George Riddle (September 1, 1935 - July 19, 2014) was an American singer and songwriter, who worked as a solo performer, sideman, front man for bigger name artists, and as sideman-straight man for Bill Carlisle. While he neither had the "big hit" nor achieved major stardom, he managed to find a niche for himself in "Music City" for over four decades.
Born George Vernon Riddle in Marion, Indiana, George was the youngest of a family of ten children. He started singing in public as duet partner at age ten with his thirteen-year-old brother Walt. He got his start by entering a talent show that was sponsored by a touring Medicine Show. He won the talent show that began his musical journey. By 1953, he appeared locally on WBAT radio and toured throughout the Hoosier State.
He made guest appearances on such shows as the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, Tennessee Barn Dance and WSM's Grand Ole Opry. He was one of the performers on the Horace Heidt Youth Opportunity Show. That led to his own show over WARU in Peru, Indiana and engagements at the better clubs in the area. He then joined the U. S. Army for a two-year stint. George married the former Diana Louise Smith on June 5, 1954. But it was not your everyday wedding ceremony. It was to be the first wedding televised on WLBC-TV in Muncie, Indiana. A later marriage to one-time RCA Victor country recording star Norma Jean (Beasler) also ended in divorce.
In 1954 he went to Knoxville where he worked on two radio stations and became acquainted with vocalist Don Gibson. He later returned to Indiana and worked at WARU Peru (possibly as a deejay) and served in the US Army. He came to Nashville in 1960 as a sideman for Don Gibson who found stardom in Music City. In May of 1956, Billboard was reporting that George was entertaining folks with his personal appearances as well as working in the role of disc jockey four hours a day at WRHC in Jacksonville, FL. But by August of 1956, the magazine was reporting that George was back in Knoxville, as part of the Cas Walker show.
Cowboy Songs wrote of George's career trail in its Fall 1962 issue. It was not until after he finished his military service that his musical journey began to get him notice nationally. He had signed up for two years with the U. S. Army. He spent his service time at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and Honolulu, Hawaii. When he came back from Hawaii, he toured around the country with various acts associated with the Grand Ole Opry. He then became part of the Don Gibson show as featured vocalist and manager of the show.
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| Jones Boys. Riddle right of George Jones |
Not long afterward, George went to work for George Jones, working not only as harmony singer but organizing his band the Jones Boys, and serving as his front man. George also appeared in the motion picture Country Music on Broadway. Riddle began his solo recording career for United Artists while in this role, cutting several singles including his best known number "She's Lonesome Again." He also wrote songs for Jones as well as other artists. These included thirteen for Jones, two for Melba Montgomery, and at least one each for Ray Charles, Mickey Gilley, Rose Maddox, Frankie Miller, Del Reeves, Margie Singleton, Tammy Wynette, and Faron Young.
Despite his accomplishments throughout his career, George Riddle was known as a private person, not desiring the spotlight. In 2011 and 2012, Riddle received R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) Awards for his DJ work, as a songwriter, and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
George Riddle
remained with Bill Carlisle as long as he continued performing which was
shortly before his death. By 2005, he had returned to Indiana where in
retirement he hosted a weekly Saturday morning radio program Classic Country
Jamboree on WCJC. In his last years, he had throat cancer problems and died
July 19, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana, two months after undergoing surgery to
treat his condition.
(Edited from
Hillbilly Music, Saving Country Music and Discogs)
Here's a video of George Jones with backing vocals by George Riddle.