Biography
Stanley Edward Hitchcock came into the world on 21 March 1936 in Pleasant Hope, near Kansas City, Missouri. Four years afterward his family settled on a farm outside Springfield, where he learned guitar during childhood and made his debut on a local talent program in 1948. Throughout his teenage years he appeared frequently on KWTO and WTTS in Springfield. Following the completion of his schooling he joined the US Navy, assembling a country ensemble that performed aboard ship and in the various ports the vessel reached, among them Japan. Four years later, upon his discharge, Hitchcock became active with the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, an outfit devoted to aiding neglected and homeless children, and he broadcast gospel selections over multiple radio outlets to generate support for the cause. His initial sessions took place in 1961 under Don Law for Columbia Records, yet chart success remained elusive until 1967, when the Epic label issued his first entries, “She’s Looking Good” and “Rings,” making him apparently the earliest country artist to record for that company. Two additional modest successes preceded the Top 17 placement of his biggest single, “Honey I’m Home,” in 1969. After “Call Me Gone” the following year he departed for GRT, where only a pair of Top 60 records materialized, before notching three minor hits on Cinnamon in 1973 and 1974. A further label change in 1978 brought him to MMI, which released “Falling,” peaking at number 100, and the duet with Sue Richards titled “Finders Keepers Losers Weepers,” which reached number 85. His last chart appearance arrived in 1981 with “She Sings Amazing Grace” on the Ramblin’ imprint, though he subsequently cut an album for Audiograph Alive.
Radio and television endeavors ultimately proved more rewarding than his discs. After serving as a disc jockey on KWTO and KTTS he relocated to Nashville in 1962, where he anchored the WLAC-TV morning broadcast and made guest appearances on numerous leading shows. Between 1964 and 1970 he fronted the syndicated Stan Hitchcock Show, and from 1979 to 1983 he hosted Stan Hitchcock From The Ozarks while also launching the Heart To Heart program. In 1982 he played a pivotal role in establishing CMT—originally known as CMTV—and directed its Nashville operations. Following the 1991 sale of CMT to Gaylord Entertainment, Hitchcock moved to Branson, Missouri, becoming founder, president, and chairman of the Americana Television Network, a cable outlet that aired continuous programming spanning American folk, country, gospel, bluegrass, and blues. He remains engaged in the industry, though chiefly through administrative capacities.
Radio and television endeavors ultimately proved more rewarding than his discs. After serving as a disc jockey on KWTO and KTTS he relocated to Nashville in 1962, where he anchored the WLAC-TV morning broadcast and made guest appearances on numerous leading shows. Between 1964 and 1970 he fronted the syndicated Stan Hitchcock Show, and from 1979 to 1983 he hosted Stan Hitchcock From The Ozarks while also launching the Heart To Heart program. In 1982 he played a pivotal role in establishing CMT—originally known as CMTV—and directed its Nashville operations. Following the 1991 sale of CMT to Gaylord Entertainment, Hitchcock moved to Branson, Missouri, becoming founder, president, and chairman of the Americana Television Network, a cable outlet that aired continuous programming spanning American folk, country, gospel, bluegrass, and blues. He remains engaged in the industry, though chiefly through administrative capacities.
Albums
