Billy Henson and The Nuggets Born:  December 12, 1937 WGNS Murfreesboro, TN WMTS Murfreesboro, TN

About The Artist He was born William Donald Henson in Murfreesboro, Tennessee but country music fans knew him as Billy Henson. His parents gave him a six dollar guitar when he turned 13. He learned how to play the guitar from a neighbor's wife. He practiced to the point where he would even sing in front of a mirror to practice not only singing, but looking at his poise and presentation to the audience he envisioned being in front of him. During those early teen years, he would enter various talent shows around his home and won a few times, winning prizes ranging from a free supper to hog feed. When he was just a junior in high school, he was appearing with Goober and the Kentuckians over WSIX-TV in Nashville. He finished high school, then took a year of study in college, taking courses in business and accounting. Billy was a bit of a song writer and had songs recorded by such artists as Dolores Smiley, Pete Drake and Ernest Tubb. His first recording contract was with the Nugget Records label (a label owned by the country comedy duo, Lonzo and Oscar) in 1963. His first release with them was "Caution Heart" b/w "Troubles, Trials, Tribulations". His fan club president at one time was Dee Mackelberg over in Salem, Oregon. He later signed a songwriters contract with the Sure Fire Music publishing company, that was owned by the Wilburn Brothers. The Wil-Helm agency was managing his career for a time in the 1960s as well. Credits & Sources Unknown James O'Gwynn Fan Club Journal; Undated Country & Western Jamboree; 1958; Spring Yearbook; Maher Publications, Inc.; Chicago, IL Hoedown; Vol. 1 No. 1; May 1966; Heather Publications, Inc.; Denver, CO Country Music Life; March 1966; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA Country Music Life; May 1968; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA

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Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   Nugget Rec. No. Side Song Title   207 A Caution Heart   207 B Troubles, Trials, Tribulations   216 A Mr. Blues   216 B No One But Me