Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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ROBERTS, Kenny

(b George Kingsbury 14 Oct. '26, Lenoir City TN) Country singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player known as Yodellin' Kenny Roberts enjoyed a long career. Appeared on radio shows from his teens solo or with the Down Homers incl. the Hoosier Hop on WOWO Fort Wayne IN; served in US Navy '45-7; signed to Coral Records '48 with biggest hit "I Never See Maggie Alone' '49. More hits followed incl. children's favourites "Choc'late Ice Cream Cone', "Billy And Nanny Goat'; Moved on to TV shows mid-'50s; became regular on WWVA Wheeling Jamboree '62; recorded for Starday '60s, smaller labels Essgee, Point, Palomino, Longhorn, appealing to country traditionalists; based '90s in Greenfield MA where he remains popular on local scene. Albums incl. Yodellin' Country Songs '63 on Vocalion; Indian Love Call, Incredible, Country Music Singing Sensation and Jealous Heart all '65-70 on Starday; I Never See Maggie Alone '71 on Nashville; Kenny Roberts '78 on Palomino; Then And Now '81 on Longhorn, Just Call Me Country and You're My Kind Of People '88-91 on Point.