 
"Best Loved Favorites"
Boxcar Willie
Boxcar Willie is perhaps the
most successful invented character in the history of country
music. With his kitschy persona and stage act -- highlighted
by his amazingly accurate impersonation of a train whistle --
Willie played into the stereotype of the loveable, good-natured
hobo that spent his life riding the rails and singing songs.
Since his popularity had more to do with his image than his music,
it makes sense that he was massively successful in England, where
he personified Americana.Boxcar Willie's English success carried
him over to American success in the early '80s, where he ironically
was perceived as carrying the torch for traditional country,
because he kept the stereotypes alive. |
