Billy Grammer RIP

08/15/2011
. (Gibson) Billy Grammer, the singer-guitarist whose "Gotta Travel On" topped the charts in 1958, died Wednesday in his hometown of Benton, Illinois. Grammer was recovering from a heart attack he had suffered in March, according to Billboard. He was 85.

Grammer was born on August 28, 1925, the son of musician. After serving in the Army in World War II, Grammer worked as a factory toolmaker. When he was laid off from his job, Grammer decided to pursue a career in music, scoring a hit right out of the gates with the Paul Clayton-penned "Gotta Travel On." Shortly thereafter, he was asked to join the Grand Ole Opry.

In the following years, Grammer played on records with Patti Page, Louis Armstrong, Eddy Arnold and Hawkshaw Hawkins, among others, started his own guitar company (RG&G), charted several solo hits (including "I Wanna Go Home" and "Bonaparte's Retreat), had his own TV show and delivered the invocation for the opening of the Grand Ole Opry House in 1974. more on this story

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