Web Quotableonline.com Frasescelebres.org Greatbookscollection.org

Wyatt Merle Kilgore (August 9, 1934 - February 6,
2005) was an United States|American, singer,
songwriter, and manager. 

Although born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Merle
Kilgore was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. As a
starry-eyed boy of fourteen he carried the guitar
for Hank Williams at the Louisiana Hayride
beginning a close relationship with the Williams
family that would last three generations.

Kilgore went on to a career as a country music
recording artist but had great success as a
songwriter, co-writing with June Carter Cash the
song "Ring of Fire" recorded by her husband Johnny
Cash. With Claude King he also co-wrote King's big
crossover (music)|crossover hit, "Wolverton
Mountain." Amongst others, he also penned "Johnny
Reb" for Johnny Horton and the Tommy Roe pop music
hit, "The Folk Singer."

A resident of Nashville, Tennessee since 1962, he
was also a prominent member of the business
community and managed Hank Williams Jr. career. In
1987, Merle Kilgore was named an honorary State
Senator for Tennessee by the State Legislature. In
1998, Kilgore was inducted into the Nashville
Songwriters Hall of Fame. 

In 2005, Merle Kilgore passed away from cancer and
was interred in Hendersonville Memory Gardens in
Hendersonville, Tennessee.


musician-stub