Orville Couch born 21 February 1935

Orville Couch (February 21, 1935 – May 26, 2002) was a talented American country music singer-songwriter who left a lasting impact on the genre. His music was characterized by his traditional country style, and he was known for his distinctive voice and guitar skills. Despite his early death, Couch's music continues to be celebrated by fans and historians of country music. 

Orville Couch was born in Ferris, Texas.. Among the radio shows on which obscure honky-tonk singer-songwriter Couch appeared were Saturday Night Shindig on WFAA, and The Big ‘D’ Jamboree on KRLD. The latter was an early 50s show, produced by Ed McLemore, where on the lines between country and rock ‘n’ roll were blurred. Other singers who were on the show in those years, included Johnny Cash, Tony Douglas, Lefty Frizzell, Carl Perkins, and Gene Vincent. 

                                    

In his later years, Couch would recall for interviewers how his appearance on this show, meant that his path crossed that of newcomer Elvis Presley. “Who the hell is Orville Couch? He owes me a buck.” The colourful language slipped uncustomarily off Elvis Presley’s palate as he stormed in the back door of the Big D. Jamboree. “I’m Orville Couch,” The country singer admitted, turning in his seat. Elvis straddled a chair in front of the man. “Two girls outside the door made me join your fan club,” he declared in outrage. 

Orville sputtered with laughter. Mood broken, the two men chatted until the emcee cued them. The two singers shared much in common. Both crossed the thin line between hillbilly and rock, but unlike Elvis, Orville preferred to stay to the Country side of the road. Elvis never did get that dollar back, but at least he could whip out the Official Orville Couch Fan Club Lifetime Membership if the circumstances ever called for it. * 

Over his career Orville has recorded on many labels including  Starday (1957), Dixie (1958), Mercury (1960), Custom  (1962), Vee Jay (1962-65), Action (1964), Le Cam (1965), Monument (1966), Tower (1968-69), Stonegate (1970) and Renegade (1976) as well as a few others along the way. He recorded one studio album for Vee Jay Records in 1963, in addition to appearing on radio shows. The album produced two singles on the Billboard country music charts: "Hello Trouble" at No. 5 and "Did I Miss You?" at No. 25. Another popular song was “Help Me Get My Cotton Gin’. 

I am unable to find any biographical information regarding Orville after his 1963 album except that much later on he formed a group called Cross Country. In 2001 Orville with Kathy La Folette and Barbara Thomas recorded a gospel album “In His Care” and in December that year Orville was diagnosed with a rare form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia which he succumbed to on May 26, 2002. 

(Very scarce information edited from Rocky-52, Facebook & *Elvis In Texas: The Undiscovered King 1954-1958 by Stanley Obert & Lori Torrance)