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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGRAMMER, Billy(b 28 Aug. '25, Benton IL) Country singer, and one of the first great Nashville session guitarists. Worked as toolmaker in naval gun factory, served in US Army; on radio, TV in Washington DC '49-59, to Nashville after hit "Gotta Travel On', first record on new Monument label, top 5 hit both pop and country '59. Other hits: "Bonaparte's Retreat', and "The Kissing Tree' '59, "I Wanna Go Home' '63, "Bottles' and "The Real Thing' '66. Played in Jimmy Dean, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Grandpa Jones bands; own albums incl. Travelin' On '61 on Monument; Country Guitar and Gospel Guitar '64-5 on Decca; Sunday Guitar '67 on Epic; also recorded for Rice and Mercury. |