Wilma Burgess

Infobox musical artist
Name = Wilma Burgess


Img_capt =
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Wilma Charlene Burgess
Born = birth date|1939|6|11|mf=y
Died = death date|2003|8|26|mf=y
Origin = Orlando, Florida, USA
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = Country
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1966–2003
Label = Decca, RCA, Shannon
Associated_acts = Jody Miller, Eddy Arnold
URL = [http://www.geocities.com/wilmaburgessmusic/ Wilma Burgess Home Page]

Wilma Burgess (born Wilma Charlene Burgess June 11, 1939 - August 26, 2003) was an American Country Music singer. She charted six singles on the "Billboard" country charts in the 1960s and 1970s.

Early Life & Rise to Success

Wilma Burgess was born in Orlando, Florida in 1939. After graduating from high school, she attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida and at this point had no intentions of becoming a singer or going into the music business. She was soon in wanting of getting a musical career started but, only in Pop Music. Everything changed however, after Burgess attended an Eddy Arnold (he in fact had his own success with one of Burgess' songs, "Misty Blue" later on in his career), and soon decided she'd try to become a Country Music singer. After Burgess graduated college in 1960, her friend persuaded her to go up to Nashville and record some demo tapes. Legendary producer Owen Bradley, loved Burgess' voice and soon signed her on to his label Decca Records. Bradley had been the same producer who produced the likes of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. Burgess recorded numerous songs in the 60s during this time and soon she would have hits on her hands.

Recording career

By 1966, Burgess finally struck gold with a big hit entitled "Misty Blue". The song, written by Bobby Montgomery, was originally for Ella Fitzgerald, and was a big Jazz hit for her. Eddy Arnold made the song one of his biggest hits in the 60s and it even had minor crossover success for him as well. Wilma recorded the Country Music version of the song and it became one of her biggest hits and is today one of her signature tunes. The song however, was not Burgess' only hit. That same year, Wilma had two other hits. One of them was the Top Twenty hit "Don't Touch Me". The best known version of the song was by Jeannie Seely, but Burgess made the song a hit also. Another song released that year, "Baby" was also a hit for Wilma, reaching the Country Top Ten that year, becoming her second Top Ten Country hit. She also had two other Top Tens with the songs "Tear Time" and "Parting Is Such Great Sorrow". In 1965 also, Burgess was nominated for a Grammy award for "Best New Country & Western Artist". However, Burgess did not win, Jody Miller won. After the death of Country singer Patsy Cline, Wilma bought Cline's home from Cline's husband, Charlie Dick. Her success slowly faded away, and by 1973, Burgess left Decca for Shannon Records.

Later in the decade, Wilma recorded for RCA Records. Her last chart hit came in 1975, after having only minor hits on the Country Music charts. Burgess remained with RCA up until 1978. Her last recorded album was the 1982 album "Could I Have This Dance". Soon after hearing about rumors about herself, Burgess left the music business for good.

Death & Legacy

Wilma died unexpectedly Monday, August 26th, 2003 at 4:05 a.m. at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, after suffering a massive heart attack. She was 64, and had been hospitalized for a week for tests, and had seemed to be on the road to recovery. [ [http://www.geocities.com/wilmaburgessmusic/ Wilma Burgess at Geocities.com] ] Many people have claimed over the years, especially after the death of Burgess that Wilma Burgess was one of the most underrated female vocalists in Country Music and never received enough credit for her work in music.

Discography

elected Singles

elected Albums

References

External links

* [http://wilmaburgess.bravehost.com/index.html Wilma Burgess Home Page]