- Born
- Died
- Birth nameMerle Robert Travis
- Merle Travis was born on November 29, 1917 in Rosewood, Kentucky, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Thank You for Smoking (2005), Joe contre le volcan (1990) and Tant qu'il y aura des hommes (1953). He was married to Mary E. Johnson Edwards and Judy Hayden. He died on October 20, 1983 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, USA.
- SpousesMary E. Johnson Edwards (divorced, 1 child)Judy Hayden (divorced)
- Wrote "Sixteen Tons" and "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke (That Cigarette)."
- Famous for his "Travis Picking" style of guitar playing, which is a great accompanimental style for country, folk and ragtime music amongst other styles.
- Was a guitarist for Gene Autry (replacing Eddie Tudor who was killed in action in France during World War II).
- Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977.
- Biggest country hits were "Divorce Me C.O.D." (1946) and "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed" (1947) -- both Billboard magazine 14-week No. 1 hits.
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