He was a legend in country music and was as responsible as anyone for spreading country music into the mainstream. Billy Grammer, from Benton Illinois, died today at the age of 85.

 

Not only was he a great singer, he was also worked as a session musician in Nashville. If fact he had a flat top guitar named after him and the first model is in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In 1959 Grammer recorded his biggest hit "Gotta Travel On". It became a million seller and was a hit on the country, pop and r&b charts. Also in 1959, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

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