Glen Campbell: Rhinestone Cowboy

Maybe you know him from his numerous hit songs, such as “Wichita Lineman” or “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Maybe you know him from his television show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, which aired from 1969 to ’72. Maybe you know him from his role in the 1969 John Wayne film True Grit. Or maybe you know him from his session work with numerous artists, such as Frank Sinatra or the Beach Boys.

However you know Glen Campbell, it’s hard not to admire the man whose versatile career has spanned four decades.

“I think the singing and the playing probably come out on top,” he says. “I [was] just blessed to get the songs that hold up over time, basically the Jimmy Webb stuff. You know, I think Rhinestone Cowboy will be a fixture for ages to come.”

In the ’60s, Campbell was part of the Wrecking Crew, a group of session musicians who worked with a variety of well-known artists in Los Angeles.

“We were all in the Musicians Hall of Fame because we played in all of the sessions that came out of L.A. at that time,” he said. “Strangers in the Night, Nat King Cole, the Beach Boys, everybody. We were the band.”

Campbell’s solo career took off when he released “Turn Around Look At Me” in 1961. He is recognized as one of the first cross-over artists and he made history in 1967 by winning Grammies in both the pop and country categories. In 1968, he won CMA’s Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.

In addition to his music career, Campbell broke into television with his television show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, a musical variety show that featured numerous guest stars, such as Neal diamond, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and Ella Fitzgerald.

“When I had my TV show, I worked with about everybody,” he says. “The TV show was great because I got the big artists singing with me and it was fun.”

In 1969, Campbell costarred in True Grit alongside John Wayne. He had no acting experience before the part and he says his “record’s still clean.”

Campbell’s daughter, Debby Campbell, has been performing live with her father since 1987.

“We have a lot of fun,” he says. “Our relationship is great. We basically like the same kind of music.”

This summer, Campbell will release a new album, titled “Meet Glen Campbell.” The record, which will be released August 19, features covers of songs from a variety of artists, such as Tom Petty, U2, Green Day and John Lennon.

“It really came together,” Campbell says. “There are some good songs in there. We chose them for the songs that we wanted to do rather than any particular artist or any particular writer.”

Campbell says his set at this year’s Jamboree will feature his classic hits as well as a song from his new album.

“You’ll see Glen Campbell and whatever it is I do,” he says with a laugh. “Playing and singing.”

Published in the 2008 Oregon Jamboree program