Red Foley was one of Country music’s most versatile and beloved singers and "a superstar of his time." He had a constant succession of hit records between 1944 and 1956, selling about 25 million records and remaining one of the biggest selling Country artists of all time. A shy child, Red was happiest on his own, playing an old battered guitar given to him by his father, who ran the general store. His father ... sold harmonicas and Red used to practice on them to his heart’s content. His mother was proud of Red’s vocal potential and hired a music coach but Red wasn’t happy with this arrangement so this was abandoned. Music wasn’t his only interest and he also excelled in sports, particularly basketball and track events.