Biography
The Early Years (1932 - 1956)
A native of Fort Fairfield, Maine, Dick Curless came from a musical family. His mother, Ella, played piano and organ while his father, Phil, played guitar, banjo, and harmonica; additionally, he introduced Curless to the music of Jimmie Rodgers.
His early musical influences included the likes of Gene Autry, Wilf Carter (Montana Slim), Yodeling Slim Clark, and Josh White Sr.
Curless received his first guitar at the age of 8, and it was after moving with his family to Barre, Massachusetts that he began hosting a local radio show and touring with his first band, The Trail Riders.
Curless was introduced to radio through Yodeling Slim Clark who, at the time, had a radio show featured on WARE. Clark decided to feature Curless on a Saturday program and, shortly thereafter, began mentoring him.
As a radio show host, Curless was affectionately dubbed “The Tumbleweed Kid” and his radio broadcast soared to success.
The Trail Riders
In 1950, Curless entered the recording studio for the very first time and began recording with The Trail Riders on the Standard label.
That very same year, Curless and The Trail Riders relocated to Maine where they received a midday slot at the local radio station, WABI.
Curless went on to take a deal playing rhythm guitar for Hal Lone Pine and Betty Cody on their coast-to-coast ABC network radio show.
In 1952, Curless married Pauline—the very same year that he was drafted and stationed in Korea.
The Korean War
In Korea, Curless landed a position as an announcer and host on the Armed Forces Network, also playing nightly clubs as “The Rice Paddy Ranger.”
Curless’ China Nights was a particular hit among the G.I.’s, as was his rendition of Sunny Side Of The Mountain.
Event Records and the Arthur Godfrey Show
In 1956, Curless appeared on WMTW with Roy Aldrich and the Wagonmasters. Shortly afterwards, Curless became the newest member on the roster of Al Hawkes’ Event Records.
It was at Event Records that Curless recorded his first tracks as a solo artist, including Nine Pound Hammer—which led to his winning Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.
Curless included in his Event recordings a very young Lenny Breau on guitar, son of Betty Cody and Hal Lone Pine.
A Tombstone Every Mile (1964)
In the fall of 1964, A Tombstone Every Mile was recorded in the WABI studios and released on Curless’ own label, Allagash Records.
The record was pressed at the Capitol processing plant in Philadelphia and, when the single started to receive action, the plant informed Capitol—who signed Dick to their Tower subsidiary company—and purchased the Event and Tiffany masters.
Dick then used the Dick Curless Show Band to record his first album for Tower—“Tombstone Every Mile.”
Tour with Buck Owens
After Tombstone’s release, Curless was voted the most promising new artist at the National Disc Jockey Convention in 1965—and subsequently began touring with the Buck Owens All American Show, working alongside Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens.
Duet with Kay Adams
After touring with Buck Owens, Curless recorded a duet album with Kay Adams, and eventually went on to play Carnegie Hall.
It was also during this time that Curless recorded The Baron, through which he was given his iconic moniker, “The Baron of Country Music” by Buck Owens’ and Curless’ mutual manager, Jack McFadden.
Later Years (1970-1994)
From 1970 through 1974, Curless recorded numerous traveling and trucking songs for Capitol.
After Curless decided to halt recording with Capitol Records, he went on to work for a variety of independent labels including Audem, MRC, Belmont, and Rounder.
In the early 1980s, Curless spent much of his time in Nashville while also maintaining his home in Maine and, in 1987, produced a pair of albums for Rocade in Norway. For a period of time, Curless moved from Nashville to Branson, Missouri, where he played three shows a day at the Cristy Lane Theatre.
In December of 1994, Curless recorded his final album Traveling Through on Rounder Records.
On May 25th, 1995, Curless passed away from cancer at the age of 63. Today, Curless’ music is loved and appreciated throughout the world.
Portrait of a Country Singer
Renowned music historian and author Peter Guralnick discusses the impact Dick Curless had on country music.