Fred Rose (songwriter) facts for kids

Fred Rose (born August 24, 1898 – died December 1, 1954) was a very important American musician. He was also a famous songwriter and helped manage music companies. He even made it into the Country Music Hall of Fame!

Fred Rose's Life and Music

Fred Rose was born in Evansville, Indiana. He loved music from a young age, learning to play the piano and sing. When he was a teenager, he moved to Chicago, Illinois. There, he played music in bars to earn money, which is called busking. He also performed in vaudeville shows, which were popular stage shows with different acts. Fred soon became a successful songwriter. His first big song was for a famous entertainer named Sophie Tucker.

Fred lived in Nashville, Tennessee for a while. After his radio show there ended, he moved to New York City. He worked in a famous area called Tin Pan Alley, where many songwriters created popular tunes. He started writing songs with Ray Whitley. Ray was a movie star in Western films and wrote the famous song "Back in the Saddle Again". Working with Ray helped Fred discover country music. He even lived with Ray and his wife in Hollywood, writing many songs for Ray's movies.

In 1942, Fred Rose moved back to Nashville. He teamed up with Roy Acuff, a big star from the Grand Ole Opry. Together, they started the first music publishing company in Nashville, called Acuff-Rose Music. This company quickly became very successful. They especially helped the famous country singer Hank Williams with his huge hit songs.

Acuff-Rose Music stayed a very important part of the country music world even after Fred Rose passed away. His son, Wesley Rose, took over the company and worked with Roy Acuff until 1985. Then, the company's songs were sold to another entertainment company. Fred Rose also worked as Hank Williams' record producer from 1947 to 1953.

While running the music business, Fred kept writing many country songs. He became one of the most important people in the music industry. He also wrote songs using another name, Floyd Jenkins.

Fred Rose died in Nashville in 1954 from a heart attack. He was buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery there.

Awards and Recognition

Fred Rose was one of the very first people to be honored in the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 1961, along with Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers, who is known as the "Father of Country Music."

Later, Fred was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. In 1985, he joined the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His son, Wesley, also joined his father in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1986.

Famous Songs by Fred Rose

Here are some of the well-known songs Fred Rose wrote or helped write:

• "A Pair of Broken Hearts" (with Jenny Lou Carson) – sung by Hank Snow
• "At Mail Call Today" (with Gene Autry) – sung by Gene Autry
• "Be Honest with Me" (with Gene Autry) – sung by Gene Autry
• "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" – sung by Roy Acuff, Willie Nelson, Olivia Newton-John, and others
• "Blue Love (In My Heart)" (as Floyd Jenkins) – sung by Hank Williams
• "Charlestonette" (with Paul Whiteman) – played by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
• "Crazy Heart" (with Maurice Murray) – sung by Hank Williams
• "[Deed I Do]]" (with Walter Hirsch) – sung by Sophie Tucker
• "Deep Henderson" – played by Joe "King" Oliver
• "Deep Water" – sung by Bob Wills, Carl Smith, George Strait, and others
• "Dreaming the Waltz Away" (with Paul Whiteman) – played by Jesse Crawford
• "Faded Love and Winter Roses" – sung by Carl Smith, Hank Williams, David Houston
• "Fireball Mail" (as Floyd Jenkins) – sung by Roy Acuff, Wanda Jackson
• "Flamin' Mamie" (with Paul Whiteman) – played by Coon-Sanders Orchestra
• "Foggy River" – sung by Moon Mullican, Red Foley, Carl Smith
• "Hang Your Head in Shame" (with Ed G. Nelson and Steve Nelson) – sung by Bob Wills, Red Foley
• "Home In San Antone" – sung by Bob Wills, Ray Price, Moe Bandy
• "I Can't Go On This Way" – sung by Bob Wills
• "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" (with Hank Williams) – sung by Hank Williams
• "I Hang My Head And Cry" – sung by Gene Autry, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams
• "It's a Sin" (with William E. Grishaw) – sung by Eddy Arnold
• "Kaw-Liga" (with Hank Williams) – sung by Hank Williams, Hank Williams, Jr., Carl Perkins, and others
• "No One Will Ever Know" (with Mel Foree) – sung by Marty Robbins, Gene Watson, Hank Williams
• "Pins and Needles (In My Heart)" (as Floyd Jenkins) – sung by Bob Atcher and Bonnie Blue Eyes, Hank Williams
• "Red Hot Henry Brown" – sung by The Charleston Chasers
• "Red Hot Mama" (with Wells Gilbert and Bud Cooper) – sung by Sophie Tucker
• "Roly Poly" – sung by Bob Wills, Carl Smith, Hank Williams
• "Settin' the Woods on Fire" (with Ed G. Nelson) – sung by Hank Williams, Johnny Burnette
• "Take These Chains From My Heart" (with Hy Heath) – sung by Hank Williams
• "Texarkana Baby" (with Clark) – sung by Eddy Arnold, Bob Wills
• "Waltz of the Wind" – sung by Roy Acuff, Carl Smith, Hank Locklin, Marty Robbins