Pee Wee King
Induction Year: 1970
Birth Name: Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski - Pee Wee King
Birth Date: February 18, 1914
Place of Birth: Milwaukee, WI
Deceased: March 07, 2000
Place of Death: Louisville, KY
Biography
King and co-writer Redd Stewart have said that they wrote "Tennessee Waltz" on an unfolded matchbox while riding in Stewart's truck.
Former Occupations: | Education: |
Discography / Career Highlights
Career Milestones:
1928 - saved up enough money to buy an accordion
1928 - first professional radio appearance on WRJN in Racine, Wisconsin and WHBY in Green Bay with band The King's Jesters
1933 - joined WRJN's Badger State Barn Dance in Milwaukee
1934 - toured with Gene Autry
1935 - played with the Log Cabin Boys on the Crazy Water Barn Dance, WHAS, Louisville
1936 - formed the band Golden West Cowboys in Louisville, KY and performed on station WHAS
1937 - first appeared on and joined the Grand Ole Opry
1937-1947 - headed up his own show on KNOX (Knoxville) called Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round
1940 - introduced the first use of an electric amplifier on stage at the Grand Ole Opry
1946 - signed first recording contract with Bullett
1947 - introduced the first use of drums on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry
1947 - signed record deal with his band the Golden West Cowboys for RCA Victor
1947 - wrote "Tennessee Waltz" with band-mate Redd Stewart
1948-1957 - regular television show on WAVE-TV in Louisville with the Golden West Cowboys
1948 - recorded "Tennessee Waltz"
1951 - had success on pop charts with "Slow Poke"
1956 - starred in "The Pee Wee King Show" on ABC television
1958 - feature film debut in Gene Autry film, "Gold Mine in the Sky"
1959-1963 - worked with Minnie Pearl
1965 - "Tennessee Waltz" named state song of Tennessee
1968 - disbanded the Golden West Cowboys
Awards:
1952 - Cash Box\Best Country and Western Artist
1974 - Country Music Hall of Fame induction
Catalog Highlights:
"Tennessee Waltz" - Co-writer: Redd Stewart - Artists: Pee Wee King and his Golden West Playboys, Cowboy Copas, Roy Acuff, Patti Page, Lacy J. Dalton, Les Paul, Sammy Kaye, Spike Jones, Guy Lombardo, Louvin Brothers, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Margaret Whiting, Chet Atkins, Faron Young, The Ames Brothers, Connie Francis
"Bonaparte's Retreat" - Co-writer: Redd Stewart - Artists: Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys, Kay Starr, Carl Smith, Glen Campbell
"Slow Poke" - Co-writer: Redd Stewart, Chilton Price - Artists: Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys, Helen O'Connell, Hawkshaw Hawkins
"You Belong to Me" - Co-writer: Redd Stewart, Chilton Price - Artists: Patti Page, Dean Martin, Homer & Jethro, Pat Boone
"I'll Forgive You But I Can't Forget " - A rtists: Roy Acuff (1944)
"Changing Partners " - A rtists: Pee Wee King (1954)
"Tennessee Tango" Co-writer: Redd Stewart
"Walk Me By the River"
"A Crazy Waltz" Co-writer: Redd Stewart, R Ayres
"River Road Two Step" Co-writer: Redd Stewart
Comments:
From 1950-1955 voted #1 country and western band leader by Cashbox, Billboard, and Orchestra World
Fellow Hall of Fame writer Redd Stewart sang lead on King's hits
Appeared in the following feature films: "Gold Mine in the Sky" (with Gene Autry), "Flame of the West", "Ridin' The Outlaw Trail", and "The Rough, Tough West."