Gordon Terry (October 7, 1931–April 9, 2006) was an adept American bluegrass and country music fiddler and guitarist. He was a member of Merle Haggard's backing band The Strangers. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the Fiddlers Hall of Fame.
Terry was born in Decatur, Alabama and learned to play the fiddle at an early age. He made his first performance on the Grand Ole Opry at age nine. He attended fiddlers' conventions, and won first prize at the Alabama Fiddling Championship in 1946.In 1949 at age 17, Gordon Terry married Virginia Russell of Decatur. They were together for 57 years until his death and had two girls, Winter and Rhonda Terry Thorson.
In 1950, he joined the Grand Ole Opry and within a year, he performed and recorded with Bill Monroe. Terry served in the US Army in Korea. After his discharge, he moved to California, and made his movie debut in Hidden Guns in 1956. He appeared in three other movies Twice in a Lifetime (1985), Honkytonk Man (1982) and The Exotic Ones (1968) and one episode of Sky King.
After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Gordon began a career as a recording artist. His biggest hit was "Wild Honey," released in 1957. He moved to California in 1958, and
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even tried his hand at acting. His manager turned down an offer to play in the movie "Tarzan" while Gordon was out on tour.
even tried his hand at acting. His manager turned down an offer to play in the movie "Tarzan" while Gordon was out on tour.
"The manager said the money wasn't good enough, Gordon was so mad." (quote from The Decatur Daily News)
In 1957, Terry returned for a recording session with Bill Monroe. In the following decades, he recorded with artists such as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Wynn Stewart, Faron Young, Merle
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Haggard,Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Young and many more. In November 1961, he recorded a square dance album with Flatt & Scruggs. Cash once called Mr. Terry "a dear friend for years" and described him as "one of a kind."
Haggard,Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Young and many more. In November 1961, he recorded a square dance album with Flatt & Scruggs. Cash once called Mr. Terry "a dear friend for years" and described him as "one of a kind."
In 1964, Gordon built Terrytown, a rustic resort and Western theme park that featured top country artists in Loretto, Tenn. Running the resort and touring became too much, however, and he sold it after just three seasons. He then spent time touring in California and Europe before returning to Nashville, performing there until ill health forced him into semi-retirement in 1983.
One of his last performances was at his 50th wedding anniversary cookout with Barbara Mandrell. He died after a long illness on April 9, 2006 in Spring Hill, Tennessee, USA aged 74. He was posthumously inducted into The Southern Legends Entertainment & Performing Arts Hall of Fame.
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(Compiled and edited from Wikipedia, IMDb & The Decatur Daily News)