For other uses, see Bob Ferguson

Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson
Background information
Birth name	Robert Bruce Ferguson
Also known as	Eli Possumtrot
Born	December 30, 1927(1927-12-30)
Origin	Willow Springs, Missouri, U.S.
Died	July 22, 2001 (aged 73)
Genre(s)	Country
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, actor, author, philanhropist
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, steel string, piano
Voice type(s)	Baritone
Years active	1955-1978
Label(s)	RCA
Associated acts	Ferlin Husky, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner

Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson Sr (December 30, 1927 – July 22, 2001) was an American songwriter, record producer, and historian. Bob Ferguson may refer to Bob Ferguson (politician, Washington state politician Bob Ferguson (music (1927-2001 songwriter Events 1460 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Wakefield. 1816 - The Treaty of St Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Willow Springs is a city in Howell County, Missouri, United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. A voice type is a particular kind of human Singing voice perceived as having certain identifying qualities or characteristics In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. Ferlin Husky (born December 3 1925 in Flat River Missouri) is an American singer who has become well-known as a country - pop Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins ( June 20, 1924 &ndash June 30, 2001) was an influential Guitarist and Record producer Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American Country music Singer / Songwriter, Author, actress Porter Wayne Wagoner ( August 12, 1927 &ndash October 28, 2007) was an American Country music singer Events 1460 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Wakefield. 1816 - The Treaty of St Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both In the Music industry, a record producer or music producer has many roles among them controlling the recording sessions coaching and guiding the musicians organizing See also History An historian is an individual who studies and writes about History, and is regarded as an Authority on it Ferguson wrote the songs "On the Wings of a Dove" and "Carroll County Accident. "^[1] The "Carroll County Accident" won the Country Music Association Song of the Year in 1969. The Country Music Association (CMA was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In 1983, "Wings of a Dove" was featured in the movie Tender Mercies starring Robert Duvall. Tender Mercies is a 1983 film which tells the story of a recovering Alcoholic country Singer whose relationships with a young widow and her son Robert Selden Duvall (born January 5, 1931) is an American Film Actor and director who has won an Academy Award In 1987, Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) awarded Ferguson with the "million air" plays for the "Wings of a Dove. Broadcast Music Incorporated ( BMI) is a US Performing rights organization. "

The country song "Carroll County Accident," a hit for and now one of the signature songs of Porter Wagoner, was written when Ferguson passed through Carroll County when driving from Nashville to a concert for the Choctaw Indians in Philadelphia, Miss. , according to an interview Ferguson granted with Steve Eng for the Wagoner biography "A Satisfied Mind. " He recounted that he passed a sign for Carroll County in Tennessee, which inspired the song's title, and when he saw a sign for Carroll County in Mississippi the song was a finished work. Wagoner took the song to No. 2 on the Billboard country singles chart (No. 92 pop) and No. 1 on the Cash Box country singles chart. The tune was also recorded by Wagoner's longtime duet partner Dolly Parton.

For a short time, Ferguson worked for Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager. "Colonel" Tom Parker (born Andreas Cornelis (Dries van Kuijk on June 26, 1909 &ndash January 21, 1997) was

He served in the U.S. Army and the United States Marine Corps. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. While Ferguson was in the USMC, he was posted to MCRD San Diego as a drill instructor. Marine Corps Recruit Depot (Commonly referred to as M-Crud or MCRD San Diego is a United States military installation in San Diego California. A drill instructor (or Drill Sergeant) is a Non-commissioned officer in the Armed forces with specific duties that vary by country

After the military, he attended Washington State University where he got a degree in speech. Washington State University ( WSU) is an American public Research university in Pullman, Washington. For a time, he was Ferlin Husky's manager. Ferlin Husky (born December 3 1925 in Flat River Missouri) is an American singer who has become well-known as a country - pop Ferguson produced records for Chet Atkins, Porter Wagoner, Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, and many others. Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins ( June 20, 1924 &ndash June 30, 2001) was an influential Guitarist and Record producer Porter Wayne Wagoner ( August 12, 1927 &ndash October 28, 2007) was an American Country music singer Charley Frank Pride (born March 18, 1938) is a Country music artist Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American Country music Singer / Songwriter, Author, actress Ferguson's alter stage ego was Eli Possumtrot.

Biography

Bob Ferguson was born in Willow Springs, Missouri, the third child of John Carl and Mary Willie BOLES Ferguson. Willow Springs is a city in Howell County, Missouri, United States.

While in high school, Ferguson was a typesetter at the local newspaper, a Fire Tower Lookout for the U. S. Forest Service and a member of the Missouri State Guard during World War II. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including After graduating from high school in 1945, he entered the U. S. Army where he attained the rank of Sergeant and served as a radioman for two winters in Alaska on Task Force Frigid testing military equipment under Arctic condition.

After discharge from the Army, Ferguson went out West and worked for the U. S. Forest Service as a fire tower lookout and trail crew boss and as a laborer in the wheat fields. While working as a typesetter for the newspaper in Moses Lake, WA, he led the Boy Scout Troop from that city to the Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, PA, in 1950. Moses Lake is a Lake and Reservoir along the course of Crab Creek, in Washington state USA.

Ferguson then entered Washington State College, Pullman. WA, and secured his BS in Speech, specializing in Radio and Television Production. Washington State University ( WSU) is an American public Research university in Pullman, Washington. Pullman is a city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. While in college, he joined a U. S. Marine Reserve Unit and was called to duty during the Korean War. The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the He served as a Cpl. in the 3rd Division as a Recruit Company Commander and Producer of Marine training motion pictures.

Tennessee Game and Fish Commission

He then became the Motion Picture Producer for the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission. In 1960, the North American Wildlife Conservation Association named his production, "The World Outdoors" the "Best Motion Picture of the Year. " "The World Outdoors," most notably "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," influenced many wildlife television shows. Wild Kingdom, sometimes known as Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, is an American Television show that features Wildlife

Nashville Music Producer

After graduation from college, Ferguson moved to Nashville, TN, as manager for country music singer Ferlin Husky. Ferlin Husky (born December 3 1925 in Flat River Missouri) is an American singer who has become well-known as a country - pop In 1958, he wrote his first multi-million seller song, "Wings of A Dove", which was first recorded by Ferlin and has since been recorded by many artists and in many languages around the world. Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In 1987, "Wings of a Dove" received BMI's "One million airplays" Award.

Ferguson then returned to Nashville as a Senior Producer with RCA Music Corporation and served as assistant to Chet Atkins and served in that position until his retirement. RCA Corporation, founded as Radio Corporation of America, was an electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986 While there, he produced records, many in RCA Studio B, for Atkins, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Connie Smith, Floyd Cramer, Danny Davis, The Browns, Helen Cornelius, Lester Flatt, Homer and Jethro, Charlie Pride and many others. Built by Dan Maddox in 1957 RCA Records Studio B was constructed at the request of Chet Atkins and Steve Sholes to facilitate the needs of RCA Victor With Atkins, he played a major role in the development of what was to become known as the Nashville Sound and elevated Nashville as the country music capital of the world. The Nashville sound arose during the late 1950s as a sub-genre of American Country music, replacing the chart dominance of Honky tonk music which was Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. He also played a major role in developing the Country Music Association. The Country Music Association (CMA was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee.

He performed infrequently in his comedy role as Grandpappy Possumtrot, a name that he took from a crossroad community near his home in the Ozarks. In that role, he recorded his own song, "Eli's Blue", a lament about a man who accidentally shot his own coonhound. In that role he also performed with Ferlin Huskey, playing his Simon Crum character, in "The Good Old Days", a motion picture produced by the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission.

He wrote several other songs including another million seller, "Carroll County Accident" which was first recorded by Porter Waggoner and for which he received a Country Music Award for the "Song of the Year" for 1969. His first successful single was with the Avons. He temporarily served as an assistant to Elvis' manager.

Books

Bob Ferguson and Dolly Parton at a RCA Records contract signing.

Ferguson was the author of two books with Jesse Burt acting as Co-Author-- "So You Want to be in Music" and "Southeastern Indians: Then and Now". "So You Want to be in Music" is a book about the music industry for aspiring songwriting and recording professionals. "Southeastern Indians: Then and Now" is a book about the Native Americans of the American Deep South covering the Choctaw, Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole tribes. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States The Deep South is a descriptive category of cultural and geographic subregions in the American South. The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States ( Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana) The Cherokee (ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ a-ni-yv-wi-ya, in the Cherokee language) are a people native to North America, who at the time of European contact The Chickasaw' are Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States (Mississippi Alabama Tennessee The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida and now residing in Florida and Oklahoma.

Anthropology

While working at RCA, he secured his Master's Degree in Anthropology from Vanderbilt University. Anthropology (/ˌænθɹəˈpɒlədʒi/ from Greek grc ἄνθρωπος anthrōpos, "human" -λογία -logia) is the study of Vanderbilt University is a private, Nonsectarian, Coeducational Research University in Nashville, Tennessee, He served as volunteer Project Director and President of Southeastern Indian Antiquities Survey and in that role oversaw the recovery and preservation of remains and artifacts unearthed during construction in the Nashville area. One startling discovery was the first remains of a saber-toothed tiger found east of the Mississippi River during construction of the First American Bank building in downtown Nashville. The terms saber-toothed cat, sabertooth, and saber-toothed tiger describe numerous species mainly in the families Felidae (subfamily Machairodontinae On September 25, 1997, twenty-six years after the find, the newly found hockey team, the Nashville Predators, presented the head of a saber-toothed tiger as their logo. The Nashville Predators are a professional Ice hockey team based in Nashville Tennessee.

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

After his retirement from RCA, Ferguson served as Historian and Audio-Visual Producer for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. See also Choctaw The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is a Native American tribe composed of Choctaws. In that role, he also helped develop the Museum of the Southern Indian (Choctaw Museum) in 1981. In 1983, he created the foundation for Choctaw Video Productions and created numerous tribal productions. In 1987, he established WHTV as local cable service for Pearl River/Philadelphia (MS). He retired from that position in 1998 and was awarded Tribal Historian Emeritus. He also established the tribe's organic gardening program. Ferguson was the recipient of many awards and recognitions during his multiple careers. He was also a member of Mensa, the high I. Mensa is the largest oldest and most famous high-IQ society in the world Q. society.

Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson Sr. died Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 1:05 a. m. in the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Cause of death is attributed to Cancer. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled He is buried at Phillip's Cemetery in rural Neshoba County near Philadelphia, MS. Neshoba County is a County located in the US state of Mississippi. Philadelphia is the County seat of Neshoba County, Mississippi, United States. He was 73.

Albums Produced

Just Between You And Me - Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton

Jolene (album) - Dolly Parton

The Open Mind of John D. Just Between You and Me was Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton 's first duet album released in late 1967 shortly after Parton joined Wagoner's band and Jolene is a 1974 Dolly Parton Album, produced by Bob Ferguson. Loudermilk - John D. Loudermilk

My Favorite Songwriter: Porter Wagoner - Porter Wagoner

Coast Country - George Hamilton IV

Jerry Reed explores guitar country - Jerry Reed

Notes

External links

• CMT's webpage on Bob Ferguson
• CMA's database entry on the Carroll County Accident
• Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Press Release on Bob Ferguson
• Clarionledger News Article
• Essay on the Carroll County Accident
• Wings of a Dove lyrics
• Reported Anna Nicole Smiths Favorite Song Wings of a Dove
• Wings of a Dove at Smiths Funeral
• About the song Coat of Many Colors produced by Bob Ferguson
• Vernon Oxford remarks about Bob Ferguson
• Postings about Bob Ferguson