Johnny Horton: The Man Behind the Music

The Singing Fisherman

Ask almost anyone and they know the refrain to the song "Battle of New Orleans". Most even know that Johnny Horton had an incredible hit with the song and some may recall that it was THE song during the summer of 1959. Only a few will know that Johnny Horton died the following year at the age of thirty-five or that he had many other hits to his credit.

His music has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past decade as "new" versions of rockabilly surface. Covers of his hits have charted performed by BR549, Dwight Yoakum, and many others.

The man behind the music, however, is the real story. Born in Los Angeles on April 30, 1925, Horton was the sole member of his family who was not born in Texas.

Although at the time of his birth, his father (John Horton) was working in construction, his family would follow the crops from California back to Texas for most of his childhood.

When they were at home in the Lone Star state, the Hortons lived in East Texas. Residents of the cities of Rusk, Jacksonville, Gallatin, and Maydelle may remember the family well.

Horton graduated from Gallatin High School in 1944 but was ineligble to serve in World War II because of a perforated ear drum. He attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, TX on a basketball scholarship but he left during his first year.

He packed his bags and headed to the sunny California of his birth where he spent several years in many jobs. He worked as an extra in the Gary Cooper film "Distant Drums" and in studio mail rooms. With brother Frank he migrated to Seattle and then alone into Alaska. Although he attended three different colleges, Horton never stayed long enough to earn a degree.

He wed Donna Cook of Los Angeles before returning to Texas with his bride. Soon after his return, his sister dared him to perform in a contest at the Reo Palm Isle Club and he won. In a short time, he and his wife moved to Shreveport where he began appearing on the Louisiana Hayride. His wife returned to her native California and they were divorced.