Bob Johnstone (singer)

Bob Johnstone(September 22, 1916 – May 6, 1994) was an American traditional pop music singer. His birthname wasRobert Morton Johnston.

Johnstone was bornChattanooga,Tennessee,moving with his family toAtlanta,then to the family hometown ofNashville,Tennessee, where he grew up. In 1938 he married Georgia Frances Byram; they were to have a son and two daughters.

Early career

Johnstone began singing professionally in Nashville in 1940 on radio and with the dance orchestras of Beasley Smith and Francis Craig. In 1943 he went toNew York Citywhere the following year he was signed byPaul Whitemanfor hisPhilcoHall of Fame radio broadcast on NBC'sBlue Network(later ABC).

Post-war career

After service in theUnited States Merchant Marinein the last 18 months of World War II, he resumed his singing career (changing his name toJohnstone). In 1946 he rejoined the Whiteman orchestra for an all-Gershwin tour, along with singerMindy Carsonand pianistEarl Wild.In 1946-7, Johnstone sang with the orchestras ofLarry Clintonand Harry Soznick, and played an extended engagement at theCopacabana night clubas featured singer for headliners such asFrank Sinatra.In 1947-8 he was the male vocalist withShep Fields' "Rippling Rhythm" orchestra, joined by singerToni Arden.He made a number of recordings in those years on the Decca and Musicraft labels. Johnstone left Shep Fields' orchestra in Los Angeles in the summer of 1948 and, for family reasons, returned to Nashville. He continued to sing in the 1950s–60s on WSM radio and television on their "Waking Crew" morning broadcasts and the televised "Noon Show". He also was the male vocalist with the dance orchestra of Owen Bradley. He began a second career as a commercial artist. From 1970 to 1990 he was the Vice President and Artistic Director for the National Poster Company in Chattanooga, retiring back to Nashville in 1990.