Pat Boone

In the years immediately prior to the British Invasion, only one performer rivaled the chart dominance of Elvis Presley, and that was Pat Boone. With his trademark white buck shoes, perfectly combed hair and gleaming smile, Boone was the very essence of American values at a time when rock & roll was viewed as a sign of the apocalypse-Pat embraced rock & roll and added his own twist.
Charles Eugene Patrick Boone was born June 1m 1934 in Jacksonville, Florida; a descendent of American frontier hero Daniel Boone, he attended high school in Nashville, and was voted student body president. After graduating he married Shirley Foley, the daughter of country star Red Foley. 2004 marks the anniversary of his 50th year in show biz and the 51st wedding anniversary to his wife, Shirley Foley. Pat Boone continues to influence and inspire fans, industry newcomers and seasoned veterans alike. A best-selling author, successful entrepreneur, chart-topping recording star, family man and legendary humanitarian, Pat's contribution to the American culture and country's consciousness has reached legendary status.
With over 45 million units sold and 38 top 40 hits, he's recognized by Billboard Magazine as the #10 rock-recording artist in history, placing higher on that impressive chart than either Madonna or Billy Joel. Entertainment Weekly proclaimed him 'Winner of the Week' in 2003 as Pat Boone incredibly landed his 61st hit 'Under God' a top 15 single on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart from his American Glory album. In 2003, the Gospel Music Association took note of these achievements when they inducted Pat into the GMA Hall of Fame.
Pat started his own record label The Gold Label to showcase artists that have inspired music, memories and more. Due to popular demand for new material, Pat is currently in the studio recording tracks for a 2004 Gold Label release tentatively titled, Hopeless Romantic. In the past two years, the imprint has produced/released 26 albums from such notables as Sha Na Na, Jack Jones, Roger Williams, Vern Jackson, Stephen Collins of the WB's 7th Heaven and Cleo Laine.
After taking the top honors at a local talent show Pat earned the right to hit the national spotlight with his American Idol-like appearance on The Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour. Since his chart debut, "Two Hearts, Two Kisses", on April 2,1955 months before Fats Domino, Chuck Berry Little Richard or Elvis; he has established himself as the second most important force of the early rock era, just behind Presley. Prior to graduating from Columbia University, Pat had already appeared for over a year on the Arthur Godfrey Show and eventually was youngest person EVER awarded his own weekly musical variety show on ABC. At the box office, Pat has had a string of successful films including 'State Fair', 'Journey to the Center Of The Earth', 'April Love', 'The Cross and the Switchblade', 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' and many more. Starring with such talents as Shirley Jones, Ann Margaret, Debbie Reynolds and Tony Curtis.
His first book Twixt Twelve and Twenty became the #1 non-fiction best seller for two years. Pat also wrote A New Song which went on to sell over a million hard cover copies, with millions more in paperback, and has been translated into 17 languages.
Father of 4 daughters, grandpa of 15 and Church elder, the man in white bucks has had a profound impact on the entertainment world. A true legend in every sense of the word, he has inspired the lives of millions via his positive outlook and message of family, compassion, understanding, hope, love and faith.