Autry Inman
Encyclopedia
Robert Autry Inman was an American
country
and rockabilly
musician.
, and was performing on local radio station WLAY
by age 14. He used his middle name "Autry" (or "Autrey") as his stage name
. After completing school he worked as a reporter for the Lauderdale Co. Law & Equity Court.
Shortly thereafter he was tapped to join Cowboy Copas
's band, the Oklahoma Cowboys, as a bassist. Aside from this he also played in George Morgan
's Candy Kids until 1952. He released his first solo singles on the small label Bullet Records; in 1952 he signed with Decca Records
, for whom he recorded over 40 country songs. However, service in the Army
interrupted his career. After his dismissal he switched to playing rockabilly music in 1956, then at the height of its popularity. His first single in the style, "Be Bop Baby" b/w "It Would Be a Doggone Lie", became the best-known of his rockabilly titles. He changed to RCA Records
in 1958, releasing further rockabilly singles but to limited success. In the 1960s, he recorded for Mercury Records
, United Artists Records
, Sims Records
, Guest Star Records, and Jubilee Records
where he cut some adult stand-up comedy albums.
In addition to being a vocalist, Inman was a well-respected songwriter, and his tunes were covered by the likes of Waylon Jennings
, Johnny Cash
, George Jones
and Hank Williams. In 1968, he released a single with Bob Luman
entitled "Ballad of Two Brothers", which turned out to be his biggest hit in the U.S., reaching #14 on the country charts and #48 on the Billboard Hot 100
. His final recordings were made in the mid-1980s for the Koala label. He died in 1988 at age 59.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
musician.
Biography
Inman was born in Florence, AlabamaFlorence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
, and was performing on local radio station WLAY
WLAY (AM)
The station celebrated the FM launch with a two-day marathon, broadcasting live from two of the city’s most celebrated recording studios. FAME Studios, where legendary recordings by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, the Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Solomon Burke, George...
by age 14. He used his middle name "Autry" (or "Autrey") as his stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
. After completing school he worked as a reporter for the Lauderdale Co. Law & Equity Court.
Shortly thereafter he was tapped to join Cowboy Copas
Cowboy Copas
Lloyd Estel Copas , known by his stage name Cowboy Copas, was an American country music singer popular from the 1940s until his death in the 1963 plane crash that also killed country stars Patsy Cline and Hawkshaw Hawkins. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:Copas was born in 1913 in...
's band, the Oklahoma Cowboys, as a bassist. Aside from this he also played in George Morgan
George Morgan
George Morgan may refer to:*George Morgan , American actor and author*George Morgan , American merchant and representative to Native Americans*George Morgan , American screenwriter...
's Candy Kids until 1952. He released his first solo singles on the small label Bullet Records; in 1952 he signed with Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, for whom he recorded over 40 country songs. However, service in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
interrupted his career. After his dismissal he switched to playing rockabilly music in 1956, then at the height of its popularity. His first single in the style, "Be Bop Baby" b/w "It Would Be a Doggone Lie", became the best-known of his rockabilly titles. He changed to RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in 1958, releasing further rockabilly singles but to limited success. In the 1960s, he recorded for Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, United Artists Records
United Artists Records
United Artists Records was a record label founded by Max E. Youngstein of United Artists in 1957 initially to distribute records of its movie soundtracks, though it soon branched out into recording music of a number of different genres.-History:...
, Sims Records
Sims Records
Sims Records was a country music record label in the 1950s and 1960s.Russell Sims had been associated with Country music in the late 40s and early 50s and became a sort of touring manager for T.Texas Tyler who was a Four Star Records artist...
, Guest Star Records, and Jubilee Records
Jubilee Records
Jubilee Records was a record label specializing in rhythm and blues along with novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. Jerry Blaine became Abramson's partner. Blaine bought out Abramson's half of the company in 1947. The company name was Jay-Gee Recording...
where he cut some adult stand-up comedy albums.
In addition to being a vocalist, Inman was a well-respected songwriter, and his tunes were covered by the likes of Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
and Hank Williams. In 1968, he released a single with Bob Luman
Bob Luman
Bob Luman was an American country and rockabilly singer.-Early life and career:...
entitled "Ballad of Two Brothers", which turned out to be his biggest hit in the U.S., reaching #14 on the country charts and #48 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. His final recordings were made in the mid-1980s for the Koala label. He died in 1988 at age 59.
Albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Ballad of Two Brothers | Epic |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
CAN Country | CAN Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
|||
| 1953 | "That's All Right" | 4 | — | — | — | singles only |
| 1963 | "The Volunteer" | 22 | — | — | — | |
| 1968 | "Ballad of Two Brothers" | 14 | 48 | 7 | 41 | Ballad of Two Brothers |