Claude King and His Enduring Hit “Wolverton Mountain”

Claude King was a singer, songwriter, and occasional actor whose voice helped define the Nashville sound of the early 1960s. Best known for his million-selling hit “Wolverton Mountain,” King blended traditional country themes with pop-friendly production. Though often remembered for one standout single, his career spanned decades and produced a catalog of respected country recordings.

Starting as a sports hopeful with a love for music, King eventually found himself performing alongside legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. His contributions to country music were honored in later life, including the declaration of an official “Wolverton Mountain Day” in Arkansas.

Full Name	Claude King
Date of Birth	February 5, 1923
Place of Birth	Keithville, Louisiana, USA
Date of Death	March 7, 2013 (aged 90)
Genres	Country, Nashville Sound
Primary Instruments	Vocals, Guitar
Breakthrough Hit	“Wolverton Mountain” (1962)
Label	Columbia Records, Sun Records
Other Notable Hits	“The Burning of Atlanta”, “Tiger Woman”, “Big River, Big Man”
Honors	Wolverton Mountain Day (Arkansas), Greater Shreveport Walk of Stars
Years Active	1945–2013

Early Life and Musical Roots

Claude King was born on February 5, 1923, in Keithville, Louisiana, just south of Shreveport. He began learning guitar at the age of 12, but during his youth, sports took center stage. His athletic talent earned him a baseball scholarship to the University of Idaho.

During World War II, King served in the United States Navy. After the war, he returned home and began focusing more on music. He joined with friends Buddy Attaway and Tillman Franks to form a group called The Rainbow Boys, playing local clubs in Shreveport during their free time.

At this point, King also became a regular performer on the Louisiana Hayride, a live radio and television country music show. The program launched the careers of several stars, including Elvis Presley, Kitty Wells, and Johnny Cash, all of whom King shared the stage with.

Early Career and First Hits

King’s first recordings came with Gotham Records, but they failed to attract attention. However, in 1961, he signed with Columbia Records in Tennessee, a move that proved pivotal.

His first hit came with “Big River, Big Man,” which reached #7 on the country chart and #82 on the pop chart. He followed it with “The Comancheros,” a song inspired by the John Wayne film of the same name. This single also charted well on both country and pop charts.

“Wolverton Mountain” and Major Success

 

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In 1962, King released “Wolverton Mountain,” written by Merle Kilgore, a fellow country artist. The song tells the story of Clifton Clowers, a real-life mountain man in Arkansas who protected his daughter from would-be suitors. With its vivid storytelling and catchy melody, the song resonated widely.

• #1 on the Billboard Country Chart

• #6 on the Billboard Hot 100

• Sold over one million copies

• Certified Gold

“Wolverton Mountain” became one of the biggest country-pop crossover hits of the early ’60s. It earned King widespread fame and airplay. The real Clifton Clowers, who was Kilgore’s uncle, received fan mail and even public attention after the song’s success.

Continued Success in the 1960s

Following “Wolverton Mountain,” King released “The Burning of Atlanta,” a Civil War-themed song that reached #10 on the country chart and #20 on the pop chart.

Although he never again matched the massive success of “Wolverton Mountain,” King consistently charted throughout the 1960s:

• “Sheepskin Valley” – #12 Country (1963)

• “Building a Bridge” – #12 Country (1963)

• “Hey Lucille” – #13 Country (1964)

• “Sam Hill” – #11 Country (1964)

• “Tiger Woman” – #6 Country (1965)

• “All for the Love of a Girl” – #9 Country (1969)

Most of these tracks were co-written or produced with Merle Kilgore, continuing their productive creative partnership.

Later Career and Final Recordings

After 11 years with Columbia, King left the label in 1973. His last charting single was “Cotton Dan” in 1977. Though no longer on the charts, he continued recording and performing.

In 2003, he released an album titled “Cowboy in the White House” on Sun Records, featuring guitar work by James Burton, known for playing with Elvis Presley.

He also made occasional acting appearances, though never pursued a full-time film career.

Honors and Legacy

In 1981, Arkansas Governor Frank D. White declared August 7 as Wolverton Mountain Day in honor of the song’s cultural significance and its depiction of regional folklore.

In 2011, KWKH radio personality Danny Fox named King as one of the “Five Living Legends of Shreveport,” alongside Hank Williams Jr., Bob Griffin, Frank Page, and James Burton.

He was also inducted into the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Walk of Stars, a recognition of his contributions to the local and national music scenes.

Death

 

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Claude King passed away on March 7, 2013, at his home in Shreveport, Louisiana, just a month after turning 90. He left behind a legacy of heartfelt storytelling, regional pride, and genre-defining country music.

Selected Discography (Charting Singles)