Charlie Applewhite

Charlie Applewhite (November 25, 1932 – April 27, 2001) was an American singer and radio host. The height of his fame came as a regular on the Milton Berle show in the mid 1950s, and he became a highly-paid entertainer, performing on records, radio, and television. The advent of the Rock era and a plane crash that left him severely injured curtailed his career.

Biography Early years Charles Edwin Applewhite was born on November 25, 1932, in Fort Worth, Texas. Applewhite was taught to sing by his mother, who was part of a church choir. He began singing in local children's talent shows at age 4. Applewhite's mother began to groom her young son to become a professional singer at an early age. His first professional performance occurred at the age of 10, singing in a Fort Worth movie theater. His "big break" came of his own initiative; three days after arriving in New York and being turned down by every agent he contacted, he boldly ignored the office personnel and, unannounced, entered the office of Milton Berle and demanded that he be auditioned. Berle acquiesced in thoughts of appeasing him, but was impressed to the point of signing Applewhite to a contract While working on the Berle program, Applewhite was a regular cast member of The Morning Show, along with female vocalist Edie Adams, while Jack Paar was the host. After Paar moved to a weekday afternoon television program at CBS, he brought Applewhite and the other cast members to the new show.

Applewhite was divorced from his high school sweetheart in 1956, which led to his being reclassified as 1A for service. (Applewhite married his first wife November 13, 1951.) At the time of the divorce, the couple had two children, Angela and Charles. Private Applewhite was given a one-week leave from his army duties in June 1956; he appeared as the star of a General Electric Theater presentation. While in the service he hosted a radio show produced by the Army, promoting the Army, entitled Country Style, USA which featured leading country music talent. He also hosted another radio show that featured mainstream popular music talent. Applewhite also recorded with the United States Army Band during his two years as a soldier. After discharge he maintained residence in New York, but developed interests in his native North Texas, owning the Gaslight Club in Dallas. Applewhite, a licensed pilot, was at the controls of the single engine aircraft when it crashed into a field near the Midland Airport. It took a year for Applewhite to recover from his injuries. Because of the injuries to his face, Applewhite needed plastic surgery; he hoped he would then be able to make a comeback.

Later years Applewhite moved from New York to Lafayette, Louisiana in 1965. He was billed as "the little man with the big voice."

Recordings For Decca Records three of his singles charted on Billboard. The first, entitled "Cabbages and Kings" occurred in February 1954. Released on Decca 29001, it appeared on the charts for two weeks and peaked at number 28. His next hit occurred in April that year. "This Is You" (Decca 29055) was his most popular recording according to Billboard, charting four weeks and reaching number 21. He was briefly signed to RKO/Unique Records in 1957. Later in 1957, Applewhite signed with budget label Design Records, making an album for them entitled Our Love Affair. He was also included in that label's first release of singles.