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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 ZHOUSTON, David(b 9 Dec. '38, Bossier City LA; d 30 Nov. '93) Country singer; big star of '60s with 17 top ten hits '63--71 incl. six at no. 1 (not counting duets). Descended from both Sam Houston and Robert E. Lee; advised on early career by godfather Gene Austin. Appeared on Louisiana Hayride at age twelve; signed to Sun Records briefly '57; to Nashville '62, signed to Epic for hits 'Mountain Of Love' (no. 2 '63), 'Livin' In A House Full Of Love' (no. 3 '65), several other top 40 entries; then with prod. Billy Sherrill for 'Almost Persuaded' '66, first country no. 1 for each of them, also pop no. 24 and Grammy for Best Male Country Performance; followed by 'With One Exception', 'You Mean The World To Me' '67, 'Have A Little Faith', 'Already It's Heaven' '68, 'Baby Baby (I Know You're A Lady)' '69, all no. 1 country, nearly all reached one or another pop chart. Also did duets with Barbara Mandrell ('After Closing Time', no. 6 '70) and Tammy Wynette ('My Elusive Dreams', no. 1 country '67, made Hot 100 pop). Continued to make country chart '70s in less spectacular way; to Starday/Gusto label '77 with hit 'So Many Ways', then label- hopped. LPs incl. Wonders Of The Wine '70, The Day Love Walked In '72, A Perfect Match '73 (with Mandrell), Good Things '73, A Man Needs Love '75 all on Epic; David Houston '77 on Starday/Gusto, From The Heart Of Houston '79 on Derrick, From Houston To You '81 on Excelsior. American Originals on Columbia compiled the hits of the '60s. |