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Curtis Gordon (July 27, 1928 - May 2, 2004) was an American rockabilly singer known for his contributions to the genre. Influenced by artists such as Ernest Tubb, Bob Wills, and Jimmie Rodgers, Gordon won a radio talent show as a teenager, prompting him to leave high school to lead his own band, which featured fiddle player Jimmy Bryant. Although his parents insisted he return to school, he continued to perform with a band called Pee Wee Mills & the Twilight Cowboys in Gulfport, Mississippi. At the age of 21, he formed a new Western swing band and began touring the Southeast United States. Gordon served briefly in the Army during the Korean War, where he met Roger Miller, whom he later assisted in getting a recording contract. In June 1952, after being discovered at a contest in Atlanta, he signed with RCA Victor and began recording in the fall. He appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and toured with notable artists like Ernest Tubb, Elvis Presley, and Hank Snow. Although his records sold modestly and did not chart, he remained with RCA for two years before moving to Mercury Records. While at Mercury, Gordon's style evolved, influenced by the label's encouragement to record his own material and the changing musical landscape due to the rock & roll movement. His recordings from 1956 to 1957 showcased a blend of Western swing, rock and roll, and traditional country music.
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