Background
Wilma Burgess was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. Following high school graduation she proceeded to Stetson University in Deland, Florida studying physical education. She had no interest in a musical career - although she had displayed her natural talent performing as a Pop singer on local television - until hearing Eddy Arnold in concert awakened her passion for C&W music.
In 1960 a songwriter friend of Burgess persuaded her to go to Nashville to record some demos of his compositions. One of the publishers Burgess sang for asked to manage her singing career and Burgess cut her first single in the fall of 1962 for the United Artists label.
Eventually Burgess came to the attention of Owen Bradley who heard in Burgess' voice the potential for a successor to the recently deceased Patsy Cline who Bradley had produced.
Bradley arranged for Burgess' signing with Decca where she had her first session in June 1964.
Read more about this topic: Wilma Burgess
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