Hal Ketchum’s Biggest Billboard Hits: ‘Sure Love,’ ‘Small Town Saturday Night’ & More
In his career, Hal Ketchum forged a notable run of success on Billboard's country charts.
Singer-songwriter and Grand Ole Opry member Hal Ketchum died Nov. 23 at age 67 from complications of dementia.
In his career, he forged a notable run of success on Billboard‘s country charts.
A native of upstate New York, Ketchum was born April 9, 1953, in Greenwich, New York. His father was a banjo player and Ketchum cut his chops early on as a drummer, playing in R&B bands by age 15.
After Ketchum relocated to Texas, he honed his skills as a guitarist and songwriter, while supporting himself as a carpenter. Following his move to Nashville, he signed to Curb Records in 1988.
Between 1991 and 2006, Ketchum logged 17 appearances on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart, including six top 10s. He posted six entries on Top Country Albums. His debut set on Curb, Past the Point of Rescue, which peaked at No. 6 in 1992, stands as his lone top 10 among four top 40 entries.
Ketchum became a member the Grand Ole Opry in 1994 and, in addition to his career in music, appeared in the films Heartbreak Hotel in 1988 and Maverick in 1994. He retired from the music business in 2019 due to his health.
Here is a recap of Ketchum’s biggest hits on Hot Country Songs.
Hal Ketchum’s Biggest Billboard Hits
Rank, Title, Peak Position, Year
1, “Sure Love,” No. 3, 1993
2, “Hearts Are Gonna Roll,” No. 2, 1993
3, “Past the Point of Rescue,” No. 2, 1992
4, “Small Town Saturday Night,” No. 2, 1991
5, “Mama Knows the Highway,” No. 8, 1993
6, “Stay Forever,” No. 8, 1995
7, “I Know Where Love Lives,” No. 13, 1992
8, “(Tonight We Just Might) Fall in Love Again,” No. 20, 1994
9, “Five O’Clock World,” No. 16, 1992
10, “Someplace Far Away,” No. 24, 1993
Hal Ketchum’s Biggest Billboard Hits recap is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Country Songs chart. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, certain eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.
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