George Hamilton IV

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George Hamilton IV (born July 19, 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is an American country musician, known across the world for singles like "Before This Day Ends" and "Abilene". He began performing in the late 1950s as a teen idol, only later switching to pop-country, then folk music.

At age 19, George had a big pop hit in 1956 with “A Rose And A Baby Ruth" on Colonial Records, climbing to No. 6 on the pop charts. However, he was unable to follow-up that success, but since his smooth, pleasant voice was suitable for country music, he switched to that genre.

His breakthrough hit was 1961's "Before This Day Ends." His biggest hit came two years later with "Abilene," a four-week No. 1 hit on Billboard magazine's country singles chart. He followed up his latest success with "Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston" (a Top 5 hit in late 1964).

By the mid-1960s, Hamilton's music began showing a decidedly folk influence. The fans sure liked it, especially with 1966's "Steel Rail Blues" and "Early Morning Rain"; and 1967's "Urge For Going." Another 1967 hit was "Break My Mind." His last Top 5 single came in 1970, with "She's a Little Bit Country."

After his American chart success declined in the early 1970s, Hamilton began touring the world, across the Soviet Union, Australia, the Middle East and East Asia. For this, he became known as the International Ambassador of Country Music.