(b. 1946) – In the early 70s, 200 women sent soul sensation Al Green a signed petition begging him never to get married. That, in the proverbial nutshell, captures the amazing popularity of this sweet crooner from Forrest City – especially among women. “The phenomenon of women is love,” Green once said, trying to explain his female fans’ attraction to him. “Men are more into their careers, making money and achieving goals in their lives, but a woman will turn down a career to say, I love you, and really mean it.” Al Green’s secret weapon, then, was that he understood love. That and a lot of talent plus some lucky breaks led him from a sharecropper’s shack in the Delta to the top of the soul charts. Soon Green had audiences swooning with his own hits such as “Tired of Being Alone” and “Let’s Stay Together,” followed by “Call Me,” “I’m Still in Love With You,” and “You Ought to Be With Me.” In 1972, Green was named rock “n” roll star of the year by Rolling Stone. But even as he was seducing millions with his songs about secular love, Al Green was feeling a pull toward something else. “I ran from it,” he told Rolling Stone. Green eventually became an ordained minister and bought the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis, assuming full-time duties as its pastor. Over time, he gave new meaning to the term “soul” music, blending his sweet R & B style with gospel. In the early 1980s, his “The Lord Will Make a Way” won his first Grammy but not his last. He still preaches every single Sunday. Today, Al Green understands a deeper kind of love. www.rockhall.com/inductee/algreen

 (1913-1964) – Born in Hot Springs and raised in California, he worked a variety of jobs before landing bit parts in films and theatrical productions. His big break came when he was cast as the psychotic paid killer, Philip Raven, in “This Gun for Hire” (1942). With a career consisting primarily of westerns and adventure films, he is perhaps best known as the mysterious stranger in “Shane” (1954). He appeared in 150 films. www.cmgww.com/starts/ladd

 (1905-1977) – Born in Spiro, Oklahoma, Albert E. Brumley moved to Hartford, Arkansas in 1926 where he studied with E. M. Bartlett at the Hartford Music Institute. He was one of the most beloved and prolific songwriters in Southern Gospel Music history. Among the 700 songs penned by Brumley are the gospel standards “I’ll Fly Away,” “Jesus, Hold My Hand,” “Turn Your Radio On,” “If We Never Meet Again,” “I’d Rather Be An Old-Time Christian,” and “I’ll Meet You in the Morning.” Brumley was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1977. www.therestorationmovement.com/brumley

Born Albert Nelson on a cotton plantation in Indianola, Mississippi, he moved to Osceola, Arkansas, in 1931.  He became known as Albert King when he started his career as a blues guitarist. Mainly self-taught he was inspired by Blind Lemon Jefferson. He was playing around Osceola with the “Groove Boys” when he began. His career was starting to taking off when in the 1950’s, he moved to Gary, Indiana, to play the drums with Jimmy Reed, a popular blues artist in the 1960’s. King was one of the first major blues performers to cross over into “soul”, commonly defined as blues and gospel.  Moving to St. Louis, Missouri, King recorded his Bobbin and King labels.  It was after this move, that his successful single, “Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong” made #14 on the rhythm and blues chart. Finally, he signed with Stax Records and moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1966. The Stax Records “house” band, Booker T. and the MG’s, one of the most skillful music ensembles of the rock era, accompanied him.  Some of the more successful songs were: “Born Under a Bad Sign”; “Crosscut Saw”; “I’ll Play the Blues for You” and “As The Years Go Passing By”. Read more »

 (1961-1996) – Legendary saxophonist born and raised in Little Rock. Although Art is best known for his saxophone playing, he originally played the drums in his father’s jazz trio at age 9. Growing up in the Porter household in Little Rock, he was exposed to the sounds of Coltrane, Bird, and Gene Ammons. After receiving his degree in music education, Art began his journey as a professional musician, playing with Jack McDuff, Pharaoh Sanders, Gene Chandler, and serving as musical director for the vocal R & B group, After 7.

 (1934-1993) – Legendary jazz pianist born in Little Rock, Porter, the Arkansas jazz statesman, never officially worked as a touring musician; choosing instead to perform, teach, contribute to his church as well as to other charitable causes in his hometown and state. There were two exceptions: In 1977 at FESTAC 77 (the World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture) and at jazz festivals in Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands during a 1991 European Tour with his son, saxophonist Art Porter, Jr. Porter has appeared on stage with Pharaoh Sanders, Steve Allen, O.C. Smith, James Leary, Al Hibbler and many others. www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net

 (b. 1935) – Longtime Central Arkansas news anchor, Sams is one of the most recognizable faces in the state. B.J. has worked in broadcasting for more than 50 years, 32 of them in the Little Rock market. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Business and Administration degree. After graduation he entered the U.S. Army where he took basic training at Fort Hood, Texas with Elvis Presley. He began his broadcasting career in 1964 at KTVE in Monroe, Louisiana. He then came to Little Rock to work for KATV as anchor in 1966. In 1973, he moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where he worked for nine years. Sams returned to Arkansas in 1982 to work for KTHV where he remains today. For the past 10 years, he has worked the top morning show in the state along with former co-host Robyn Richardson and Tom Brannon. He continues those duties with Brannon and Alyson Courtney. The Associated Press presented Sams their Broadcaster of the Year award in 2000. On his 50th anniversary in broadcasting, KTHV renamed the studio in his honor. www.todaysthv.com/company/bios

Barbara was born in the small community hospital in Lafe, Arkansas, however the family home was in Knobel, Arkansas.  She loved to sing from the time she was very small.  She made her first appearance on stage at five years of age in a local talent show in the Knobel School Gymnasium.  She sang “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” and “The Easter Parade,” and decided then and there she wanted to be a singer and has never deviated from that decision. Though success came to Barbara after her move from Arkansas, she never forgot where she came from.  She has done many benefit shows and other charitable things to give back to her hometown.  Barbara is very proud of her Arkansas roots that run deep in her heart and life.  She has received nominations for two prestigious Grammy Awards, one for her #1 country hit, “The Teddy Bear Song” and the other in the music for children category, “Lullaby for Teddy” are highlights in her career.  She now performs regularly in Branson, Missouri.

 (b. 1948) – Opera star born in Stephens, Hendricks received her musical training and Bachelor of Music at the Julliard School of Music in New York where she studied with mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel. She made her American and European operatic debuts in 1974 at the San Francisco Opera and the Glyndebourne Festival and went on to appear at all major opera houses throughout the world, including the Paris Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden and La Scala. Since her 1974 New York Town Hall debut, Barbara Hendricks has been acclaimed as one of the leading and most active recitalists of her generation. www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net

(b. 1937) – Actress who played Dennis Weaver’s wife in the 1966-68 television series “Gentle Ben”. This award-winning film producer was born in Brinkley, raised in Pine Bluff and Camden, and now divides her time between Little Rock and Los Angeles, CA. Ms. Brickell also appeared in “Marcus Welby, M.D.” and “Dan August.” The film, “Summers End,” written, directed and produced by Brickell won numerous awards. It is the story of a young girl in a small Arkansas town during the last days of summer in 1948. She enjoys the same things as boys including baseball, and playing marbles and pirates. She finds herself the focus of a family crisis when her mother insists it is time that she becomes “a girl.” Her father who has always encouraged her individuality is caught in the middle. www.luminousfilms.net 

 (b. 1955) – A native of Hot Springs, Thornton was featured on the television series “Hearts A’Fire.” He directed and starred in “Slingblade” a movie he filmed in Benton. He received two Oscar nominations for the film, one for Best Actor and one for Best Screenplay, which he won. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1999 for “A Simple Plan.” Thornton has since gone on to star in “Monster’s Ball” (2001), as Davy Crockett in “The Alamo” (2004), “Bad Santa” (2003), and “Astronaut Farmer” (2007).  www.billybobthornton.net 

 (1890-1956) – Born and originally named Robin Burn in Greenwood, Arkansas, Burns was reared in Van Buren. At age 15, the crafty entertainer made a musical instrument called a “bazooka,” originally made from two plumbing pipes and a funnel, and started a comical career that took him to New York nightclubs during the 1920s. After vaudeville declined in the early 1930s, Burns landed a spot on Bing Crosby’s radio show on NBC. Soon the comedic musician had his own national radio show and was also landing roles in movies. As in WWI, Burns worked in USO shows during WWII. He retired from show business in 1947 and spent his remaining years on a 500-acre farm in California. www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net

Although born in Hammon, Indiana, he and his family moved back to their hometown of Hampton, Arkansas, where he graduated in 1956. Pierce always had fond memories of his years growing up in Hampton and considered Arkansas his home state.  He forged lifetime bonds with his childhood friends in Hampton, such as his next-door neighbor Harry Thomason, who also works in films and TV. Pierce taught himself early to be a commercial artist.  From 1958-1968, he worked in radio and television throughout Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas by directing news, weather and commercials.  While running a small advertising studio in Texarkana and hosting a TV show for children as the character “Mayor Chuckles”, he began work on his first film – The Legend of Boggy Creek.   With a borrowed camera and nine high school students he began filming in Fouke, Arkansas, in the fall of 1971.  The film cost $160,000 to make and grossed over $25,000,000, becoming a cult phenomenon. Read more »

 (1932-1995) – Born in the Colt community between Wynne and Forrest City, Arkansas, Rich got his start at Sun Records in Memphis and penned many songs for other artists before recording his first hit “Behind Closed Doors” in 1973. Other hits like “The Most Beautiful Girl” followed and Rich was named the CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1974. In 1978, he appeared in the Clint Eastwood film “Every Which Way But Loose.” His nickname was “the Silver Fox.” www.mahalo.com/Charlie_Rich

(1902-1980) – Creator, along with Norris Goff, of the radio comedy team of “Lum and Abner.” He was born in Alleene but grew up with Goff in Mena. Their cracker barrel humor was popular in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s in both radio and the movies. Lauck played the character, Lum. The Lum ‘N’ Abner convention is held each June in Mena, Arkansas. www.chesterlauck.com

 (b. 1960) – Birth name Floyd Elliott Wray, this country music singer was born in DeQueen. His hits include “Love Me, “In This Life,” “All I Can Be,” and “Little Rock.” He has had a total of fifteen No. 1 singles, eight Top 5 singles, fifteen No. 1 videos, four CMT Top 100 Videos of All Times, appeared in seventeen television specials and numerous television programs. The Country Radio Broadcasters gave Raye its Humanitarian Award in 2001 to recognize his charity efforts, especially those pertaining to Special Olympics, Al-Anon, and Childhelp USA. His hometown of DeQueen has a celebration “CollinFest” every summer honoring this hometown hero who gives back to its citizens through charitable projects in the DeQueen and Sevier County area. www.collinraye.com

 (1933-1993) – Known as the “High Priest of Country Music,” this Country Music Hall of Famer was raised in Helena. He was born as Harold Jenkins and later chose his stage name from Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas. He also considered “Bald Knob” as a stage name. Twitty’s No. 1 hits include “Hello, Darling,” “It’s Only Make Believe” and “Tight Fitting Jeans.” Like Elvis Presley, Twitty appeared in six “teen” movies and wrote the scores for three of them: “College Confidential,” “Platinum High School,” and “Sex Kittens Go to College” (all in 1960). His first big record to hit the charts was “It’s Only Make Believe” in 1958 and he received the CMA Duo of the Year award with Lorette Lynn for four consecutive years. www.conway.musiccitynetworks.com

 (1904-1963) – Actor, director and producer was born in Mountain View. A former band vocalist and emcee, he played the male lead in a number of musicals in the 1930s, often opposite Ruby Keeler and Joan Blondell. He then made a successful transition from the boyish crooner to more serious roles as the hardboiled detective in thrillers of the 1940s. In the early 1950s, he became president of the successful Four Star television production company. Movies included: “42nd Street,” (1933) “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” (1935) “Murder My Sweet” (1944) and “The Bad and Beautiful” (1952). His television series include “Four Star Playhouse” (1952), “The Dick Powell Zane Gray Theatre” (1961), “The Rifleman,” and “Wanted, Dead or Alive.” www.imdb.com/DickPowell

 (b. 1939) – Born William Edwin Bruce Jr. in Keiser, Arkansas on December 29, 1939, like so many other artists, this country music singer and song writer got his start as a rockabilly act for Memphis’ famed Sun Records. His label-mates included Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich and Johnny Cash. He is best known for penning the song, “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” His acting career in both television and the movies, includes the CBS mini-series “The Chisolms,” the NBC movie “The Return of Frank and Jesse James,” a co-starring role in “Bret Maverick” with James Garner, and the role of Sheriff Lloyd in the Steven Segal feature “Fire Down Below.” www.edbruce.com

(b. 1957) – Ed Wilson, born and reared in Rison, Arkansas, is president of Chicago-based Tribune Broadcasting Company, which owns and operates 23 television stations and WGN radio in Chicago. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Arkansas and was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon while in school. He began his broadcasting career as sales manager at KATV, Channel 7 in Little Rock, and served as president of NBC Enterprises from 2000 to 2004. Before NBC Enterprises, Wilson was president and CEO of CBS Enterprises and Eyemark Entertainment, overseeing syndication of shows such as “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Touched By An Angel” and “Martha Stewart Living” among others. In 1994 he founded MaXaM Entertainment in partnership with A.H. Belo Corp. The company was sold in January 1996 to CBS. He began with Fox broadcasting Company in 2004 as president of the Fox Television Network. He left Fox in February 2008 to join Tribune.