Billy Grammer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Grammer
Background information
Birth name	Billy Wayne Grammer
Born	(1925-08-28)August 28, 1925 Benton, Illinois, U.S.
Died	August 10, 2011(2011-08-10) (aged 85) Benton, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Country
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1959–1969
Labels	Monument, London, Decca, Epic

Billy Wayne Grammer (born August 28, 1925 – died August 10, 2011) was an American country music singer and a very skilled guitar player. He became famous for his song "Gotta Travel On". This song sold over a million copies! It was a hit on both the country and pop music charts in 1959. Billy Grammer also became a regular performer at the famous Grand Ole Opry. Later, he even helped create his own guitar company in Nashville, Tennessee. He designed a special guitar that was named after him.

About Billy Grammer

Billy Grammer was born in Benton, Illinois. He was the oldest of 13 children. His family had nine boys and four girls. His father was also a musician. He played the violin and the trumpet.

Billy served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he worked as a toolmaker. In 1944, he married his high-school sweetheart, Ruth Burzynski. After the war, many people lost their jobs. Billy was one of them. He and Ruth then moved back to their home in Franklin County, Illinois.

His Music Journey

When Billy and Ruth lived in Washington D.C., Billy started his music career. He was hired by Connie B. Gay to sing on a radio show called Town and Country Time. Billy also showed off his amazing guitar skills. So, he was hired to be both a singer and a lead guitarist.

Later, Billy Grammer signed with Monument Records in Nashville, Tennessee. This led to his huge hit song, "Gotta Travel On". This song was a massive success! It reached number 4 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart. It also hit number 5 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1959. That same year, he joined the Grand Ole Opry as a regular performer. Billy named his band "The Travel On Boys" after his famous song.

"Gotta Travel On" was even used by Buddy Holly as his opening song. This was during his last tour in early 1959. Billy Grammer also recorded the first version of "I Wanna Go Home". This song became a hit on the Billboard country chart in 1963.

In 1965, Billy Grammer started a company called RG&G. They made the Grammer guitar. In 1968, a fire destroyed their factory in Nashville. The company was then sold and renamed Grammer Guitar, Inc. (GGI). GGI continued to make the Grammer guitar until 1970. Billy's special guitar was placed in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville on March 1, 1969. This was a great honor for him.

On May 15, 1972, Billy Grammer and his band played at a rally in Laurel, Maryland. George Wallace, a governor from Alabama, was speaking at this event. Billy and his band played a march as Governor Wallace came onto the stage. After his speech, Governor Wallace was greeting people. Sadly, he was shot by a hidden handgun. This incident left Governor Wallace unable to walk. Billy Grammer was very upset by what happened. He said that if someone wanted to do something like that, they would find a way.

Billy Grammer gave the opening prayer for the Grand Ole Opry House on March 16, 1974. In 1990, he was added to the Illinois Country Music Hall of Fame. Other famous musicians like Tex Williams and Patsy Montana were also honored that year.

Later in his life, Billy Grammer had an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. This caused him to become completely blind. On February 27, 2009, the Grand Ole Opry honored him for being a member for 50 years.

His Passing

Billy Grammer passed away on August 10, 2011. He was 85 years old. He had been sick for a while and had a heart attack seven months before. He died at Benton Hospital.

Hit Songs