Terry Stafford
Encyclopedia
Terry LaVerne Stafford was an American
singer and songwriter
, best known for his 1964 U.S.
Top 10 hit
, "Suspicion
", and the 1973 country music
hit, "Amarillo by Morning
".
, Oklahoma
, Stafford grew up in Amarillo, Texas
, and graduated from Palo Duro High School
in Amarillo in 1960. After high school he moved to Los Angeles, California
, to pursue a career in music.
The song
"Suspicion", which was released on the Crusader record label
and which had previously been recorded
by Elvis Presley
, made it to number 3 in the U.S.
and number 31 in the UK Singles Chart
. "Suspicion," with a vocal by Stafford that reminded many listeners of Presley, had the unusual distinction of being at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100
on April 4, 1964 just below The Beatles
when they made history by holding down the entire top five. The following week is when Suspicion topped out at #3 with The Beatles holding 3 of the other 4 spots of the top 5. Stafford's recording sold over one million copies. His follow-up, "I’ll Touch a Star" made number 25 in America
. Both recordings were produced by Bob Summers (brother-in-law of Les Paul), who played all the instruments on the tracks as well as engineering and recording them. Bob released his own version in the 70's as well as a remake with Ed Greenwald on vocals in 2008.
In 1969, Buck Owens
re-wrote Stafford's "Big in Dallas", recording it as "Big in Vegas
". Owen's version peaked at number 5 on the Billboard
Hot Country Singles
chart. and reached number 1 on the RPM
Country Tracks chart in Canada.
Stafford himself continued to record, but had no more hits, although his 1973 release/joint composition, "Amarillo by Morning
", was later covered by George Strait
on Strait's 1982 album Strait from the Heart
. The song was named "#12 country song of all-time" by Country Music Television
. Stafford lived most of his life between Los Angeles
and Amarillo and died in Amarillo of liver failure
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known for his 1964 U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Top 10 hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
, "Suspicion
Suspicion (Pomus song)
"Suspicion" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. It was one of 25 songs Pomus and Shuman wrote for Elvis Presley."Suspicion" featured on Presley's 1962 album Pot Luck with Elvis. The song became a hit in 1964, through an Elvis sound-alike cover version by Terry Stafford. The Stafford...
", and the 1973 country music
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...
hit, "Amarillo by Morning
Amarillo by Morning (song)
"Amarillo by Morning" is a country music song written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser, and recorded by Stafford in 1973. Several cover versions have since been made, including a major 1980s hit for George Strait.-Content:...
".
Biography
Born to William Nathan Stafford and Juanita J. Stafford in HollisHollis, Oklahoma
-Additional information:Hollis is a close-knit community which only has one stoplight at the corner of Highway 62 and Highway 30, the only two main highways that pass through the town. It features the Hollis Municipal Airport located north of the town on Highway 30 and the Hollis Livestock...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, Stafford grew up in Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
, and graduated from Palo Duro High School
Palo Duro High School
|name = Palo Duro High School|image = |imagesize =|motto =|established = 1955|type = Public|affiliation =|district = Amarillo Independent School District|grades = 9-12|president =...
in Amarillo in 1960. After high school he moved to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, to pursue a career in music.
The song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
"Suspicion", which was released on the Crusader record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
and which had previously been recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, made it to number 3 in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and number 31 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. "Suspicion," with a vocal by Stafford that reminded many listeners of Presley, had the unusual distinction of being at #6 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...
on April 4, 1964 just below The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
when they made history by holding down the entire top five. The following week is when Suspicion topped out at #3 with The Beatles holding 3 of the other 4 spots of the top 5. Stafford's recording sold over one million copies. His follow-up, "I’ll Touch a Star" made number 25 in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Both recordings were produced by Bob Summers (brother-in-law of Les Paul), who played all the instruments on the tracks as well as engineering and recording them. Bob released his own version in the 70's as well as a remake with Ed Greenwald on vocals in 2008.
In 1969, Buck Owens
Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
re-wrote Stafford's "Big in Dallas", recording it as "Big in Vegas
Big in Vegas
"Big in Vegas" is a single by American country music artist Buck Owens. Released in October 1969, it was the first single from his album Big in Vegas. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also reached number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.-Chart...
". Owen's version peaked at number 5 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country Singles
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...
chart. and reached number 1 on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Country Tracks chart in Canada.
Stafford himself continued to record, but had no more hits, although his 1973 release/joint composition, "Amarillo by Morning
Amarillo by Morning (song)
"Amarillo by Morning" is a country music song written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser, and recorded by Stafford in 1973. Several cover versions have since been made, including a major 1980s hit for George Strait.-Content:...
", was later covered by George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
on Strait's 1982 album Strait from the Heart
Strait from the Heart
Strait From the Heart is the second studio album from American country music artist George Strait. It is certified platinum by the RIAA. The album includes George's first Number One single, "Fool Hearted Memory", as well as the singles "Marina del Rey", "Amarillo by Morning" and "A Fire I Can't Put...
. The song was named "#12 country song of all-time" by Country Music Television
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
. Stafford lived most of his life between Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and Amarillo and died in Amarillo of liver failure
Liver failure
Acute liver failure is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs of liver disease , and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage . The complications are hepatic encephalopathy and impaired protein synthesis...
.
Albums
| Year | Album | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Suspicion! | 81 | Crusader |
| 1973 | Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose | — | Koch |
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... |
US AC Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
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.... |
|||
| 1964 | "I'll Touch a Star" | — | 25 | 4 | — | 10 | Suspicion! |
| "Suspicion Suspicion (Pomus song) "Suspicion" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. It was one of 25 songs Pomus and Shuman wrote for Elvis Presley."Suspicion" featured on Presley's 1962 album Pot Luck with Elvis. The song became a hit in 1964, through an Elvis sound-alike cover version by Terry Stafford. The Stafford... " |
— | 3 | — | — | — | ||
| 1973 | "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" is a 1973 song by the American pop music group Tony Orlando and Dawn. The song was written by Irwin Levine and L... " |
35 | — | — | 46 | — | Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose |
| "Amarillo by Morning Amarillo by Morning (song) "Amarillo by Morning" is a country music song written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser, and recorded by Stafford in 1973. Several cover versions have since been made, including a major 1980s hit for George Strait.-Content:... " |
31 | — | — | 38 | — | ||
| 1974 | "Captured" | 24 | — | — | 39 | — | |
| "Stop If You Love Me" | 69 | — | — | — | — | singles only | |
| 1977 | "It Sure Is Bad to Love Her" | 94 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1989 | "Lonestar Lonesome" | 89 | — | — | — | — |
- 1964: "Suspicion" /"Judy" Crusader 101
- 1964: "I'll Touch A Star" /"Playing With Fire" Crusader 105
- 1964: "Follow The Rainbow" /"Are You A Fool Like Me?" Crusader 109
- 1964-65: "Hoping" /"A Little Bit Better" Crusader 110
- 1963: "You Left Me Here To Cry"(Come On Home" /"Heartache On The way" A&M 707
- 1966: "Out Of The Picture" /Forbidden" Mercury 72538
- 1966: "Soldier Boy' / "When Sin Stops-Love Begins" Sidewalk 902
- 1969: "Big in Dallas" / "Will A Man Ever Learn" Warner Bros. 7286
- 1973: "Amarillo By Morning" / "Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" Atlantic Country 4006
- 1974: "Captured" /"It Sure Is Bad To Love Her" Atlantic 4015
- 1974: "Stop If You Love Me" /"We've Grown Close" Atlantic 4026
- 1975: "Darling Think It Over" / Same Melodyland 6009
- 1977: "It Sure Is Bad To Love Her" /same Casino 113
- 1989: "Lonestar Lonesome" /"Falling" Player 134
- ?? : "Deja Vu" / "Texas Moon Palace" Player 113
- ?? : "Loves Been Hell On Me" /Long Haul Fever" Player 115