one hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, "Wooden Heart," by Joe Dowell.

In November 1961, label head Charles Fach announced the label would move into the "country and western" field, and announced the signing of two artists, Billy Deaton and Howard Crockett. Mercury A&R chief Shelby Singleton was tapped to head the C&W production. Singleton was interested in Southern styles, and had