Leroy Frank Van Dyke (born October 4, 1929) is an American country music and honky-tonk singer and guitarist, best known for his hits "The Auctioneer" (1956) and "Walk On By" (1961).
Biography
Van Dyke was born in Mora, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri, majoring in agricultural journalism, as well as being a member of FarmHouse Fraternity. He was catapulted into country music fame in 1956 with his composition "The Auctioneer", which sold over 2.5 million records. He wrote the song about the life of his cousin, National Auctioneers Association Hall of Famer Ray Sims, also a Missourian. Van Dyke had the lead role of a budding country music performer in the 1967 movie What Am I Bid? in which Sims played himself as an auctioneer.
In his 50 year-plus career, Van Dyke has recorded more than 500 songs, dozens of them making the charts. His record of "Walk On By" (1961) was named by Billboard magazine in 1994 as the biggest country single of all time, based on sales, plays, and weeks in the charts. It stayed at number one in the U.S. country chart for 19 weeks, and in all, charted for 42 weeks, reaching number five on the pop listings. It sold more than 1.5 million copies.
Other Van Dyke hits were "If a Woman Answers", "Black Cloud", "Big Man in a Big House", "Anne of a Thousand Days", "Happy to Be Unhappy", "Night People", "Be a Good Girl", "Dim Dark Corner", "Five Steps Away", "How Long Must You Keep Me a Secret", "Afraid of a Heartache", "Big Wide Wonderful World of Country Music", "Birmingham", "Just a State of Mind", "Mr. Professor", "My World Is Caving In", "The Other Boys Are Talking", "Poor Guy", "Roses from a Stranger", "Texas Tea", "Who’s Gonna Run the Truck Stop in Tuba City When I’m Gone", "Wrong Side of the Tracks", "Your Daughter Cried All Night", "Your Money", and "The Life You Offered Me".
In the UK Singles Chart Van Dyke had two hits: "Walk On By" reached number five in February 1962, and "Big Man in a Big House" made number 34 in May that year.
He was a cast member in the late 1950s on Ozark Jubilee, and was co-host, with Bill Mack, of the Southern Baptist Radio/TV Commission-produced Country Crossroads radio show for 10 years, and was joined by a third co-host Jerry Clower. It became the most widely syndicated radio show in country music history.
Van Dyke continues a performance schedule, traveling from his office/home complex on his 1,000-acre (4 km2) ranch in west-central Missouri near Sedalia. He is a member of the National Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame, is active in many music industry organizations, and as a sideline, raises premium quality Arabian mules. All aspects of Leroy Van Dyke Enterprises are managed by his wife Gladys, a former legal secretary and court reporter. Their son Ben plays lead guitar in all Van Dyke performances. Van Dyke is also a Korean War veteran.
Discography Albums Year Album Label 1962 Walk On By Mercury Movin' Van Dyke 1963 The Great Hits 1964 Songs for Mom and Dad At the Trade Winds 1965 Out of Love Wing Walk On By Mt. Dew The Leroy Van Dyke Show Warner Bros. 1966 Country Hits Movin Wing Auctioneer Dot 1967 Have a Party Mt. Dew What Am I Bid MGM 1968 Lonesome Is Kapp 1969 Greatest Hits Just a Closer Walk with Thee I've Never Been Loved Before Harmony 1972 Greatest Hits Decca 1973 Golden Hits Sun 1975 Just for You Dot 1977 Gospel Greats Plantation 1978 Rock Relics 1982 Cross Section Audiograph 1983 Audiograph Live
Singles Year Single Chart Positions Album 1956 "The Auctioneer" 9 19 single only 1961 "Walk On By" 1 5 Walk On By 1962 "If a Woman Answers (Hang Up the Phone)" 3 35 Movin' Van Dyke "Black Cloud" 16 The Great Hits 1964 "Happy to Be Unhappy" 54 singles only "Night People" 45 1965 "Anne of a Thousand Days" 40 1966 "You Couldn't Get My Love Back (if You Tried)" 120 "Roses from a Stranger" 34 I've Never Been Loved Before 1967 "I've Never Been Loved" 66 1968 "Louisville" 23 "You May Be Too Much for Memphis, Baby" 69 Lonesome Is 1969 "Crack in My World" 56 singles only 1970 "An Old Love Affair, Now Showing" 63 "Mister Professor" 71 1971 "I Get Lonely When It Rains" 62 1972 "I'd Rather Be Wantin' Love" 69 1975 "Unfaithful Fools" 79 1976 "Who's Gonna Run the Truck Stop inTuba City When I'm Gone?" 75 1977 "Texas Tea" 77
Awards In 1967, Leroy Van Dyke was awarded the Founding President's Award (formerly Connie B. Gay Award) from the Country Music Association.Founding President's Award (formerly Connie B. Gay Award) CMAWorld.com
References
External links
[ Allmusic.com] Dauphin, Chuck. Leroy Van Dyke Opens-Up on His Career, Doubters & the Road Ahead Billboard, February 16, 2015.