Hal Ketchum Bio
Hal Ketchum born Hal Michael Ketchum on April 9, 1953, is an American country music artist. He has overtime released 11 studio albums since 1986, including nine for the Curb and Asylum-Curb labels. Ketchum’s 1991 album Past the Point of Rescue is his most commercially successful, having been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Between 1991 and 2006 Ketchum had 17 entries on the Hot Country Songs charts.
Hal Ketchum Age
Ketchum was born on 9 April 1953, in Greenwich, New York to Frank Ketchum and Janet Ketchum. He is 66 years old as of 2019.
Hal Ketchum Parents
The amazingly talented singer was born in Greenwich, New York to the couple, Frank Ketchum and Janet Ketchum. His mother passed away at an early age from multiple sclerosis, the sister disease to acute transverse myelitis, from which he also suffers
Hal Ketchum Illness
Ketchum was in June 1998, diagnosed with a neurological disorder called acute transverse myelitis, an ailment of the spinal column, which left Ketchum without the use of the left side of his body. He was forced to relearn basic tasks, including how to walk and play the guitar. He lost his mother at an early age from multiple sclerosis, the sister disease to acute transverse myelitis, from which he also suffers.
The news of his illness were announced by his wife Andrea, on his Facebook page on April 14, 2019. She said that he was no longer able to tour or perform. She quoted;
“Dear friends and fans of Hal, this is Andrea, Hal’s wife. I know everyone is wondering why there are no future tour dates, and speculations as to the reason.
“Our family would like to share the cause for this. Unfortunately, Hal is suffering from Alzheimer’s/ Dementia. He has been battling this for some time now, but because of his love for his fans, he continued performing as long as it was possible. Dementia is an exhausting and confusing illness and now it’s time for Hal to stay home with loved ones.
“Hal is otherwise healthy and happy, enjoying time with his family and friends. We all deeply appreciate how much love that you all have for Hal and how much his music means to you!
“Also, a heartfelt thank you to all the incredible musicians that have joined him on this journey, with more than special love to Kenny Grimes, without whom , this last year of shows would not have been possible. Please know that I do read all of your comments to Hal and that we will continue to check in from time to time. Lots of love and appreciation to you all from Hal and the entire Ketchum family. ❤”
Hal Ketchum Career
He began performing in clubs as a drummer with a rhythm and blues trio,when he was 15. He moved to Austin, Texas, in 1981, where he began to visit Gruene Hall, a small dance hall near his home. The experience influenced him to try his hand at singing and songwriting, and by 1985 he was playing at small Texas clubs. Ketchum recorded 11 of his self-penned songs in 1986, under his full name Hal Michael Ketchum. Threadbare Alibis, his first album was released in 1988 under the small Texas label Watermelon Records.
Hal Ketchum Past The Point Of Rescue
Hal Ketchum Small Town Saturday Night
After the success of that album, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and signed a record deal with Curb Records. He released his Curb debut album Past the Point of Rescue, in 1991,with both his debut single “Small Town Saturday Night” and the title track “Past the Point of Rescue” reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks, currently the Hot Country Songs charts, launching him to stardom. The Recording Industry Association of America, certified the album Gold.
Hal Ketchum Sure Love
Hal Ketchum Hearts Are Gonna Roll
The year that followed, he released the album Sure Love with the title track reaching number 3 on the country charts, scoring another number 2 with “Hearts Are Gonna Roll”, and “Mama Knows the Highway” charting at number 8.
Hal Ketchum Stay Forever
He released his third album Every Little Word, generating several more hits, including the Benmont Tench co-write “Stay Forever” which reached number 8. Hal was also inducted in 1994, as the 71st Member of the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1996, he released the greatest-hits package entitled The Hits. The package which was his fourth album included the non-charting single “Hang In There Superman.” He disappeared from the charts until 1998, when he reached number 36 with a cover of Todd Rundgren’s “I Saw the Light”, from his next album, also entitled I Saw the Light. His next album, Awaiting Redemption followed in 1999 without a charting single.
He did a cover of “If I Never Knew You” with Shelby Lynne for The Best of Country Sing the Best of Disney. Ketchum released another album titled Lucky Man, in 2001. Only one single made it to the chart, in the number 40 “She Is”. The album, King of Love was released in 2004 with only the number 60 “My Love Will Not Change” to its credit. His next album One More Midnight, which was released only in the United Kingdom, produced a number 47 country hit in the United States with “Just This Side of Heaven (Hal-Lelujah)”, despite the album itself never being released in the U.S. His other US releases are Father Time in 2008, and I’m the Troubadour in 2014.
Ketchum is also a well known painter whose work has been shown in Santa Fe, New Mexico’s Pena Gallery, where he had an art-show opening in 2002. He is also a great carpenter and enjoys making toys.
Hal Ketchum Songs
- Small Town Saturday Night”
- “I Know Where Love Lives”
- “Past the Point of Rescue”
- “Five O’Clock World”
- “Sure Love”
- “Hearts Are Gonna Roll”
- “Mama Knows the Highway”
- “Someplace Far Away (Careful What You’re Dreaming)”
- “(Tonight We Just Might) Fall in Love Again”
- “That’s What I Get for Losin’ You”
- “Stay Forever”
- “Every Little Word”
- “Veil of Tears”
- “Hang In There Superman”
- “I Miss My Mary”
- “I Saw the Light”
- “When Love Looks Back at You”
- “Awaiting Redemption”
Hal Ketchum Net Worth
He has an estimated net worth of $9 Million.
Hal Ketchum Tour
As a results of the recent news on his health, Hal is unable to tour or perform at the moment. His wife Andrea broke the news of his ailing on 14th April 2019 on his Facebook and quickly added that he was not going to be able to perform or tour in the foreseeable future .
Hal Ketchum I Know Where Love Lives
Hal Ketchum Youtube
To listen to his songs and interact with him on his you tube account please click here.
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