buddy Starcher, two local radio musicians who also delivered sentimental monologues. Sovine’s earlier musical efforts brought little success at either WCHS Charleston or WWVA Wheeling. He took a factory job in the Putnam County town of Eleanor, but still did programs on local radio. After World War II, he opted for a full-time musical career in Montgomery, Alabama, Shreveport, Louisiana, and finally Nashville.
In 1949, he began recording with MGM, Decca, and eventually Starday. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1954. Although the majority of his repertoire consisted of straight country singing, his biggest hits were recitations, especially ‘‘Giddyup Go’’ (1965), ‘‘Phantom 309’’ (1967), and ‘‘Teddy Bear’’ (1976). Red Sovine remained active until his death in Nashville. He was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
Written by Abby Gail Goodnite
Tribe, Ivan M. Mountaineer Jamboree: Country Music in West Virginia. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1984.