Chuck Mayfield Born:  December 23, 1934 Arizona Hayride KWKH Louisiana Hayride KCKY Coolidge, AZ KRUX Glendale, AZ KWKH Shreveport, LA

Chuck Mayfield was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1934. Around 1947 or so, the family moved to Eloy, Arizona. They said he was quite talented at an early age, having played and had been singing he was a young boy of twelve years old. He kept at it but it wasn't until about 1952 or 1953 that he began singing professionally. He signed a recording contract with Starday records in 1952 (two articles we found published in 1955 and 1956 indicate he signed with Starday 'last year'). He also recorded for the Abbott and Dot record labels. Chuck's singing talents earned him guest spots on some of the great live radio shows of the era such as the KWKH Louisiana Hayride, bradocasting out of Shreveport, Louisiana; the WFAA Saturday Night Shindig that aired out of Fort Worth, Texas; and finally, the KNUZ Houston Jamboree that entertained fans in Houston, Texas. One highlight of his career includes playing the reknowned New York City venue, Madison Square Garden, in 1956. Earlier in his career, he won a popularity contest in Arizona. In 1956, Chuck was doing shows over KCKY out of Coolidge, Arizona, a town a bit southeast of Phoenix. Chuck told us they were featuring his tunes during fifteen-minute shows at that time. "The Eloy Flash" as his fans called him, did a weekly television show with Ray Odom and the Sunset Riders. He also appeared every Saturday night on the Arizona Hayride that aired over KRUX that broadcast from Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Somewhere along the way, his talents got noticed by the folks at the KWKH Louisiana Hayride that was broadcasting from Shreveport, Louisiana. Chuck says he joined the Hayride in early 1959 and did numerous personal appearances with such legends as Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves and Red Sovine. A couple of his Starday recordings the articles mention were: "Hog Slopping Time" b/w "Are you Trying To Tell Me Goodbye". It was our good fortune to make contact with Chuck. As you listen to a clip of "Who's The Biggest Fool", a bit of a ballad, you might find yourself listening to some familiar musicians backing Chuck on that tune. I asked Chuck who they were. The tinkling piano playing might sound like Floyd Cramer to you, but Chuck says it was a blind piano player who "...could play like Floyd when he wanted to." It sounds liek that could have been Hargus (Pig) Robbins. Playing the steel guitar was the legendary Jerry Byrd. And doing the background vocal work were the Glaser Brothers. You might want to know who wrote the song, too - Country Music Hall of Famer, Bill Anderson. Chuck still makes occasional personal appearances. In March of 2005, he appeared with The Hortons, who are led by Tommy Horton, Johnny Horton's son in Lovelady, Texas. Credits & Sources Country Song Roundup No. 37; March 1955; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT Cowboy Songs No. 47; July 1956; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT Related Web Links   Welcome To Chuck's Country Music Sound Sample—(RealAudio Format) Who's The Biggest Fool Sound Sample—(RealAudio Format) Are You Trying To Tell Me Goodbye Get The Music

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Recordings

Abbott Rec. No. Side Song Title   191 A My Heart Turned Gypsy   191 B Four Aces High   Dot Rec. No. Side Song Title   15549 A My Heart Turned Gypsy   15549 B Four Aces High   Starday Rec. No. Side Song Title   140 A Washing On The Line   140 B Face In The Clouds   161 A Lucky Me   161 B Helpless Hands   184 A Trinidaddy   184 B Tell Me Sweet   211 A Hog Slopping Time In The Hollow   211 B Are You Trying To Tell Me Goodbye   45-140 A Lucky Me   45-140 B Washing On The Line

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