slim willet - Inducted 1994

Slim Willet (born Winston Lee Moore, December 1 1919 near Dublin, Texas) is best remembered as the writer of "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes." The song was a #1 hit not only for Willet and his partner Skeets McDonald in 1952, but It gave Ray Price, Red Foley and Perry Como hits on both the country and pop charts. Willet received a BA degree in journalism in 1949 from the Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Following a short stint in the aircraft industry, Willet began broadcasting on Abilene country station KRBC. He remained a popular DJ at the station until 1956. He used his popularity from the radio show to form his first band, the Hired Hands. Willet and the Hired Hands made regular appearances on The Big D Jamboree up until 1954 on WFAA in Dallas, as well as the Louisiana Hayride for four years beginning in 1951. In the early 50's, Willet released a few hit singles on the 4 Star label including "Red Rose," "No Love Song To You," and his biggest record "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes." By 1954, Willet was working fulltime as an air personality at KCAD in Abilene, where he was part owner, until his death. Willet died of a heart attack on July 1, 1966. Slim Willet was inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 1994.