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Buddy Thompson is a former RCA Recording Artist and was the first artist to record "Sweet Dreams". It went number one and was later recorded by Faron Young and of course Patsy Cline.

Born January 31, 1933 in Morehead KY
Raised primarly in Tampa, Florida
Military in the Korean Conflict / Air Force.

1955: Went to Nashville and signed a RCA Victor contract spearheaded by Jim Denny at WSM Grand Ole Opry and Webb Pierce. Signed contract with Chet Atkins with RCA Victor (A&R man for the label)

Appeared at the Grand Ole Opry numereous times over a year and was invited to the Tennessee Barn Dance in Knoxville, TN as a member. Met and worked with Don Gibson (Country Music Hall of Fame) who wrote him 3 songs that gave Buddy strong recognition in the country music field including Buddy's first chart number "Sweet Dreams" later recorded by Faron Young and made famous by Patsy Cline.

Buddy and his manager Buck Peddy listened to a young artist and songwriter in Tampa, FL and took him to Nashville during a disc jockey convention. With the assistance of Tillman Franks, the new artist/songwriter signed a 7 year contract with Columbia Records. That new Artist/Songwriter was Mel Tillis.

Later Buddy was invited to the Louisiana Hayride as a member where he worked with artists including Elvis Presley, George Jones, Johnny Horton, David Houston and was there 2 years. When his RCA contract expired he was solicited by Atco Records who was strong in the rock music field. He went to New Orleans to perform his first rock numbers using some of the members of Fats Domino's band.

After he signed and recorded a few songs, he went to New York. His contract was bought out by Hal Webman with Greenwich Records. He later returned to Nashville in 1959 where he was asked to go to California with other musicians, and performed in night clubs doing Country music where he was the first artist on the Foothill Label.

He left the business in 1963 and now resides in Dade City, FL at Darby north of Tampa. He continues to perform in the Tampa area and is now putting together a CD of his 1950's and 60's country numbers he recorded which will soon be available.





Buddy Thompson Links

http://www.hillbilly-music.com/artists/story/index.php?id=11259

http://www.rockabillyhall.com/TRAB.html

http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/artists/t/thom5000.htm

http://www.cryptophonics.com/rt78w/plist05/073105.htm
(This one has his "Sweet Dreams" version played on a Radio Show). When you get to the link and the 'YELLOW' page opens up, look at Track 4 near the top. Then look to the right and see "Hour 1 MP3" click there and the Radio Show from Boulder will begin - the time counter will be at 13:19 when his cut starts to play.

http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/pics/d04/4205.htm
(Shows the Label for the RCA 45 "Sweet Dreams" by Buddy Thompson

http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/pics/d04/4206.htm
(Another label shot of Atco Records)

http://www.hillbilly-music.com/artists/story/index.php?id=11259


Page posted April, 2007

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