Country music singer who dressed up as and played the part of a jolly, lovable hobo during his performances.
He developed his persona after he saw a hobo who he thought resembled Willie Nelson passing by on a boxcar at a rail crossing.
His first attempts at entertainment were met with popular indifference and his big break came in 1976 when he was invited to tour England, where his work was met with wide acclaim.
He was born in Ellis County, Texas. He had four children with his wife Lloene.
One of his first appearances on national television was on Chuck Barris's The Gong Show.