Celebrates 70 years in showbiz at CMA Fest
By Preshias Harris
You can often hear some artists described as ‘living legends’ and in a lot of cases that title is somewhat overstated. But there is one living legend whose description as such is indisputable: Pat Boone.
Pat’s career has been phenomenal, beginning in the early 1950s. In fact, had he retired from show business in 1960 he would still be considered an influential star: he was the second-biggest-charting artist of the 1950s (only Elvis Presley was ahead of him) and, beginning at the age of 23, he hosted the nationally-broadcast musical variety show Pat Boone Chevy Showroom on ABC-TV from 1957 to 1960. (By the way, in 1955, Elvis was the opening act for the Pat Boone show in Brooklyn, Ohio!)
He has sold more than 45 million records worldwide including 38 Top 40 hits. Over time he progressed from pop music to both Country and Gospel, finding success in those genres and attracting new generations of fans.
I met up with Pat in Nashville during the 50th Annual CMA Fest and we sat down to catch up with what’s new in his busy life. Now 89 years old, Pat shows no sign of slowing down, continuing to make personal appearances and host his SiriusXM satellite radio show. He is also a best-selling author and an entrepreneur with his own record label. We talked about his latest project, a self-penned song titled “Grits” now released as his new single.
“I ate grits this morning, for breakfast at Cracker Barrel,” Pat told me as he began to talk about his latest recording. He felt inspired to write a song about the Southern food staple because, as he said, he could happily eat grits for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When he decided to record the song, he called on some of his old (and not so old) buddies to join him in the studio.
“My record is called ‘Grits’ and Ray Stevens is on it with us, and the Gatlin Brothers, Lorrie Morgan, Debbie Allen and Roger Miller’s son Dean Miller,” he said.
When Dean Miller listened to the demo, he told Pat that it sounded like something his dad Roger could have written. “Well, how could I get a better compliment than that?” said Pat, smiling at that thought.
Pat was taken by surprise when a specific “Grits” line dance was created to go with the song and then the track began to rocket up the line dance song charts.
“And it’s going crazy on Spotify,” he told me excitedly. “So, here I am at eighty-nine, I’ve just embarked on my ninetieth year and I’ve got a country hit called ‘Grits’!”
“Grits” was produced by Jimmy Nichols and Frank Myers. Listen to “Grits” and other Pat Boone music at his record label website.
You can read more of my interview with Pat Boone at Country Music News International Magazine here. In the interview, Pat tells me the fascinating story of marrying his wife Shirley in 1953 on the very same day that he asked Shirley’s father – country artist Red Foley – for his daughter’s hand in marriage. They remained married and devoted to each other until her passing in 2019. Pat described his 65-year marriage to Shirley and the four kids they raised together as “my greatest accomplishment.”
In addition to Pat’s remarkable success in music and television, he has starred in 12 movies including such major hits as April Love and State Fair. As an author, Pat is promoting his 28th book titled “IF – The Eternal Choices We Must All Make” available at Amazon and other major retailers. He also hosts “The Pat Boone Hour” on SiriusXM satellite radio.
More about Pat Boone, his life and his incredible seventy years in show business at his official website and Facebook. #PatBoone
Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog here. @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris