Singer in pop, gospel, and Western genres who released the hit single "Sixteen Tons" in 1955. He has three Hollywood Walk of Fame stars because of his contributions to radio, television, and records.
He attended Cincinnati Conservatory of Music for classical singing. He also flew missions over Japan during World War II in a B-29.
His albums Hymns and Star Carols were both Platinum-certified.
He married Betty Heminger on September 18, 1942 and he remarried to Beverly Wood on June 11, 1989. He had two sons named Jeffrey and Brion.
"Sixteen Tons" was a cover of a Merle Travis song, originally recorded in 1946.
