Introduction
David Houston (born Charles David Houston in 1935 – died in 1993) was an American country singer-songwriter who enjoyed popularity in the mid-60s music era up to the early 70s. His biggest in his career was 1966’s “Almost Persuaded” (which is not a cover of the Philip Paul Bliss number of the same title), which also broke into the Top 40 pop chart. The Louisiana-born Houston’s rise to stardom happened in 1963 with his first big country hit “Mountain Of Love” (which is a different song and not the Dorman-Rivers-Pride composition). Houston would churn out other major country hits like “Livin’ in a House Full of Love,” “A Loser’s Cathedral,” “With One Exception,” “You Mean The World To Me,” “Already It’s Heaven,” “Where Love Used To Be,” “Have A Little Faith,” “I’m Down To My Last I Love,” “My Woman’s Good To Me,” “Baby, Baby (I Know You’re A Lady),” “I Do My Swinging At Home,” “Wonders Of The Wine,” “A Woman Always Knows,” “Maiden’s Prayer,” “Nashville,” “Soft, Sweet and Warm,” “Good Things,” “She’s All Woman,” and his last Top 10 single “Can’t You Feel It,” among other charting hits particularly in the country department. They have become oldies music classics as well as country music classics. Houston achieved a total of six country #1 singles. In 1967 Houston won two Grammys for his record “Almost Persuaded.” He also duetted with Tammy Wynette in 1967’s “My Elusive Dreams” and with Barbara Mandell in some of her early singles. Houston’s last charting single was 1989’s “A Penny for Your Thoughts Tonight Virginia.” At age 57, Houston died in his birthplace of Bossier City in Louisiana, from brain aneurysm.
David Houston’s early life and family
David Houston is best remembered by his 1966 breakthrough hit “Almost Persuaded.” He was born Charles David Houston on December 9, 1935 in Bossier City, Louisiana. Houston’s lineage included Sam Houston and General Robert E. Lee, two of the prominent figures in US history. His godfather was singer Steve Austin (no relation to Gene Austin), who was once popular in the 1920s
Houston at the peak of his career
Houston was one of the first artists in National Recording Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1963, he released the single “Mountain of Love,” which made him rise to national prominence. “Mountain of Love” peaked at #2 on the country singles chart. After a smattering of Top 20 country hits, he entered the country Top 10 again with “Livin’ in a House Full of Love,” which charted at #3 in 1965.
Afterwards, Houston continued to release low-charting singles but in 1966, his career picked up steam again with another song entitled “Almost Persuaded.” Not to be mistaken by the hymn of Phillip Paul Bliss of the same title, the tune peaked at #1 on the country chart that summer. The next year, Houston won two Grammy Awards for Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Male Performance for “Almost Persuaded.”
Through 1973, “Almost Persuaded” started a thread of Houston’s six number ones — “With One Exception” and “You Mean The World To Me” (1967); “Have a Little Faith” and “Already It’s Heaven” (1968); “Baby, Baby (I Know You’re a Lady)” (1970). He also had another #1 hit with 1967’s “My Elusive Dreams” where he sang with Tammy Wynette. The following years, he had a duet with Barbara Mandrell on some of his early hits, most particularly the songs “After Closing Time” (1970) and “I Love You”, I Love You.” (1974)
Later career and final years
“Can’t You Feel It” was Houston’s last entry on the Top 10 country chart, occurring in 1974. He was still active in recording throughout the 1980s.
Two weeks before his 58th birthday, Houston died in his birthplace, Bossier City, on November 30, 1993.