American country music singer, songwriter
One of his early managers was Tom Parker.
Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966.
One of country musics most beloved performers, with a smooth baritone voice and relaxed style, his many hits, all of them on RCA Victor, include: "Cattle Call," "What Is Life Without Love?," "Bouquet of Roses," "Make the World Go Away," "Turn the World Around," "Anytime," "Will Santy Come to Shanty Town?," "Lonely Again," "I Want to Go With You," "Here Comes My Baby," and "Whats He Doing in My World?".
Toured and recorded with legendary Nashville guitarist, Hank Garland.
He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 2000 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.
Was one of the volunteer searchers who found the wreckage of his friend and fellow Country Music star Jim Reeves plane on August 2, 1964, two days after it crashed. Several pictures show Arnold at the sight with several other searchers, with a blanket over Reeves body, shortly after it was found.
According to Billboard Magazine, holds the record for most Top 10 hits on the Country Charts (92), and the most weeks with songs at the #1 position on the Country Charts (145).
Father of Richard Edward Arnold, Jr. and Jo Ann Pollard, both of Brentwood, Tennessee and grandfather of two.
From 1945 through 1983 he had 145 charted songs, including 28 number-one hits.
According to a formula derived by Joel Whitburn, he is the all-time leader in an overall ranking for hits and their time on the charts.
In 1967, he was the first recipient of the Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year.
He avoided the nasal twang of many country singers, and sang with a fuller, richer tone that appealed to a wider audience.
He started out on radio in 1936, and struggled until he was hired as lead male vocalist with the Pee Wee King band.
His father died and his family lost its farm when he was 11.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6775 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6225 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
When I finally put my guitar in the case the last time, I want to be,remembered just as a singer, not as a country singer or pops singer -,just a singer.
Touring is really a pretty lonely business.
