Introduction
Gus Hardin (born Carolyn Ann Blankenship; April 9, 1945 - February 17, 1996) was a country music singer.
Career
Hardin was born in 1945 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her rise to country music popularity began in 1983 with her first RCA Nashville single, the top 10 hit "After The Last Goodbye." Other hits, such as "Fallen Angel," "I Pass," "Lovin' You Hurts" and "If I Didn't Love You" soon followed, as well as "All Tangled Up in Love," a duet with Earl Thomas Conley. She recorded and released "One of the Boys" and "Mama Knows" by songwriter Kevin Weyl, and "Tornado" by Kevin Weyl and Steve Robertson which is featured in the sound track of the Kevin Pollack film "Deterrence."
Hardin married keyboard player Steve Hardin, who was a member of the group Point Blank, and after their divorce kept his last name. Garth Brooks' sister, Betsy Smittle, was one of Gus's band members and did background vocals on Gus's album "I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can."
Death
On February 17, 1996, Hardin died in a car accident on Highway 20 west of Salina, Oklahoma near her home in the Lake Hudson area. Memorial services were held in Oklahoma and Nashville, Tennessee. Gus Hardin is survived by her daughter Toni Jones of Sapulpa, Oklahoma and granddaughter Chelsea Johnson also of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | US Country | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Gus Hardin (EP) | 31 | RCA |
| 1984 | Fallen Angel | 63 | |
| 1985 | Wall of Tears | 64 | |
| 2001 | I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can | — | Rainy Day |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | CAN Country | |||
| 1983 | "After the Last Goodbye" | 10 | — | Gus Hardin |
| "If I Didn't Love You" | 26 | — | ||
| "Loving You Hurts" | 32 | — | ||
| "Fallen Angel (Flying High Tonight)" | 41 | — | Fallen Angel | |
| 1984 | "I Pass" | 43 | — | |
| "How Are You Spending My Nights" | 52 | — | ||
| "All Tangled Up in Love" (with Earl Thomas Conley) | 8 | 8 | Wall of Tears | |
| 1985 | "My Mind Is On You" | 79 | — | |
| "Just as Long as I Have You" (with Dave Loggins) | 72 | 52 | DueTs RCA CPL1-7130 | |
| 1986 | "What We Gonna Do" | 73 | — | Wall of Tears |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "I Pass" |
Awards
‹See Tfd›
Top New Female Vocalist -1984 Academy of Country Music
New Country Artist -1983 Billboard -1983 Cashbox
The Oklahoma Award -1983 Oklahoma Awards Assoc.
Nominations
‹See Tfd›
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A DUET "All Tangled Up In Love" with Earl Thomas Conley 1985 Country Music Assoc. 1985 Academy of Country Music 1985 Music City News
FAVORITE COUNTRY MUSIC FEMALE VOCALIST VIDEO "I Pass" 1985 American Music Awards
THE HORIZONS AWARD 1985 Music City News