Charlie Applewhite

{{Short description|American singer and radio host}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Charlie Applewhite | image = Charlie Applewhite 1954.jpg | caption = Charlie Applewhite promotional photo, 1954 | image_size = | alias = | birth_name = Charles Edwin Applewhite | birth_date = {{birth date|1932|11|25|mf=y}} | birth_place = Fort Worth, Texas, United States | death_date = {{Death date and age|2001|4|27|1932|11|25|mf=y}} | death_place = Plano, Texas, United States | origin = | instrument = | genre = Pop | occupation = Singer, businessman | years_active = 1953–1967 | label = Decca Records, MGM Records | past_member_of = Milton Berle | website = }}

'''Charlie Applewhite''' (November 25, 1932 – April 27, 2001) was an American singer and radio host. The height of his fame came as a regular on the Milton Berle show in the mid 1950s, and he became a highly-paid entertainer, performing on records, radio, and television. The advent of the Rock era and a plane crash that left him severely injured curtailed his career.

==Biography== ===Early years=== '''Charles Edwin Applewhite''' was born on November 25, 1932, in Fort Worth, Texas.<ref name=texas>{{cite book |last=Jasinski |first=Laurie E. |date=2012 |title=Handbook of Texas Music |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CE8xiT3pV6QC&q=%22Charlie+Applewhite%22&pg=PT68 |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |isbn=9780876112977}}</ref> Applewhite was taught to sing by his mother, who was part of a church choir. He began singing in local children's talent shows at age 4. Applewhite's mother began to groom her young son to become a professional singer at an early age.<ref name=mirror>{{cite journal|url=https://archive.org/stream/radiotvmi00macf#page/88/mode/2up|title=Big-Time Charlie|author=Pollock, Eleanor|journal=Radio-TV Mirror|pages=88–89|date=June 1954|publisher=Macfadden Publications|access-date=March 25, 2016}}</ref> His first professional performance occurred at the age of 10, singing in a Fort Worth movie theater.<ref name=dmn /> After young Applewhite became old enough to go into downtown Fort Worth alone, he would travel there to sing for money on street corners if his allowance had run out.<ref name=mirror/>

At R. L. Paschal High School, Applewhite learned how to read music and played trumpet in the school band.<ref name=mirror/> After his graduation, Applewhite worked for a short time in the oil fields. When he broke his arm in a work-related accident, Applewhite quit his job and went back to Fort Worth<ref name=texas /><ref name=mirror/> His first job after returning home was singing in a Dallas night club for five dollars a night. This led to a more lucrative offer from Carswell Air Force Base to entertain at their Officers Club for US$100 per week. Applewhite then received an offer to become a singing waiter at the Studio Lounge in Dallas. After working at the Studio Lounge for a time, Applewhite was offered night club engagements in Shreveport, Louisiana and Kansas City, Missouri.<ref name=mirror/>

===Young professional=== At age 21, he left Texas for New York City, attempting to make a career as a performer.<ref name=dmn /><ref name=mirror/> Applewhite closed his US$600 savings account, using the money to pay for his New York trip.<ref name=Berle>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4724199/meeting_with_berle/|title=The Marquee|author=Kleiner, Dick|work=The Morning Herald|date=March 26, 1954|page=12|access-date=March 24, 2016|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> His "big break" came of his own initiative; three days after arriving in New York and being turned down by every agent he contacted, he boldly ignored the office personnel and, unannounced, entered the office of Milton Berle and demanded that he be auditioned.<ref name=texas /><ref name=Berle/><ref>{{cite news |last=Ovington |first=Reg |date=April 25, 1954 |title=How to Break into TV at the Top |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |pages=4–5}}</ref> Berle acquiesced in thoughts of appeasing him, but was impressed to the point of signing Applewhite to a contract<ref name=dmn /> to appear regularly on Berle's show.<ref name=texas /> Before leaving Berle's office, Applewhite was also signed to a contract with Decca Records; his first appearance on Milton Berle's television show was December 1, 1953.<ref name=Berle/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4724338/first_berle_tv_appearance/|title=TV-Radio|author=Foster, Bob|work=The Times|date=December 4, 1953|page=15|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> While working on the Berle program, Applewhite was a regular cast member of ''The Morning Show'', along with female vocalist Edie Adams, while Jack Paar was the host. After Paar moved to a weekday afternoon television program at CBS, he brought Applewhite and the other cast members to the new show.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://archive.org/stream/radiot00macf#page/n231/mode/2up|title=What's New From Coast to Coast|page=8|journal=Radio-TV Mirror|date=September 1955|publisher=Mcfadden Publications|access-date=March 27, 2016}}</ref>

Applewhite was divorced from his high school sweetheart in 1956, which led to his being reclassified as 1A for service.<ref name=divorce>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4722234/divorce_leads_to_draft/|title=Singer Applewhite's Wife Wins Divorce; He Gets New Classification|date=January 13, 1956|work=Del Rio News Herald|page=1|access-date=March 24, 2016|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref>{{efn|Applewhite married his first wife November 13, 1951. At the time of the divorce, the couple had two children, Angela and Charles.<ref name=divorce/>}} He was drafted into the United States Army,<ref name=banister /> serving from 1956 until 1958.<ref name=dmn /> At the time he was drafted, Applewhite was earning US$100,000 a year; he was making many guest appearances on television and hosted more than six regular radio programs.<ref name=army>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4722109/applewhite_enters_army/|title=Charlie Applewhite Grateful To Army Despite Salary Drop|author=Ewald, William|date=September 28, 1956|work=The Times|page=13|access-date=March 24, 2016|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> Private Applewhite was given a one-week leave from his army duties in June 1956; he appeared as the star of a ''General Electric Theater'' presentation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4722121/army_releases_applewhite_for_a_week_for/|title=Tele-Vues|author=Vernon, Terry|work=Independent Press-Telegram|date=June 10, 1956|page=64|access-date=March 24, 2016|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> While in the service he hosted a radio show produced by the Army, promoting the Army, entitled ''Country Style, USA'' which featured leading country music talent.<ref name=banister>{{cite book |last=Banister |first=C. Eric |date=2014 |title=Johnny Cash FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Man in Black |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ufYTBQAAQBAJ&q=%22Charlie+Applewhite%22&pg=PT43 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=9781617136085}}</ref> He also hosted another radio show that featured mainstream popular music talent.<ref name=dmn /> At one point he found himself hosting 17 weekly shows for the Army.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Charlie Applewhite Flits About the City in a Hurry |newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal |location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin |date=July 27, 1956 |page=18 }}</ref> Applewhite also recorded with the United States Army Band during his two years as a soldier.<ref name=army/> While still in the army in 1957, Applewhite married his second wife, Nancy English of Dallas.<ref name=Nancy>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4722378/second_wife/|title=Reunited Andrews Sisters|author=Wilson, Earl|date=February 26, 1957|work=Bristol Daily Courier|page=6|access-date=March 24, 2016|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> After discharge he maintained residence in New York, but developed interests in his native North Texas, owning the Gaslight Club in Dallas.<ref name=texas />

In September 1961 he was in a plane crash in Midland, Texas that took the life of his second wife, and an oil-executive friend while leaving Charlie unconscious and in critical condition.<ref name=dmn /><ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Singer Injured Critically In Plane Crash |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19610926&id=u_IuAAAAIBAJ&pg=3141,4569811&hl=en |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |location=Sarasota, Florida |date=September 26, 1961|page=8}}</ref> Applewhite, a licensed pilot, was at the controls of the single engine aircraft when it crashed into a field near the Midland Airport.<ref name=crash>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13127410/charlie_applewhite_plane_crash/|title=Airplane Crash Kills Two|date=September 24, 1961|work=The Odessa American|access-date=March 24, 2016|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> It took a year for Applewhite to recover from his injuries. Because of the injuries to his face, Applewhite needed plastic surgery; he hoped he would then be able to make a comeback.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4722296/applewhites_plastic_surgery/|title=Voice of Broadway|author=Kilgallen, Dorothy|date=October 9, 1962|work=Warren Times Mirror|page=5|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref>

===Later years=== Applewhite moved from New York to Lafayette, Louisiana in 1965.<ref name=texas /> Retiring from the entertainment industry in 1967, he moved back to Fort Worth and started an office supply business.<ref name=texas /> Although he ended his professional career, he enjoyed embarrassing his family by singing in public areas.<ref name=dmn /> After suffering a stroke, he died in Plano, Texas in a nursing home on April 27, 2001.<ref name=dmn /><ref name=texas /> Applewhite was married at least twice, and had two sons and two daughters.<ref name=texas /><ref name=divorce/><ref name=Nancy/>

==Style== Appelwhite's voice was in the baritone register.<ref name=dmn /> Applewhite desired to model his style after Frank Sinatra.<ref name=dmn>{{cite news |last=Murillo |first=Lisa |date=April 2, 2001 |title=Charlie Applewhite, crooner from FW, dies at 68 |newspaper=Dallas Morning News |location=Dallas, Texas|page=23A}}</ref> He was billed as "the little man with the big voice."<ref name=texas /> He considered rock singers to be "the enemy" and blamed them for the decline of his popularity.<ref name=dmn />

==Television== thumb|''TV Guide'' cover for April 9, 1954 In addition to appearing regularly on Berle's Texaco Star Theatre and the Paar programs, Applewhite also appeared on the television shows of Jackie Gleason,<ref name=dmn /> Arthur Murray and Ed Sullivan.<ref>{{cite book |last=Inman |first=David M. |date=2005 |title=Television Variety Shows: Histories and Episode Guides to 57 Programs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BiYTBQAAQBAJ&q=%22Charlie+Applewhite%22&pg=PA22 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780786421985}}</ref>

==Recordings== For Decca Records three of his singles charted on Billboard. The first, entitled "Cabbages and Kings" occurred in February 1954. Released on Decca 29001, it appeared on the charts for two weeks and peaked at number 28.<ref name=whit30>{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |date=1986 |title=Pop Memories 1890–1954 |location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |publisher=Record Research, Inc. |page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/30 30] |isbn=0-89820-083-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/30 }}</ref> His next hit occurred in April that year. "This Is You" (Decca 29055) was his most popular recording according to Billboard, charting four weeks and reaching number 21.<ref name=whit30 /> His last charting single appeared in June of that same year. "No One But You" (Decca 29125) appeared on the chart in singular instance, at position number 26.<ref name=whit30 /> Other popular recordings included "Ebb Tide", "I Could Have Danced All Night", and "I Love Paris".<ref name=dmn /> He released singles for MGM Records in 1956.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=MGM Delivers the Hits! (advertisement) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9h4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Charlie+Applewhite%22+MGM&pg=PA44 |newspaper=Billboard |page=44 |date=April 28, 1956}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Reviews of New Pop Records |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Charlie+Applewhite%22+MGM&pg=PA44 |newspaper=Billboard |page=44 |date=November 3, 1956}}</ref> He was briefly signed to RKO/Unique Records in 1957.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=RKO-Unique Resumes Operations |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cyEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Charlie+Applewhite%22&pg=PA31 |newspaper=Billboard |page=31 |date=July 1, 1957}}</ref> Later in 1957, Applewhite signed with budget label Design Records, making an album for them entitled ''Our Love Affair''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4722185/applewhite_at_design_records/|title=Old Timers Enter Lists Once More|author=Sterling, Keith|publisher=The Ottawa Journal|date=March 15, 1958|page=10|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Design Sparks Talent Grab |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NyEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Charlie+Applewhite%22+%22Design+Records%22&pg=PA17 |newspaper=Billboard |page=17 |date=November 18, 1957}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/pickwick/design.html |title=Design Album Discography |last1=Callahan |first1=Mike |last2=Edwards |first2=David |last3=Eyries |first3=Patrice |date=December 18, 2003 |website=Both Sides Now |access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref> He was also included in that label's first release of singles.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rolontz |first=Bob|title=Music As Written |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eyEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Charlie+Applewhite%22+%22Design+Records%22&pg=PA11 |newspaper=Billboard |page=11 |date=March 31, 1958}}</ref>

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|1498427}} {{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Applewhite, Charlie}} Category:1932 births Category:2001 deaths Category:American baritones Category:American male pop singers Category:Mass media people from Fort Worth, Texas Category:Musicians from Fort Worth, Texas Category:Traditional pop music singers Category:Decca Records artists Category:MGM Records artists Category:Singers from Texas Category:20th-century American singers Category:20th-century American male singers