For the Before
By Ashley Johnson
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Ray
Photography by Paul Bryan
became a household name in country music, he wanted to be a veterinarian. Higher education was something he had always aspired to; two generations of his family had already received college degrees, many from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He planned to follow in their footsteps.
In 1943, Price did just that when he
enrolled at the North Texas Agricultural College, now known as the University of Texas-Arlington. When World War II broke out however, he was called to leave school and serve in the Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Life changed quickly for Price when he
returned. He began singing at local night clubs before joining Abilene’s KRBC “Hillbilly Circus” and appearing on Dallas’ “Big D Jamboree” in 1949 where a music representative heard him sing and pitched his talents to Columbia Records executive Don Law. Price was signed on March 15, 1951. Later that year, Price appeared on the Grand Ole Opry’s “Friday Night Frolics” radio show where he met Hank Williams.
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Texas A&M University–Commerce ~ Pride Magazine