Curtis Potter passed away January 23, 2016 at the age of 75. Curtis was very well known in Country Music focusing his career on the great Texas Dance Hall music featuring Honky Tonk standards and Western Swing favorites.
Curtis was born in Cross Plains, Texas.Curtis, at the age of 16, was given his own radio television show on KRBC in Abilene and was part of the Bill Fox and Slim Willet shows. In 1959, Potter joined the Hank Thompson organization. Thompson was impressed with the young vocalist and invited him to front the Brazos Valley Band and play bass guitar for him. In the thirteen years that Potter was with Hank, he traveled all over the United States, Europe, the Far East and even a much sought after Carnegie Hall appearance.
Curtis’ first major hit was “You Comb Her Hair Every Morning.” That song would gather enough attention to become the catalyst of a forty year recording career. In 1973, a shuffle beat record titled “Walkin’ Talkin’ Breathin’ Case of Sorrow” was released by Curtis to great reviews. It was followed by a
Curtis Potter
Texas Dance Hall album with Darrell McCall and Ray Sanders. In 1978, Dave Franer signed Curtis to Hillside Records releasing two verysuccessful projects.
In 1984, Curtis helped to form Step One Records in Nashville. The label would become the largest independent in the world releasing projects on Gene Watson, Ray Price, Kitty Wells, Hank Thompson and Clinton Gregory. Curtis and Willie Nelson had a number one video on the label in 1995. “Turn Me Loose And Let Me Swing” was taken from the album “Six Hours At The Pedernales and teamed Curtis and Willie singing an album full of great classics and new favorites. Curtis then recorded for a couple of live projects and a “Best of” album for Southland Records before moving to Startex Records. “Walking On New Grass” was released on Startex and was produced by Jim Loessberg.