Ark-La-Tex Senior Now on Walk of Stars
By: Shannon Slatton
Updated: February 9, 2007
Wolverton Mountain might be a place in Arkansas, but the singer, Claude King, always kept his heart in and around Shreveport, Louisiana. This month, he celebrates his 84th birthday, his 61st wedding anniversary with his bride, Barbara Jean, and a special induction on the walk of stars. He started on KWKH and helped launch the Louisiana Hayride with Tillman Franks and Buddy Attaway. They called themselves "The Rainbow Boys." He worked with all of the Hayride greats and toured all over the country. Claude says even though he had offers to be a cast member of the Opry, he never wanted to play Nashville politics. His career hit came in 1962 when he recorded the Merle Kilgore song, "Wolverton Mountain." Ironically, he thought the song on the other side of the album would be the one that would be a hit. Wolverton Mountain was a crossover sensation and stayed at number one for nine weeks on the country charts. But, King is also unique because he always used local talent. Claude King is a man who never forgot where he came from, and now, with his footprints cemented downtown, Shreveport will never forget him.
