Artist Biography
b. 30 December 1927, Willow Springs, Missouri, USA, d. 22 July 2001, Jackson, Mississippi, USA. Working in country music for many years Ferguson was known as a performer and, most notably, as a songwriter. He recorded several solo sides for Challenge Records and Columbia Records, and also appeared with his band, the Scalawagers. He composed many of the songs in his repertoire, sometimes using the name Bob Miller. Among Ferguson’s recordings, several of which are accounts of current conditions and news items, are ‘I Wish I Was Single Again’, ‘Wild Bill Jones’, ‘Railroad Daddy’, ‘Thrills That I Can’t Forget’, ‘Eleven Cent Cotton, Forty Cent Meat’, ‘Anna May’, ‘Clover Blossoms’, ‘Keep On Keeping On’, ‘The Carroll County Accident’, ‘The Farmer’s Letter To The President’, ‘They’re Hanging Old Jonesy Tomorrow’, ‘Prisoner’s Letter To The Governor’, ‘The Little Red Caboose Behind The Train’, ‘Bank Failures’, ‘Wild And Reckless Hobo’, ‘The Crime Of Harry Powers’, ‘What Does The Deep Sea Say?’, ‘Death Of Jack Legs Diamond’, ‘The Unmarked Grave’, ‘Dry Votin’ Wet Drinkers’, ‘Fifty Years Repentin’’ and ‘There’s A New Star Up In Heaven (Baby Lindy Is Up There)’. Ferguson also recorded with Charlotte Miller, ‘Corn Pone And Pot Likker’, and Shelby Singers, ‘Nobody To Love’ and ‘The Voice In The Old Village Choir’. Of all his songs, perhaps the best known is ‘Wings Of A Dove’, which was a big hit for Ferlin Husky.
In later years, Ferguson became a much-respected A&R man and producer working for several companies, including RCA Records. Artists with whom he worked in these capacities include Chet Atkins, Jim Ed Brown, Archie Campbell, Glen Campbell, Patsy Cline, Danny Davis And The Nashville Brass, George Hamilton IV, Vernon Oxford, Dolly Parton, Connie Smith and Porter Wagoner.
Hometown
Willow Springs, MO, United States
Genre
Pop