Country singer/songwriter Sonny James was born on this day May 1, 1928 in Hackleburg, Alabama, into a musical family, and by the young age of three, “Sonny Boy” was already singing and playing the mandolin.
By his early 20’s, Sonny’s musical career was soaring and he was dubbed the “Southern Gentleman” for his polite manner. Between 1953 and 1983, 72 of his songs had been on the billboard charts for pop and country music. In 1961 he received a star on the Hollywood Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Some of his best known songs include “Young Love,” “Orange Blossom Special,” “Since I Met You Baby,” “A World of Our Own,” and his version of “Running Bear.”
Here is “Running Bear” (1969), written by Jiles Perry Richardson.
