Gene O'Quin

Gene O'Quin publicity picture

Gene O'Quin (1932-1978?) was a country and western and honky tonk singer born in Dallas on September 9, 1932[1] He established himself professionally at Dallas' Big "D" Jamboree, a Grand Ole Opry-like radio showcase, becoming one of its most popular entertainers. O'Quin recorded his first song at the age of 15 and was signed by Capitol Records.[2]

He later relocated to California. His recording career reached its peak between 1950 and 1955.

O'Quin's voice was high and nasally and had a twang evocative of Little Jimmy Dickens. He cut many novelty songs and boogie-woogie records. The persona in his records was happy-go-lucky and well suited to hillbilly music.[3] Though he did not record any rockabilly songs in his career, rockabilly enthusiasts have embraced him. Ironically, his career was eclipsed with the advent of rock and roll but did not successfully make the transition as rockabilly artists did.

O'Quin reportedly died when his car was hit by a bus in Riverside, California in 1978.[4]

Discography

Notes

  1. ↑ Koffey, Keven. "Bopping.org". Citing liner notes for 'Boogie Woogie Fever'. Bear Family. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  2. ↑ Bjorke, Matt. "Guys of the Big "D" Jamboree - Various Artists". About.com. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  3. ↑ Adams, Greg. "Boogie Woogie Fever: Gene O'Quin". All Music. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "Do you remember GENE O'QUIN (1932-1978) ?". TrueCountry.com. Retrieved 26 January 2012. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  5. ↑ http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,956612,00.html
  6. ↑ http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/sfc1/sfc_recordings/sfc_performance.html?performance_ID=3280

External links