Carl McVoy
Encyclopedia
Carl McVoy was an American
pianist
.
McVoy was cousin to the younger Jerry Lee Lewis
. He had been to New York
with his father, who had been a minister there. McVoy got hooked on boogie-woogie
while in New York, which he subsequently brought back to Pine Bluff, Arkansas
. Jerry Lee Lewis would visit his older cousin and get him to show him things on the piano.
Plucked from the construction industry by Ray Harris
, McVoy recorded "You Are My Sunshine
" at Sun Records
, which was the single that launced Hi Records
. McVoy recorded a number of other sides at Sun in 1957 and 1958, most which have remained unissued.
He subsequently went back to Hi as pianist with The Bill Black Combo, but quit in the mid 1960s and returned to the construction industry forming his own company Carmack Construction. He died at the age of 61 early in 1992.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
McVoy was cousin to the younger Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
. He had been to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
with his father, who had been a minister there. McVoy got hooked on boogie-woogie
Boogie-woogie
Boogie-woogie has the following meanings:*Boogie-woogie, a piano-based music style*Boogie-woogie , a swing dance or a dance that imitates the rock-n-roll dance of the 1950s*"Boogie Woogie" , a song by EuroGroove and Dannii Minogue...
while in New York, which he subsequently brought back to Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
. Jerry Lee Lewis would visit his older cousin and get him to show him things on the piano.
Plucked from the construction industry by Ray Harris
Ray Harris
Ray Harris was an American rockabilly musician and songwriter. He formed a band with Wayne Powers, and wrote the songs "Come On, Little Mama" and "Greenback Dollar, Watch and Chain". He eventually recorded these at Sun Records with Sam Phillips. He has also produced artists at Hi Records...
, McVoy recorded "You Are My Sunshine
You Are My Sunshine
"You Are My Sunshine" is a popular song first recorded in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana as a result of its association with former state governor and country music singer Jimmie Davis. The song is copyright 1940 Peer International Corporation, words and music by...
" at Sun Records
Sun Records
Sun Records is a record label founded in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27, 1952.Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley , Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash...
, which was the single that launced Hi Records
Hi Records
Hi Records was a Memphis soul and rockabilly label started in 1957 by singer Ray Harris, record store owner Joe Cuoghi, Bill Cantrell and Quinton Claunch , and three silent partners, including Cuoghi's lawyer, Nick Pesce....
. McVoy recorded a number of other sides at Sun in 1957 and 1958, most which have remained unissued.
He subsequently went back to Hi as pianist with The Bill Black Combo, but quit in the mid 1960s and returned to the construction industry forming his own company Carmack Construction. He died at the age of 61 early in 1992.