Since the Legend's Corner first started, I have covered some of country music's most famous legends. The one that desperately needs to be covered is Jack Greene. Known as "The Jolly Greene Giant," Jack's career has spanned over four decades and is going strong. Born in east Tennessee on January 7, 1930, he began playing guitar at the early age of ten. By the time he was a teenager, he joined the radio world when he started performing on WNOX in Knoxville at the Tennessee Barn Dance. This gave him the experience he needed and soon Jack became a member of the Peach Tree Cowboys.
The Cowboys toured the south for nearly a decade. In 1961, they opened for Ernest Tubb. Ernest was so impressed that he offered Jack a job. This was the break that changed Jack's life forever. He became a member of Ernest Tubb's band The Texas Troubadours. He toured the next three years as the drummer of The Texas Troubadours. By letting Jack sing and emcee during the shows, Ernest was able to watch Jack gain experience and be seen by the world. His first solo recording would not be on his own album, it was on a live album that Ernest Tubb had recorded. The song that featured Jack on lead vocals was "The Last Letter." This tune blew the barn doors open on his career. After "The Last Letter" was recorded, the chief of Decca records, Owen Bradley decided to record Jack. He continued to work for Ernest Tubb until his first No. 1 hit "There Goes My Everything." This was such a huge hit for Jack that Ernest himself approached the young star by saying "son, I think it's time to go." Jack has always acknowledged Ernest not only for "pushing him out of the nest" by saying that, and for telling him he could come back if his solo career did not work. It is always nice to have a plan in case you fall on your face, but there was no way he was going anywhere but up.
By the end of the 1960's, Jack Greene was one of the most recognizable country artists in the world. 1967 was a huge year for Jack. He had his first No. 1 hit. He also won numerous awards at the CMA's such as Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. The year would not have been complete without becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry. On December 23, 1967, Jack was invited to become a member, where he has remained loyal to this day.
His career slowed down in the seventies, which led him to team up with Jeannie Seely. This duo shared four big hits and became one of the top traveling shows. Every time the doors are open for fan based events such as autograph signing, you can bet he will be there. "The Jolly Greene Giant" may have slowed down some in his older years, but you can still catch him on the road or at the Grand Ole Opry. He is truly a living legend with a genuine personality.
Top Songs
- There Goes My Everything
- Statue Of A Fool
- Wish I Didn't Have To Miss You (With Jeannie Seely)
- You Are My Treasure
- Ever Since My Baby Went Away
- All The Time
- What Locks The Door
- Love Takes Care Of Me
- Until My Dreams Come True
- Back In The Arms Of Love
- There's A Lot About A Woman A Man Don't Know (With Jeannie Seely)
- Lord, Is That Me (With Jeannie Seely)
- Much Oblige (With Jeannie Seely)
- What In The World Has Gone Wrong With Our Love (With Jeannie Seely)
- This One Belongs To Me
Album Recommendations:
Best Of The Best
- Highway To The Sky
- Greatest Hits
- 20 Greatest Gospel Hits
- 20 All-Time Greatest Hits
