Biography

Country music radio and stage performer, best known in Florida. Career 1940s-1980s, but most active during the 1940s and 1950s. Gained fame as the “Charlie” of the ad campaign for Wild Root Cream Oil, a hair grooming cream.

Interview Summary

1983 June 4
(3 hours, 11 minutes)
Veteran radio and stage performer Charlie Arnett gives an overview of his career in the music industry. Discussion includes how he got started in country music; his work as a radio broadcaster; the “Wild Root Cream Oil Charlie” commercials; traveling with a tent show; old comedy routines; John Lair and the Renfro Valley Folks; working with Jerry Byrd; the Coon Creek Girls; Slim Whitman; working with Murray Nash and Troy Martin; his radio program Heartbeat Trail; the piano score for the Disney film The Barnyard Symphony; and memories of Little Jimmy Dickens.