Shug Fisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shug Fisher
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Fisher, c. 1950
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| Born |
George Clinton Fisher Jr.
September 26, 1907 Tabler, Oklahoma, U.S.
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| Died | March 16, 1984 (aged 76) |
| Other names | Leroy Fisher |
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| Years active | 1931–1981 |
| Spouse(s) | Peggy Summers (1935-?) |
Shug Fisher (born George Clinton Fisher Jr.; September 26, 1907 – March 16, 1984) was an American actor, singer, songwriter, musician, and comedian. He was known for his roles in many Western movies and TV shows. Shug often appeared in films with Roy Rogers and was part of the famous music group, the Sons of the Pioneers. He also had many supporting roles on TV, especially in Gunsmoke and The Beverly Hillbillies. People remembered him for his funny way of stuttering on purpose and his amusing facial expressions.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Shug Fisher was born in Tabler, Oklahoma, a small town near Chickasha, Oklahoma. He grew up on a farm as the youngest of four children. His father was from Scotland and Ireland, and his mother was part Choctaw Native American.
He got the nickname "Shug" when he was very young. He once said his mom gave it to him "cause I was such a sweet baby." In 1917, when he was 10, his family moved by covered wagon to another part of Oklahoma.
Discovering Music
Shug quickly became interested in music. He learned to play the mandolin and the fiddle. His father also played the fiddle, and Shug learned to play the guitar to accompany him. By age 16, he was playing with his father at local square dances. He even used a pillow case to protect his fiddle because he couldn't afford a proper case!
In 1924, Shug saw a comedian at a traveling medicine show. This made him want to become an entertainer. The next year, he, his father, and a friend drove a Ford Model T to California. There, Shug worked picking fruit and in oil fields. He kept playing his fiddle at social events. In 1927, he was asked to play on a radio station, KMJ, just for publicity. But Shug believed in getting paid for his music.
Moving to Los Angeles and Radio Fame
In 1931, Shug was invited to join a new music group in Los Angeles called the Hollywood Hillbillies. Here, he learned to play the bass fiddle. He said he was one of the first to play this instrument in a country band. The Hollywood Hillbillies were popular on radio shows like Hollywood Breakfast Club.
Later, Shug joined other musicians in San Francisco. To fit their "hillbilly" image, he used the stage name Aaron Judd. After a short time, he returned to Los Angeles and appeared on another radio show.
Ohio Valley Radio
In 1935, Shug went on a long tour with singer Roy Faulkner. While performing in Iowa, Shug was asked to join Hugh Cross for a radio show called WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia. They became known as Hugh and Shug's Radio Pals. They performed often on the radio and recorded songs for Decca Records.
In 1939, Shug and Hugh moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. There, Shug met and married Peggy Summers. He also became friends with a young musician named Merle Travis.
Joining the Sons of the Pioneers
When World War II started in 1941, Shug went back to Los Angeles to work in defense jobs, like building airplanes at Lockheed Aircraft. He also helped arrange entertainment for defense workers.
In 1943, Shug and Ken Carson were asked to join the famous group, the Sons of the Pioneers. Two members had been drafted into the army. Shug took over as the bassist and comedian. He already knew and liked the band's music.
Movies and Music with the Pioneers
With the Sons of the Pioneers, Shug appeared in many Roy Rogers movies. They also recorded songs for famous movies like Wagon Master (1949) and Rio Grande (1950). They even performed the theme song for the movie The Searchers in 1956.
Shug wrote many songs for the Pioneers, including "Out On The Open Range" and "Ridin' Down To Santa Fe." He also co-wrote "Cincinnati Lou" with Merle Travis. He wrote funny songs too, like "Pooey On You, Little Darlin'," and recorded "Gooseberry Pie" using his fake stutter.
Shug left the group for a short time in 1946 but rejoined in 1949. A big moment for the band was in 1951 when they played at Carnegie Hall. They were the first Western band to perform there! They also played in fancy nightclubs in Las Vegas. Shug left the Pioneers for the last time in 1959, looking forward to hunting and fishing.
Acting Career in Film and Television
Shug Fisher had a long career as an actor, especially in Western B-movies and feature films. Many of his early roles were with the Sons of the Pioneers in singing cowboy movies.
He also lent his voice to cartoons! He was the voice of Uncle Pecos, a mouse, in the 1955 Tom and Jerry cartoon, Pecos Pest. He even played the guitar solos in the cartoon's version of "Froggie Went A-Courtin."
TV Appearances
Shug had many supporting roles in television shows for 27 years.
- From 1955 to 1960, he was a regular comedian and singer on Ozark Jubilee.
- He played airplane pilot Charlie Kern in Ripcord (1962-1963).
- He appeared 22 times on Gunsmoke (1962-1974) in different small roles.
- He played Shorty Kellums in 19 episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies (1969-1970).
- Shug also appeared on other popular shows like Bonanza, The Virginian, Daniel Boone and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Later Life and Death
Shug Fisher lived in Studio City, California during his final years. He passed away on March 16, 1984, after a long illness. His good friend Ken Curtis was with him in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Filmography
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TV Shows
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Images for kids
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Fisher, c. 1950
See also
In Spanish: Shug Fisher para niños
