From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sun Dec 1, 2002  7:16 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Slim Willet
 
SLIM WILLET

Born Winston Lee Moore, 1 December 1919, Victor, Texas
Died 1 July 1966, Abilene, Texas

Songwriter / singer / disc jockey / label owner
Slim Willet is probably best remembered as the writer of "Don't Let
the Stars Get In Your Eyes". The song was a monster hit in 1952-53:
# 1 country for Willet himself (his only chart entry), # 1 country for
Skeets McDonald, # 4 country for Ray Price, # 1 pop for Perry Como
(for 5 weeks, early 1953, also # 1 in the UK), # 8 country for Red Foley
(1953), and Goldie Hill's answer version, "I Let the Stars Get In My
Eyes," also topped the country charts in 1953.
From 1946-1949, Willet attended Hardin-Simmons University at Abilene
where he received a BA degree in journalism. Following a stint in the
aircraft industry, he joined KRBC Abilene where he stayed until 1956.
During that time, he formed his band, The Hired Hands, and in 1950
released his first single, "Tool Pusher From Snyder," on the Star Talent
label and joined the Big D Jamboree on Dallas' WFAA where he would
remain a regular until 1954. He was also a member of the Louisiana
Hayride from 1951-1955.
In 1952, Willet and his group moved to 4 Star Records and released their
original version of "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes". They had three
more releases on the label during 1953, but no further hits. During 1954,
he set up his own Winston label. Of his own releases on Winston, the
most rocking was "Ain't Goin' Home", credited to "Telli W. Mils, The Fat
Cat". It has been rereleased on several compilations and on the Dean Beard
CD on Encore. Dean Beard and his backing group The Crew Cats (which
included Jimmy Seals and Dash Crofts) were managed by Willet and also
recorded for Winston, before Willet made a deal with Dave Burgess, the
leader of the Champs, who was looking for a new sax player. Burgess
could have Seals, if Crofts and Beard could also join the Champs.
Slim moved to KNIT Abilene in 1956 where he stayed until 1964 at which
time, he made a final change of stations to KCAD Abilene of which he was
part owner. He remained at KDAC until his death in 1966 from a heart attack.

Slim Willet was named to the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 1994.