From the Annals of Classic Country –  In 1960, Johnny Horton  was killed in a car accident near Milano.  Horton was born in Los Angeles in 1925, but grew up in East Texas and graduated from high school in Gallatin. He worked in the fishing industry in California and Alaska but got serious about a country music career in 1950. In 1955, Horton got his big break when he joined the Louisiana Hayride as “The Singing Fisherman.” His first hit was Honky Tonk Man in 1956 and  “When It’s Springtime in Alaska” made it to No. 1 on the Country Music Charts a few years later. JH was also known for crossover hits such as North to Alaska, The Battle of New Orleans, and Sink the Bismarck.  Red’s personal favorite is his rendition of Whispering Pines.