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Grand Ole Opry star George Hamilton IV, who is dubbed International Ambassador of Country Music due to his popularity, has passed away. He died on Wednesday, September 17 at a hospital in Nashville at the age of 77 after he suffered from a heart attack on Saturday.

Hamilton was born on July 19, 1937 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. In 1956, he got popular for his song "A Rose and a Baby Ruth", a track written by John D. Loudermilk which landed at No. 6 on the Hot 100 chart. Some of his popular songs include "If You Don't Know" and "Why Don't They Understand" which was released in 1958 and placed tenth on Billboard pop chart.

Hamilton joined the Opry in February 1960 and signed with RCA Records' country division in the same year. In the 60s, he scored some country hits such as "Before This Day Ends" which landed at No. 4 and "Abilene" which managed to place first in 1963. The latter song retained its position for four weeks and was on No. 15 on the pop chart. His last song to land on Top 40 country was "Only The Best" in 1978.

Hamilton is survived by his wife Adelaide "Tinky" Hamilton, sons, Peyton and George V, and a daughter, Mary.