Billy Grammer

Billie Wayne Grammer (born August 28, 1925), known professionally as Billy Grammer, is an American country music singer and noted guitar player. He is best known for the million-selling "Gotta Travel On," which made it onto both the country and pop music charts in 1959.^[1] It was Grammer's first hit record, and his most enduring.

Biography

Grammer, the eldest of 13 children (nine boys and four girls), was born in Benton, Illinois^[1]. His father was a musician; he played the violin and trumpet.^{[citation needed]}

Grammer served in the Army during World War II, and upon discharge worked as an apprentice toolmaker at the Washington Naval gun factory at Shop #20. Grammer married his high school girlfriend, Ruth Burzynski, in 1944. Shortly after the war ended, 18,000 of a 24,000-strong workforce were laid off, including Grammer. The couple returned to their home in Franklin County, Illinois. Signed by Monument Records in Nashville, Tennessee, he scored with "Gotta Travel On," written by Paul Clayton. The song peaked at number 4 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart in 1959. That same year, he became a regular cast member on the Grand Ole Opry.^[2] Grammer named his band after his main hit as The Travel On Boys. "Gotta Travel On" was used as the opening song by Buddy Holly on his final tour in January and February 1959, which ended in tragedy.^[3]

Grammer recorded the first chart version of Mel Tillis' "Detroit City," entitled "I Wanna Go Home." It hit the Billboard country chart in early 1963.

Grammer founded RG&G (Reid, Grammer & Gower) Company in 1965 with Clyde Reid and J.W. Gower.^{[citation needed]} RG&G made the Grammer guitar from 1965 until 1968, when a fire consumed the factory in downtown Nashville. The company was then sold to Ampeg, and a new factory was erected down the street from the old one. The company was renamed Grammer Guitar, Inc. (GGI). GGI produced the Grammer guitar until 1970. His guitar was installed into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville on March 1, 1969.^[1]

On May 15, 1972, Grammer and the Travel On Boys played at the rally in Laurel, Maryland where Alabama governor George Wallace was shot. Grammer and his band played the "Under the Double Eagle" march as Wallace mounted the stage to speak. After he spoke, Wallace mingled with the crowd, and Arthur Bremer shot a concealed handgun at the presidential candidate. The outcome was Wallace's paralysis, leaving him confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.^[4] "I've said all along, if they wanted to do something like this, they do it under these circumstances," Grammer said, weeping, after the incident.^[4]

Grammer also delivered the invocation for the Grand Ole Opry House opening on March 16, 1974.^[5]

In 1990, Grammer was inducted into the Illinois Country Music Hall of Fame, along with Tex Williams, Lulu Belle and Scotty, and Patsy Montana. Grammer suffers from a degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa.^[6] He is now completely blind.^[7] On February 27, 2009, he was honored by the Grand Ole Opry for his 50 years as a member.^[8]

Singles

References