Billy Grammer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Billy Grammer (born Billie Wayne Grammer on August 28, 1925 in Benton, Illinois) is an American country music singer and noted guitar player.
Grammer was the eldest of 13 children (9 boys and 4 girls). His father, a fine musician himself, served in WWI in France. After the war, he studied violin and trumpet in the US Army School of Music. Upon release he worked in Benton's coal mine's.
Billy married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Burzynski, also from a large family in Benton (12 children), in 1944.
Signed by Monument Records in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1959 he had his first hit with "Gotta Travel On" that made it onto both the country and pop music charts. That same year, he became a regular cast member on the Grand Ole Opry.
He is considered by most to be one of the great guitarists of country music.
Founded RG&G (Reid, Grammer & Gower) Company in 1965 with Clyde Reid and J.W. Gower. RG&G made the Grammer guitar from 1965 through 1968 when a fire consumed the factory located on 715 Poplar Avenue in downtown Nashville, TN. The company was then sold to Ampeg and the address was changed to 700 Poplar Avenue. A newer facility was built by Ampeg and the company was renamed Grammer Guitar Incorporated (GGI). GGI produced the Grammer guitar until 1970.
 |
This article about an American musician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This article on a singer-guitarist is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
