20 Facts About Slim Whitman

Slim Whitman claimed he had sold in excess of 120 million records, although the recorded sales figures give 70 million, during a career that spanned over seven decades, and consisted of a prolific output of over 100 albums and around 500 recorded songs, that not only consisted of country music, but of contemporary gospel, Broadway show tunes, love songs and standards.

Slim Whitman was a self-taught left-handed guitarist, although he was right-handed.

Slim Whitman had lost almost all of the second finger on his left hand in an accident while working at a meat packing plant.

Slim Whitman worked odd jobs at a Tampa shipyard while developing a musical career, eventually performing with bands such as the Variety Rhythm Boys and the Light Crust Doughboys.

Slim Whitman was briefly nicknamed The Smiling Starduster after a stint with a group called The Stardusters.

Slim Whitman released his first single in 1948, "I'm Casting My Lasso Towards the Sky", complete with yodel.

Slim Whitman toured and sang in a variety of venues, including the radio show Louisiana Hayride.

At the time, Slim Whitman's recording efforts were yielding only minor hits in the US.

In 1976, the compilation album The Very Best of Slim Whitman was number one for six weeks, staying 17 weeks on the chart.

Slim Whitman was voted Best International Male Vocalist at The International Country Music Awards in 1976,1977,1978 and 1979.

Slim Whitman had a string of top 10 hits from the mid-1960s and into the 1970s and became known to a new generation of fans through television marketing in the 1980s.

In 2002 or 2003, Slim Whitman effectively retired from the music business to care for his ailing wife Jerry.

In 2010, after eight years in production, Slim Whitman released the album Twilight on the Trail.

Slim Whitman was 87 years old at the time of its release.

Twilight on the Trail was produced by his son Byron Slim Whitman and featured many well-known session musicians, including long-time band member Harold Bradley.

Slim Whitman was married to Alma Geraldine "Jerry" Crist for 67 years, until her death in 2009.

From 1957 until his death, Slim Whitman lived at his estate, Woodpecker Paradise, in Middleburg, Florida.

Slim Whitman was a longtime active member and deacon at Jacksonville Church of the Brethren.

Slim Whitman died of heart failure on June 19,2013, at age 90, at Orange Park Medical Center in Orange Park, Florida.

Slim Whitman is buried in the Middleburg Methodist Church Cemetery in Middleburg, Florida, next to his wife Jerry.