Wolverton Mountain's Claude King, Dead at 90

[tr...@iwvisp.com]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Country singer-songwriter Claude King, an original
member of the Louisiana Hayride who was best known for the 1962 hit
"Wolverton Mountain," has died. He was 90.


King had just celebrated his birthday and 67th wedding anniversary to
his wife, Barbara, last month. The couple's eldest son, Duane King,
said his father was found unresponsive in his bed early Thursday
morning at his home in Shreveport.


King was one of the original members of the Louisiana Hayride, the
Saturday night show where Elvis Presley and Hank Williams Sr. got
their start. The show transformed country and western music from 1948
to 1960 with music genres including hillbilly, western swing, jazz,
blues and gospel.


King's hit "Wolverton Mountain" told a story of mountain man Clifton
Clowers, who guarded his daughter from suitors.


"Claude was a legend in the Louisiana music industry, one of the
greatest songwriters, and a wonderful friend," said Maggie Warwick,
owner of the Louisiana Hayride trademark and the production company,
Louisiana Hayride Co. "Claude and Tillman Franks were on the Hayride
from the very beginning."


Warwick, who also serves as chairwoman of the Louisiana Music
Commission, said King was known for his guitar-playing skills and
knack for writing songs.


"He had a gift for melody and lyrics that was very definable," Warwick
said. "The range and melody and the feeling that goes with his songs,
when you hear it, it's very unique and identifiable with Claude King.
He had a personal style that was all his own."


Ray Arthur