THE FAMILY SAYS THE "CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE" WILL BE PLANNED FOR EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR
Taz Painter, former broadcaster here at WHKP (and currently at WBIR-TV in Knoxville) reported this past Sunday evening about the passing of Alex Houston.
He was an extremely talented ventriloquist who spent many years on stages across the country and on national radio and television variety programs.
Alex won a local talent competition sponsored by WHKP back in 1949 - which sent him (and his 'dummy' Elmer) to appear on the Lanny Ross Show, broadcast nationwide on the Mutual Network. He did a USO show in Korea in the 1950's and he eventually became a regular on CBS-TV's 'Jimmy Dean Show.'
Through the years, Alex performed as an opening act for Charlie Pride, Ronnie Milsap, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and many other country music stars.
Alex also did some recordings - including the unique album 'Here Comes Peter Cotton Claus' which featured a novelty song about a rabbit that got its holidays mixed up.
Alex was a talented clogger and was a member of the North Carolina Cloggers in his early days.
Monday morning and afternoon WHKP broadcast the Kermit Edney recording of Alex and his history, which Kermit recorded WHKP's 50th Anniversary year in 1996. That recording can be heard on the WHKP web site WHKP.com, click on "Kermit Edney Remembers"...Where Fitz Left Off."
Everyone who knew Alex will pause and be blessed for having known such a kind and gentle man.
