Born Douglas Wellington in Camelton, New Brunswick, Canada on April 10, 1925. The son of George T. and Margaret Charlong Wellington.
In 1936, he moved to New Hampshire when he was only 10 years old. He was educated in Keene, New Hampshire schools.
Rusty fell in love with “Country Music” the first time he heard a guitar and hoped to be a Country and Western singer someday. He wasted no time fulfilling his ambition as he started his singing career at the age of 13 touring first with Tex Ritter and later with Hank Williams Sr and Hank Snow.
He soon had his own Radio show in Manchester, New Hampshire.
He was in the Army during World War II from 1943 to 1946.
Rusty toured the US and Canada in Country Concerts for 40 years.
He worked throughout New England and then, in the 1960’s, hooked up with Bill Haley and the Comets for a time. He was lured back to New England by Duke Pelillo and the Swingbillies. And that is where I had the pleasure of working with him for several years. He was one of the greatest and most versatile entertainers I have ever met, a great singer, songwriter, comedian, he could and did do it all. He sang harmony and did Impersonations.
Two of his recordings became top 10 Country Hits. In the early 1960’s, he was a guest on the Ernest Tubb Show, he wrote for Bill Haley and the Comets, and was lead vocalist for the Down Homers.
For several years in the 1970’s, Rusty had his own show , known as the Rusty Wellington Show. He also appeared on the Arthur Godfrey Talent scouts, Perry Como, and a CBS network Show called “Action in the Afternoon” out of Philadelphia.
Dusty wrote two songs about Maine: “The Allagash” and “Packed in Maine”.
After the breakup of the Swingbillies and a near death experience of one of his children, he dedicated himself to God. Even to the point of becoming an Ordained Evangelist Minister. For a time he had his own Gospel Show on Channel 8 and wrote and performed his Gospel Music at Churches throughout New England.
In 1986, Rusty Wellington was nominated for the Maine County Music Hall of Fame Award.
Although Rusty was not born in Maine, he said he wanted to be “Packed in Maine”. He is an “Honorary Mainer”.
After several years of heart trouble, he passed away in 1986.
Rusty Wellington was inducted into the Maine Academy of Country Music's Hillbilly Heaven on September 24, 2005.
