Two albums from George IV at 74

WHILE many artists with over 55 years in the business may well be thinking of slowing down, if not retiring, it's quite the opposite for longtime US Country star George Hamilton IV. Well known for his hectic tour schedules, both within the United States and internationally, George equally delights his legion of followers with a steady output of recordings. Certainly March 2011 is no different with not one but two new releases on offer. Both reveal his ease and ability to tackle different country music formats. The first, recorded towards the end of last year, found the North Carolina-born entertainer in Texas surroundings. The second album presents the first ever complete compilation of all his Canadian recordings for the RCA label released during the 1960s and â€Ëœ70s. George Hamilton IV In The Heart Of Texas was recorded in Brady, Texas and produced by one of the Lone Star's most versatile entertainers, Justin Trevino. It presents new versions of some of George's top hits alongside Texas favourites made famous by such stars as Ernest Tubb and Bob Wills. It all adds up to a highly entertaining programme that includes Truck Drivin' Man, Before This Day Ends, Somewhere South of San Antone and A Little Bit Of Everything In Texas while, as a bonus, there's a Hamilton-Trevino duet rendition of the artist's 1964 hit Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston. The album is another first for George IV and in true Texas tradition, gives him the opportunity to let loose with musicians who keep their sounds solidly country. George Hamilton IV In The Heart of Texas is released, appropriately, by Heart of Texas Records and is being launched by the singer with a series of Texas concerts, some accompanied by much acclaimed newcomer Georgette Jones, daughter of Tammy Wynette and George Jones later this month. My North Country Home brings together all George Hamilton IV's Canadian recordings in a three cd pack released by the German-based Bear Family Records. In the best Bear Family tradition, it is beautifully packaged with a 68 page booklet. George IV was always keen to seek out new songs and songwriters and none more so when, after achieving success as a top selling country artist in the 1960s, he became intrigued by the Canadian music scene. He became the first Nashville artist to record Folkier material from north of the 49th Parallel. After becoming aware of Gordon Lightfoot, and recording 16 of his songs, more than any other artist, he sought out material by such as Ray Griff, Buffy St. Marie, Ian Tyson, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. In total he recorded 82 Canadian songs on six albums, which included such Folk-Country songs as Steel Rail Blues, Canadian Pacific,Early Morning Rain, Urge For Going, Four Strong Winds, Both Sides Now and Did She Mention My Name. This is the first time that all the Canadian recordings have been released in one package. It was the success of such recordings that led George Hamilton IV to host his own Canadian television series for seven years and, combined with his surfeit of European activities, both sides of the former Iron Curtain, earned him the title International Ambassador of Country Music, presented by Billboard magazine in 1974. At 74 he is still busy as ever with some Irish and UK concert dates planned for later this year. Ageism â€â€œ what ageism in Country music? â€â€TG.