text:  In the early 50s, he was this kind of struggling singer from a dairy farm in Shreveport, Louisiana. He had started his music career in 1951 on a local barn dance show called Louisiana Hayride. But by 1952, his career was on the uptick. He had signed a recording contract with Capitol Records. He had made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. And then in November 1952, he gets his draft notice.