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PROLIFIC is the
word to describe veteran guitarist Harold Ray Bradley. In December
1990, Bradley was elected President of the 3,500 member Nashville Association
of Musicians Local 257 of the American Federation of Musicians.
A Life Member, Bradley has been active in the Nashville Local for many
years.
Harold Bradley was the first president of NARAS' Nashville chapter and
continues as a member of the Grammy organization's Board of Governors.
In December 1991, Harold Bradley marks his 45th year as a studio musician.
Harold Bradley can be heard on some of Elvis Presley's records and
movie soundtracks as well as those of such entertainers as Perry Como,
Joan Baez, Buddy Holly, Ivory Joe Hunter, Pee Wee King, George Morgan,
Hank Williams, Burl Ives, Henry Mancini, Connie Francis, George Beverly
Shea, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves, Charley Pride, Leon Russell, The Everly Brothers,
Gene Watson, Marty Robbins, Freddie Hart, Conway Twitty and Roy Clark.
He's played on such classic cuts as Red Foley's "Chattanoogie Shoe
Shine Boy," Ray Anthony's "Do the Hokey Pokey," Bobby Helms'
"Jingle Bell Rock," Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry," Roy
Orbison's "Only the Lonely," Patsy Cline's "Crazy,"
Johnny Horton's "Battle of Now Orleans," Jimmy Dean's "Big
Bad John," Roger Miller's "King of the Road," Jeannie C.
Riley's "Harper Valley PTA." Tammy Wynette's "Stand By
Your Man," Eddy Arnold's "Make the World Go Away," Loretta
Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter," The Everly Brothers' "Ebony
Eyes" and John Anderson's "Swinging'."
Harold Bradley can boast a trio of his own albums on the Columbia label
"Misty Guitar," "The Bossa Nova Goes to Nashville"
and "Guitar For Lovers Only." His musical input can be heard,
too, on such other LP's as the Bear Family's ambitious four-compact disc
set 'Webb Pierce, The Wandering Boy, 1951-1958," and Alan Jackson's
recent "Here In the Real World" for Arista.
Bradley was born Jan. 2, 1926, in Nashville. His older brother, Owen (a
member of the Country Music Hall of Fame), was a strong early musical
influence. Although Owen Bradley had earned his spurs as a pianist, Harold
Bradley was at first fascinated by the banjo. Instead, taking big brother's
advice, he began learning to play the guitar. His idols then were Charlie
Christian and George Barnes. While still a teenager, Harold landed a much-coveted
band spot with legendary Ernest Tubb in 1943. After high school graduation,
Bradley joined the Navy.
Upon his discharge in 1946, he studied at George Peabody College under
the GI Bill. To enhance his income, however, Harold played on the Opry
with Eddy Arnold and Bradley Kincaid. His first recording session was
Dec. 17, 1946, with Pee Wee King and the Golden West Cowboys in Chicago.
Two King songs on which Bradley's contribution was notable are "Texas
Toni Lee" and "Tennessee Central Number Nine."
Harold Bradley is one of 12 musicians inducted into the Studio Musicians
Hall of Fame at RCA's Studio 8, now a museum operated by the Country Music
Foundation. Harold Bradley also won the National Academy of Recording
Arts & Sciences' "Superpicker" Award from 1974 through 1979.
Who's Who In Country Music listed Harold Bradley on its Most Valuable
Player polls in 1977, '78 and '79. He was also among the Billboard Top
10 Most Promising Artists in 1964.
Bradley's credits also include co-producing 39 filmed 30 minute variety
shows titled "Country Style, USA,- with Owen Bradley." Featured
for this late 1950's TV series were many stars at The Grand Ole Opry.
In addition, Bradley was music director for the Public Broadcasting Service
(PBS) fund-raising telethon, "Legends of Country Music," in
1985.
Artists Harold Bradley has represented or produced personally include
Byron and Slim Whitman, Billy Chinnock, Eddy Arnold and new Irish singer
Sandy Kelly.
Among the cinematic soundtracks boasting Bradley's touch are ''Kissin'
Cousins," "Clambake," "Stay Away Joe," "The
Fastest Guitar Alive," "Sugarland Express," "A Walk
In the Spring Rain," "Tick, Tick, Tick,""Breathless,"
"Smokey & The Bandit II," "Coal Miner's Daughter,"
"Six-pack," "Missing" and "Sweet Dreams. Bradley
also appeared briefly In Robert Altman's award-winning movie "Nashville."
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26 NOV 2007
LEGENDARY BASSIST BOB MOORE TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE NASHVILLE MUSICIANS
HALL OF FAME
Click here for full press release at:
Musicians
Hall of Fame amd Museum
.First Annual Induction Ceremony held by the Musicians Hall of
Fame to be held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Hall on November 26,
2007. Inductees include The NASHVILLE A-TEAM, (Bob Moore, Buddy
Harman, Hank Garland, Pig Robbins, Grady Martin, Ray Edenton, Boots,
etc.) The Memphis Boys (Reggie Young, Bobby Wood, Gene Chrisman
etc.) The BLUE MOON BOYS (Scotty Moore & DJ Fontana) The Los
Angeles Wrecking Crew, The Funk Brothers. Program includes live
appearences by Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Peter Frampton and many MANY
others. (Yes, Garth Brooks will be performing Live and in Person)
This is a once in a lifetime, NOT-TO-BE-MISSED event! Tickets $50
are available at: www.nashvillesymphony.org |
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