KARL-ERIK "CACKA" ISRAELSSON. "The America Letter". Watercolor, signed and dated -81.

Image size 28 x 18 cm.

Wikipedia: Karl Erik "Cacka" Israelsson, born August 23, 1929 in Stockholm, died January 10, 2013 in Uppsala, was a Swedish track and field athlete and singer, active under the pseudonym Kaeris.

Cacka Israelsson was a member of the Swedish national team in athletics. He became Swedish champion in the long jump in 1951 and in the 110 m hurdles in 1952. In the years 1951 to 1953, he made about ten international matches. Israelsson also participated in the Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952, where he placed seventh in the long jump. In addition, he is one of the seven national team members who founded the athletics association Bromma IF in 1952. Cacka Israelsson has also been a singer, composer and lyricist.

Cacka Israelsson made his radio debut in the early 1950s, when he participated in a program called Sports for Youth. In 1952, he participated in the radio program Speldosan led by Sigge Fürst. In November of that year, the first 78's spinner Cool Water and Old Willie Goon came out on the record label Odeon with which he had been signed.

Israelsson had his greatest success with Gamle Svarten, which was recorded on September 10, 1954. He toured the folk parks, and even got his own show at the China Theater. He occasionally performed with his trio which later became a sextet, the Western Pop Six. He had a certain fondness for country music and was called by many the "steel grandfather of country" in Sweden, a title he wore with pride.

Cacka Israelsson has also appeared in a few feature films in the 50s, e.g. Love on tour from 1955 with Per Oscarsson and Georg Rydeberg in the leading roles. He has also recorded commercials for e.g. SJ. In addition, he has worked as an advertising cartoonist and made many album covers.