Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr., known professionally as Slim Whitman, was born on
January 20, 1923, in Tampa, Florida. He served in the United States Navy during
World War II and initially aspired to be a boxer or professional baseball
player. After returning from the war, he worked odd jobs while developing his
musical career. Whitman's first big break came when talent manager "Colonel" Tom
Parker heard him singing on the radio and offered to represent him. He signed
with RCA Records in 1948 and released his debut single "I'm Casting My Lasso
Towards the Sky" complete with yodel. Whitm...