Search - Red Foley :: Country Music Hall of Fame

Foley: One of Country's Unsung Heroes

Kyle Cantrell | Nashville, Tennessee | 02/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Few people today realize what a major impact Red Foley once made on country music, because so little has been written about him over the years. In the 1940s, Foley was a household word in country music. As the host of NBC/WSM's Grand Ole Opry, he was heard coast-to-coast on one of network radio's highest-rated shows, and was highly respected by fans and fellow artists alike.Foley's smooth vocal style--quite a lot different from many country artists of the day--helped give him broad appeal. It also enabled him to capably deliver many different types of songs, and this CD presents a great cross-section of them. Here, you'll hear "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy," a number-one boogie-woogie tune from 1950 (number one on both the country AND pop charts at the time), "Careless Kisses," a great example of Foley's delivery of the smooth ballad, and "Peace in the Valley," one of the many sacred songs Red sang so beautifully on his radio programs, and the record that has the distinction of being gospel music's first million-seller.If you want to get a glimpse at one of country's giants at the absolute peak of his performing ability, listen to this album. Artists ranging in styles from Hank Williams to Elvis Presley loved his music and admired him, and the songs here clearly demonstrate why.Red Foley was the consummate entertainer, and was loved by fans around the world. It's a shame he gets so little credit for the influence he has had on the country and gospel formats, but this CD goes a long way toward keeping his memory alive."

Red Foley and warm memories

Kyle Cantrell | 06/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I heard Red Foley was on a demo disk featuring him and the Andrews Sisters singing one of the songs on this CD Hang Your Head in Shame, on the flip side was another song "Where Is Your Wandering Mother Tonight". So the first song Hang Your Head In Shame brings back memories. When the Pointer Sisters came out with their song Fairytale I imediatley thought of Hang Your Head In Shame they are both in the same genre of song. Other songs on this CD also bring back memories of a simplier time Old Shep. Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy is a wonderful example of Texas Swing often associated with Bob Wills. While the years seem to have buried Red I feel he is an intergral part of American Popular as well as C&W Music. I only have to hear"Don't your conscience ever bother you everytime you hear my name. Try and think of all that I've been through and Hang your head in shame. You don't miss me since we've been apart, I wish I could say the same..."

Wonderful memories of listening to his music with my dad.

Kyle Cantrell | 07/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am looking for a record he released. I think the name was "Peace in the Valley",the old version.He narriated a song in it. It was about a little childs death. One line was "HE didn't give that child by a hundred thousand years, He just thought you needed some sunshine, so He lent him to you for a whle" Other songs were "Lady of Fatamia",If you go first, Peace In the Valley, and Just a closer Walk with Thee." If anyone can tell how to get a copy of this album,I would be vere happy. It (the album) got lost when my mother died. It means a lot to me.Help me if you can. Thanx."