Anecdotes

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6675 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Recorded a string of country comedy singles under the alias Simon Crum; the biggest of those was 1959's "Country Music is Here to Stay" (No. 2 for three weeks).

His 10-week No. 1 smash, "Wings of a Dove," was one of just five No. 1 country singles during 1960, according to Billboard magazine. His other No. 1 hit, "Gone" (also a 10-week No. 1 hit), was Billboard's No. 1 country song of 1957.

Recorded with legendary Nashville guitarist Hank Garland on his hit "Gone".

His mother named him "Furland", but his name was misspelled on his birth certificate.

(1996-) Performed at Boxcar Willie's theater in Branson, Missouri, where he held morning shows throughout the week.