Many have asked if I could look back on 1990's artist Hal Ketchum, who just passed away at 67 from dementia last month.  So young for that, and we are all very sad about it.  Here's a guy that performed his entire life starting about 15 years old.  I proudly played all of his songs on the radio for many years.

Hal Ketchum was a very interesting person and artist who burst upon the scene in 1991.  And even though his big run was short, he found a following, and had tons of fans.  Looking back, I'm not so sure he was totally "country", as his roots were very diversified, but he found success on the charts, going up to #2 a few times.  He showed up at a good time, and added a real different color to the country music rainbow.  He was blessed with an interesting look, and a wonderful mainstream voice that would sound good singing about anything.

Small Town Saturday Night - Still A Favorite Of Many  - Mine Too!

Country was exploding when Ketchum showed up, and the time was right to have success.  I always felt Ketchum was like only few others of the era, as to where they were kind of pop, and even folk inspired at times, mixed in with the current tide of country.  Ketchum during his run, reminded me of Colin Raye and others in the the fact that they were blazing a new trail and expanding our borders beyond the monstrous hat acts of the decade, but all the while still very cognizant of what was going on in mainstream country.  They were not Alan, Garth, or George sounding, but they were not light years away musically, even if their outward image was. The whole bunch were not traditionalists, but they found a place where they were comfortable, and fans were too.

Hal's Fantastic Signature Song

Hal Ketchum's run on the charts was short, but with great success. He had two very big albums what had a lot of popular songs on them. 1991's Past The Point Of Rescue was a terrific project that catapulted him into the spotlight.  Seems everyone loved Small Town Saturday Night as it went to #2 on the charts.  Three more hits followed from it, I Know Where Love Lives, Five O'clock World  (remake of a 60's hit by The Vogues.)  And of course what would become his signature song, Past The Point Of Rescue, which is terrific - and SHOULD have been a #1 (#2) 

I'm Not Big On Remakes  But This Is One Of My Favorites- Perfect Artist To Do It!

The Sure Love  album was next, and it was also great, and it seemed Hal Ketchum was here to stay. Hearts Are Gonna Roll raced up to #2 on the charts and two more singles followed. But for some reason, after this album commercial success was tough, and Ketchum's best chart days were behind him.  He started acting, and had some roles in movies including Maverick, and Heartbreak Hotel.  He was also a painter. He was a very interesting guy, multi-talented too.

Great Song!

In 1998 he was stricken with a spinal chord disorder where he lost the use of the entire left side of his body. He had to relearn how to sing and play guitar. He did, and performed for many years after.  But in 2019, is was announced he had dementia and in November, he died at 67.  So young.  His passing hit a lot of people hard as our emotions and memories were driven back to the early 1990's where many of today's fans discovered country for the first time. Those are great memories for many, and Hal Ketchum was there to welcome them.

But for his short run, he racked up some very loyal fans who still love his music. Past The Point Of Rescue and Small Town Saturday Night still sound great, and fans still hit the dance floor when played.  Hal Ketchum made some great music in country's biggest decade, where he was part of it.

ALSO - PLEASE SUPPPORT THE WQMX TREE OF LIGHTS!