The veteran singer/songwriter/actor will bring his band to the Mille Lacs Events and Convention Center on April 16-17. His eldest daughter, Debby, will be along as well, having toured with her father since the late '90's. Information is available from Grand Casino at 800.626.5825. Tickets can be purchased online at the link below.
This exciting and inventive singer/guitarist/songwriter has spent 45 years in the biz, having built an enormous fan-base internationally. He is still an active road warrior with his band. He plays several shows annually at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri. He's still active on television and shows no signs of slowing down.
Hailing from Billstown, Ark., he was one of 12 children born to a sharecropper in 1936. His father bought him a $5.00 Sears & Roebuck guitar when he was 10. Glen had mastered it by 1961 when he hit L.A. as a session man. By the mid-'60's, he had sat in with the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, the Monkees and Sinatra. He was invited to become an official Beach Boy but that didn't work out, probably for the best for him. In 1967, his single "Gentle on my Mind" on Capitol, gave him a firm hold in the CW charts. 1968's "Witchita Lineman" made him a crossover sensation, reaching #1 on the CW charts and #3 on the pop charts. The best was yet to come.
In 1968, Campbell attracted the attention of the Smothers Brothers. They liked him so much, they invited him to host their summer replacement series, "The Summer Brothers Smothers Show". Glen's prowess as a musician and his natural charm sent the ratings soaring and CBS rewarded him with a show of his own. "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" debuted in Jan. '69.
Most of his guests were country but also included The Monkees, Linda Ronstadt, Eric Clapton & Cream, Kenny Rogers & First Edition, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. He also helped launch the careers of many newcomers. That year, he also co-starred with John Wayne in "True Grit". Since then, he's released 70 albums, selling more than 45 million units world-wide.
Campbell's career highlights include playing guitar on "Strangers in the Night" behind Sinatra, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" behind the Righteous Brothers and " The Monkees on "I'm a Believer". He also played on the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" album, having toured with them in '64 & '65, filling in for Brian Wilson. Despite all those lofty achievements, he's never lost touch with small-town America. His 2000 concert for PBS was filmed in Sioux Falls, S.D. His wit and charm still sparkles, his picking is still invigorating and his voice still carries the emotions of his timeless and poignant songs.
***
Welcome and thank you to new subscribers. As always, comments, suggestions and criticism are welcomed. Links to information contained in the article are provided on the lower right side of this page.
What do you think?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!