Del was born, Franklin Delano Reeves on July 14, 1933, in Sparta, NC.  He started singing on the radio at the age of 12.  In 1956, Del moved to California and became a regular on the Chester Smith TV show in Sacramento.

In 1958, he moved to Nashville and signed with Decca Records and later moved to Universal Artists, where he scored his first major hit, “The Girl On The Billboard” in 1965. He followed that up with another hit, “The Belles Of Southern Bell,” which peaked at number 4. Del’s trademark is quite unique, “Doodle-Doo-Doo-Doo.” With this success Del Reeves join the Grand Ole Opry in 1966.

As a songwriter, Del Reeves has written hits for Roy Drusky, Sheb Wooley, and Carl Smith.  He is a great showman and stays busy on show dates 230 days a year.  Del is very impressive as a stand-up comedian, an actor, a television and stage personality, a musician, and as an impressionist. He is a bundle of energy on the stage.

Other hit songs done by Del Reeves are, “A Dime At A Time,” “This Must Be The Bottom,” both in 1968; “Lookin’ At The World Through A Windshield” in 1968; and “Good Time Charlie’s” in 1969.

Dusty Owens

TCM Radio News