George Croft’s American Music Show

GCAMS Episode 59: Eddy Arnold

Eddy Arnold was a Tennessee farm boy who became one of country music’s smoothest crossover stars, helping shape the Nashville Sound and charting hits for more than four decades. Early years Eddy Arnold was born Richard Edward Arnold on May 15, 1918, on a farm near Henderson/Chester County, Tennessee, the youngest in a large farming family. His father died when he was eleven, the family farm was lost, and the Arnolds became sharecroppers during the Depression, experiences that later inspired his “Tennessee Plowboy” image. He learned guitar from his family, played local dances as a teenager, and began working in small radio jobs in Jackson, Memphis, and St. Louis, mixing singing with comic routines and odd jobs to help support his family. By the late 1930s and early 1940s he was appearing regularly on the radio and building a regional reputation as a singer. Breakthrough and “Tennessee Plowboy” Arnold’s big break came when he joined Pee Wee King’s Golden West Cowboys around 1940, which brought him to the Grand Ole Opry and on military-base tours during World War II. In 1943 he left to go solo in Nashville, performing on WSM and the Opry and attracting the attention of RCA Victor. He signed with RCA in 1944, cutting early sides like “Cattle Call,” which became one of his signature songs. Branded as “The Tennessee Plowboy,” he scored a long run of country hits in the late 1940s, including “That’s How Much I Love You,” “I’ll Hold You in My Heart,” “Anytime,” and “Bouquet of Roses.” Nashville Sound and pop crossover In the 1950s Arnold worked with manager Col. Tom Parker, later famous for managing Elvis Presley, and became a major recording and touring star. When honky-tonk and rockabilly reshaped country in the late 1950s and his sales dipped, he reinvented himself with smoother arrangements and strings, helping pioneer the countrypolitan “Nashville Sound.” This new style brought him substantial pop crossover success in the 1960s, and by mid‑career he had scored 147 entries on the Billboard country chart and sold tens of millions of records worldwide. His songs collectively spent more than 100 weeks at number one on the country charts, and at one point his total sales rivaled stars like Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles. Honors and later life Arnold became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in the 1940s and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966, one of its youngest inductees. He later received major honors including the CMA Entertainer of the Year award, the ACM Pioneer Award, the National Medal of Arts, and a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award. He continued to record and perform into the 1980s, with his last concert coming the day after his 80th birthday in 1998, and he released a final RCA album, “After All These Years,” in the 2000s. Eddy Arnold died on May 8, 2008, in the Nashville area, just a week shy of his 90th birthday, leaving a legacy as one of country music’s most successful and influential vocal stylists

GCAMS Episode 58: John Lomax and Leadbelly

John A. Lomax, a pioneering folklorist, discovered blues musician Huddie Ledbetter (Lead Belly) in 1933 while recording inmates at Angola Prison in Louisiana, alongside his son Alan Lomax. John helped secure Lead Belly's parole and hired him as a driver, assistant, and performer, signing a management contract in 1935 that later soured due to disputes over money and control, leading to a settlement. Alan Lomax maintained a closer, more collaborative friendship with Lead Belly, assisting him legally in 1939 and working together on recordings and performances for years after #GCAMS #musichistory #podcast

GCAMS Episode 57: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Sister Rosetta Tharpe — the gospel legend who electrified the world with her powerful voice and groundbreaking guitar skills. Often called the "Godmother of Rock & Roll," she blended sacred gospel with raw rhythm and blues, shattering barriers and directly inspiring legends like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Johnny Cash. From her humble beginnings performing in churches as a child, to her rise as a trailblazing Black woman in a male-dominated industry, this video explores her groundbreaking career, hit songs like "This Train" and "Strange Things Happening Every Day," her historic 1960s performances, and the lasting impact she had on modern music. If you love the roots of rock, soul, and gospel, you need to know Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s story. 🔥 👉 Like if you’re inspired by musical pioneers 👉 Subscribe for more music history deep dives Comment below: Who’s your favorite artist influenced by Sister Rosetta? #SisterRosettaTharpe #GodmotherOfRockAndRoll #GospelMusic #MusicHistory

GCAMS Episode 56: June Carter Cash

June Carter Cash (born Valerie June Carter, June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was a legendary American country singer, songwriter, comedienne, actress, musician, and author, widely regarded as a key figure in country music history and a member of its "First Family." Early Life and Carter Family Roots Born in Maces Spring, Virginia, in the Appalachian foothills, June was the middle daughter of Ezra "Eck" Carter and Maybelle Carter. Her mother was part of the original Carter Family (with A.P. and Sara Carter), who made some of the earliest influential country recordings at the 1927 Bristol Sessions. After the original group disbanded in 1943, June (starting as a child around age 10) performed with her mother and sisters Helen and Anita as Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters. They became staples on the Grand Ole Opry, with June known for her lively stage presence, comic routines (often with an exaggerated hillbilly accent), autoharp playing, and other instruments like guitar, banjo, and harmonica. She made her solo debut at the Opry in 1950 and later toured with artists like Elvis Presley. Career Highlights June had a multifaceted career beyond music: * She was a gifted songwriter; one of her most famous contributions was co-writing "Ring of Fire" (with Merle Kilgore), which became a massive hit for Johnny Cash. * She performed comedy and acted, appearing on TV shows like Gunsmoke and studying with Lee Strasberg. She also guested on variety programs and was in films like The Apostle. * As a solo artist and collaborator, she released albums like Press On (1999 Grammy winner for Best Traditional Folk Album) and Wildwood Flower (posthumous 2004 Grammys for Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Keep on the Sunny Side"). She won multiple Grammys overall, including for duets with Johnny Cash like "Jackson" (1968) and "If I Were a Carpenter" (1971). Her style blended traditional country, folk, and heartfelt storytelling, often with a warm, engaging personality that made her a fan favorite. Personal Life and Marriage to Johnny Cash June was married three times and had one child with each husband, all of whom pursued music careers: * Carl Smith (1952–1956): Daughter Carlene Carter (country/rock singer). * Edwin "Rip" Nix (1957–1966): Daughter Rosie Nix Adams (singer who tragically died in 2003 from carbon monoxide poisoning). * Johnny Cash (married March 1, 1968, until June's death): Son John Carter Cash (musician, songwriter, and producer). She met Johnny backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in the mid-1950s. Their relationship deepened during tours in the 1960s while both were still married to others. June played a pivotal role in helping Cash overcome his severe drug addiction, providing steadfast support and inspiration. They became one of country music's most iconic couples, performing and recording together extensively. Their chemistry shone in hits and on The Johnny Cash Show. They lived in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and remained married for 35 years. Johnny died just four months after June. Later Years and Death In her later career, June continued performing, writing (including an autobiography), and engaging in philanthropy and faith-based work. She was inducted into halls of fame, including the Country Music Hall of Fame (posthumously in some recognitions) and the Christian Music Hall of Fame. She passed away at age 73 in Nashville on May 15, 2003, from complications following heart valve replacement surgery. Legacy June Carter Cash is remembered not just as Johnny Cash's wife or a Carter Family descendant, but as a talented artist in her own right—fearless, funny, ambitious, and loyal. Her influence spans generations; her children and grandchildren have carried on the family musical tradition. Recent tributes include the documentary June (streaming on Paramount+) and a new musical The Ballad of Johnny & June.

GCAMS Episode 55: Diane Deikman Interview

Diane Jean Diekman grew up on a South Dakota farm, attended a one-room country school in the Hidewood Valley, and graduated from Clear Lake High School. Today she is a retired U.S. Navy captain and published author. Four years at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a triple major in elementary education, English, and Spanish, provided her Bachelor of Arts degree. When a mandated closure of rural schools ended her teaching dream, Diane enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After two years as an aviation storekeeper, she attended officer candidate school and earned a commission in 1975. Designated an aeronautical maintenance duty officer in 1979, she was promoted to captain in 1997 and commanded Defense Contract Management Agency Van Nuys in Los Angeles. Her final Navy assignment before retirement in 2004 was the Office of the Naval Inspector General in Washington D.C. She has written the biographies of three Country Music Hall of Fame members. Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story, Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins, and Randy Travis: Storms of Life are all published by the University of Illinois Press. Her childhood memoir is A Farm in the Hidewood: My South Dakota Home, followed by Navy Greenshirt: A Leader Made, Not Born about her military career, and Mommy! Watch Me, the story of becoming a mother at age fifty. Captain Diekman is listed in Marquis Who’s Who of American Women 1997-1998, 2000-2001, and 2002-2003. She graduated from the Naval War College and holds two master’s degrees from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University — a Master of Aeronautical Science and a Master of Business Administration in Aviation.     She currently serves as president of the board of directors for the Battleship South Dakota Memorial and president of the South Dakota Council of the Navy League. She twice received All-American status while commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 628 and is an active member of the VFW and American Legion funeral honor guards in Sioux Falls. An avid runner, Diane has more than a dozen marathons and ultramarathons to her credit. She loves country-western music, dancing and reading, and is active in her Lutheran church. She lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and has two grown daughters, April and Amanda.