Elton Britt
Introduction
Elton Britt (born James Elton Baker; June 27, 1913 – June 22, 1972) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician.
Biography
Britt was born James Elton Baker on June 27, 1913 in Zack, Arkansas, near Marshall. His father was James Baker, and he had two sisters, Gretta Sanders and Druse Baker, and a brother Arl Baker.
Britt recorded over 600 sides and 60 albums for RCA and other labels in more than a 30-year span, and is best known for such hit songs (several of which he wrote or co-wrote) as "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)", "Detour", "Chime Bells", "Maybe I'll Cry Over You", "Pinto Pal", and the million-selling wartime hit "There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere". The recording had sold a million discs by 1944 and it was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.
A singer, bandleader, radio and television performer, songwriter and standard-setting yodeler, he starred in at least two films in the late 1940s, and had hit records as late as 1968 with "The Jimmie Rodgers Blues".
On June 22, 1972 Britt suffered a heart attack while driving his car and died in a McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania hospital the next day. He was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Broad Top, Pennsylvania. five days before his 59th birthday,He had at least four children (three sons and one daughter)
In popular culture
His song "Uranium Fever" is featured in the 2015 video game Fallout 4 on the in-game radio.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Yodel Songs | RCA Victor | |
| 1959 | The Wandering Cowboy | ABC | |
| 1960 | Beyond the Sunset | ||
| I Heard a Forest Praying | |||
| 1963 | The Best 1 | RCA Victor | |
| 1965 | Singing Hills | ABC | |
| 1966 | Somethin' for Everyone | 31 | |
| 1968 | The Jimmie Rodgers Blues | RCA Victor | |
| 1970 | Sings Modern Country | Certron | |
| 1972 | The Best 2 | RCA Victor | |
| 16 Great Country Performances | ABC | ||
| 1983 | Days of the Yodeling Cowboys | Cowgirlboy | |
| 1984 | More Days of the Yodeling Cowboys | ||
| 1986 | Star Spangled Stardust |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | "There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" | 7 | |
| 1945 | "I'm a Convict with Old Glory in My Heart" | 7 | |
| 1946 | "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)" | 2 | |
| "Wave to Me, My Lady" | 3 | 19 | |
| "Blueberry Lane" | 4 | ||
| "Detour" | 5 | ||
| "Blue Texas Moonlight" | 6 | ||
| "Gotta Get Together with My Gal" | 4 | ||
| 1948 | "Bells" | 6 | |
| 1949 | "Candy Kisses" | 4 | |
| 1950 | "Beyond the Sunset" | 7 | |
| "Quicksilver" | 3 | ||
| 1952 | "The Rovin' Gambler" | ||
| 1956 | "Cannonball Yodel" | - | |
| 1966 | "Homesweet Homesick Blues" | - | |
| 1968 | "The Jimmie Rodgers Blues" | 26 | |
| 1969 | "The Bitter Taste" | 71 | |