Avery King Clizbe, Jr., used the name King Owen when he performed at local night clubs and on radio stations including WENT in Gloversville-Johnstown, WGY in Schenectady, WCSS in Amsterdam and WWSC in Glens Falls. He died from long-standing health problems in April 1955 at age 40.

His nephew William Clizbe said his uncle was born in Amsterdam in June 1914, the son of Avery King Clizbe, Sr., head teller at City National Bank, and Mary Clizbe. The singer's brother James, William Clizbe's father, was two years older than Avery. The family lived at 35 Church Street in a row of brownstones between Grove and High streets.

Young Avery, who learned to play piano and cello as a youth, performed hillbilly or what we call today country music on WGY in the 1930s. He sang with the High Boys and Radio Rangers, Doye O'Dell and Max Raney,........

© The Leader Herald