Biography of Faron Young

Versatile, Faron Young is. In his younger days known as "the Hillbilly Heartthrob," he has managed to remain in the public eye for nearly 40 years, due to his musical talent, his entertaining personality, his numerous TV appearances (especially on Ralph Emery's Nashville Now show), and his many side interests, which have included movie acting and publishing. Young began Music City News, country music's dominant monthly magazine. In 1951 Young signed with Capitol, and because of two quick hits ("Have I Waited Too Long" and "Tattle Tale Eyes") he became an Opry regular within the year. The next two years he spent in the army, entertaining the troops at home and abroad. His first major success came with "I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night" (1956), rounding out the '50s with "Sweet Dreams" and "Country Girl" (1959). In 1961 "Hello Walls," a Willie Nelson composition, became Young's best-known hit. He continued to sell well, singles and albums alike, through the '60s and '70s, with "Wine Me Up," "Another You," and "Crutches." Young's strong, clear voice has been a perfect vehicle for his up-beat, let's-have-some-fun material. He's in the same league with Jimmy Dean in wit, candor, and downright entertainment as a guest on TV talk shows. The audience gets the feeling that in his life Young has followed the suggestion of "Live Fast, Love Hard, and Die Young" (a 1955 hit for him), except for the dying part, though no doubt he'd come up with some pun about even that, too. ~ David Vinopal