Gordon Edwards Burns, an Alabama TV personality nicknamed “Country Boy Eddie” who was an early supporter of Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Emmy Lou Harris and other budding country superstars, has died at age 92. His family confirmed his death but did not provide an explanation for the cause, saying only that he died “peacefully at home” in Warrior, Alabama.
Burns was the host of The Country Boy Eddie Show with Country Boy Eddie, a talent show for rising stars. The idiosyncratic Burns hosted the show from 1957 at the age of 27 until his retirement in 1993.
His family’s statement said, “He was a pioneer for both the music and television scenes in Alabama, and his contributions will live on. The Burns family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the viewers, fans, musicians and everyone else who made his life so special.”
Burns was similar to New York’s long-running Joe Franklin Show, which treated guests like superstars, even if they hadn’t received much recognition.
It helped my performance,” Burns once said. “I like people, and I like people who haven’t had a chance.”
In addition to music, Burns provided a platform for comedy, interviews, obituaries, advertisements and general folk tales, featuring a variety of locals from politicians to professional wrestlers.
According to Al.com, the morning show aired on WBRC and 100 other TV stations in the South.
No surviving details or memorial plans were available.
Author: Bruce Herring
Source: Deadline
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