Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008

Subject: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: Wesley S
Date: 08 May 08 - 10:15 AM

Just days short of his 90th birthday.

Eddy Arnold Obit

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: Wesley S
Date: 08 May 08 - 10:18 AM

My Grandfather loved this guy. Whenever we got into his car we were bound to hear an Eddy Arnold 8 track.

Eddy Arnold Bio

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 08 May 08 - 10:56 AM

He was one of the great ones and introduced a lot of now classic songs.   The Tennessee Plowboy left a lot of pleasure and a lot of great songs in his wake.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 May 08 - 11:01 AM

Eddy Arnold's smooth, resonant voice was instantly recognizable on any song and he recorded many songs I loved and danced to. How about 'Welcome to My World'? And so many more. A good life.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 May 08 - 11:09 AM

One of Eddy Arnold's greatest songs, not mentioned in the obit nor in his Wikipedia article, was "You Don't Know Me," co-written with lyricist Cindy Walker, first recorded by Arnold himself, and later popularized by Ray Charles as one of best-loved selections on his classic "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music."

Just over two years ago, I was working up an arrangement of this song when I heard a story on NPR about the death of Ms. Walker. I had not known about her before, nor did I know that Eddy Arnold was her co-writer on one of my favorites. Now Mr. Arnold is gone, too.

"You Don't Know Me" was recorded much earlier than the better-remembered Eddy Arnold hits "Welcome to my World" and "Make the World Go Away" ~ maybe that's why it's being more-or-less overlooked today as one of Eddy Arnold's songs. (The song was mentioned early and often in association with Cindy Walker's passing in March of '06).

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 08 May 08 - 11:34 AM

Obviously, I am old enough to remember Eddy Arnold - I just hit "enter" instead of "tab."

In the 1940's and early 1950's, he was enjoying great popularity that often crossed over from pure country to popular music. It might have been because his arrangements were always a little more sophisticated and smooth than those typical for other country artists at the time, plus he had a voice that could work in both camps. On early television, in the same era, I remember some of the old "Grand Ole Opry" broadcasts where he was as much a staple as Minnie Pearl and Red Foley, et al. I seem to recall he had his own show somewhat later. He was a landmark musician for his time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: pdq
Date: 08 May 08 - 11:48 AM

Once upon a time, there were entertainers who were grownups. Eddy Arnold, Bing Crosby, Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash and others.

What happened?

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:19 PM

By the way, this artist is Eddy, not Eddie, Arnold. Not to nitpick, but it's an important distinction because there are at least two other "celebrity" Eddie Arnolds: a notable movie actor, and another younger recording artist (one of his hits was "Honeycomb").

This is similar to the confusion among the artists named Jimmy/Jimmy Ro(d)gers.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:58 PM

...er, amke that Jimmie/Jimmy...

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 08 - 01:15 PM

I am listening to him on www.pandora radio right now. Just created a "station" to play his songs and other artists like him. Sounds so darn good, still and always. He had a good run, I'd say. Sad he is gone, but what a life...66 years with his wife, many awards and accolades, and such success at selling his recordings.

I remember Jim Reeves singing Welcome to my World, too. Liked his voice better, but they were both incredible.

Thanks, Wesley, for letting us know.

RIP, Mr. Arnold,


kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 May 08 - 01:39 PM

Am I ever embarrassed!

Not only did I confuse my Eddy/Eddies with my Jimmy/Jimmies, I misspelled "make" ("amke").

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: pdq
Date: 08 May 08 - 01:42 PM

Eddy Arnold was Jim Reeves best friend at one time. When Reeves plane went down, Arnold flew to the crash site and helped retrieve missing body parts. (told to me by someone who was also there)

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddie Arnold - May 2008
From: sapper82
Date: 08 May 08 - 02:00 PM

Not someone I'm familiar with, but I do recognise a couple of the songs mentioned.
I would say very much a life well lived and one as much to be celebrated as we mourn his passing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 May 08 - 03:19 PM

He occupied a wonderful niche in the C-W field as one of the earlier cross-over artists. As a kid I remember him well as his voice had less "twang" and his looks and dress were more "polished" (not the right word, but it'll have to do). One of Country's most treasured performers and rightly so.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: fat B****rd
Date: 08 May 08 - 03:26 PM

Mr. Arnold was managed by Colonel Parker before whtsisname came along. I didn't know he co-wrote 'You Don't Know me' one of my favourite songs. RIP Mr. A.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 08 May 08 - 05:53 PM

I understand that he had gone into Real Estate many years back--after his singing career was over---and his nickname--I always recalled that--The Tennessee Plowboy.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: M.Ted
Date: 08 May 08 - 07:48 PM

"You Don't Know Me" has always been one of my favorites, too--He was the best of the best--

Subject: Obit: Eddy Arnonld
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 May 08 - 09:04 PM

I'll miss you, Eddy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnonld
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 May 08 - 09:06 PM

Damn, another good 'un gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: topical tom
Date: 08 May 08 - 11:07 PM

I grew up listening to songs by "The Tennessee Ploughboy" and loved them all. "Rocking Alone in an Old Rocking Chair" can still bring tears to my eyes."I Walk Alone"(where once we wandered), "Make The World Go Away" and "Have I Told You lately How I Love You" were but a few of the great songs sung in his smooth, honey-toned voice.He was,indeed, a great one. RIP, Eddy Arnold.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 09 May 08 - 02:02 PM

I am sure that there were many versions of Molly Darling, but Arnold's version is the one that stands out in my mind. Think I will go pull out my old Eddy Arnold song folios and meditate for a while.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 09 May 08 - 04:33 PM

"You don't know me" has made a bit of a comeback recently. Michael Buble has recorded it, and the young chap who the UK version of X factor ( or was it Pop Idol?) also sang it. As a kid, I used to really indentify with the sentiments of the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 09 May 08 - 04:57 PM

The country greats are going fast with not many new ones worth a darn to replace them. RIP!

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 09 May 08 - 05:09 PM

Like Roy Rogers, (one of my Western vocal heroes) Eddy was also a superb yodeler.

Those guys could flat-out SELL a song.

And there don't appear to be any others coming along...

Seamus

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 09 May 08 - 10:57 PM

I can't really add anything. He was one of a kind. His music was a big part of my childhood.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eddy Arnold - May 2008
From: goatfell
Date: 10 May 08 - 07:27 AM

another one fro the great music festival in the sky

RIP Eddy Arnold, I really liked this guy and I sometimes sing some of his songs at the folk club I go to.