George Hamilton IV (born July 19, 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is an American country musician, known across the world for singles like "Before This Day Ends" and "Abilene". He began performing in the late 1950s as a teen idol, only later switching to pop-country, then folk music.

At age 19, George had a big pop hit in 1956 with ?A Rose And A Baby Ruth" on Colonial Records, climbing to No. 6 on the pop charts. Although it found general popularity, he was essentially a country singer (note the flip side, "If You Don't Know," with a distinctly country sound). His lifelong ambition had been to be on the Grand Ole Opry. Soon after his win on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" and subsequent week on "Arthur Godfey and His Friends", he achieved this goal and stayed for many years.

His breakthrough hit was 1961's "Before This Day Ends." His biggest hit came two years later with "Abilene," a four-week No. 1 hit on Billboard magazine's country singles chart. He followed up his latest success with "Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston" (a Top 5 hit in late 1964).

By the mid-1960s, Hamilton's music began showing a decidedly folk influence. The fans sure liked it, especially with 1966's "Steel Rail Blues" and "Early Morning Rain"; and 1967's "Urge For Going." Another 1967 hit was "Break My Mind." One more George Hamilton IV song of this genre was a moderate hit in 1969 - the Ray Griff-penned "Canadian Pacific." His last Top 5 single came in 1970, with "She's a Little Bit Country."

After his American chart success declined in the early 1970s, Hamilton began touring the world, across the Soviet Union, Australia, the Middle East and East Asia. For this, he became known as the International Ambassador of Country Music.

Hamilton is not related to actor George Hamilton, who appeared in a number of movies, including The Evil Knievel Story.http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Profiles/People_Profile/0,2540,61,00.html

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George Hamilton IV