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He was an American country & western musician and
singer-songwriter born in Rosewood Kentucky. He was raised in the coalmining Muhlenberg County
and became interested in the guitar when he was young, playing one made by
his brother. His main
inspiration and influence was Mose Rager, from whom he learned how to develop his own
guitar picking technique. He
was also influenced by Ike Everly who was the father of Don and Phil. He performed with bands such as
Drifting Pioneers before working with artists including Hank Penny and
Grandpa Jones. After having
been in Cincinnati, he moved to
Hollywood where he worked on
radio shows and recording sessions and was signed to Capitol Records in
1946. He had hits with
songs that included "Steel Guitar Rag" and "Sweet
Temptation". He wrote
"Sixteen Tons" which was a million-selling hit for Tennessee
Ernie Ford and "Dark as a Dungeon" among many others. Married several times, he was
apparently involved in several violent incidents in California
due to his excessive drinking and suffered severe stage fright. One of the main followers of his
guitar picking style was Chet Atkins who had first heard him in 1939. He appeared in the film From Here to Eternity playing
"Re-enlistment Blues". The singer Glen Travis
Campbell was named in his honour. He died of a massive heart
attack at his home in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He was 65. The city of Drakesboro has a fountain that
honours the "four legends": Merle
Travis, Mose Rager,
Chet Atkins and Ike Everly. His
son, Thom Bresh, currently plays using his
father's style.
Gene Autry Recordings
Nine Little Reindeer
(Gene Autry, Johnny Marks and Merle Travis)
Source:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_Travis
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