Sing Me Around the USA Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mitch Miller

The origins of this song go back to the 1830's and it had been recorded a few times. In 1955 Mitch Miler recorded the song and it was number one on the US Best Sellers chart that year. The movie "Giant" featured the version by Mitch Miller.

Mitchell William Miller was born in 1911 and was well known through his 1960's TV show "Sing Along with Mitch". He was a classic oboe player and worked at a few record companies as a record producer and then became a recording artist. In 2000 he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He died in 2010.

Answer: Ray Charles

This song was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell in 1930 and was originally recorded by Hoagy Carmichael and his Orchestra. In 1931, Frankie Trumbauer's version appeared in the top ten that year. However, it was not until Ray Charles recorded the song in 1960 that it became a big hit where it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song has been recorded many times since by such artists as Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Willie Nelson and Michael Buble, just to name a few. In 1979, the song became the Georgia State Song.

Ray Charles Robinson was born in 1930. He is ranked at number 10 on the "Rolling Stone" list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" in 2004, and as number two in their 2008 list. He has won many awards including at least five Grammy Awards and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died in 2004 of lung cancer. He was completely blind by the time he reached seven years of age.

Answer: Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Sweet Home Alabama" was written by members Lynyrd Skynyrd and it appeared on their album "Second Helping" in 1973. As a single, it reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was rated at number 398 in the 2004 "Rolling Stone" list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

Lynyrd Skynyrd are from Jacksonville, Florida and they got together in 1964. Due to an aeroplane crash in 1977, where three band members were killed, there is now only one original remaining band member today. Lynyrd Skynyrd was listed as number 95 in 2004 on the "Rolling Stone" magazine list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" and the band was induced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. They derived their name from one of their school teachers, Leonard Skinner.

Answer: Johnny Horton

This song was sung over the opening titles in the movie of the same name, starring John Wayne and Stewart Granger. This song was a huge hit for Johnny Horton and it reached number one on Billboard magazine's Country Singles chart and number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number one in Australia.

John Gale Horton was born in 1925. He had such hits as "The Battle of New Orleans" and "Sink the Bismark". He has won Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He died in a car crash in 1960, not long after the premier of the movie "North to Alaska".

Answer: Glen Campbell

This song was originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965, but it was not until Glen Campbell released his single version in 1968 that it became a hit. It won two Grammys that year and made it to number two on the US Country Music charts. The song has been covered many times by artists such as Ray Price, Frankie Laine, Dean Martin, Jack Jones, Stevie Wonder Georgie Fame and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, just to name a few.

Glen Travis Campbell was born in 1936. He is a singer/songwriter, musician and actor, He had many hits in the 1960's and 1970's including "Galveston", "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife", "Gentle on My Mind", "Wichita Lineman" and "Rhinestone Cowboy" to name but a few. He has won many awards including American Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, and at least eight Grammy Awards. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and has also appeared in Hollywood movies and is known for his role in "True Grit". In June of 2007 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Answer: Bertie Higgins

"Key Largo" reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1982 after being recorded in 1981. It was also very popular in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Because of its lyrics it is thought to be inspired by the Humphrey Bogart film of the same name.

Elbert Joseph Higgins was born in 1944. His music career began in the early 60's in a band and he was also a back-up singer for a time. He became involved in the motion picture industry after his music career was over.

Answer: The Bee Gees

The Bee Gees both wrote and recorded this song in 1967 and it was a number one hit practically all over the world. It was the Bee Gees first number one hit in the UK.

The Bee Gees, made up of brothers Barry and twins Robin and Maurice, were successful for over forty years and have had many hits such as "New York Mining Disaster", "Words", "Lonely Days", "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" and "Stayin' Alive", just to name a few. They have written songs for Celine Dion, Dianna Ross, Olivia Newton-John, Barbra Streisand and Tina Turner, among others. They have been inducted into the London Walk of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among others, and have won at least nine Grammy Awards and other American and British Awards. Maurice died unexpectedly in 2003.

Answer: Guy Mitchell

When Guy Mitchell released this song in 1952 it reached number six on Billboard magazine's charts. This song was also covered by Bing Crosby. Here are some of the lyrics:

"There's a pawnshop on a corner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
And I walk up and down 'neath the clock
(By the pawnshop on a corner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
But I ain't got a thing left to hock

She was peaches, she was honey, and she cost me all my money
'cause a whirl 'round the town was her dream (was her dream)
Took her dancin', took her dinin' till her blue eyes were shinin'
With the sights that they never had seen (never seen)
If you should run into a golden-haired angel
And ask her tonight for a date
She'll tell you somewhere there's a rich millionaire
Who is calling again about eight"

Albert George Cernik (Guy Mitchell) was born in 1927. He was a popular recording artist in the 50's. At one time he had his own variety show, acted in TV shows and movies. Two of his biggest hit songs were "Singing the Blues" and "Heartaches by the Numbers." He died in 1999 aged 72.

Answer: Billy Joel

Billy Joel wrote "New York State of Mind" and it appeared on his "Turnstiles" album in 1976. It was not a hit at that time but became more popular after 9/11 as it received a lot of air play. The song has been covered by Barbra Sreisand, Tony Bennett and Shirley Bassey, among others.

William Martin Joel was born in 1949 and is a singer/songwriter, musician, pianist and composer. In 1973 he had his first hit song with "Piano Man" He has won six Grammy Awards (nominated 23 times) and has sold over 150 million records. He has been inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He has had such hits as "Say Goodbye to Hollywood", "Just the Way You Are", "Only the Good Die Young", "She's Always a Woman" and "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" just to name a few.

Answer: Bing Crosby

"Blue Hawaii" was written for the film "Waikiki Wedding" starring Bing Crosby, Martha Raye and Shirley Ross. The song as sung by Bing Crosby reached number five on the hit parade in 1937. The song was also covered by Frank Sinatra.