Country singer Ferlin Husky hospitalized

updated 8:24 p.m. ET May 23, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country singer Ferlin Husky was resting in a Springfield, Mo., hospital Wednesday after doctors discovered blockage in arteries in both of his legs, his spokesman said.

Husky, 81, was admitted to St. John’s Hospital after blockage was suspected in one leg.

But doctors discovered problems in both legs and decided to schedule surgery later, said Tracy Pitcox, president of Heart of Texas Records, Husky’s label.

The Flat River, Mo., native had open heart surgery in 1977. He also was hospitalized for a week in 1983 after suffering a heart attack in Seattle.

Despite his health, Husky still performs about once a month, including a recent ’50s festival in Wisconsin with Little Richard, Wanda Jackson and Bo Diddley.

At the height of his career, Husky was a movie and TV star and recorded hit songs like “Wings of a Dove,” “Gone” and “Country Music Is Here to Stay.”

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He made 18 movies with co-stars like Jayne Mansfield (“Las Vegas Hillbillies” in 1966) and Zsa Zsa Gabor (“Country Music Holiday” in 1958).

Husky, who also recorded under the names Terry Preston and Simon Crum, sold more than 20 million records, mostly in the 1950s and early 1960s.

He has homes in Missouri and Tennessee.

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