Merle Travis was an American singer known for inventing a unique guitar playing style named “Travis picking.” His most famous songs include “So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed” and “Sixteen Tons.” Merle Travis was born on November 29, 1917 in Kentucky, United States. Merle Travis died on October 20, 1983 at the age of 65 years in . Discover below for comprehensive details about Merle Travis, including the biography, wiki profile, age, date of birth, family background, relationship status, interesting facts, photographs, lesser-known facts, and more.
Merle Travis Wiki Table
| Stage Name | Merle Travis |
| Real Name | Merle Travis |
| Profession(s) | Country Singer, |
| Birthday | November 29, 1917 |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Death | Died on October 20, 1983 (41 years ago) (Age: 65 years) in |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthplace | Kentucky, United States |
| Hometown | Kentucky, Kentucky, United States |
| Nationality | American |
Merle Travis Family and Personal Life
- Merle Travis was born in Kentucky, United States.
- Merle Travis’s birth sign is Sagittarius.
Merle Travis Biography and Facts
- Who is Merle Travis? Merle Travis was an American singer who gained popularity through his distinct guitar playing style called “Travis picking.” He was best known for his hit songs “So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed” and “Sixteen Tons.”
- Early Life: Merle Travis learned the five-string banjo from his father and neighbors, including the father of the Everly Brothers. Growing up in Rosewood, Kentucky, he was the son of a former tobacco farmer who turned to coal mining.
- Career: Travis learned picking techniques that allowed both bass and melody lines to play simultaneously. He wrote the million-copy-selling “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!” for Tex Williams. His own songs such as “Divorce Me C.O.D” and “Three Times Seven” entered the Billboard top ten.
- Influence: Elvis Presley’s guitarist was heavily influenced by Merle Travis, while the Everly Brothers and many other respected artists also drew inspiration from his style.
