A Country Entertainment Mogul
Leroy Van Dyke is arguably one of the most celebrated artists in country music. His career has lasted for decades and have branched out into multiple facets inside the industry. Van Dyke produced a lot of country classics, including his all-time hit “The Auctioneer”
Humble Beginnings
Being a country superstar was never an initial goal in his life. His bachelor’s degree was in Agriculture and had gone on to do a semester of graduate work. He was also a member of “both the junior and senior University of Missouri Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Teams”, according to his website.
Van Dyke served as a special agent in the U.S Army Counter-Intelligence Corps during the Korean war and it was during this time that he wrote what later became one of the biggest hits in country music. “The Auctioneer” would refer to Van Dyke’s uncle who was an auctioneer and was dedicated to his cousin, Ray Sims. Sims was known as one of America’s greatest auctioneers of purebred cattle.
“The Auctioneer” would refer to Van Dyke’s uncle who was an auctioneer and was dedicated to his cousin, Ray Sims. Sims was known as one of America’s greatest auctioneers of purebred cattle
After the war, he went into journalism. And while he was working on that, he signed up for a talent contest in Chicago where he went and performed “The Auctioneer”. It was there where his life changed forever.
Come and take a listen to his hit here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaVTxiPBJgM
The Auctioneering Superstar
He was catapulted into country music fame with that hit song, which sold over 2.5 million records. And, Van Dyke wasn’t finished. After that, he released hit after hit, including “If a Woman Answers (Hang Up the Phone) and the Top 40 “Black Cloud”. However, his biggest hit is the countrypolitan-pop song “Walk on By” which stayed on top of the Country charts for 19 weeks straight and had him nominated for a Grammy! This musical hit was such a smash, Billboard Magazine named it as the biggest country music record in history.
With his tenure in the business, he has expanded his career into hosting a radio show (Country Crossroads), having his own television show (The Leroy Van Dyke Show), and starring in his own movie (What am I Bid?). Truly, he is one of country music’s most beloved icon. And, from all of us from CountryThangDaily, we wish Leroy Van Dyke a Happy Birthday!
What are your thoughts on Leroy Van Dyke and his music? Tell us by commenting below or tweeting it to me! And if you like to keep it country, you can visit us at Country Thang Daily!
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birthday, Grammy, leroy van dyke, the auctioneer, walk on by