Texas Country Music Entertainer and Louisiana Hayride Star Tony Douglas passed away on Tuesday, January 22, in Athens, Texas.
"Tony was suffering from lymphoma and had been hospitalized for nearly two weeks," family spokesman Tracy Pitcox said. "He passed away peacefully just before midnight. He had been constantly surrounded by his family and friends."
Douglas was born near Athens, Texas, on April 12, 1929, in Martins Mill, Texas. He began performing as a weekly guest on Forth Worth's Cowtown Hoedown in 1956. He made his first record "Ole Blue Monday" that same year. While performing on the show, Johnny Horton's manager Tillman Franks asked Douglas to be a guest on the popular Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport.
Douglas then signed a three-year contract to become a Hayride regular.
In 1958, the manager of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville caught Douglas performing and offered him a contract. Douglas was ready to sign when he realized that signing with the Opry meant an automatic move from Texas to Tennessee. He gave up the invitation to join the prestigious show and remain in Texas.
In 1961, Douglas struck gold with the song "Shrimpin," and developed a name for his band. The hits would continue to follow including "My Last Day" "Layin In The Sunshine" "Don't Piddle Around A Puddle" and "Worst of Luck."
In 1962, Douglas' guitar player Chuck Jennings penned "His and Hers" for his bossman. That song became an immediate hit and landed personal appearances all over the country for Tony Douglas and the Shrimpers.
Another standout arrived in 1972, when Douglas recorded "Thank You For Touching My Life."
"Thank You For Touching My Life" has truly been a God send for my career," Douglas said from his Athens home. "It did so much for me and when Dot picked up the album and promoted it all over the country, we couldn't keep them in the stores."
His last recording was "Saved The Best For Last" which was released in 2010.
"Tony was suffering from lymphoma and had been hospitalized for nearly two weeks," family spokesman Tracy Pitcox said. "He passed away peacefully just before midnight. He had been constantly surrounded by his family and friends."
Douglas was born near Athens, Texas, on April 12, 1929, in Martins Mill, Texas. He began performing as a weekly guest on Forth Worth's Cowtown Hoedown in 1956. He made his first record "Ole Blue Monday" that same year. While performing on the show, Johnny Horton's manager Tillman Franks asked Douglas to be a guest on the popular Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport.
Douglas then signed a three-year contract to become a Hayride regular.
In 1958, the manager of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville caught Douglas performing and offered him a contract. Douglas was ready to sign when he realized that signing with the Opry meant an automatic move from Texas to Tennessee. He gave up the invitation to join the prestigious show and remain in Texas.
In 1961, Douglas struck gold with the song "Shrimpin," and developed a name for his band. The hits would continue to follow including "My Last Day" "Layin In The Sunshine" "Don't Piddle Around A Puddle" and "Worst of Luck."
In 1962, Douglas' guitar player Chuck Jennings penned "His and Hers" for his bossman. That song became an immediate hit and landed personal appearances all over the country for Tony Douglas and the Shrimpers.
Another standout arrived in 1972, when Douglas recorded "Thank You For Touching My Life."
"Thank You For Touching My Life" has truly been a God send for my career," Douglas said from his Athens home. "It did so much for me and when Dot picked up the album and promoted it all over the country, we couldn't keep them in the stores."
His last recording was "Saved The Best For Last" which was released in 2010.
Funeral services for Tony Douglas will be Saturday, at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Athens, Texas.
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From: Tracy Pitcox – Heart Of Texas Records
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