Samuel’s Musician Of The Week, and a Samuel Salute: Ferlin Husky
A couple weeks ago in the wee hours of the morning, I was listening to John Kerr on the radio when he announced that he had to do something “now” because he wouldn’t have enough time to do it during the country music news segment, and it deserved the time. John announced the sad news that, during that week, country music legend Ferlin Husky had passed away. John proceeded to pay tribute to Ferlin, broke out in to a few lines of “The Wings Of A Dove” and then a few minutes later, took the time to play the record of Ferlin Husky singing this song.
This was a very emotional time for me as Ferlin Husky was one of my favourite singers when I was growing up. I absolutely adored his voice, and loved it when one of his songs would come on, particularly “The Wings Of A Dove” which was my favourite of his songs…in fact I gave Ferlin the Musician Of The Week award for this very song back in 2006, so it was quite upsetting for me to hear that this kindly 85-year-old had passed on, as it felt like a bit of my childhood had left me. It still feels that way.
Taste of Country’s Amy Sciarretto published a small, but lovely, piece about the late Mr. Husky on the day he died. I’ll share it with you.
Country Music Hall of Famer Ferlin Husky passed away at his daughter’s residence in Westmoreland today, reports The Tennessean. Husky was known for the 1957 hit ‘Gone’ — which was a catalyst for the poppier, Nashville Sound era — as well as the hit ‘Wings of a Dove.’
Ferlin Husky was 85-years-old and was suffering from congestive heart failure. He had seven bypass surgeries as of 2009, to which Husky once said, “I just pray and keep going.”
Husky wasn’t just a country singer who nailed songs to the top of the charts. He helped erase some of the stigma of twangy music by proving that a country song could appeal to a mass audience and crossover to pop music fans. He also acted in films and entertained people as “Simon Crum,” which was his comedic alter ego.
Country legend Merle Haggard spoke about Husky in The Tennessean last year, effectively summing up the entertainer. Haggard said, ”There were a lot of years when nobody in the business could follow Ferlin Husky. He was the big live act of the day.”
Husky was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in February 2010, which was a lifelong dream of his. He entered along with Jimmy Dean and Billy Sherrill during a ceremony in May 2010.
Even in the face of serious health problems, Husky never lost his sense of humor, which is very admirable to say the least. “Some of the people that vote [for the Hall members] are so young, I thought they’d never heard of me,” he joked at the time. “I figured they thought Ferlin Husky was some kind of disease.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ferlin Husky’s family members and friends on this day. Rest in peace, Ferlin. Your legacy will live on in the hearts of many.
And so, it is with a heavy heart that I once again award Ferlin Husky with the Musician Of The Week award, and offer up a rare Samuel Salute to this true legend of the music industry and a man for whom I have great admiration and respect…a man who gave me many fond memories despite the fact that we never meet.
Mr. Ferlin Husky. Born December 3, 1925. Died March 17, 2011. May you rest in peace.
Once again, the feature song is “The Wings Of A Dove”. A song for which I will forever remember this great man.
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
(Sign from above)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)When troubles surround us
When evils come
The body grows weak
(Body grows weak)
The spirit grows numb
(Spirit grows numb)
When these things beset us
He doesn’t forget us
He sends down His love
(Sends down His love)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
(Sign from above)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)When Noah had drifted
On the flood many days
He searched for land
(He searched for land)
In various ways
(Various ways)
Troubles, he had some
But wasn’t forgotten
He sent him His love
(Sent him His love)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
(Sign from above)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
(Sign from above)
On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)On the wings of a dove
(Wings of a dove)
With special thanks to Taste Of Country and the Country Music Hall of Fame for Ferlin’s photo.
Samuel
2 comments April 3rd, 2011 at 11:20pm