This week in 1950: The U.S. Commerce Dept. reported $25 billion in foreign loans and credits since the end of the war; Secretary of State Dean Acheson ordered U.S. consuls to leave mainland China; U.S. officials announced they were ready to support United Nations recognition of Spain; 1,500 were killed in Iran by devastating earthquakes; and a singer from Blue Lick, Kentucky, had his 25th hit record.
A lot of recording artists and record producers believe that the arrangement or the production on various records was the major factor in the record becoming a hit. And according to record producer Owen Bradley, Red Foley's 1950 No. 1, "Chattanoogie Shoeshine Boy" was just such a song and recording.
Owen said, "Red found that song and it was titled "Boogie Woogie Shoeshine Boy" and Red suggested we change the title to "Chattanoogie Shoeshine Boy." I worked up an arrangement with the help of our drummer, Farris Coursey - beating on his legs to sound like shining shoes - and it worked! We had a hit record sold over a million copies!"
Bradley always believed the "shoeshine sound" created by the drummer beating on his leg was a big part in the record making a hit.
Red Foley's Decca Records single "Chattanoogie Shoeshine Boy" came on the country music charts Jan. 21, 1950, made it to No. 1 and stayed there for 13 weeks.
It was his 25th charted song and was on the charts for 20 weeks.
Red Foley was born Clyde Foley in 1910. He was the featured entertainer on WLS National Barn Dance from 1930 to 1937; Renfro Valley Show from 1937 to 1939; and hosted the Ozark Jubilee on ABC-TV from 1954 to 1960. He was also a regular on the TV series "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington."
Red placed 65 songs on the country music charts between 1944 and 196, including 10 No. 1s. His 65 country hit singles also included duets with Ernest Tubb and with Kitty Wells. He also recorded with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra in the 1940's. Ten of his 65 country chart singles also placed on the pop charts.
He joined The Grand Ole Opry in 1946 and was inducted into The Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1967.
Red Foley died in 1968 at age 58.
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