Ray Drusky, 74; Songwriter Sang at the Grand Ole Opry
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Ray Drusky, 74, a country music singer and songwriter who was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 46 years, died of complications from emphysema Thursday at a nursing home in Portland, Tenn.
Born in Atlanta, Drusky attended the University of Georgia and then enlisted in the Navy. A country band on his ship inspired an interest in music, and he soon bought a guitar and taught himself to play.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Sept. 30, 2004 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday September 30, 2004 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 22 words Type of Material: Correction
Drusky obituary -- The obituary in Wednesday’s California section of country music singer and songwriter Roy Drusky misidentified him as Ray Drusky.
In 1950, after completing his Navy service, he enrolled at Emory University to study veterinary medicine. But he formed a country band to pay his way through school, and eventually dropped out for a job as a disc jockey in Minneapolis and a career in music.
Drusky recorded more than 50 albums and had 10 No. 1 country hits, including “Yes, Mr. Peters” in 1965. Among his other notable songs were “White Lightnin’ Express,” “Where the Blue and Lovely Go,” “Long Long Texas Road” and “Peel Me a Nanner.”
Faron Young’s version of Drusky’s song “Alone With You” became the No. 1 U.S. country hit in 1958. Drusky’s last Opry performance was in June 2003.
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