Webb Pierce facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Webb Pierce
Webb Pierce, c. 1957
Background information
Birth name	Michael Webb Pierce
Born	(1921-08-08)August 8, 1921 West Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Died	February 24, 1991(1991-02-24) (aged 69) Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Genres	Country honky-tonk Western swing country gospel hillbilly
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1936–1982
Labels	4 Star Decca MCA Plantation

Webb Pierce (born August 8, 1921, died February 24, 1991) was a famous American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was known for his "honky-tonk" style of country music. In the 1950s, he had more number one hit songs than any other country artist.

His biggest hit was "In the Jailhouse Now". It was on the music charts for 37 weeks in 1955, and it stayed at number one for 21 of those weeks! Webb Pierce also had many other number one songs. These included "Slowly" (1954), "Love, Love, Love" (1955), and "I Don't Care" (1955). Other hits were "There Stands the Glass" (1953), "More and More" (1954), and "I Ain't Never" (1959). His very first number one song was "Wondering" in 1952.

Webb Pierce also recorded a country gospel song called "I Love Him Dearly". His popular song "Teenage Boogie" was later covered by the British band T. Rex in 1974. Webb Pierce was famous for his flashy suits and cars lined with silver dollars. He became a well-known face in country music. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was later added to the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2001, a tribute album called Caught in the Webb – A Tribute To Country Legend Webb Pierce was released to honor him.

Webb Pierce's Early Life and Music Career

Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, Louisiana, United States. As a boy, he loved Gene Autry movies and his mother's country records. He especially liked songs by Jimmie Rodgers and Western swing groups. Webb started playing guitar before he was a teenager. When he was 15, he got his own weekly radio show called Songs by Webb Pierce on KMLB-AM in Monroe.

He joined the US Army Air Forces. In 1942, he married Betty Jane Lewis. After leaving the army, they moved to Shreveport, Louisiana. Webb worked at a Sears Roebuck store. In 1947, Webb and Betty Jane appeared on a morning radio show as "Webb Pierce with Betty Jane, the Singing Sweetheart". Webb also performed at local events. He developed a unique singing style that sounded very emotional.

How Webb Pierce Became Famous

In 1949, a record company called 4 Star Records signed Webb and his wife. Betty Jane was signed for duets with Webb. But only Webb became successful. In the summer of 1950, they got divorced.

Webb then moved to KWKH-AM radio station. He joined the Louisiana Hayride show in its first year. He came up with a clever plan to become famous quickly. Before the show, he bought tickets for several young girls. He asked them to sit in the front row. After each of his songs, they would scream and ask for more. This worked! Their excitement spread to the whole audience.

Webb Pierce formed a band with local musicians from Shreveport. These included pianist Floyd Cramer and guitarist Faron Young. He also started his own record label, Pacemaker, and a music publishing company. On Pacemaker, he made several records between 1950 and 1951. These songs were played on radio stations around Louisiana.

Moving to Nashville and Big Success

In 1951, Webb Pierce left his contract with 4 Star Records. He quickly signed with Decca Records. His second song, "Wondering," became his first big hit. It reached number one in early 1952. Webb then moved to Nashville, Tennessee. There, he met and married his second wife, Audrey Greisham. In June 1952, he had his second number one song with "That Heart Belongs to Me".

In September 1952, the Grand Ole Opry invited Webb Pierce to join their show. He became the most popular singer in country music. For the next four years, every song he released reached the top ten. Ten of his songs reached number one. These included "There Stands the Glass" (1953), "Slowly" (1954), and "More and More" (1954). The song "More and More" sold over a million copies! His songs spent a total of 113 weeks at number one in the 1950s. He had 48 songs on the charts during that time.

Other popular songs included "Back Street Affair", "Why Baby Why", and "Oh, So Many Years". He also sang duets with Kitty Wells. His 1954 song "Slowly" was one of the first country songs to feature a pedal steel guitar. He often appeared on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee show. In 1958, he recorded a rockabilly song under the name Shady Wall.

On February 19, 1957, Webb Pierce left the Opry. He continued to have hit songs until 1982, with a total of 96 hits. He toured a lot and appeared in movies like Buffalo Gun and The Road to Nashville.

Later Years and Famous Home

As his music became less popular, Webb Pierce became known for his fancy lifestyle. He had a tailor named Nudie Cohen make him flashy suits. Nudie also lined two of Webb's convertibles with real silver dollars! Webb built a guitar-shaped swimming pool at his Nashville home. It cost $30,000. This pool became a popular place for tourists to visit. Nearly 3,000 people visited it each week! This caused his neighbors, including singer Ray Stevens, to complain. They went to court, and Webb had to stop the tours.

Webb Pierce (East Coast Tour with Jerry Galloway) backstage at the Cedarwood Log Cabin – Southern New Jersey, probably fall 1974

Webb Pierce continued to record music into the 1970s. He had a few smaller hits, including a duet with Willie Nelson in 1982. This was a new version of "In the Jailhouse Now". Webb spent his later years focusing on his businesses. Webb and his daughter Debbie recorded a song together called "On My Way Out".

Webb Pierce had a long illness with pancreatic cancer. He passed away on February 24, 1991. He was buried in the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville.

Webb Pierce's Legacy and Influence

Webb Pierce has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1600 Vine Street. After he passed away, he was added to the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2001. He was also inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

The tribute album Caught in the Webb–a Tribute to the Legendary Webb Pierce was released in 2001. Many famous artists sang on this album, including Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle, George Jones, and Emmylou Harris. The money from this album helped The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation.

A video of Webb Pierce singing "There Stands the Glass" was shown in the 2005 documentary No Direction Home. This film was about the early influences on Bob Dylan. Webb Pierce's hit song "More and More" was played in the opening credits of the 2006 horror movie The Hills Have Eyes.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Webb Pierce, from the 1955 sheet music to "I Don't Care"

Guest singles