Gus Hardin

Gus Hardin (born Carolyn Ann Blankenship; April 9, 1945 – February 17, 1996) was a country music singer.

Gus Hardin
Background information
Birth nameCarolyn Ann Blankenship
Born(1945-04-09)April 9, 1945
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
DiedFebruary 17, 1996(1996-02-17) (aged 50)
Salina, Oklahoma, United States
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1983–1996
LabelsRCA Nashville
Associated actsEarl Thomas Conley
WebsiteOfficial Site

Career

Hardin was born in 1945 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her rise to country music popularity began in 1983 with her first RCA Nashville single, the top 10 hit "After The Last Goodbye." Other hits, such as "Fallen Angel," "I Pass," "Lovin' You Hurts" and "If I Didn't Love You" soon followed, as well as "All Tangled Up in Love," a duet with Earl Thomas Conley. She recorded and released "One of the Boys" and "Mama Knows" by songwriter Kevin Weyl, and "Tornado" by Kevin Weyl and Steve Robertson which is featured in the sound track of the Kevin Pollak film Deterrence.

Hardin married keyboard player Steve Hardin, who was a member of the group Point Blank, and after their divorce kept his last name. Garth Brooks' sister, Betsy Smittle, was one of Gus's band members and did background vocals on Gus's album "I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can."

Death

On February 17, 1996, Hardin died in a car accident on Highway 20 west of Salina, Oklahoma near her home in the Lake Hudson area.[1] Memorial services were held in Oklahoma and Nashville, Tennessee. Gus Hardin is survived by her daughter Toni Jones of Sapulpa, Oklahoma and granddaughter Chelsea Johnson also of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

Discography

Albums

Year Album US Country Label
1983 Gus Hardin (EP) 31 RCA
1984 Fallen Angel 63
Wall of Tears 64
2001 I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can Rainy Day

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US Country CAN Country
1983 "After the Last Goodbye" 10 Gus Hardin
"If I Didn't Love You" 26
"Loving You Hurts" 32
"Fallen Angel (Flying High Tonight)" 41 Fallen Angel
1984 "I Pass" 43
"How Are You Spending My Nights" 52
"All Tangled Up in Love" (with Earl Thomas Conley) 8 8 Wall of Tears
1985 "My Mind Is On You" 79
"Just as Long as I Have You" (with Dave Loggins) 72 52 Wall of Tears (1985 re-issue)
1986 "What We Gonna Do" 73 Wall of Tears

Music videos

Year Video Director
1984 "I Pass"

Awards

Top New Female Vocalist -1984 Academy of Country Music

New Country Artist -1983 Billboard -1983 Cashbox

The Oklahoma Award -1983 Oklahoma Awards Assoc.

Nominations

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A DUET "All Tangled Up In Love" with Earl Thomas Conley 1985 Country Music Assoc. 1985 Academy of Country Music 1985 Music City News

FAVORITE COUNTRY MUSIC FEMALE VOCALIST VIDEO "I Pass" 1985 American Music Awards

THE HORIZONS AWARD 1985 Music City News

References

  1. Singer Gus Hardin Killed in Accident. TulsaWorld.com (February 18, 1996). Retrieved on August 12, 2011.


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