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Van Howard
Country / Christian / Western Swing

"Country and Western Recording Legend Van Howard!"

MC KINNEY, Texas
United States

Profile Views:  10578




Last Login:  7/5/2008
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting Van Howard

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/vanhowardmusic  

   Van Howard: General Info
Member Since9/9/2006
Band Websitevanhoward.net
Band MembersVan Howard - lead Vocals, backup vocals, and rhythm guitar
Pete Wade - electric guitar, gut string guitar, bass guitar, and rhythm guitar
Buddy Emmons - steel guitar
Dennis Crouch - upright bass
Gene Chrisman - drums
Hargus "Pig" Robbins - piano, keys
Rodger Morris - piano, strings
Hank Singer - fiddle
Record LabelHilltop Recordings
Type of LabelIndie




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   About Van Howard
As with everybody, there have been ups and downs, but the ups far outweigh the downs. I was born and raised in Eastern New Mexico and started singing at about 7 years of age. It never entered my mind back then that music would be a large part of my life when I grew up. However, as I matured and God began to shape my life, music was becoming more interesting to me. I had brushed the dust off my Dads old guitar and began to try my luck with playing it. He and my Mom had showed me a couple of chords and I was off and running with it. I practiced almost daily and then when I had reached the age of 13, my uncle (who had a business in Clovis, New Mexico) sponsored a 15 minute radio program on KICA in Clovis each Saturday morning at 6:30 AM. Mom or Dad would get up early and drive me the 36 miles (we lived in the country) each week so I could do that program. My Dad was my biggest supporter. That radio program lasted about 2 years.

After graduating from high school and completing a year of college I went to work at a bank in Clovis. I sang at every function in that community for a couple of years (where they would let me). In 1950, one of the announcers from that station and I drove to Dallas to make a demo record in hopes that I could send it to some record company to see if they would let me record for them. While I was doing the recording, the talent scout from station KWKH and The Louisiana Hayride happened to be at the Jim Beck studio and heard me singing. (Ray Price and Lefty Frizzel were also there to do the same thing.)

Then I received a phone call from that talent scout asking if I would be interested in moving to Shreveport and join the cast at The Louisiana Hayride. The promoters of The Hayride said they would pay me $5.00 a week. The talent scout knew a Vice President at one of the banks in Shreveport and made arrangements for me to get a job there so I could pay for a place to live and eat a meal occasionally. I was off to stardom. I was in Shreveport for a couple of years and Lefty Frizzel (he had become a big name in country music) came through and was looking for a band to accompany him on a tour of the west coast. Six people from the Hayride decided we would take that tour with him. The six were: D.J. Fontana (drums), Jimmy Day (steel guitar), Chuck Wiginton (bass), Bill Peters (fiddle), Floyd Cramer (piano) and myself (rhythm guitar & vocals). Just a bunch of young folks who loved Country Music and wanted to make our place in that industry. That tour lasted six months all up the west coast. None of us had a job when that tour was finished. Fortunately for me, Ray Price (he had also become well known) was in need of a front man for his 9 piece western swing band, and he called and asked me to join him in that position. I jumped at the chance. What a pleasure that was. Ray was a member of the Grand Ole Opry cast and thus I was privileged to play on that great show also.After about a year and a half or so, Ray was practicing some songs for one of his recordings for Columbia Records and there was a song that I liked a lot.

As he would practice, I would hum some harmony with him. He liked what he heard and decided we would record it with me singing harmony. I dont think he had ever recorded a duet before, and I dont think he was real sure that this was the right thing to do. As it turned out, SWEET LITTLE MISS BLUE EYES' was a success. Then with that song opening a new fomat for Ray's music, we recorded more duets, the next one being 'CRAZY ARMS'. That one put him on the map for good. From then on for the next several years we recorded about 15 duets, most of them reaching the top 10 on the country music charts.

At the end of 1958, deciding to make a change in my lifestyle, I left Nashville and the music business, moving to Dallas. I returned to the banking industry where I remained for the next 37 years. I met my wife (Charlotte) in 1961 and we married in 1964. We now have 2 children (girls) and each daughter has 3 children of their own. They range in age from 6 to almost 23. Both daughters have wonderful God fearing husbands and live close by, so we see them often. What else could I have asked for?

In 1991 I started working for a computer software outsourcing company. Health problems forced me to retire in March 2008. I'm slowed, but not stopped. WHAT A RIDE IVE HAD ! ! !

   Van Howard's Friend Space (Top 4)
Van Howard has 220 friends.
 Ray Price 


 lauren 


 George Jones 


 Don Helms 





Van Howard's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 107 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Chip Nall & Forever Country


Is Online


Jun 27 2008 1:15 PM

Hope all is well on the homefront
Chip
Chip Nall & Forever Country


Is Online


Jun 27 2008 1:14 PM

Hope all is well on the homefront
Chip
Monte Good and the Honky-Tonk Heroes Band





Jun 24 2008 2:51 PM

Just dropping by to say howdy!

Hope you'll drop by our page and check out some new videos of our band performing live in Nashville!

Drop us a line and let us know what you think!
Bobby Tomberlin





Jun 23 2008 9:00 AM

Just a note to say I hope you're doing well...Your music is so refreshing. You would be amazed how many writers I work with admire your work...
Billy Childers





Jun 22 2008 8:26 AM

Thanks for adding me to your circle of friends!
Stop by anytime to say "hi".
Have a GREAT week.
Visit me @ www. billychilders. com

Billy


Billy%20ChildersQuantcast
John Miller and his Country Casuals





Jun 12 2008 11:29 AM

Hi Van,
Hope this message finds you well.
I just had my friend Tom Armstrong here from San Francisco and we had great fun watching those old clips of you with Ray and the Cowboys.
Truly an inspiration.
Your Scottish Buddy,
John
OKIEFAN-HAGFAN 4 LIFE





Jun 9 2008 9:10 AM

ME,PORTER WAGONER AND FREDDIE HART JUST STOPPING BY TO SAY HELLO AND "THANKS FOR KEEPING IT REAL"-CLASSIC COUNTRY!Photobucket
Buddy Dughi





May 27 2008 9:03 PM

KEEP ON SINGIN' AND PICKIN'
Darin Warner





May 17 2008 12:04 AM

Hi Van, thanks for your friendship. I hope you can drop by from time to time. I would love to hear from you.
If you would like to hear more of my music you can on cdbaby. com/darinwrner
Thanks again regards
Darin Warner
George





May 16 2008 8:05 PM

Hey Van Howard, I just bought you as my PET! Click here to find out how much I think you're $$WORTH$$!


You want to increase your friend and fan base? Here is a good place to start.

Papa g

-------------------------------
This comment was sent by your friend via the Own Your Friends! application. To block comments sent via Apps.

click here.


Michelle Rae





May 9 2008 6:39 PM

Van ... thanks for the birthday wishes .. i have been celebrating all week ... girls gotta do what a girls gotta do :) .. I hope this finds you well and happy ... take care ~ God Bless ... Michelle
Red Jenkins





Apr 28 2008 2:44 AM

Dear Van,

Thanks for all the great singing throughout
the years.

All the best

The Swede

Red jenkins
Mookie Brill





Apr 16 2008 2:52 PM

Mr. Howard,

It would appear that you've been under the weather. I hope that you are feeling better and have continued good health.
God bless!
chip





Apr 16 2008 8:12 AM

Mr. Van I hope you are feeling better.
Jason Hatchett (Music Space)





Apr 12 2008 8:06 PM

Van,I have always enjoyed your singing.Ray Price and Tony Bennett have always been my biggest influences. I can't imagain Rays Price recording without you.You are the best of the best.Thanks for helping lay the road for us to walk on.
God Bless,Jason Hatchett
♥Meghan♥





Apr 11 2008 9:58 AM

Thanks a million for the cd & the kind note! I just can't stop listening to it!!

your pal out west,

Meghan
chip





Mar 30 2008 11:37 AM

GOD..S SPEED
Tommy Collins





Mar 27 2008 9:48 PM

Hello Van:
Glad to hear that you are on the mend. Please take care and let Charlotte be your helpmate during this time in your life.
Lloyd Sr.





Mar 27 2008 5:57 PM

Photobucket
♥CountryGal♥





Mar 22 2008 12:23 AM


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS


CLICK HERE!
OKIEFAN-HAGFAN 4 LIFE





Mar 21 2008 4:42 AM

YOU TRULY ARE BLESSED!!!!!
GLAD TO HEAR YOU'RE FEELING BETTER..LOVE YA VAN AND I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS..I PROMISE!
Jordan





Mar 19 2008 8:29 PM

Get well soon Van, you are an inspiration to us all. Our prayers for you and your family.
Jordan Hendrix
EHS
OKIEFAN-HAGFAN 4 LIFE





Mar 19 2008 2:57 PM

Photobucket

WHY WORRY WHEN YOU CAN PRAY????
"
THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR"...GOD!!!

HOPE YOU'RE BACK ON YOUR FEET AND IN YOUR COWBOY BOOTS REAL SOON..OKIEFAN!!!
Jack Greene





Mar 18 2008 8:11 PM


MySpace Comments - Easter
MySpace Layouts - Easter
Free Comments & Graphics
the Barnstompers





Mar 17 2008 12:00 PM

Dear mr. Van Howard, I hope you feel better real soon. All the best, Rutger
Tommy Collins





Mar 17 2008 10:41 AM

Hello Van: I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I appreciate you so much and am glad that we are friends.

Billy
Lester Peabody





Feb 23 2008 12:19 AM

Thanks so much for adding!!
Tommy Collins





Feb 22 2008 6:44 PM

Hi Van:

I just wanted to stop by and say hello and I am hoping that all is well with you. I must say I really enjoy the harmonizing that you and Ray did on so many great songs. Now that's what I call real country music. Thanks for your contribution. Take care of yourself and I wish continued happiness for you and yours.
LeeAnn L&L Management





Feb 16 2008 12:55 PM

Jack Greene "Statue of a Fool"
..
Add to My Profile | More Videos
Terry Sumsion





Feb 9 2008 4:59 AM

Hey Van--I just love your stuff --what a voice i've been playing country music all my life we have a trio now but we still use the big band now and again and play some SWING --anyway i just wanted to say howdy-----Terry Sumsion
chip





Feb 5 2008 7:41 PM

TONY BOOTH IS GOING TO HOST THE MIDNIGHT JAMBOREE SOON. I WILL GET BACK TO YOU WITH THE DATE. THIS SHOULD BE A GOOD ONE.
CHIP NALL
Official Mascot K.T. Livernoise





Feb 2 2008 4:55 PM

Thank you for being a friend! It means so much to me.

And... thank you for all those amazing harmonies.
Summer Wages





Jan 22 2008 5:37 PM

Thanks Van!
Rick @ EMM Radio





Jan 5 2008 4:53 PM

Hello and thanks for the add!

Have a great New Year!

Rick @ EMM Radio
Emerald Mobile Music
Charlotte, NC

Visit my award-winning website at:
http://www.emeraldmobilemusic.com

For country's best music,
check out EMM Radio - online now!


Click on this link to
listen to EMM Radio now!

EMM Radio banner link




'Mission Statement': To play the best country music from the past 20-30 years and to feature the budding new country artists of today, melding the best of both worlds!



Jason





Jan 4 2008 9:40 AM

Hey did i show you this video from the other night yet?


http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=DeIPrbpB5.individual&VideoID=13082362
CherryHellKitten





Dec 31 2007 9:39 PM

Photobucket
Bobby Tomberlin





Dec 28 2007 8:49 PM

Just a note to wish you a Happy New Year!
Mookie Brill





Dec 24 2007 2:22 PM

WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
LeeAnn L&L Management





Dec 23 2007 9:59 PM


Merry CHRISTmas,
Love,
Jack & LeeAnn


MySpace Comments - Merry Christmas
MySpace Layouts - Merry Christmas
Free Comments & Graphics
CherryHellKitten





Dec 21 2007 10:40 PM

Photobucket
chip





Dec 20 2007 4:55 PM

Van I want to wish you and the family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
John Miller and his Country Casuals





Dec 20 2007 2:13 AM


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Bobby Tomberlin





Dec 9 2007 10:07 AM

Thanks for the add and for the great music! Happy Holidays!
Psycho Dave





Dec 9 2007 7:16 AM

MySpace Graphics
MySpace Stuff<div .."position:absolute;right:0px;top:0px;width:88px;height:31px;">MySpace Graphics</div>
chip





Dec 9 2007 12:39 AM

I was listening to Jack Greene on the midnight Jamboree tonight. Then I scrolled down and saw you in the archives. I am listening to you and Eddie Stubbs now and loving it.
chip





Dec 8