Classic 50s Country Trivia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts

"American Idol" and "The Gong Show" would come later of course. Arthur Godfrey was one of the most popular and beloved stars of TV and radio. After pushing the audience meter to the end with her rendition of "Walking After Midnight" Patsy appeared on the show several times and the record, not yet released by Decca, became her first major hit!

Answer: Three

The Browns consisted of three siblings: Jim Ed, Maxine and Bonnie. After several hits on both the pop and country charts in the late 50s and early 60s Maxine and Bonnie retired and Jim Ed went on to have a very successful solo career in country music. He was also the original host of "You Can Be A Star" on the Nashville Network.

Answer: True

"North To Alaska" topped the country charts just as Johnny Horton was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1959. His widow Billie Jean was married previously to Hank Williams. The movie starred John Wayne and Stewart Granger as George Pratt and Sam McCord.

Answer: Hank Thompson

I can personally attest to the fact that songwriters are discouraged against writing songs that portray women in a bad light. Nonetheless there are many examples over the years of hit songs that do just that. Hank Thompson's recording of "The Wild Side of Life" reached number one on the Billboard country chart in the spring of 1952 and remained there well into the summer. Kitty Wells' answer "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" used the same melody (which had also been used in several earlier songs).

Her song was written by a male--Jay Miller.

Answer: Bill Monroe

Elvis was said to be concerned about Bill Monroe's reaction to his rendition of "Blue Moon of Kentucky" but Monroe actually liked it and was inspired to record and perform a newer version of the song that was more upbeat. Presley's backup group, consisting of Scotty Moore and Bill Black, were even called "The Blue Moon Boys" while Elvis was still with SUN Records.

Answer: Jerry Lee Lewis

"Crazy Arms" was written by Ralph Mooney and Charles Seals. Ray Price recorded his version in May, 1956. It would go on to be his first number one country hit according to Billboard Magazine. Jerry Lee's version was recorded in November, 1956 at SUN Studios.

He performed the song for Jack Clement as an audition since Sam Phillips was out of town, but Clement liked it so much he went ahead and recorded it. Jerry Lee's version sold 300,000 copies in the South but got no recognition nationwide.

Answer: Don Gibson

"I Can't Stop Loving You" was the B-side of Don Gibson's crossover hit "Oh Lonesome Me". Conway Twitty took his version to number one on the Billboard country singles chart in 1972. The song has been covered by such diverse artists as Frank Sinatra, Count Basie (instrumentally) and Millie Jackson among many others.

Answer: Ferlin Husky

Missouri-born Ferlin Husky was just beginning his career when he provided the voice for Jean Shepard's classic recordings about a woman who falls for his brother while he (Ferlin) is serving overseas in the military. But in the follow-up recording she begs for forgiveness.

The term "Dear John letter" dates back to the World War eras when break-up letters from the States to their lovers overseas were a frequent occurrence. It's a theme that has been addressed many times in country and pop music.

Answer: Jimmie Rodgers

Known as "The Singing Brakeman" and referred to often as "The Father of Country Music", Jimmie Rodgers recorded "In The Jailhouse Now" in February, 1928. Two years later he recorded a sequel: "In The Jailhouse Now #2". Webb's version went to number one on the Billboard Country Singles chart and remained there for 21 weeks in 1955.

Answer: The Davis Sisters

Actually The Davis Sisters were not related. Skeeter Davis was the stage name of Mary Frances Penick. She met Betty Jack Davis when both were in high school and they shared the same interest in singing and performing. "I Forgot More" was a number one country hit and also a crossover Top 20 pop hit.

But in August of 1953 they were in an automobile accident in Ohio and Betty Jack was killed instantly. Skeeter suffered serious injuries, but she eventually recovered and went on to have a very successful solo career.