From: philip.davies Date: Mon Dec 9, 2002 10:04 am Subject: Born To Be With You - David Houston DAVID HOUSTON Born David Houston, on December 9th, Bossier City, Louisiana Died November 30th, 1993, Bossier City LA David was related to Texan hero Sam Houston and also General Robert E. Lee. If that wasn't enough of a portent of fame, his godfather was singer Gene Austin (of My Blue Heaven and Ramona fame) ! Austin encouraged him to sing and play the piano. David appeared on the Louisiana Hayride when he was 12. Managed by legend Tilman Franks he continued studying in college, whilst finding time to record Sherry's Lips/Miss Brown for Phillips Int 3583, later reissued on Sun 403 in 1966!! He worked in insurance and construction until his big break. In 1963 he was signed to Epic records who were aiming to break into the country market. A cover of Harold Dorman's classic Mountain Of Love made number 2, (David recorded it in Tyler Texas)followed by further hits with Livin' In A House Of Love and Sweet Sweet Judy. In 1966 he recorded one of the all-time great country songs, Almost presuaded, co-penned by producer Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton, it topped the country charts and reached 30 on pop. the album also reached number one and David won Grammys for best C & W recording and best performance too.The writers scooped a Grammy as well. Little Wonder Sam reissued the earlier Memphis 45!! Further hits followed, Loser's Cathedral (no5) and 3 number 1s, With One Exception, My Elusive Dreams (duet with Sherrill protoge Tammy Wynette) and You Mean The World To Me. between 69 and 71 he was rarely out of the charts and became a member of the Opry. he was established as on of country's biggest stars and most successful chart acts of the period. Sherrill used this style to record Charlie Rich on his mega successful 70s Epic period, covering a few tunes that David had recorded like My Elusive Dreams and I Do My Swinging At Home Dai upset Tammy Wynette, who revealed in her book that she would never sing with him again (let alone Stand By him ;-)) if he was the last man on earth! After that accolade, no wonder he was glad to appear in the hick film Cotton Pickin' Chicken Pluckers in 1967 By 1975 he left Epic and joined Gusto/Starday, reaching the top 30 with a version of Brook Benton's So Many Ways, on Colonial in 78 he hit with Waltz Of The Angels and also had small hits on Elektra, Derrick and Excelsior in the 80s. His final hit was in 89 with A Penny For Your Thoughts on Country International. During the 80s he suffered health problems making it difficult to tour promoting his records. Luckily he'd invested his money wisely to see him through the lean times. He lived in Prescott Arkansas, playing more than 3000 shows in retirement & nursing homes. He died of a brain aneurysm on November 25th 1993, leaving behind a legacy of fine country music, another great country star (like Ed Bruce and Dickey Lee) brushed by the gold dust of Sun. 60 country chart hits and 7 number 1s speak for themselves. Phil Davies Recommended Listening the Phillips/ Sun 45 V Best Of David Houston -Almost Persuaded - Collectables 16 Epic/Columbia sides 63-70, as well as the great title track it also has Mountain Of Love and My Elusive Dreams