# Leroy Van Dyke's 97th Birthday

> Leroy Van Dyke, the country singer born 97 years ago today in Missouri, scored a top 10 hit with a song about his auctioneer cousin.
- Title: Leroy Van Dyke's 97th Birthday · American Songwriter
- Summary: Leroy Van Dyke, the country singer born 97 years ago today in Missouri, scored a top 10 hit with a song about his auctioneer cousin. Leroy Van Dyke, born…
- Keywords: leroy van dyke, country music, missouri, auctioneer, the auctioneer, walk on by, dot records, mercury records, country crossroads, music, culture, Leroy
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/born-97-years-ago-today-in-missouri-the-honky-tonk-singer-who-scored-a-top-10-hit-with-a-fast-talking-tale-about-his-auctioneer-cousin
- Author: Erinn Callahan
- Published: 2026-10-04T09:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: leroy van dyke, country music, missouri, auctioneer, the auctioneer, walk on by, dot records, mercury records, country crossroads, music, culture
## Born in Missouri
Leroy Frank Van Dyke was born in Mora, Missouri on October 4, 1929.
## Country Music Career
Van Dyke recorded over 500 songs including 1956's 'The Auctioneer' and 1961's country-pop hit 'Walk On By'.
## Military Songwriting
While in the Korean War, Van Dyke wrote 'The Auctioneer' with Buddy Black, drawing from his real-life auctioneer cousin Ray Sims.
## The Auctioneer Song
Van Dyke performed 'The Auctioneer' for troops and later at a Chicago radio talent show, landing a Dot Records contract.
## Top 10 Hit
The song sold 2.5 million copies, reaching the U.S. country top 10 and pop top 20 in 1956.
## Later Success
In 1961, Van Dyke released 'Walk On By' with Mercury Records, which held number one for 19 weeks, a record that stood for 51 years.
## Key takeaway

Leroy Van Dyke, born October 4, 1929, in Mora, Missouri, scored a top 10 country hit with 'The Auctioneer' about his auctioneer cousin.