August Birthdays

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August 1

Rustie Blue

b. 1970 in Zanesville, OH
country/honky-tonk singer
"I'm Dropping Tears" (2000), "You Did" (2000), * "Who's She to You?" (2002), "On and on and on" (2002), "So Close So Far" (2002), * "Enter at Your Own Risk" (2002), "Cloud of Dust" (2004), "When I Remember You" (2004)
duet with Bill Anderson, "Chip Chip" (2004)
distant relative of Merle Travis

Tommy Bolin

b. 1951 in Sioux City, IA - d. 4 Dec 1976 in Miami, FL (drug and alcohol overdose)
rock musician, instruments: electric guitar, bass, keyboards
"Dreamer" (1975), "Wild Dogs" (1975)
founding member of Zephyr (1968-71), "Raindrops" (1969), "Going Back to Colorado" (1971)
with The James Gang (1973-74), "Ride the Wind" (1973, he co-wrote), "Cruisin' Down the Highway" (1974, he co-wrote), "Wildfire" (1974, he co-wrote)
with Deep Purple (1975-76, replaced Ritchie Blackmore), "Comin' Home" (1975, he co-wrote)
session musician
songwriter
see the Tommy Bolin Archives
see Deep Purple
see Deep Purple on classic bands.com
see The James Gang on Wikipedia

Cindy Burch

b. 1963 in Jacksonville, FL
country singer
founding member of The Burch Sisters, "Every Time You Go Outside I Hope it Rains" (#23c 1988), "Open Arms" (1988), "I Don't Want to Mention Any Names" (#45c 1989), "Old Flame, New Fire" (#46c 1989)
sister of Charlene and Cathy Burch

Rick Coonce (Erik Michael Coonce)

b. 1946/47 in Los Angeles, CA
folk/rock/country backup singer
instruments: drums, percussions, fiddle
founding member of the Grass Roots (1967-71), "Let's Live for Today" (#8 1967), "Things I Should Have Said" (#23 1967), "No Exit" (1967), * "Midnight Confessions" (#5 1968), "Bella Linda" (#28 1969), "Walking Through the Country" (#44 1969), * "Heaven Knows" (#24 1969), "I'd Wait a Million Years" (#15 1969), "The River is Wide" (#31 1969), "Come on and Say it" (#61 1970), "Temptation Eyes" (#15 1970), * "Baby, Hold on" (#35 1970), * "Sooner or Later" (#9 1971), "I Can Turn Off the Rain" (1971)
songwriter, wrote Red Steagall's "Truck Drivin' Man" (#29c 1976)
he became a Canadian citizen in 1971 and worked there as a child protection social worker
see The Grass Roots

George Ducas

b. 1966/71 in Texas City, TX (grew up in San Diego, CA)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Teardrops" (#38c 1994, he co-wrote), "Lipstick Promises" (#9c 1995, he co-wrote), "Kisses Don't Lie" (#30, #72c 1995, he co-wrote), "Long Trail of Tears" (#55c 1997)
songwriter, co-wrote Sara Evans' "A Real Fine Place to Start" (#1c 2005)

Ramblin' Jack Elliott (Elliott Charles Adnopoz)

b. 1931 in Brooklyn, NY
folk singer
instrument: guitar
"Talking Sailor Blues" (1955), "Jack O' Diamonds" (1959), "Sadie Brown" (1959), "Rocky Mountain Belle" (1959), "Waitin' for a Train" (1960), "Riding in My Car" (1960), "Car Song" (1961), "Those Brown Eyes" (1962), "Beautiful Brown Eyes" (1962), "Goodnight, Little Arlo" (1967), "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" (1981), "Pastures of Plenty" (1995), "Old-Time Feelin'" (1980), "True Blue Jeans" (1999), "Connection" (1999)
duet with Derroll Adams, "Wish I Was a Rock" (1957)
duet with Woody Guthrie, "Railroad Bill" (2000)
duet with Johnny Cash, "Take Me Home" (2000)
duet with Tom Russell, "Cup of Coffee" (1999)
session musician with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Phil Ochs, The Earl Scruggs Revue, and others
songwriter
his nickname is from his tendency to ramble on when he talks

Toni Fisher (aka Miss Toni Fisher)

b. 1931 in Los Angeles, CA - d. 12 Feb 1999 (heart attack)
pop/rock singer
"The Big Hurt" (#3 1959), "Memphis Belle" (1959), "How Deep is the Ocean?" (#93 1960), "The Music From the House Next Door" (1962), "West of the Wall" (#37 1962), "365 Disappointments" (1963), "Lovers, Dreamers, Fools" (1963)
md. to songwriter, Wayne Shanklin

Jerry Garcia (Jerome John Garcia)

b. 1942 in San Francisco, CA – d. 9 Aug 1995 in Forest Knolls, CA (heart attack while in drug rehab)
rock/bluegrass/folk singer
instruments: pedal steel guitar, electric guitar, banjo, piano
"To Lay Me Down" (1972, he co-wrote), "What Goes Around" (1974), "Midnight Town" (1974), "Might As Well" (1976, he co-wrote), "It Must Have Been the Roses" (1976), "Leave the Little Girl Alone" (1982)
founding member, lead guitarist and lead singer of The Grateful Dead (1965-95), "You Don't Have to Ask" (1966), "Dark Star" (1967), "The Golden Road" (1967), "Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks) (1968), "China Cat Sunflower" (1969), "Truckin'" (#68 1970), "Friend of the Devil" (1970), "Bird Song" (1971), "Ramble on Rose" (1972), "One More Saturday Night" (1972), "Sugar Magnolia" (#91 1973), "The Music Never Stopped" (#81 1975), "Dancin' in the Street" (1977), "Alabama Getaway" (#68 1980), "Dire Wolf (#37 1981), "Touch of Grey" (#9 1987), "Hell in a Bucket" (#3 1987), "Throwing Stones" (#15 1987), "West L.A. Fadeaway" (#40 1987), "Foolish Heart" (#8 1989), "The Eyes of the World" (1990), "Looks Like Rain" (1990)
founding member of Old and in the Way, "Goin' to the Races" (1973), "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" (1973), "Panama Red" (1975), "Old and in the Way" (1975)
founding member of The Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band, "Oh the Wind and Rain" (1988), "The Girl at the Crossroads Bar" (1988)
founding member of The Jerry Garcia Band, "Let it Rock" (1974), "Midnight Town" (1974), "That's What Love Will Make You Do" (1976), "After Midnight" (1976), "Lonesome and a Long Way from Home" (1976), "Cats Under the Stars" (1978, he co-wrote), "Rhapsody in Red" (1978, he co-wrote), "Love in the Afternoon" (1978), "Simple Twist of Fate" (1980), "Tiger Rose" (1980), "Waiting for a Miracle" (1991), "Tangled up in Blue" (1991)
founding member of New Riders of the Purple Sage (1969-72, 1975), "Louisiana Lady" (1971), "Last Lonely Eagle" (1971), "Runnin' Back to You" (1972), "California Day" (1972), "Farewell, Angelina" (1975), "Strangers on a Train" (1975)
duets with David Grisman, "Grateful Dawg" (1992), "Whiskey in a Jar" (1996), "Dreadful Wind and Rain" (1996), "So What" (1998), "Milestones" (1998)
sessionist on Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young's "Teach Your Children" (#16 1970); and with Bob Dylan, Peter Rowan, Country Joe McDonald, and others
songwriter
artist
joined the Army in 1960 but was soon discharged because of being AWOL so often
md. to Sara Ruppenthal (1963- ); md. 2nd to Carolyn 'Mountain Girl' Adams (1981-94); md. 3rd to Deborah Koons (1994- )
he had multiple health problems in addition to his heroine addiction, including sleep apnea and diabetes
quote by Jerry Garcia: "I read somewhere that 77 percent of all the mentally ill live in poverty. Actually, I'm more intrigued by the 23 percent who are apparently doing quite well for themselves."
see New Riders of the Purple Sage
see The Grateful Dead
see Jerry Garcia

Charlie Kelley

b. 1968 in MD
country/rock backup singer
instrument: electric guitar
founding member of Buffalo Club (1997), "If She Don't Love You" (#9c 1997), "Nothin' Less Than Love" (#26c 1997), "Heart, Hold on" (#53c 1997), "After Alice" (1997)
session guitarist with Doug Stone, Tom Wopat, and others
songwriter

Judd McMichael (George Edward McMichael)

b. 1906 in Minneapolis, MN - d. 30 Oct 1989 in Thousand Oaks, CA
pop/jazz/swing singer (tenor)
founding member of The Merry Macs (1930-64), "The Little White Church on the Hill" (1932), "Pop Goes the Weasel" (1938), "Ta Ha Wa Nu Wa (Hawaiian War Chant)" (#14 1939), "Jingle Jangle Jingle" (#4 1942), "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" (#8 1942), "Mairzy Doats" (#1 1944), "Pretty Kitty Blue Eyes" (1944), "Sentimental Journey" (#4 1945), "Laughing on the Outside" (#9 1946), "Ashby De La Zooch" (#21 1946), "I'm in Clover" (1955), "Why Can't We Begin Where We Left Off?" (1956), "Whitewall Tires" (1956)
brother of Joe and Ted McMichael
md. to singer, Marjory Garland
see The Merry Macs on Singers.com

Denis Payton (Dennis West Payton aka Denny Payton)

b. 1943 in East London, England - d. 17 Dec 2006 in England (cancer)
rock/pop musician, instruments: tenor sax, baritone sax, acoustic guitar, harmonica, keyboards
founding member of the Dave Clark Five (1958-70), * "Glad All Over" (#6 1964), "Chaquita" (1964), * "Bits and Pieces" (#4 1964), * "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?" (#11 1964), "Can't You See That She's Mine?" (#4 1964), "Because" (#3 1964), "Everybody Knows (I Still Love You)" (#15 1964), "Any Way You Want it" (#14 1965), "Come Home" (#14 1965), "Reelin' and Rockin'" (#23 1965), "I Like it Like That" (#7 1965), "Catch Us if You Can" (#4 1965), "Over and Over" (#1 1965), "At the Scene" (#18 1966), "Try Too Hard" (#12 1966), "Please Tell Me Why" (#28 1966), "You Got What it Takes" (#7 1967), "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" (#35 1967)
songwriter
realtor
see the Dave Clark Five

Al Perkins

b. 1933 in TX or Brookhaven, MS
country/rock singer
instruments: steel guitar, dobro, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, lap slide guitar, banjo
"Thanks to You" (1966), "Homework" (1966)
with Shiloh
with Steven Stills' band Manassas (1971- )
with Flying Burrito Brothers (1971-72), "Tried So Hard" (1971), "Just Can't Be" (1971), "Colorado" (1971), "Dixie Breakdown" (1972), "Losing Game" (1972)
with the Souther Hillman Furay Band (1974-75), "Believe Me" (1974), "Border Town" (1974), "Safe at Home" (1974), "Prisoner in Disguise" (1975), "Trouble in Paradise" (1975), "For Someone I Love" (1975)
with Emmylou Harris' band, The Nash Ramblers (1989- ), "Abraham, Martin and John" (1992), "Orphan Girl" (1995), "Love Still Remains" (1998)
founding member of the new Mason Proffit Band (2003- )
session guitarist with Garth Brooks, Wynonna Judd, Gram Parsons, Michael Nesmith, Bob Dylan, and others
music producer
served in the Army
see Al Perkins

Carole Raymont

b. 1943
rock/pop singer (alto/bass)
founding member of The Secrets (1962-65, and reunions), "The Boy Next Door" (#18 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Learnin' to Forget" (1963), "Hey, Big Boy" (1964), "The Other Side of Town" (1964), "He's the Boy" (1964), "He Doesn't Want You" (1964), "Here He Comes Now" (1964)
md. to Mr. McGoldrick
see The Secrets

Morris Stoloff

b. 1898 in Philadelphia, PA - d. 16 Apr 1980 in Los Angeles, CA
pop musician, instrument: violin
founding member of Morris Stoloff and His Orchestra, "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1953), "Moonglow and Theme from Picnic" (#2 1956, One-Hit Wonder), "You Made Me Love You" (1957), "Song Without End" (1960)
with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (1914- ) (he was the youngest member when he joined and eventually became the conductor)
conductor of the Columbia Pictures Orchestra
songwriter
movie music director
see Morris Stoloff on Space Age Pop

Ginny Wright

b. 1932 in Twin City, GA
country singer
"I Want You, Yes" (1953), "I Saw Esau (Kissing Mary Lou)" (1954), "My Chihuahua Dog" (1954), "How to Get Married" (1954), "I Could Still Tell You More" (1955)
duet with Jim Reeves, "I Love You" (#3c 1954)
duets with Tom Tall, "Are You Mine?" (#2c 1955), "Boom Boom Boomerang" (1955), "Out of Line" (1955), "Will This Dream of Mine Come True?" (1955)

August 2

Jim Capaldi (Nicola James Capaldi)

b. 1944 in Worcestershire, England - d. 28 Jan 2005 in London, England (stomach cancer)
rock singer
instruments: drums, percussions, acoustic guitar, keyboards
"Eve" (1972, he wrote), "Last Day of Dawn" (1972, he wrote), "Oh, How We Danced" (1973), "It's Alright" (1974, he wrote), "It's All up to You" (1975), "That's Love" (#28 1983, he wrote), "Living on the Edge" (1983, he wrote), "Tonight You're Mine" (1983, he wrote), "Ancient Highway" (1984), "Lost Inside Your Love" (1984)
founding member of Traffic (1967-68, 1970-74), "Paper Sun" (#94 1967), "Hole in My Shoe" (1967), "Withering Tree" (1968), "Feelin' Alright" (1968), "Empty Pages" (#74 1970), "Rock and Roll Stew" (#93 1971), "Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory" (1973), "Evening Blue" (1973), "Walking in the Wind" (1974)
session musician with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and others
environmental activist
md. to Aninha (1975- )
see Traffic
see Jim Capaldi

Jeremy Castle (Jeremy Glen Castle)

b. 1974 in Oklahoma City, OK (grew up in Blanchard, OK)
country singer
"Take My Ring Off Your Finger" (1999, he wrote), "I Wanna Make Her Mine" (2002, he wrote), "I Got the Dog" (2002, he wrote), "Everything in My World's Turned to Blue" (2002, he wrote)
songwriter
see Jeremy Castle

Hank Cochran (Garland Perry Cochran)

b. 1935 in Isola, MS
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Sally Was a Good Ole Girl" (#20c 1962), "I'd Fight the World" (#23c 1962, he co-wrote), "A Good Country Song" (#25c 1963), "The Crying Section" (1966), "Yesterday's Memories" (1968), "Ain't Life Hell" (#77c 1978), "Living for a Song" (2002, he wrote), "Something Unseen" (2002, he wrote)
with Eddie Cochran (no relation) as The Cochran Brothers, "Two Blue Singin' Stars" (1955), "Your Tomorrow Never Comes" (1955), "Guilty Conscience" (1955), "Tired and Sleepy" (1956)
songwriter, wrote Burl Ive's "A Little Bitty Tear" (#9, #2c 1962); Patsy Cline's "She's Got You" (#14, #1c 1962); Jeannie Seely's "Don't Touch Me" (#85, #2c 1967), "Can I Sleep in Your Arms?" (#6c 1973), "Lucky Ladies" (#11c 1974); Eddy Arnold's "Make the World Go Away" (#2c 1965); Ronnie Milsap's "Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me?" (#1 1989); Vern Gosdin's "What Would Your Memories Do?" (#10 1984); Loretta Lynn's "Why Can't He Be You?" (#7c 1977); Ray Price's "Make the World Go Away" (#2c 1963)
co-wrote Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" (#12, #1c 1961); Merle Haggard's "It's Not Love (But it's Not Bad)" (#1c 1972); George Strait's "Ocean Front Property" (#1c 1987), "The Chair" (#1c 1985); Vern Gosdin's "Is it Raining at Your House?" (#10c 1990), "Right in the Wrong Direction" (#10c 1990); Burl Ives' "Funny Way of Laughin'" (#10, #9c 1962)
md. to Jeannie Seely
see Hank Cochran

John Cohen

b. 1932 in New York, NY
country/folk singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, banjo
founding member of The New Lost City Ramblers (1958- ), "Tom Cat Blues" (1958), "Brown's Ferry Blues" (1958), "Didn't He Ramble?" (1959), "Johnny, Get Your Gun" (1959), "My Sweet Farm Girl" (1961), "Kentucky Bootlegger" (1962), "Bill Morgan and His Girl" (1963), "Grey Cat on a Tennessee Farm" (1963), "Pretty Little Miss Out in the Garden" (1963), "There Ain't No Bugs on Me" (1963), "Saddle Up the Grey" (1964), "Cowboy Waltz" (1964), "The Cyclone of Rye Cove" (1965), "Fishin' Creek Blues" (1965), "Automobile Trip Through Alabama" (1965), "Cat's Got the Measles, Dog's Got the Whooping Cough" (1966), "Henry Ford's Model A" (1968)
photographer
see John Cohen

Doris Coley

b. 1941 in Passaic, NJ – d. 4 Feb 2000 in Sacramento, CA (breast cancer)
R&B/pop singer
founding member of The Shirelles (195?-68, 1975- ), "I Met Him on a Sunday" (1958), "A Teardrop and a Lollipop" (1959), "Tonight's the Night" (#39 1960),"The Dance is Over" (1960), * "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" (#1 1961), * "Mama Said" (#4 1961), "Dedicated to the One I Love" (#3 1961), * "Soldier Boy" (#1 1962), "Welcome Home, Baby" (#22 1962), * "Foolish Little Girl" (#4 1963), "Don't Say Goodnight and Mean Goodbye" (#26 1963), "Everybody Loves a Lover" (#19 1963), "31 Flavors" (1963), "Not for All the Money in the World" (1963), "Shh, I'm Watching the Movie" (1965), "Bright Shiny Colors" (1967), "Last-Minute Miracle" (1967), "Wild and Sweet" (1968)
she was not on "Baby, it's You"
md. to Mr. Kenner; md. to Mr. Jackson
see The Shirelles

Andrew Gold

b. 1951 in Burbank, CA
folk/rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"That's Why I Love You" (1975), "A Note From You" (1975), "Firefly" (1976), "Lonely Boy" (#7 1977), "Must Be Crazy" (1977), "Thank You for Being a Friend" (1978), "Genevieve" (1978)
founding member of Bryndle (1969- , 1995-97, 2001-02), "Woke up This Morning" (1970), "On the Wind" (1995, he co-wrote), "Under the Rainbow" (1995, he co-wrote), "Til the Storm Goes By" (1995, he co-wrote), "Forever Ride" (2001), "All I Need to Know" (2001)
session musician on Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good" (#1c 1975), Don Henley's "Johnny Can't Read" (#42 1982); and others
songwriter
music producer; arranger
see Andrew Gold

Dave Govan (David Govan)

b. 1940 in Los Angeles, CA
R&B/soul singer (lead/baritone)
founding member of The Jayhawks (1955-59), "Stranded in the Jungle" (#18 1956, One-Hit Wonder), "I Wish the World Owed Me a Living" (1959), "Betty Brown" (1959)
founding member of The Vibrations (1959-76), "So Blue" (1960), "The Watusi" (#25 1961), "Let's Pony Again" (1961), "Hamburgers on a Bun" (1962), "Cause You're Mine" (1963), "My Girl, Sloopy" (#26 1964), "Keep on Keeping on" (1965), "Finding Out the Hard Way" (1965), "You Better Beware" (1967), "A Shot of Love" (1968), "Expressway to Your Heart" (1969), "Man Overboard" (1972)
The Vibrations recording as The Marathons, "Peanut Butter" (#20 1961), "Talkin' Trash" (1961)
see The Jayhawks on R&B Notebooks
see The Vibrations on SoulWalking

John Gummoe (John Claude Gummoe)

b. 1938 in Cleveland, OH
pop/rock singer
instruments: keyboards, percussions
"Come What May" (1972)
founding member and lead singer of The Cascades (1961-67), "Rhythm of the Rain" (#2 1963, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "The Last Leaf" (#60 1963), "For Your Sweet Love" (1963), "I Dare You to Try" (1964, he co-wrote), "Truly Julie's Blues" (1966), "Flying on the Ground" (1967)
founding member of Kentucky Express, "You Keep Getting in Your Way" (1971, he wrote), "Girl from the Country" (1971), "Movin' Through Kansas" (1971)
songwriter
served in the Navy (1956-60)
see John Gummoe

Joe Harnell (Joseph Harnell)

b. 1924 in The Bronx, NY - d. Jul 2005 in Los Angeles, CA (heart failure)
jazz/pop musician, instrument: piano
conductor of Joe Harnell and His Orchestra, "Fly Me to the Moon, Bossa Nova" (#14 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "I'll Set My Love to Music" (1964), "Windmills of Your Mind" (1969), "Green Grow the Lilacs" (1969), "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" (1969), "Tiffany Aglow" (1969), "Here, There and Everywhere" (1969)
session pianist with Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, and others
songwriter
arranger; musical director
served in the Army Air Force in WWII (1943-46)
see Joe Harnell

Garth Hudson (Erik Garth Hudson)

b. 1937 in Ontario, Canada
rock/folk musician, instruments: organ, piano, keyboards, sax, accordion
founding member of The Band (1967-76, 83-99), "The Weight" (#63 1968), "Up on Cripple Creek" (#25 1969), "Whispering Pines" (1969), "Life is a Carnival" (#72c 1971), "Thinking Out Loud" (1971), "Don't Do it" (#34 1972), "Ain't Got No Home" (#73 1973), "Ophelia" (1989), "Endless Highway" (1989), "Too Soon Gone" (1993), "Where I Should Always Be" (1996), "Kentucky Downpour" (1998, he co-wrote), "Spirit of the Dance" (1998, he co-wrote), "White Cadillac (Ode to Ronnie Hawkins)" (1998, he co-wrote)
with The Hawks (1961-67), "He Don't Love You" (1965), "The Stones I Throw" (1965)
The Hawks backing Bob Dylan (1965-66), "Just Like a Woman" (#33 1966), "Rainy Day Women #12 and 35" (#2 1966), "I Want You" (#20 1966), "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" (#81 1966)
founding member of Burrito Deluxe (2002-2004)
sessionist with Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Yesterday's News, and others
see The Band

Glen Hughes

b. 1937 - d. 3 Feb 2002
doo-wop/pop singer
founding member of The Casinos (1958- ), "She's Out of Sight" (1965), "Right There Beside You" (1965), * "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" (#6 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "It's All Over Now" (#65 1967), "Forever and a Night" (1967), "These Are Things We'll Share" (1969), "I Wish I Were Anyone But Me" (1970), "I Just Want to Stay Here" (1970)

Kathy Lennon

b. 1942 in Los Angeles, CA
pop singer
founding member of The Lennon Sisters (1955- ), "Tonight You Belong to Me" (#15 1956, with Lawrence Welk's orchestra), "Shake Me I Rattle" (1957), "Graduation Dance" (1958), "Slumber Party" (1959), "Hundred and One in the Sun" (1959), "I Walked with the Wind" (1960), "Darlin' Meggie" (1961), "On the Double" (1961), "Lida Rose" (1962), "Little Lady Make Believe" (1964), "I'm Coming Back to You" (1969), "I'm So Glad That You Found Me" (1968)
Lennon Sisters and Larry Dean, "Bubble Gum" (1958)
sister of Dianne, Peggy and Janet Lennon
md. 1st to sax player, Mahlon Clark (1967-79); md. 2nd to Jim Daris (1982- )

Jimmy Lowe

b. 1955 in Atlanta, GA
country/rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Pirates of the Mississippi (1987-96), "Honky-Tonk Blues" (#26c 1990), "Feed Jake" (#15c 1990), "Speak of the Devil" (#29c 1991), "This Ain't the Denver I Remember" (1991), "Till I'm Holding You Again" (#22c 1992), "Dream You" (#68c 1993), "The Biggest Broken Heart in Tennessee" (1995), "Weakness for the Weekend" (1995)
session musician

Donnie Maines

b. 1958
country/rock singer
instruments: drums, percussions
founding member of The Maines Brothers Band (1976-87), "Dream Spinner" (1980), "Farm Road 40" (1980), "I Finally Got it Right" (1981), "On a Real Good Night" (1981), "Panhandle Dancer" (1982), "Flatland Farmer" (1982), "Easy to Love" (1982), "You Are a Miracle" (#85c 1984), "Everybody Needs Love on a Saturday Night" (#24c 1985), "Danger Zone" (#59c 1986), "River of Love" (1987), "Red Hot and Blue" (1987), "Dark Hearts" (1987), "Pink and Black Song" (1987), "You Can't Get the Hell Out of Texas" (1987)
session musician
rancher

Mark Naftalin (aka Naffy Markham)

b. 1944 in Minneapolis, MN
blues/rock musician, instruments: acoustic piano, keyboards, Hammond organ, accordion, vibes, guitar
founding member and lead of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1963-68), "Born in Chicago" (1965), "Thank You, Mr. Poobah" (1965), "Our Love is Drifting" (1965), "East-West" (1966), "Mary, Mary" (1966), "Droppin' Out" (1967), "Run Out of Time" (1967), "In My Own Dream" (1968)
founding member and lead of the Mark Naftalin Rhythm and Blues Revue
session musician on with New Riders of the Purple Sage, John Lee Hooker, Big Joe Turner, Otis Rush, and others
songwriter
music producer
see The Paul Butterfield Blues Band on Wikipedia
see Mark Naftalin

Eddie Patten (Edward Roy Patten aka 'Pip')

b. 1939 in Atlanta, GA – d. 25 Feb 2005 in Livonia, MI (stroke)
R&B/soul singer
with Gladys Knight and the Pips, "Every Beat of My Heart" (#6 1961), "Letter Full of Tears" (#19 1961), "A Love Like Mine" (1963), "Just Walk in My Shoes" (1966), "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" (#2 1967), "The End of Our Road" (#15 1968), "Friendship Train" (#17 1969), "The Nitty Gritty" (#19 1969), "If I Were Your Woman" (#9 1970), "I Don't Want to Do Wrong" (#17 1971), "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" (#2 1973), "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" (#19 1973), "Midnight Train to Georgia" (#1 1973), "On and on" (#5 1974), "I've Got to Use My Imagination" (1973), "The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" (#3 1974), "Try to Remember" (#11 1975), "Landlord" (1980), "Love Overboard" (#13 1988)
cousin of Gladys Knight
see Gladys Knight and the Pips

Jimmy Payne

b. 1939 in Leachville, AR (grew up in Gideon, MO)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Don't Try to Tell Me" (1964), "What Does it Take (to Keep a Woman Like You Satisfied)?" (1966), "Where Has All the Love Gone?" (1968), "Tonight's the Night Miss Sally Testifies" (1968), "L.A. Angels" (#21, #60c 1969), "Western Union Wire" (1972), "Ramblin' Man" (#79c 1973), "Lady With the Blues" (1974), "Don't Say Love" (1976), "Walk the Rest of the Way with Me" (1978, he co-wrote), "Turnin' My Love on" (#80c 1981)
songwriter, co-wrote Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's "Woman, Woman" (#4 1967), Charley Pride's "My Eyes Can Only See As Far As You" (#1c 1976)
served in the Army
md. to Virginia 'Jo' Holmes (1969- )
see Jimmy Payne

Bill 'Little Bo' Savich (William R. Savich)

b. 1939 in MI - d. 444 Jan 2002 Ventura, CA (cancer)
rock musician, instrument: drums
with Johnny and the Hurricanes (1959-61, replaced Don Staczek), "Reveille Rock" (#25 1959), "Crossfire" (#23 1959), "Beatnik Fly" (#15 1960), "Down Yonder" (#48 1960), "Sheba" (1960), "Rocking Goose" (#60 1960), "You Are My Sunshine" (#91 1960), "Ja-Da" (#86 1961), "High Voltage" (1961)
with The Royaltones (1958-59), "Poor Boy" (#17 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "See-Saw" (1958)
taxidermist

John Stoneman (John Catron Stoneman)

b. 1923 in Galax, VA - d. 19 Apr 2001 in Jonesville, VA (heart failure)
country/bluegrass singer
instrument: autoharp
with The Stoneman Family Band, "Groundhog" (1964), "Take Me Home" (1964)
son of Ernest 'Pop' Stoneman

Joe Lynn Turner (Joseph Linquito aka JLT)

b. 1951 in Hackensack, NJ
rock/pop singer
"Endlessly" (1985), "Feel the Fire" (1985), "Promise of Love" (1995, he co-wrote), "All or Nothing at All" (1995, he co-wrote), "Drivin' with My Eyes Closed" (2003, he co-wrote), "Jump Start" (2003, he wrote)
with Deep Purple (1989-92), "Too Much is Not Enough" (1990, he co-wrote), "Breakfast in Bed" (1990, he co-wrote)
with Rainbow (1980-84)
with The Hughes Turner Project
backup singer
songwriter
see Deep Purple
see Deep Purple on classic bands.com
see Joe Lynn Turner

August 3

Tony Bennett (Anthony Dominick Benedetto)

b. 1926/29 in New York, NY
pop/jazz singer
"Because of You" (#1 1951), "Cold, Cold Heart" (#1 1951), "Blue Velvet" (#16 1951), "Rags to Riches" (#1 1953), "Stranger in Paradise" (#2 1953), "From the Candy Store on the Corner to the Chapel on the Hill" (#11 1956), "Autumn Waltz" (#18 1956), "In the Middle of an Island" (#9 1957), "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (#19 1962), "I Wanna Be Around" (#14 1963), "The Good Life" (#18 1963), "Long about Now" (1963), "If I Ruled the World" (#34 1965), "On the Sunny Side of the Street" (1971), "Living Together, Growing Together" (1972), "London by Night" (1972), "The Good Things in Life" (1972), "Tell Her it's Snowing" (1973)
painter
served in the Army during WWII (1944-66)
see Tony Bennett

Ray Bloch (Raymond A. Bloch)

b. 1902 in Alsace-Lorraine (grew up in the U.S.) - d. 29 Mar 1982
pop musician, instrument: piano
founding member of the Ray Bloch Orchestra, "In My Little Red Book" (1938, he co-wrote), "The Band Played on" (1945), "Anna" (#22 1953), "Re-Enlistment Blues" (1953), "Can-Can Boogie" (1954), "Lost Horizon" (1956), "Candlelight" (1956), "Brave Margot" (1956), "Spellbound" (1954)
the Ray Bloch Orchestra backing Connie Haines, "Will You Still Be Mine?" (1952)
the Ray Bloch Orchestra backed The Ink Spots, and others
songwriter
arranger
author
md. to singer, Ann Seaton
see Ray Bloch

Gene Bricker (Gene J. Bricker, Jr.)

b. 1938 in Pittsburgh, PA - d. 10 Dec 1983
doo-wop/rock/pop singer (tenor)
founding member and second tenor of The Marcels (1959-61), "Blue Moon" (#1 1961), "Summertime" (#78 1961), "Merry Twist-mas" (1961), "Goodbye to Love" (1961)
The Marcels name came from Cornelius Harp's hairstyle

Lawrence Brown

b. 1907 in Lawrence, KS - d. 5 Sep 1988 in Los Angeles, CA
jazz/pop musician, instrument: trombone
"For All We Know" (1955), "Just One of Those Things" (1955)
with The Duke Ellington Orchestra (1932-51, 1960-70), "It Don't Mean a Thing (if it Ain't Got That Swing)" (1932), "Sophisticated Lady" (#3 1933), "Cocktails for Two" (#1 1934), "Oh Babe, Maybe Someday" (1936), "If You Were in My Place (What Would You Do)?" (#1 1938), "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" (#1 1938), "I Got it Bad (and That Ain't Good)" (1941), "Blue Cellophane" (1943), "Lady of the Lavender Mist" (1943), "Air-Conditioned Jungle" (1945), "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (#1 1945), "Moon Mist" (1946), "Crosstown" (1946), "Just You, Just Me" (1946), "Park at 106th" (1946), "On a Turquoise Cloud" (1947), "Stomp, Look and Listen" (1947), "Maybe I Should Change My Ways" (1947), "The Sidewalks of New York" (1949), "Yellow Dog Blues" (1949), "Do Nothin' til You Hear from Me" (1951), "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" (1960), "Lost in Loveliness" (1960), "The Lonely Ones" (1962), "Passion Flower" (1965)
with Johnny Hodges' band (1952-55)
session musician with Louis Armstrong, and others

Dottie Dillard (Dorothy Ann Dillard)

b. 1923 in Springfield, MO
country singer (alto)
"Let the Good Times Happen" (1950), "I've Cried a Salty River Over You" (1951), "Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny Oh" (1954)
founding member of The Anita Kerr Singers (1949- ), "A Promise and a Prayer" (1952), "For you, For Me, Forevermore" (1960), "Too Little Time" (1965), "They Always Ask Me" (1968), "Lalena" (1969), "Early Autumn" (1972), "So Far Away from L.A." (1977), "Angel in the Faded Blue Jeans" (1977), "Happy Cat" (1979), "Friends Are Enough" (1988)
The Anita Kerr Singers sang on The Owen Bradley Quintet's "White Silver Sands" (#18 1957); Red Foley's "Hearts of Stone" (#4c 1955); Bobby Helm's "My Special Angel" (#7, #1c 1957); and with Wilf Carter, Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, Dotty West, Brook Benton, and others

Whitney Duncan

b. 1984 in Knoxville, TN (grew up in Scotts Hill, TN)
country/rock singer
"Exactly What I Didn't Want" (2007), "Butterfly Sting" (2007), "Who Needs the Night?" (2007)
duet with Kenny Rogers, "My World is Over" (#60c 2004)
songwriter

Kenny Hodges

b. 1936 in Jacksonville, FL
folk/rock singer
instrument: bass
with Spanky and Our Gang (1968-69, replaced Oz Bach), "Sunday Mornin' in the Spring" (#30 1968), "Like to Get to Know You" (#17 1968), "Give a Damn" (#43 1968), "Three Ways from Tomorrow" (1968), "Without Rhyme or Reason" (1969), "And She's Mine" (1969, he wrote)
songwriter
see Spanky and Our Gang

Beverly Lee

b. 1941 in Passaic, NJ
doo-wop/pop singer
founding member of The Shirelles (1958- ), "I Met Him on a Sunday" (1958), "A Teardrop and a Lollipop" (1959), "Tonight's the Night" (#39 1960), "The Dance is Over" (1960), * "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" (#1 1961), * "Mama Said" (#4 1961), "Dedicated to the One I Love" (#3 1961), * "Soldier Boy" (#1 1962), "Welcome Home, Baby" (#22 1962), * "Foolish Little Girl" (#4 1963), "Don't Say Goodnight and Mean Goodbye" (#26 1963), "Everybody Loves a Lover" (#19 1963), "31 Flavors" (1963), "Not for All the Money in the World" (1963), "Shh, I'm Watching the Movie" (1965), "Bright Shiny Colors" (1967), "Last-Minute Miracle" (1967), "Wild and Sweet" (1968)
she was not on "Baby, it's You"
see The Shirelles

Danny Myrick

b. 19?? in Pascagoula, MS
country singer
instrument: bass
"From Table to Table" (1970), "Sometimes You Just Can't Win" (1970)
founding member and lead singer of Western Flyer (1992-97), "Western Flyer" (#61c 1994, he co-wrote), "She Should've Been Mine" (#62c 1994), "I Would Give Anything" (1994), "Liar's Moon" (1994, he co-wrote), "Cherokee Highway" (#75c 1995, he co-wrote), "What Will You Do with M-E?" (#21c 1996)
songwriter

Cindy Nixon

b. 1958 in Nashville, TN
country/pop singer
founding member and second alto of Girls Next Door (1982-91), "Slow Boat to China" (#8c 1986), "Love Will Get You Through Times with No Money" (#18c 1986), "Baby, I Want it" (#26c 1986), "Walk Me in the Rain" (#28c 1987), "Easy to Find" (#57c 1987), "How Can They Call This Cheating?" (1990), "How about Us?" (#71c 1990), "Last Goodbye" (1990)
sessionist
md. to Michael Psanos (1982- )

Lee Rocker (Leon Drucker)

b. 1961 in Long Island, NY
rockabilly/blues/rock singer
instruments: double bass, electric bass, acoustic bass
"Blue Suede Nights" (2003, he wrote), "Little Lies" (2003, he wrote), "Race Track Blues" (2006), "Funny Car Graveyard" (2006)
founding member of The Stray Cats (1979-84, and reunions), "Rock This Town" (#9 1982), "Stray Cat Strut" (#3 1982), "Rev it up and Go" (1983), "(She's) Sexy and Seventeen" (#5 1983), "I Won't Stand in Your Way" (#35 1983), "Hot-Rod Gang" (1983), "Rebels Rule" (1983)
founding member of Big Blue, "Ain't No Way" (1994, he co-wrote), "Can't Say No" (1995, he co-wrote)
founding member of Phantom, Rocker, and Slick, "Men Without Shame" (1985)
founding member of Swing Cats
see The Stray Cats
see Lee Rocker

Dom Um Romao

b. 1925 in Brazil - d. 26 Jul 2005 in Rio de Janeiro (stroke)
jazz/pop musician, instrument: drums
with Weather Report, "Waterfall" (1972)
session musician on The Walter Wanderley Trio's "Summer Samba (So Nice)" (#26 1966); and with Cannonball Aderley, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, and others

Dean Sams (Kenneth Dean Sams)

b. 1966 in Garland, TX
country singer
instruments: keyboards, guitar, harmonica
founding member of Lonestar (1992- ), "Tequila Talkin'" (#18c 1995), "No News" (#1c 1996), "Runnin' Away with My Heart" (#8c 1996), "Heartbroke Every Day" (#18 1996), Come Cryin' to Me" (#1c 1997), "You Walked in" (#93, #12c 1997), "Everything's Changed" (#95, #2c 1998), "Say When" (#13c 1998), * "Amazed" (#1, #1c 1999), "Smile" (#39, #1c 2000), "Tell Her" (#39, #1c 2000), "What about Now?" (#30, #1c 2000), * "I'm Already There" (#24, #1c 2001), "With Me" (#63, #10c 2001), "Unusually Unusual" (#66, #12c 2002), * "Not a Day Goes By" (#36, #3c 2002), My Front Porch Looking in" (#23, #1c 2003), "Walking in Memphis" (#61, #8c 2003), "Mr. Mom" (#33, #1c 2004), "Let's Be Us Again" (#38, #4c 2004), "What I Miss the Most" (2004), "Class Reunion (That Used to Be Us)" (#97, #16c 2005), "You're Like Coming Home" (#63, #8c 2005), "I'll Die Tryin'" (#43c 2005), "Mountains" (#85, #14c 2006)
see Lonestar

Mack Sanders (John Bozeman)

b. 1923 in Wichita, KS - d. 11 Oct 2003 in Nashville, TN
country singer
"Tonkin' the Blues" (1977), "Sweet Country Girl" (#89c 1978, he wrote)
recorded as Johnny Bozeman, "The Blues and I" (1957), "Pretending (That I'm Happy)" (1961), "Gardenias (in My Garden)" (1961)
md. to singer, Sherry Bryce
DJ

Randy Scruggs (Randy Lynn Scruggs)

b. 1953 in Nashville, TN
country/folk/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, 5-string dobro, banjo, autoharp
"Both Sides Now" (1998), "I Wanna Be Loved Back" (1998)
duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter, "It's Only Love" (#67c 1998)
duets with Gary Scruggs, "Let it Be" (1970), "Road to Nowhere" (1970)
session musician on Vince Gill's "When Love Finds You" (#3c 1994); and with George Strait, Waylon Jennings, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, and others
songwriter
music producer
son of Earl Scruggs

Gordon Stoker (Hugh Gordon Stoker)

b. 1924 in Gleason, TN
country singer (tenor)
instrument: piano
first tenor with The Jordanaires (1950- , played piano for a year and then sang tenor), "I'll Tell it Wherever I go" (1952), "On the Jericho Road" (1953), "Shaking Bridges" (1955), "Rock 'n' Roll Religion" (1956), "Ridin' for a Fall" (1957), "Who Does He Think He is?" (1965), "A Hundred Yards of Real Estate" (1969), "Break My Mind" (1969), "One of These Mornings" (1985), "Crying in the Chapel" (1989), "Turn Your Radio on" (1992)
The Jordanaires sang backup on Ferlin Husky's "Gone" (#1c 1957); Don Gibson's "Oh, Lonesome Me" (#7, #1c 1958); Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans" (#1, #1c 1959); Elvis Presley's "It's Now or Never" (#1 1960); Jim Reeves' "He'll Have to Go" (#2, #1c 1960); Patsy Cline's "Crazy" (#9, #2c 1961); Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man" (#19, #1c 1968); Conway Twitty's "Hello, Darlin'" (#1, #1c 1970); George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today" (#1, #1c 1980); and others
see the Jordanaires

John York

b. 1946
folk/rock/country singer
instruments: bass, 12-string guitar
"Tuesday's Train" (2006), "Lady on the Highway" (2006), "Never Doubt My Love" (2006)
with The Byrds (1969), "This Wheel's on Fire" (1969), "Candy" (1969, he co-wrote), "Ballad of Easy Rider" (#65 1969), "There Must Be Someone" (1969)
founding member of The Bees, "Forget Me, Girl" (1965), "Voices Green and Purple" (1966)
session musician
songwriter

August 4

Louie 'Satchmo' Armstrong (Louis Daniel Armstrong aka 'American's Jazz Ambassador')

b. 1901 in New Orleans, LA – d. 6 Jul 1971 in Queens, NY (heart attack)
jazz/R&B singer
instruments: trumpet, coronet
"Hotter Than That" (1928), "All of Me" (#1 1932), "I'm in the Mood for Love" (1935), "You Are My Lucky Star" (1935), "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket" (1936), "When the Saints Go Marching in" (1939), "La Vie En Rose" (#28 1950), "(When We Are Dancing) I Get Ideas" (#10 1951), "A Kiss to Build a Dream on" (#16 1951), "When it's Sleepy Time Down South" (#19 1952), "Mack the Knife" (#20 1956), "Blueberry Hill" (#29 1956), "Hello, Dolly!" (#1 1964, the oldest musician to have a #1 song on the Billboard charts), "What a Wonderful World" (#32 1968), "Give Me Your Kisses" (1968)
duet with Ella Fitzgerald, "You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)" (#10 1946)
bandleader
md. 1st to Daisy Parker (1918- ); md. 2nd to singer, Lillian Hardin (1924-38)
quote by Louis Armstrong: "Musicians don't retire; they stop when there's no more music in them."
see Satchmo.net

David Carr

b. 1943 in London, England
rock musician, instruments: piano, keyboards
founding member of The Fortunes (1963-68), "You've Got Your Troubles" (#7 1965), "Here it Comes Again" (#27 1965), "This Golden Ring" (#82 1966)
see The Fortunes

Grady Cross

b. 1970 in St. Louis, MO
country/rock musician, instrument; rhythm guitar
founding member of Cross Canadian Ragweed (1994- ), "Nowhere Texas" (2001), "42 Miles" (2001), "Highway 377" (2001), "17" (#57c 2002), "Broken" (2002), "Constantly" (#57c 2004), "Alabama" (#46c 2005), "Fightin' For" (#39c 2005), "Late Last Night" (2005), "This Time Around" (#44c 2006), "I Believe You" (2007), "In Oklahoma" (2007)
Cross Canadian Ragweed duet with Lee Ann Womack, "Sick and Tired" (#46c 2004)

Frankie Ford (Francis Guzzo aka the 'New Orleans Dynamo')

b. 1939 in Gretna, LA
R&B/rock singer
"Cheatin' Woman" (1958), "Sea Cruise" (#14 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Alimony" (#97 1959), "Time after Time" (#75 1959), "You Talk Too Much" (#87 1960), "The Groom" (1960), "Doghouse" (1961), "Seventeen" (#72 1961), "Saturday Night Fish Fry" (1961), "They Said it Couldn't Be Done" (1962), "Ocean Full of Tears" (1963), "I Can't Face Tomorrow" (1967), "I'm Proud of What I am" (1971), "Blue Monday" (1974), "Halfway to Paradise" (1979), "Whiskey Heaven" (1984), "Dancin' with My Baby" (1995)
actor
served in the Army
see Frankie Ford

Vicki Hackerman (aka Vicki Baker)

b. 1950 in Louisville, KY
country singer
founding member of Dave and Sugar (1975-79), "Queen of the Silver Dollar" (#25c 1975), "The Door is Always Open" (#1c 1976), "I'm Gonna Love You" (#3c 1976), "That's the Way Love Should Be" (#7c 1977), "I'm Knee-Deep in Loving You" (#2c 1977), "Don't Throw it All Away" (#5c 1977), "Tear Time" (#1c 1978), "Gotta Quit Lookin' at You, Baby" (#4c 1978), "Golden Tears" (#1c 1979), "Stay with Me" (#6c 1979), "Why Did You Have to Be So Good?" (#4c 1979), "My World Begins and Ends with You" (#4c 1979), "For a Slow Dance With You" (1981)

Big Dee Irwin (DiFosco Erwin)

b. 1939 in New York, NY – d. 27 Aug 1995 in Las Vegas, NV (heart failure)
doo-wop singer
"I Can't Help it (I'm Falling in Love)" (1959), "Someday You'll Understand Why" (1961), "Everybody's Got a Dance But Me" (1962), "Swinging on a Star" (#38 1963, One-Hit Wonder, backed by Little Eva), "Follow My Heart" (1965), "Wrong Direction" (1968), "Sunshine Love" (1971), "I Love What You're Doin' to Me" (1974), "I Can't Get You Off My Mind" (1977)
founding member and lead singer of The Pastels (1954-59), "Been So Long" (#24 1958, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "My One and Only Dream" (1957)
songwriter
served in the Air Force
see The Pastels on R&B Notebooks

Larry Knechtel (Lawrence William Knechtel)

b. 1940 in Bell, CA
rock musician, instruments: keyboards, piano, organ, harmonica, electric bass, guitar
"Mountain Morning" (1979), "Heather Meadows" (1979), "Glacier Blue" (1979), "Northeast Wind" (1979)
with Duane Eddy's backup band The Rebels (1958-62), "Rebel Rouser" (#6, #17c 1958), "Cannonball" (#15 1958), "Forty Miles of Bad Road" (#9 1959), "Some Kind-a Earthquake" (#37 1959), "Peter Gunn" (#27 1960), "Because They're Young" (#4 1960), "Theme from Dixie" (#39 1961), "Ballad of Paladin" (#33 1962), "Dance with the Guitar Man" (#12 1962)
with Bread (1971-77, replaced Robb Royer), "If" (#4 1971), "Baby, I'm-a Want You" (#3 1971), "Dream Lady" (1972), "Diary" (#15 1972), "Everything I Own" (#5 1972), "Aubrey" (#15 1973), "Lost Without Your Love" (#9 1976)
session musician on Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (#1 1970); The Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man" (#1 1965); and with The Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, The Dixie Chicks, Chet Atkins, and others

Paul Layton

b. 1947 in England
folk/pop singer
instruments: guitar, bass
"Mister, Mister" (1969), "Sing, Sadman, Sing" (1969, he wrote)
with The New Seekers (1970-74, 1976- ), "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" (1970), "When There's No Love Left" (1970), * "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (#7 1971), "The Nickel Song" (1971), "Cincinnati" (1971), "The World I Wish for You" (1972), "Unwithered Rose" (1972), "I'll Be Your Song" (1972), "Ride a Horse" (1973, he wrote), "It's So Nice" (1976), "Anthem (One Day in Every Week)" (1978)
songwriter
actor

Frank Luther (Frank Luther Crow aka Cal Carson)

b. 1899/1905 in Lakin, KS (grew up in Bakersfield, CA) - d. 16 Nov 1980 in NY
country/gospel singer
instrument: piano
"Ohio River Blues" (1928), "Lullaby Yodel" (1929), "I'm Alone Because I Love You" (#9 1931), "Why Did I Get Married?" (1931), "Who Stole the Lock?" (1931), "Fifty Years from Now" (1933)
duets with Carson Robison, "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" (1928, he co-wrote), "Do You Still Remember?" (1928), "Left My Gal in the Mountains" (1929, he co-wrote), "The Utah Trail" (1929), "Carry Me Back to the Mountains" (1930, he co-wrote), "You're Still My Valentine" (1930), "When it's Springtime in the Rockies" (1930), "When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver" (#4 1931, recorded as Bud and Joe Billings)
md. to Zora Layman
songwriter

Johnny Maddox

b. 1927 in Gallatin, TN
blues/jazz/ragtime musician, instrument: piano
"St. Louis Tickle" (1950), "My Mary" (1951), "Molly Darling" (1952), "Porcupine Rag" (1952), "Tickled to Death" (1952), "Teddy Bear Blues" (1954), "Where Lazy Daisies Grow" (1956), "Nickelodeon Tango" (1956), "Tempest" (1959)
founding member and leader of The Rhythmasters, "Crazy Otto Medley" (#2 1955, One-Hit Wonder)
session musician

Larry Raspberry

b. 1944 in Memphis, TN
rock singer
instruments: guitar, piano
founding member and lead singer The Gentrys (1963-66), "Keep on Dancing" (#4 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "Brown Paper Bag" (1965)
founding member of Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers, "Rock and Roll Warning" (1972), "Fool in Cheap Clothing" (1972), "Road Blues" (1972)
songwriter
actor; bandleader
md. to Carol Ferrante (also in The Highsteppers)
see The Gentrys on Wikipedia

Carson Robison (Carson Jay Robison aka Charles Robison)

b. 1890 in Oswego, KS – d. 24 Mar, 1957 in Poughkeepsie, NY
country singer
instrument: guitar
"The Little Green Valley" (1928, he wrote), "Woman Down in Memphis" (1932), "Sleepy Rio Grande" (1932, he wrote), "Hello, Young Lindy" (1932), "Turkey in the Straw" (1942, he co-wrote), "That Old Grey Mare is Back Where She Used to Be" (1943), "The Charms of the City Ain't Fer Me" (1945, he wrote)
founding member of Carson Robison and His Buckaroos aka Carson Robison and His Pioneers (1932- ), "There's a Bridle Hanging on the Wall" (1936, he wrote), "Home Sweet Home on the Prairie" (1936, he wrote), "Carry Me Back to the Lone Prairie" (1941, he wrote)
founding member of Carson Robison and His Pleasant Valley Boys, "Golden Slippers" (1946), "Life Gets Tee-Jus Don't it" (#14, #3c 1948, he wrote), "Bumps-a-Daisy" (1948, he wrote), "Hand Me Down My Walkin' Cane" (1956), "Rockin' and Rollin' with Grandma" (1956)
duets with Vernon Dalhart, "A Memory That Time Cannot Erase" (1928), "My Blue Ridge Mountain Home" (1928, he wrote)
duets with Frank Luther, "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" (1928, he co-wrote), "Do You Still Remember?" (1928), "Left My Gal in the Mountains" (1929, he co-wrote), "The Utah Trail" (1929), "Carry Me Back to the Mountains" (1930, he co-wrote), "You're Still My Valentine" (1930), "When it's Springtime in the Rockies" (1930), "When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver" (#4 1931, recorded as Bud and Joe Billings)
duet with Gene Austin, "Way Down Home" (1925)
duets with Wendell Hall, "Swanee River Dreams" (1924), "Camptown Races" (1924)
songwriter
session musician
arranger
actor

Kenny Sinclair (Kenneth Francis Sinclair, Jr.)

b. 1939 in Los Angeles, CA - d. 16 Mar 2003 in Rialto, CA (prostate cancer)
R&B/doo-wop singer (tenor)
founding member of The Six Teens, "A Casual Look" (#25 1956, One-Hit Wonder), "Only Jim" (1956), "Was it a Dream of Mine?" (1957), "Love's Funny That Way" (1958), "Stop Playing Ping-Pong" (1958)
with The Passions, "Nervous about Sally" (1958), "Beautiful Dreamer" (1960)
with The Elgins, "Casey Cop" (1961), "Heartache, Heartbreak" (1962), "Tell Gina" (1963), "Your Lovely Ways" (1964), "Ritha Mae" (1964), "Street Scene" (1965)
with The Bagdads, "Livin' in Fear" (1968), "Love Has Two Faces" (1969)
session musician with Rosie and the Originals, and others
see The Six Teens on R&B Notebooks

Scotty Stoneman (Calvin Scott Stoneman)

b. 1932 in Galax, VA - d. 4 Mar 1973 in Nashville, TN
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: fiddle, guitar, banjo
founding member of The Stonemans (1956- ), "Nobody's Darling But Mine" (1962), "Tupelo County Jail" (#40c 1966), "The Five Little Johnson Girls" (#21c 1966), "Katie Klein" (1967), "Christopher Robin" (#41c 1968), "I'll Be Here in the Morning" (1970)
founding member of The Bluegrass Champs (1955- )
with The Kentucky Colonels
served in the Air Force (1951-54)

Timi Yuro (Rosemarie Timotea Aurro Yuro)

b. 1940 in Chicago, IL – d. 30 Mar 2004 in Las Vegas, NV (brain cancer)
soul/blues/country singer
"Hurt" (#4 1961), "What's a Matter Baby (is it Hurting You)?" (#12 1962), "Make the World Go Away" (#24 1963), "Insult to Injury" (1963), "The Love of a Boy" (#40 1964), "Teardrops Til Dawn" (1965), "Just a Ribbon" (1966)
see Timi Yuro

August 5

Bobby Braddock (Robert Valentine Braddock)

b. 1940 in Lakeland, FL (grew up in Auburndale, FL)
country/novelty singer
instrument: piano, keyboards
"I Know How to Do it" (#74c 1967, he wrote), "Gear-Bustin' Sort of a Feller" (1967), "Between the Lines" (#58c 1979, he co-wrote), "Kansas City Misery" (1979, he wrote), "I Did the Right Thing" (1979, he wrote), "Rainy Florida Afternoon" (1980), "Willie, Where Are You?" (1984)
with Marty Robbin's band (1964-66), "The Cowboy in the Continental Suit" (#3c 1964), "Man Walks among Us" (1964), "Ribbon of Darkness" (#1c 1965), "While You Were Dancing" (#21c 1966, he wrote), "The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight" (#3c 1966)
songwriter, wrote Tracy Lawrence's "Time Marches on" (#1c 1996), "Texas Tornado" (#1c 1995); George Jones' "Her Name Is..." (#3c 1976), "Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half As Bad As Losing You)" (#7c 1973); Willie Nelson and Mary Kay Place's "Something to Brag About" (#9c 1977)
co-wrote George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today" (#1c 1980); Tammy Wynette's "D.I.V.O.R.C.E" (#1c 1968); T.G. Sheppard and Karen Brooks' "Faking Love" (#1c 1982); T.G. Sheppard's "I Feel Like Lovin' You Again" (#1c 1980); Toby Keith's "I Wanna Talk about Me" (#1c 2002); Mark Chesnutt's "(All My) Old Flames Have New Names" (#4c 1992); George Jones and Tammy Wynette's "Golden Ring" (#1c 1976); Johnny Duncan's "Thinkin' of a Rendezvous" (#1c 1976); Tommy Overstreet's "Fadin' in, Fadin' Out" (#11c 1978)
md. to Sue Rhodes (1964- )
see Bobbie Braddock

Lenny Breau (Leonard Breau)

b. 1941 in Auburn, ME - d. 12 Aug 1984 in Los Angeles, CA (murdered)
jazz/country/blues singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
"Bluesette" (1969), "Mister Night" (1979), "Other Places, Other Times" (1979), "Sparkle Dust" (1983), "Quiet and Blue" (1985), "Meanwhile, Back in L.A." (1988), "But Beautiful (#2 1988)
session musician with Phil Upchruch, Buddy Spicher, Anne Murray, Dick Curless, Chet Atkins, and others
he was strangled and left in a swimming pool
see Lenny Breau

Terri Clark (Terri Lynne Sauson)

b. 1968 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (grew up in Alberta, Canada)
country singer
instruments: guitar, bass, drums
"Better Things to Do" (#3c 1995, she co-wrote), "When Boy Meets Girl" (#3c 1995, she co-wrote), "If I Were You" (#8c 1996, she wrote), * "Emotional Girl" (#10c 1997, she co-wrote), "You're Easy on the Eyes" (#40, #1c 1998, she co-wrote), "Now That I Found You" (#72, #2c 1998), "Every Time I Cry" (#69, #12c 1999), "A Little Gasoline" (#13c 2000), * "I Just Wanna Be Mad (for a While)" (#27, #2c 2003), "I Wanna Do it All" (#38, #3c 2003), "Girls Lie, Too" (#36, #1c 2004), "She Didn't Have Time" (#25c 2005), "In My Next Life" (#36c 2007)
duet with Vince Gill, "I Can't Keep You in Love with Me" (2006)
songwriter
md. to fiddler, Ted Stevenson (1991-96); md. to Greg Kacaor (2005-07)
Clark is her step-father's last name
when asked to pose for Playboy she declined because it wouldn't fit her image, adding: "As Playboys go, I've always been more partial to Bob Wills' band."
see Terri Clark

Rick Derringer (Richard Zehringer)

b. 1947 in Fort Recovery, OH
rock/jazz/Christian singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
"Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" (#23 1974, One-Hit Wonder), "Joy Ride" (1974), "The Airport Giveth (the Airport Taketh Away)" (1974), "Skyscraper Blues" (1975), "All I Want to Do is Cry" (1994), "Firebrand Rebel" (1994), "Right Place, Wrong Time" (1998), "Just Another Night" (1998), "Grey Day" (2001), "Dawn of Love" (2001), * "When I Kissed You" (2002), "Good 2 Go" (2002), "Free Ride" (2002), "Midnight Road" (2004)
founding member and leader of The McCoys, "Hang on, Sloopy" (#1 1965, official rock song of Ohio), "I Can't Explain it" (1965), "Fever" (#7 1965), "If You Tell a Lie" (1965), "Come on, Let's Go" (#21 1966), "You Make Me Feel So Good" (1966), "I Got to Go Back (and Watch That Little Girl Dance)" (1967), "I Wonder if She Remembers Me" (1967), "Jesse Brady" (1968)
founding member and lead of Derringer (1975-83), "Walk the Dog" (1975), "Goodbye Again" (1976)
sessionist with Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Steely Dan, Les Paul, and others
bandleader
songwriter
music producer
see The McCoys on Wikipedia
see Rick Derringer

Damita Jo (Damita Jo DuBlanc)

b. 1940 in Austin, TX (grew up in Santa Barbara, CA) – d. 25 Dec 1998 in Baltimore, MD (respiratory problems)
R&B singer
"My Heart is Home" (1957), "I'll Save the Last Dance for You" (#22 1960, reply to The Drifters' "Save the Last Dance for Me"), "I'll Be There" (#12 1961, reply to Ben E. King's "Stand by Me"), "A Reason to Believe" (1968), "Grown-Up Games" (1968), "Lonely Letters" (1968), "Paint Me Loving You" (1970)
with The 5 Red Caps (1951-59), "When You Come Back to Me" (1951), "Three Dollars and Ninety-Eight Cents" (1951), "I Went to Your Wedding" (#20 1952), "I Do, I Do, I Do" (1953), "Ouch!" (1954), "Cheryl Lee" (1960)
actress; comedian
md. to singer, Steve Gibson (1954-58)
see The 5 Red Caps on R&B Notebooks

Larry Franklin

b. 1953 in Sherman, TX
western swing singer
instruments: fiddle, guitar, bass
"Franklin Swing" (2001), "That's All" (2001), "Now and Then" (2001)
with the Cooder Browne Band (1976-80)
founding member of the Larry Franklin Band (1980-84)
with Asleep at the Wheel (1984-1991), "House of Blue Lights" (#17c 1987), "Way Down Texas Way" (#39c 1987), "Hot Rod Lincoln" (#65c 1988), "Walk on By" (#55c 1988), "Keepin' Me Up Nights" (#54c 1990), "Dance With Who Brung You" (#71c 1991)
session fiddle player with Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Vince Gill, and others
served in the Army (1972-75)
see Asleep at the Wheel
see Larry Franklin

Vern Gosdin (Vernon Gosden, aka 'The Voice')

b. 1934 in Woodland, AL
country/bluegrass/honky-tonk singer
instrument: guitar
"Till the End" (#7c 1977), "Yesterday's Gone" (#9c 1977), "Never, My Love" (#9c 1978), "Without You There's a Sadness in My Song" (1978), "Sarah's Eyes" (#57c 1979), "Dream of Me" (#7c 1981), "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do it Right) (#5c 1983, he co-wrote), "Way Down Deep" (#5c 1983), "I Wonder Where We'd Be Tonight" (#10c 1983, he wrote), "What Would Your Memories Do?" (#10 1984), "Slow Burning Memory" (#10c 1984, he wrote), "I Can Tell by the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)" (#1c 1984), "Set 'em Up, Joe' (#1c 1988, he wrote), "Do You Believe Me Now?" (#4c 1988, he wrote), "Chiseled in Stone" (#6c 1988, he co-wrote), "I'm Still Crazy" (#1c 1989, he wrote), "Who You Gonna Blame it on This Time?" (#2c 1989, he wrote), "That Just about Does it" (#4c 1990, he wrote), "Is it Raining at Your House?" (#10c 1990, he co-wrote), "This Ain't My First Rodeo" (#14c 1990, he co-wrote), "Right in the Wrong Direction" (#10c 1990, he co-wrote)
founding member of The Gosdin Brothers (1961-73), "To Ramona" (1966), "Hangin' on" (#37c 1967), "She Still Wishes I Were You" (1968)
duets with Emmylou Harris, "Hangin' on" (#16 1976), "Yesterday's Gone" (#9c 1977)
sessionist
songwriter
brother of Rex Gosdin

Tommy Grate

b. 1934
doo-wop singer (bass)
with The Dubs (1957-58, 1959-70, replaced Tommy Gardner), "Could This Be Magic?" (#23 1957), "Somebody Goofed" (1957), "Beside My Love" (1958), "Chapel of Dreams" (#74 1959), "Down, Down, Down I Go" (1961), "This, to Me, is Love" (1962), "You're Free to Go" (1962), "Your Very First Love" (1963)
founding member of The Five Wings, "Teardrops Are Falling" (1959)
see The Dubs on R&B Notebooks

Rick Huxley (Richard Huxley)

b. 1940 in Kent, England
pop/rock musician, instruments: bass, guitar
founding member of the Dave Clark Five (1958-70), * "Glad All Over" (#6 1964), "Chaquita" (1964), * "Bits and Pieces" (#4 1964), * "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?" (#11 1964), "Can't You See That She's Mine?" (#4 1964), "Because" (#3 1964), "Everybody Knows (I Still Love You)" (#15 1964), "Any Way You Want it" (#14 1965), "Come Home" (#14 1965), "Reelin' and Rockin'" (#23 1965), "I Like it Like That" (#7 1965), "Catch Us if You Can" (#4 1965), "Over and Over" (#1 1965), "At the Scene" (#18 1966), "Try Too Hard" (#12 1966), "Please Tell Me Why" (#28 1966), "You Got What it Takes" (#7 1967), "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" (#35 1967)
see the Dave Clark Five

Greg Leskiw

b. 1943 in Canada
rock/blues singer
instrument: guitar
with The Guess Who (1970-71), "No Time" (#6 1970), "Hand-Me-Down World" (#17 1970), "Share the Land" (#10 1970), "American Woman" (#1 1970), "Bus Rider" (1970), "Rain Dance" (#19 1971), "One Divided" (1971, wrote)
founding member of Mood jga jga (1972- )
founding member of SwingSoniq (1997- )
songwriter, wrote Rick Derringer "Grey Day" (2001)
see The Guess Who on Wikipedia

Mark O'Connor

b. 1961 in Seattle, WA
country/bluegrass/jazz musician, instruments: fiddle, guitar, steel guitar, bass, dobro, mandolin, banjo
"Misty Moonlight Waltz" (1979, he wrote), "Skater's Waltz" (1979), "Morning Star Waltz" (1979), "Nashville Shuffle Boogie" (1991, he wrote), "The Ballad of Sally Anne" (1991)
with The Dixie Dregs (1982), "Crank it Up" (1982), "Ridin' High" (1982)
with The Hot Swing Trio (2001-2005)
duet with Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner, "Restless" (#25c 1991)
duet with Charlie Daniels, Johnny Cash, Travis Tritt, Marty Stuart, "The Devil Comes Back to Georgia" (#54c 1994)
session musician
songwriter
md. to Carla Massey (1996- )
he can fiddle while riding a skateboard
see Mark O'Connor

Sammi Smith (Jewel Fay Smith)

b. 1943 in Orange County, CA (grew up in OK) – d. 12 Feb 2005 in Oklahoma City, OK (emphysema)
country/folk singer
"He's Everywhere" (#25c 1970), "Help Me Make it Through the Night" (#8, #1c 1970, CMA single of the year 1971), "Then You Walk in" (#10c 1971), "I've Got to Have You" (#77, #13c 1972), "I Miss You Most When You're Right Here" (#62c 1973), "The Rainbow in Daddy's Eyes" (#16c 1974), "Long Black Veil" (#26c 1975), "My Window Faces the South" (#51c 1975), "Today I Started Loving You Again" (#9c 1975), "Good Mornin' Sunshine, Goodbye" (1976), "I Can't Stop Loving You" (#27c 1977), "Lovin' Arms" (#19c 1977), "Days That End in Y" (#23c 1977), "What a Lie" (#16c 1979), "The Letter" (#27c 1979), "Cheatin's a Two-Way Street" (#16c 1981)
founding member of Apache Spirit
songwriter, co-wrote Waylon Jennings' "Cedartown, Georgia" (#14c 1971)
she is of Apache descent

Barry Tashian (Barry Melcon Tashian)

b. 1945 in Oak Park, IL
folk/bluegrass singer
instrument: guitar
with the Flying Burrito Brothers (1967)
with Emmylou Harris' Hot Band (1980-89), "Beneath Still Waters" (#1c 1980), "Another Pot of Tea" (1982), "(Lost His Love) on Our Last Date" (#1c 1983), "Tennessee Rose" (#9c 1982)
founding member of The Remains (1964-66)
founding member of Barry and Holly (1970- ), "Trust in Me" (1989, he co-wrote), "Look Both Ways" (1989, he co-wrote), "The Memories Remain" (1993), "Highway 86" (1993, he co-wrote), "Heart Full of Memories" (1993, he co-wrote), "The Love You Give" (1997, he co-wrote), "Two Ways to Fall" (1997, he co-wrote), "Wild Wind" (1997, he co-wrote), "A Man's Best Friend is His Automobile" (2002, he co-wrote), "These Little Things" (2002, he co-wrote)

John Vandiver

b. 1945 - 22 Feb 1985 near Magnolia, TX (murdered)
blues/folk singer
instrument: guitar
"St. James Infirmary" (1984), "Comin' Home" (1984, he wrote), "Country Girl" (1984, he wrote), "Chicken Fried Steak" (1984)
songwriter
his murder was likely related to his drug use; his girlfriend was also murdered

August 6

Judy Craig

b. 1946 in New York, NY
pop/rock singer
founding member and lead singer of The Chiffons (1960-70, and reunions), "Tonight's the Night" (#76 1960), * "He's So Fine" (#1 1963), * "One Fine Day" (#5 1963), "A Love So Fine" (1963), "I Have a Boyfriend" (#36 1963), "Why Am I So Shy?" (1963), "I'm Gonna Dry My Eyes" (1963), "Easy to Love (So Hard to Get)" (1964), "Sailor Boy" (1964), "Nobody Knows What's Going on (in My Mind But Me)" (1965), "Tonight I'm Gonna Dream" (1965), "Did You Ever Go Steady?" (1966), "Sweet-Talkin' Guy" (#10 1966), "Three Dips of Ice Cream" (1969)
The Chiffons also recorded as The Four Pennies, "My Block" (#67 1963), "When the Boy's Happy (the Girl's Happy Too)" (#95 1963)
see The Chiffons

Ray Doggett (Elmer Ray Doggett aka Elmer Ray)

b. 1935 in Sweetwater, TX - d. 16 Mar 2002 in Nashville, TN (heart attack)
rockabilly/country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"It Hurts the One Who Loves You" (1957), "Love is Made of This" (1957), "That's the Way Love is with Me" (1957), "We'll Always Have Each Other" (1958), "So Lonely Tonight" (1959)
session musician with Dean Beard, Slim Willet, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Billy Walker's "On My Mind Again" (#12c 1957)
music producer

Mark DuFresne

b. 1950/53/55 (maybe Apr 29) in Green Bay, WI
country/rock/honky-tonk musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Confederate Railroad (1987- ), "She Took it Like a Man" (#37c 1992), "Jesus and Mama" (#4c 1992), "Queen of Memphis" (#2c 1993), "Trashy Women" (#10c 1993), "When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back" (#14c 1993), "She Never Cried (When Ol' Yeller Died)" (#27c 1994), "Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind" (#9c 1994), "Redneck Romeo" (1994), "When and Where" (#24c 1995), "See Ya" (#51c 1996), "Keep on Rockin'" (1998), "Cowboy Cadillac" (#70c 1999), "That's What Brothers Do" (#39c 2001)

Mike Elliott

b. 1929 in Jamaica
soul/pop/jazz musician, instruments: tenor sax
founding member of The Foundations (1967-68), * "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (#11 1968), "Back on My Feet Again" (#59 1968), "Any Old Time (You're Lonely and Sad)" (1968), "Build Me up, Buttercup" (#3 1969)
with Colin Hicks and the Cabin Boys (1957-59)
see The Foundations on Wikipedia

Patsy Lynn

b. 1964 in Nashville, TN (grew up in Hurricane Mills, TN)
country singer
founding member of The Lynns, "Nights Like These" (#48c 1997, she co-wrote), "Woman to Woman" (#43c 1998, she co-wrote), "This Must Be Love" (1998), "What Am I Doing Loving You?" (1998)
songwriter
twin daughter of Loretta Lynn; niece of Crystal Gayle

Peggy Lynn

b. 1964 in Nashville, TN (grew up in Hurricane Mills, TN)
country singer
founding member of The Lynns, "Nights Like These" (#48c 1997, she co-wrote), "Woman to Woman" (#43c 1998, she co-wrote), "This Must Be Love" (1998), "What Am I Doing Loving You?" (1998)
songwriter
twin daughter of Loretta Lynn; niece of Crystal Gayle

Pat MacDonald

b. 1951 in Green Bay, WI
pop/folk/rock singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, harmonica
"Missing" (1997), "Stupid Simple Song" (1997), "Drive Me Around" (1997), "A Question of Time" (2003), "Enjoy the Silence" (2003)
founding member and lead singer of Timbuk 3 (1986-95), "The Future's So Bright (I Gotta Wear Shades)" (#19 1986, he co-wrote), "Hairstyles and Attitudes" (1986, he wrote), "Shame on You" (1986, he wrote), "Facts about Cats" (1986, he wrote), "A Sinful Life" (1988), "Sample the Dog" (1988), "Too Much Sex (Not Enough Affection)" (1988), "Wheel of Fortune" (1989), "Mudflap Girl" (1991), "Border Crossing" (1991), "Looks Like Dark to Me" (1994), "Kitchen Fire" (1995)
songwriter
md. to Barbara K. MacDonald

Robert Mitchum (Robert Charles Durman Mitchum)

b. 1917 in Bridgeport, CT - d. 1 Jul 1997 in Santa Barbara, CA (lung cancer and emphysema)
country singer
* "The Ballad of Thunder Road" (#62 1958), "Little Old Wine Drinker Me" (#96, #9c 1967), "You Deserve Each Other" (#55c 1967), "Walker's Woods" (1967)
actor

Jimmy Ricks (James Thomas Ricks aka JT Ricks aka Ricky Ricks)

b. 1924 in Adrian, GA - d. 2 Jul 1974 in Albany, NY (heart attack)
doo-wop/R&B/pop singer (bass)
"Too Soon" (1952), "Do You Promise?" (1957), "Here Come the Tears Again" (1959), "If it Didn't Hurt So Much" (1959), "Love is the Thing" (1960), "Girl of My Dreams" (1965), "Wigglin' and Gigglin'" (1968)
founding member and lead singer of The Ravens (1946-55), "Send for Me if You Need Me" (1947), "Write Me a Letter" (#24 1947), "Out of a Dream" (1948), "Bye Bye Baby Blues" (1948), "If You Didn't Mean it" (1949), "I'm Gonna Paper My Walls With Your Love Letters" (1950), "Lilacs in the Rain" (1951), "You Don't Have to Drop a Heart to Break it" (1951), "Write Me One Sweet Letter" (1952), "Walkin' My Blues Away" (1953)
duet with Lavern Baker, "You're the Boss" (1961)
with the Count Basie Orchestra
see The Ravens on R&B Notebooks

Darrell Scott

b. 1959 in London, KY (grew up in East Gary, IN)
country singer
"Spelling-Bee Romance" (1997), "Title of the Song" (1997), "Rhonda's Last Ride" (1999), "My Father's House" (1999), "Day after Day" (2003), "Let's Call it a Life" (2006), "Do it or Die Trying?" (2006)
duets with Tim O'Brien, "Second Mouse" (2000), "There Ain't No Easy Way" (2000)
session musician
songwriter
see Darrell Scott

Lisa Stewart

b. 1968 in Louisville, MS
country singer
"Somebody's in Love" (#61c 1992), "Drive Time" (#72c 1993), "That Makes One of Us" (1993), "Under the Light of the Texaco" (1993), "If I Was Her" (1993, she co-wrote)
songwriter
actress

August 7

Don Bradley

b. 1936/37 in St. Louis, MO
R&B/soul singer
bass singer with The Vibrations (1959-76), "So Blue" (1960), "The Watusi" (#25 1961), "Let's Pony Again" (1961), "Hamburgers on a Bun" (1962), "Cause You're Mine" (1963), "My Girl, Sloopy" (#26 1964), "Keep on Keeping on" (1965), "Finding Out the Hard Way" (1965), "You Better Beware" (1967), "A Shot of Love" (1968), "Expressway to Your Heart" (1969), "Man Overboard" (1972)
Vibrations recording as The Marathons, "Peanut Butter" (#20 1961), "Talkin' Trash" (1961)
with The Jayhawks, "I Wish the World Owed Me a Living" (1959), "Betty Brown" (1959)
see The Vibrations on SoulWalking
see The Jayhawks on R&B Notebooks

Alison Brown

b. 1962
bluegrass/folk/jazz singer
instrument: banjo, guitar
"First Light" (1992), "Rain Again" (1994), "Look Left" (1994), "Fair Weather" (2000), "Late on Arrival" (2000), "One Morning in May" (2005)
founding member and lead of The Alison Brown Quartet, "The Red Balloon" (1996), "Out of the Blue" (1998), "Coast Walk" (1998)
with Alison Krauss' Union Station (1987-89)
songwriter
md. to bass player, Garry West
has an MBA from UCLA
see Allison Krauss and Union Station
see Alison Brown

Felice Bryant (Matilda Genevieve Scaduto)

b. 1925 in Milwaukee, WI - d. 22 Apr 2003 in Gatlinburg, TN (cancer)
country singer
"Completely" (1960), "I Don't Believe in Wishing Anymore" (1961)
duet with Boudleaux Bryant, "Rocky Top" (1979, she co-wrote, state song of Tennessee)
songwriter, co-wrote Little Jimmy Dickens' "Country Boy" (#7c 1948), "Out Behind the Barn" (#9c 1954); The Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye, Love" (#2 1957), "Wake Up, Little Susie" (#1 1957), "Bird Dog" (#1, #1c 1958), "Problems" (#2, #17c 1958); Bob Luman's "Let's Think about Livin'" (#7 1960); Bob Moore's "Mexico" (#7 1961); Carl Smith's "Hey, Joe" (#1c 1953), "Just Wait Till I Get You Alone" (#7c 1953); Sonny James' "Baltimore" (#6c 1964); Ernie Ashworth's "I Love to Dance with Annie" (#4c 1964); Jim Reeves' "Blue Boy" (#45, #2c 1958); The Everly Brothers' "Take a Message to Mary" (#16 1959)
md. to songwriter, Boudleaux Bryant

Kerry Chater

b.1945 in Vancouver, Canada
pop/rock singer
instrument: electric bass, rhythm guitar
"Dance to the Rhythm of Your Love" (1977), "Part-Time Love" (1977), "Even a Fool Would Let Go" (1977, he wrote), "Well on My Way to Loving You" (1978), "No Room in My Life for Anyone Else But You" (1978)
founding member of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (1967-70), * "Woman, Woman" (#4 1968), * "Young Girl" (#2 1968), * "Lady Willpower" (#2 1968), * "Over You" (#7 1968), "Don't Give in to Him" (#15 1969), * "This Girl is a Woman Now" (#9 1969), * "Little Green Apples" (1969), "Let's Give Adam and Eve Another Chance" (#41 1970)
songwriter
see Gary Puckett and the Union Gap

Rodney Crowell

b. 1950 in Houston, TX
country/rock/pop singer
instruments: guitar, drums
"I Ain't Living Long Like This" (1978, he wrote), "Ashes by Now" (#37, #78c 1980, he wrote), "Stars on the Water" (#30c 1981, he wrote), "Only Two Hearts" (1981, he co-wrote), "Victim of a Fool" (#34c 1982, he wrote), "When I'm Free Again" (#38c 1986, he co-wrote), "She Loves the Jerk" (#71c 1987), "I Couldn't Leave You if I Tried" (#10, #1c 1988, he wrote), "She's Crazy for Leavin'" (#1c 1988, he co-wrote), "I Know You're Married" (1988, he wrote), "The Last Waltz" (1988, he wrote), "Above and Beyond (the Call of Love)" (#1c 1989), "After All This Time" (#1c 1989, he wrote), "Many a Long and Lonesome Highway" (#3c 1990, he co-wrote), "If Looks Could Kill" (#6c 1990, he wrote), "My Past is Present" (#22c 1990, he wrote), "Lovin' All Night" (#10c 1992, he wrote), "What Kind of Love?" (#11c 1992, he co-wrote), "The Answer is Yes" (1992, he wrote), "I Hardly Know How to Be Myself" (1992, he wrote), "The Rose of Memphis" (1994, he co-wrote), "Let the Picture Paint Itself" (#60c 1994, he wrote), "Still Learning How to Fly" (1997, he wrote), "Telephone Road" (2001, he co-wrote), "Why Don't We Talk about it?" (2001, he wrote), "Highway 17" (2001, he wrote), "Earthbound" (#60c 2003, he wrote), "Riding Out the Storm" (2003, he wrote), "Say You Love Me" (2005), "We Can't Turn Back" (2005), "Shelter from the Storm" (2005)
duet with Rosanne Cash, "It's Such a Small World" (#1c 1988, he wrote)
duet with Johnny Cash, "I Walk the Line (Revisited)" (#61c 1998)
duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Talking to a Stranger" (1993, he co-wrote)
with Emmylou Harris' band (1975-77), "Too Far Gone" (#73c 1975; #13c 1979), "If I Could Only Win Your Love" (#4c 1975), "Together Again" (#65, #1c 1976), "Amarillo" (1976), "One of These Days" (#3c 1976), "Sweet Dreams" (#1c 1976)
founding member and lead of The Cherry Bombs (1977- )
with The Notorious Cherry Bombs (2002- ), "Making Memories of Us" (2004, he wrote), "Forever Someday" (2004), Let it Roll, Let it Ride" (2004, he co-wrote), "If I Ever Break Your Heart" (2004, he wrote)
songwriter, wrote Oak Ridge Boys "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" (1c 1980); The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Long Hard Road (The Sharcropper's Dream)" (#1c 1984), "An American Dream" (#58c 1980); Lynn Anderson's "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" (#26c 1980)
music producer
md. to singer Rosanne Cash (1979-91), md. to singer, Claudia Church (1998- )
see Rodney Crowell

Stan Freberg (Stanley Victor Freberg)

b. 1926 in Los Angeles, CA (grew up in Pasadena, CA)
novelty singer
"John and Marsha" (1951), "I've Got You Under My Skin" (#11 1951), "Little Blue Riding Hood" (#9 1953), "St. George and the Dragonet" (#1 1953, parody of the Dragnet TV series), "Sh Boom" (#14 1954), "The Yellow Rose of Texas" (#16 1955), "Green Chri$tma$" (1958), "The Old Payola Roll Blues" (1960)
songwriter
actor; author; satirist

Ron Holden (Rolan Holden)

b. 1939 in Seattle, WA – d. 22 Jan 1997 in Mexico (heart attack while in jail)
R&B/rock singer
"Gee, But I'm Lonesome" (1960), "Susie Jane" (1960), "Your Line is Busy" (1960), "I'll Always Have You" (1961), "Big Shoe" (1961), "Things Don't Happen That Way" (1962), "I Tried" (1967), "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" (1969), "Can You Talk?" (1974)
founding member of Ron Holden and the Thunderbirds, "Love You So" (#7 1960, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "True Love Can Be" (1960)
with The Playboys
duets with Rosie Hamlin, "So Dearly" (1961), "Bring Me Happiness" (1961)
songwriter

Rick Joswick (Richard Leon Joswick)

b. 1952
pop singer
instruments: drums, percussions
co-lead singer of Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, "My Days Are Numbered" (1968), "I'm on the Outside Looking in" (1970), "Special Someone" (#64 1972), "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" (#1 1974), "Who Do You Think You Are?" (#15 1974), "The Heartbreak Kid" (#39 1974), "House on Telegraph Hill" (1975), "Our Last Song Together" (#95 1975), "Give Me Some Time" (1977)

Michael Mahler (Michael Blake Mahler)

b. 1961 in Temple, TX (grew up near Heidenheimer, TX)
country singer
instruments: lead guitar, mandolin, bass, drums, piano
with Wild Horses, "I Will Survive" (#46c 2001), "You Gotta Ride" (2003, he wrote), "Am I Going too Fast?" (2003), "Listen to My Heart" (2003, he co-wrote), "Wild Horses" (2003), "Ride, Cowboy Ride" (2003), "Safely Home" (2003), "How Love Should Be" (2007), "You and Me and San Antone" (2007), "Touch Me There Again" (2007)
songwriter
md. to singer, Angela Rae

Raul Malo (Raul Francisco Martinez-Malo, Jr.)

b. 1965 in Miami, FL
country/rock singer
instruments: bass, guitar, piano
"I Said I Love You" (2001), "Let's Not Say Goodbye Anymore" (2001), "Early Morning Rain" (2004), "Run to Me" (2006), "Secret Heart" (2006), "It Only Hurts When I Cry" (2007)
founding member and lead singer of The Mavericks (1990- ), "Hey, Good Lookin'" (#74c 1992), "What a Crying Shame" (#25c 1994, he co-wrote), "Oh, What a Thrill" (#18c 1994), "There Goes My Heart" (#20c 1994, he co-wrote), "Here Comes the Rain" (#22c 1995, he co-wrote), "All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down" (#13c 1996, he co-wrote), "Dance the Night Away" (#63c 1998, he wrote), "Air That I Breathe" (#59c 2003)
songwriter
see Raul Malo

Carlo Novi

b. 1949 in Mexico City, Mexico
rock/soul/blues singer
instrument: tenor sax
founding member of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1975-77), "I Don't Want to Go Home" (1976), "This Time it's for Real" (1977), "Love on the Wrong Side of Town" (1977), "When You Dance" (1977)
with The Miami Horns (1977- )
see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Michael Peterson

b. 1959 in Tucson, AZ (grew up in Richland, WA)
country/Christian singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Give it Up" (1986), "Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie" (#86, #3c 1997, he co-wrote), "Too Good to Be True" (#8c 1997, he co-wrote), "From Here to Eternity" (#1c 1997, he co-wrote), "By the Book" (#19c 1997, he co-wrote), "Something 'Bout a Sunday" (#45c 1999), "Sure Feels Real Good" (#39c 1999, he co-wrote), "Modern Man" (#44c 2002)
songwriter
author
see Michael Peterson

Charlie Pope (Charles Pope)

b. 1936 in Atlanta, GA
soul singer
founding member of The Tams (1960-73, and reunions), "Untie Me" (#60 1962), "Disillusioned" (1962), "If You're So Smart (Why Do You Have a Broken Heart?)" (1962), "What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)?" (#9 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Hey Girl, Don't Bother Me" (1964), "Shelter" (1966), "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" (#61 1968), "There's a Great Big Change in Me" (1969), "This Precious Moment" (1978)
brother of Joseph Pope
see The Tams

Herb Reed

b. 1931 in Kansas City, MO
rock/R&B singer (bass)
founding member of The Platters (1953- ), "Tell the World" (1954), * "Only You (and You Alone)" (#5 1955), "I'm Just a Dancing Partner" (1955), "The Great Pretender" (#1 1956), "My Prayer" (#1 1956), "(You've Got) the Magic Touch" (1956), "On My Word of Honor" (1957), "My Dream" (1957), "Twilight Time" (#1 1958), "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (#1 1959), "Harbor Lights" (#8 1960), "I'll Never Smile Again" (#25 1961), "It's Magic" (1962), "Endless Street" (1965), "I Love You 1000 Times" (1966)
his current Platters' group is the only one with an original member

B.J. Thomas (Billy Joe Thomas)

b. 1942 in Hugo, OK (grew up in Rosenberg, TN)
country/pop/gospel singer
"Never Tell" (1964), "Billy and Sue" (#34 1966), "Mama" (#22 1966), "Wendy" (1966), "Plain Jane" (1967), "Hooked on a Feeling" (#5 1968), "The Eyes of a New York Woman" (#28 1968), "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (#1 1970), "The Mask" (1970), "I Just Can't Help Believing" (#9 1970), "No Love at All" (#16 1971), "Rock and Roll Lullaby" (#15 1972), "(Hey, Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" (#1, #1c 1975, longest title for #1 hit), "Don't Worry, Baby" (#17 1977), "Everybody Loves a Rain Song" (#25c 1978), "New Looks from an Old Lover" (#1c 1983), "Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love" (#1c 1983), "Two-Car Garage" (#3c 1984), "The Whole World's in Love When You're Lonely" (#10c 1984), "The Girl Most Likely to" (#17c 1985), * "Broken Toy" (2000)
lead of B.J. Thomas and the Triumphs, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" (#8 1966)
duet with Ray Charles, "Rock and Roll Shoes" (#14c 1984)
songwriter
md. to Gloria Jean Richardson (1968- )
see B.J. Thomas

Walter Vickers

b. 1941/42 (maybe Nov 20) – d. 24 Sep 1976 in Somerset, NJ (diabetic coma)
R&B/rock musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of The Essex (1961-64), * "Easier Said Than Done" (#1 1963), "Are You Going My Way?" (1963), "A Walkin' Miracle"(#12 1963), "She's Got Everything" (#56 1963), "Dance Without Music" (1963), "What Did I Do?" (1964)
served in the Marines

August 8

Gary Baker (Gary B. Baker)

b. 1952 in Niagara Falls, NY
country singer
instruments: guitar, bass
with LeBlanc and Carr, "Falling" (#1 1978), "Midnight Light" (1978)
with The Shooters
founding member of Baker and Myers, "These Arms" (#67c 1995, he co-wrote), "A Random Act of Senseless Kindness" (1995, he co-wrote), "Still Fallin'" (1995, he co-wrote), "Years from Here" (#48c 1995, he co-wrote), "Full Moon" (1995, he co-wrote), "Real Deal" (1995, he co-wrote), "Shoulder to Cry on" (1995, he co-wrote)
backup singer and session musician with Eddy Raven, Gary Morris, and others
songwriter, co-wrote John Michael Montgomery's "I Swear" (#1c #1 1994); Alabama's "Once Upon a Lifetime" (#3c 1993), "T.L.C. A.S.A.P" (#7c 1994); Lonestar's "I'm Already There" (#24, #1c 2001), Reba McEntire's "One Honest Heart" (#7c 1999); T.G. Sheppard's "Born in a High Wind" (#63c 1991)
md. to Amanda Watson

Phil Balsley (Philip Elwood Balsley)

b. 1939 in Staunton, VA
country singer (baritone/second tenor)
founding member of The Statler Brothers (1955- ), "Flowers on the Wall" (#4, #2c 1965), "You Can't Have You Kate and Edith Too" (#10c 1967), * "Pictures" (#13c 1971), "Bed of Rose's" (#58, #9c 1971), * "Do You Remember These?" (#2c 1972), * "The Class of '57" (#6c 1972), "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott?" (#22c 1974), * "Susan When She Tried" (#15c 1974), * "All-American Girl" (1975), "I'll Go to My Grave Loving You" (#93, #3c 1975), * "Thank God I've Got You" (#10c 1976), "Hat and Boots" (1976), * "Your Picture in the Paper" (1976), "Silver Medals and Sweet Memories" (#18c 1977), * "I Was There" (#8c 1977), * "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine?" (#1c 1978), "Who Am I to Say?" (#3c 1978), * "Some I Wrote" (#17c 1978), * "The Official Historian of Shirley Jean Berrell" (#5c 1979), "Here We Are Again" (#11c 1979), * "How to Be a Country Star" (#7c 1979), * "I'll Even Love You Better Than I Did Then" (#8c 1980), "Charlotte's Web" (#5c 1980), * "We Got Paid by Cash" (1980), * "Don't Forget Yourself" (#13c 1980), * "Years Ago" (#12c 1981), * "Dad" (1981), "You'll Be Back (Every Night in My Dreams)" (#3c 1982), "Whatever" (#7c 1982), "A Child of the Fifties" (#17c 1983), "Elizabeth" (#1c 1984, he wrote), "Atlanta Blue" (#3c 1984), "Hello, Mary Lou" (#3c 1985), "My Only Love" (#1c 1986), "Too Much on My Heart" (#1c 1986), "Count on Me" (#5c 1986), "Forever" (#7c 1987), "I'll Be the One" (#10c 1987), "Let's Get Started if We're Gonna Break My Heart" (#12c 1988), "More Than a Name on the Wall" (#6c 1989)
see The Statler Brothers

Jay David (John David)

b. 1942 in Union City, NJ
country/rock musician, instrument: drums
with Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show (1970-73), Sylvia's Mother" (#1 1972), "The Cover of Rolling Stone" (#6 1972), "Four Years Older Than Me" (1972, he co-wrote), "Carry Me, Carrie" (1973)
session musician
songwriter

James Graves

b. 1938 - d. Nov 1967 (auto accident)
R&B musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Junior Walker and the All Stars (1965-66), "Shotgun" (#4 1965), "Do the Boomerang" (#36 1965), "Shake and Fingerpop" (#29 1965), "I'm a Road Runner" (#20 1966), "How Sweet it is (to Be Loved by You)" (#18 1966)
see Junior Walker and the All Stars

Urbie Green (Urban Clifford Green)

b. 1926 in Mobile, AL
jazz/pop musician, instrument: trombone
"Old-Time Modern" (1954), "Reminiscent Blues" (1955), "One for Dee" (1955), "Blue Jeans" (1955), "With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair" (1956), "Just for Once" (1959), "Just Friends" (1981)
session musician on The Walter Wanderley Trio's "Summer Samba (So Nice)" (#26 1966, One-Hit Wonder); and with Jimmy Smith, Maynard Ferguson, Paul Desmond, The Count Basie Orchestra, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Louis Armstrong, and others
md. 1st to Darlein Dietz

Don Jacobucci

b. 1938
rock/pop/doo-wop singer
founding member of The Regents (1958-63), "Barbara Ann" (#13 1961, he co-wrote), "Runaround" (#28 1961), "Jeanette, Jeanette" (1961), "Just Cry" (1961)
songwriter

Tommy Jennings

b. 1938 in Littlefield, TX
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Make it Easy on Yourself" (#96c 1975), "Don't You Think it's Time?" (#71c 1978), "Mary's Eyes" (2005), "Out of Your Mind" (2005), "Eagle's Last Flight" (2005, he wrote), "The Girl in the Blue Velvet Band" (2005), "Me and Them Three Brothers of Mine" (2005, he wrote)
duet with Rex Gosdin, "Just Give Me What You Think is Fair" (#51c 1980)
duet with Tommy Cash, "Big Brothers" (1983)
songwriter
brother of Waylon Jennings

Michael Johnson

b. 1944 in Alamosa, CO (grew up in Denver, CO)
country/folk/rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Hills" (1964), "Happier Days" (1973, he wrote), "To Feel a Friend" (1975, he wrote), "Our Snowflake Dream" (1977), "Movin' in the Same Circles" (1977), "Bluer Than Blue" (#12 1978), "Twenty-Five Words or Less" (1978), "Sailing Without a Sail" (1978), "Almost Like Being in Love" (#32 1978), "This Night Won't Last Forever" (#19 1979), "Don't Ask Why" (1980), "You Can Call Me Blue" (#86 1980), "Blame it on the Rain" (1980), "I Can't Get to You from Here" (1981), "Lifetime Guarantee" (1983), "Give Me Wings" (#1c 1986), "The Moon is Still Over Her Shoulder" (#1c 1986), "Gotta Learn to Love Without You" (1986, he co-wrote), "Ponies" (#26c 1987), "Crying Shame" (#4c 1988, he co-wrote), "I Will Whisper Your Name" (#7c 1988), "Roller Coaster Run (Up Too Slow, Down Too Fast)" (#52c 1988), "Two Ships That Passed in the Moonlight" (1991), "Bristlecone Pine" (1991), "This Ain't the Night to Be Me" (1992, he co-wrote), "Software" (1995, he co-wrote), "Worth the Trouble" (1995), "Almost Free" (1995), "Distant Fire" (1995, he co-wrote)
duet with Sylvia, "I Love You By Heart" (#9c 1986)
with The Chad Mitchell Trio (1966)
songwriter, co-wrote 4Runner's "Cain's Blood" (#26c 1995)
see Michael Johnson
see the Chad Mitchell Trio

Drew Lachey (Andrew John Lachey)

b. 1976 in Cincinnati, OH
pop/soul/rock singer
founding member of 98 Degrees (1997- ), "Invisible Man" (#12 1997), "Because of You" (#3 1998), "I Do (Cherish You)" (#13 1999), * "The Hardest Thing" (#5 1999), "My Everything" (#34 2000), "Can You Imagine?" (2000)
98 Degrees duet with Mariah Carey, "Thank God I Found You" (#1 2000)
brother of Nick Lachey

Peggy Little

b. 1945 in Marlin, TX (grew up in Waco, TX)
country/pop singer
"Son of a Preacher Man" (#40c 1960), "Sweet Baby Girl" (#43c 1969), "Mama, I Won't Be Wearing a Ring" (#37c 1970), "One More Nightly Cry" (1969), "My Heart's Not in it Anymore" (1969), "I Knew You'd Be Leaving" (#59c 1970), "I've Got to Have You" (#75c 1971), "Sugarman" (#37c 1973)

Lucky Millinder (Lucius Venable Millinder)

b. 1900 in Anniston, AL (grew up in Chicago, IL) - d. 28 Sep 1966 in NY (liver disease)
R&B/swing singer
founding member and leader of Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra, "When the Lights Go on Again (All Over the World)" (#14 1942), "Apollo Jump" (1942), "Sweet Slumber" (#4c 1944), "Hurry Hurry" (#4c 1944), "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" (#7 1945), "I Ain't Got Nothin' to Lose" (1949), "Please Open Your Heart" (1950), "Little Girl, Don't Cry" (1950), "I'm Waiting Just for You" (#19 1951), "When I Gave You My Love" (1953), "It's a Sad, Sad Feeling" (1955)
he couldn't read music or play an instrument; he only sang occasionally
see Lucky Millinder on Wikipedia

Jamie O'Hara

b. 1950 in Toledo, OH
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
"It Ain't Over (Till Your Heart Says it's Over)" (1994, he wrote), "For Reasons I've Forgotten" (1994, he wrote), "Can't Get You Out of My Mind" (2001, he wrote), "That Ain't the Way I Heard it" (2001, he wrote), "Come Swim the Rivers with Me" (2001, he wrote)
founding member of The O'Kanes (1986-89), "Daddies Need to Grow up, Too" (#9c 1987, he co-wrote), "Can't Stop My Heart from Lovin' You" (#1c 1987, he co-wrote), "Just Lovin' You" (#5c 1988, he co-wrote), "One True Love" (#4c 1988, he co-wrote), "Blue Love" (#10c 1988, he co-wrote), "Highway 55" (2000)
songwriter, wrote Ronnie McDowell's "Wandering Eyes"(#2c 1981), "Older Women" (#1c 1981)
college football player

Webb Pierce (Webb Michael Pierce)

b. 1921 in West Monroe, LA – d. 24 Feb 1991 in Nashville, TN (pancreatic cancer)
honky-tonk singer
instrument: guitar
"Wondering" (#1c 1952), "That Heart Belongs to Me" (#1c 1952, he wrote), "Back-Street Affair" (#1c 1952), "There Stands the Glass" (#1c 1953), "It's Been So Long" (#1c 1953), "The Last Waltz" (#4c 1953, he co-wrote), "I'll Go on Alone" (#4c 1953), "That's Me Without You" (#4c 1953), "I'm Walkin' the Dog" (#3c 1953), "More and More" (#1c 1954), "You're Not Mine Anymore" (#4c 1954, he co-wrote), "Slowly" (#1c 1954, he co-wrote), "Even Tho'" (#3c 1954), "I Don't Care" (#1c 1955, he co-wrote), "Love, Love, Love" (#1c 1955), "In the Jailhouse Now" (#1c 1955), "If You Were Me and I Were You" (#1c 1955, he co-wrote), "Yes, I Know Why" (#3c 1956, he wrote), "Cause I Love You" (#3c 1956, he co-wrote), "Honky-Tonk Song" (#1c 1957), "Missing You" (#7c 1957), "Someday" (#2c 1957, he co-wrote), "I'm Tired" (#3c 1957), "Holiday for Love" (#3c 1957, he co-wrote), "Tupelo County Jail" (#7c 1958, he co-wrote), "Cryin' Over You" (#12c 1958), "You'll Come Back" (#10c 1958, he co-wrote), "Falling Back to You" (#10c 1958, he co-wrote), "A Thousand Miles Ago" (#6c 1959, he co-wrote), "I Ain't Never" (#24, #2c 1959, Pop One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Is it Wrong (For Loving You)?" (#69, #11c 1960), "Fallen Angel" (#4c 1960), "Drifting Texas Sand" (1960), "Let Forgiveness in" (#5c 1961, he wrote), "Walkin' the Streets" (#5c 1961), "Sweet Lips" (#3c 1961, he co-wrote), "Cowtown" (#5c 1962), "Sands of Gold" (#7c 1963, he co-wrote), "Memory Number One" (#2c 1964), "Those Wonderful Years" (#9c 1964, he co-wrote), "Who Do I Think I Am?" (#13c 1966, he co-wrote), "Fool, Fool, Fool" (#6c 1967), "This Thing" (#14c 1969), "Tell Him That You Love Him" (#31c 1971)
duet with Mel Tillis, "How Come Your Dog Don't Bite Nobody But Me?" (#25c 1963, he wrote)
duets with Red Sovine, * "Why, Baby, Why?" (#1c 1956), "Little Rosa" (#5c 1956, he co-wrote)
duets with Kitty Wells, "Oh, So Many Years" (#8c 1957), "One Week Later" (#12c 1958), "Finally" (#9c 1964)
duet with The Wilburn Brothers, "Sparkling Brown Eyes" (#3c 1954)
songwriter
actor
served in the Army during WWII (1940-43)
md. to Betty Jane Lewis (1942- ), md. to Audrey Greisham (1952- )
he had a guitar-shaped swimming pool

Connie Stevens (Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia)

b. 1938 in Brooklyn, NY
pop singer
"Looking for a Boy" (1958), "Love of the Month Club" (1960), "Sixteen Reasons" (#3 1961), "Nobody's Lonesome for Me" (1962), "Why'd You Wanna Make Me Cry?" (#52 1962), "Little Miss Understood" (1963), "She'll Never Understand Him (Like I Do)" (1970), "5:30 Plane" (1970)
duet with Edd Byrnes, "Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)" (#4 1959, One-Hit Wonder)
actress
humanitarian
md. 1st to actor, James Stacy (1963-67); md. 2nd to Eddie Fisher (1967-69)

Henry Strzelecki (Henry P. Strzelecki)

b. 1939 in Birmingham, AL
country singer
instruments: bass, electric bass, upright bass, guitar, piano
with The Four Flickers
session bassist on Bobby Bare's "500 Miles Away from Home" (#10, #4c 1963); Waylon Jennings' "Ladies Love Outlaws" (#11c 1972); George Strait's "You Look So Good in Love"(#1c 1983), "Let's Fall to Pieces Together" (#1c 1984), "Unwound" (#6c 1981), "Fool-Hearted Memories" (#1c 1982), "Amarillo by Morning"(#4c 1983); Ronnie Milsap's "Daydreams about Night Things" (#1c 1975)"; Gary Stewart's "Out of Hand" (#4c 1974), "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles) (#1c 1975), "Drinkin' Thing" (#10c 1974); Tom T. Hall's "Fox on the Run" (#9c 1976); and with Hank Garland, Janie Fricke, Ray Charles, Lacy J. Dalton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson, Charlie Walker, Skeeter Davis, Patsy Cline, David Allen Coe, Darrell McCall, Marty Robbins, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Cash, George Jones, and others
songwriter, co-wrote
The Beach Boys and Doug Supernaw's "Long Tall Texan" (#69c 1996)
music producer

Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington, Jr. aka Joseph Hazziez)

b. 1933 in Rogers, TX - d. 13 Aug 1982 in Navasota, TX (heart attack)
soul/rock/country singer
instrument: guitar
"I Want to Have a Talk With You" (1957), "Just for You and Me" (1958), "Don't Hold it Against Me" (1959), "Ain't it a Mess?" (1961), "I Let Her Get Away" (1963), "Hold on to What You've Got" (#5 1965), "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" (1965), "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)" (Save Your Sweet Love Just for Me) (#39 1966), "Show Me" (#35 1967), "A Woman's Hands" (1967), "Skinny Legs and All" (#10 1967), "Men Are Gettin' Scarce" (#33 1968), "Wooden Spoon" (1968), "Chocolate Cherry" (1968), "Betwixt and Between" (1968), "Buying a Book" (1969), "I Gotcha" (#2 1972), "Ain't Gonna Bump No More" (#12 1977)
songwriter

Mel Tillis (Lonnie Melvin Tillis)

b. 1932 in Tampa, FL (grew up in Pahokee, FL)
country singer
instruments: guitar, drums, fiddle
"The Violet and a Rose" (#24c 1958, he co-wrote), "That's Where the Hurt Comes in" (1961), "Wine" (#14c 1965, he wrote), "Guide Me Home, My Georgia Moon" (1966), "Life Turned Her That Way" (#11c 1967), "Goodbye, Wheeling" (#20c 1967, he wrote), "Who's Julie?" (#10c 1969), * "Heart Over Mind" (#3c 1970, he wrote), "Heaven Every Day" (#5c 1970), "The Sweetest Mistake" (1970), "The Arms of a Fool" (#4c 1971), "I Ain't Never" (#1c 1972, he co-wrote), "Neon Rose" (#3c 1973), "Sawmill" (#2c 1973), "Thank You for Being You" (#21c 1973), "Midnight, Me and the Blues" (#2c 1974), "Memory Maker" (#3c 1974, he co-wrote), "Stomp Them Grapes" (#3c 1974), "Woman in the Back of My Mind" (#4c 1975), "Lookin' for Tomorrow (and Findin' Yesterdays)" (#16c 1976), "Good Woman Blues" (#1c 1976), "Heart Healer" (#1c 1977), "I Got the Hoss" (#3c 1977), "What Did I Promise Her Last Night?" (#4c 1977), "Burning Memories" (#9c 1977, he co-wrote), "I Believe in You" (#1c 1978), "Ain't No California" (#4c 1978), "Send Me Down to Tucson" (#2c 1979), "Coca-Cola Cowboy" (#1c 1979), "Lying Time Again" (#6c 1980), "You Body is an Outlaw" (#3c 1980), "Southern Rain" (#1c 1981), "A Million Old Goodbyes" (#8c 1981), "It's a Long Way to Daytona" (#36c 1982, he wrote), "The One That Got Away" (#37c 1982, he wrote), "In the Middle of the Night" (#10c 1983), "New Patches" (#10c 1984), "City Lights" (#67c 1989)
duets with Sherry Bryce, "Take My Hand" (#8c 1971), "Living and Learning" (#9c 1971), "Anything's Better Than Nothing" (#38c 1972), "Don't Let Go" (#11c 1974), "You Are the One" (#14c 1975)
duet with Bill Phillips, "Sawmill" (#27c 1959)
duet with Webb Pierce, "How Come Your Dog Don't Bite Nobody But Me?" (#25c 1963)
duets with Nancy Sinatra, "Texas Cowboy Night" (#23c 1981), "Play Me or Trade Me" (#43c 1982)
songwriter, wrote Kenny Rogers' "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (#6, #39c 1969); Web Pierce's "I Ain't Never" (#24, #2c 1959); Bobby Bare's "Detroit City" (#16, #6c 1963); co-wrote Webb Pierce's "Honky-Tonk Song" (#2c 1957)
actor; comedian; author
served in the Air Force
father of singer, Pam Tillis
he stuttered when he talked but not when he sang
see Mel Tillis

Mark Wills (Daryl Mark Williams)

b. 1973 in Cleveland, TN (grew up in Blue Ridge, GA)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Jacob's Ladder" (#6c 1996), "Places I've Never Been" (#5c 1997), "I Do (Cherish You)" (#72, #2c 1998), "Don't Laugh at Me" (#73, #2c 1998), "Wish You Were Here" (#34, #1c 1999), "She's in Love" (#60, #7c 1999), "Back at One" (#36, #2c 1999), "I Want to Know (Everything There is to Know about You)" (#33c 2000), "19 Somethin'" (#23, #1c 2003), "When You Think of Me" (#28c 2003), "Take it All Out on Me" (#47c 2007)
md. to Kelly Mangus
songwriter

Jimmy Witherspoon (James Witherspoon)

b. 1920 in Gurdon, AR - d. 18 Sep 1997 in Los Angles, CA (throat cancer)
blues/jazz singer
"No Rollin' Blues" (1950), "Big Fine Girl" (1950), "Two Little Girls" (1952), "Fast Women and Sloe Gin" (1953), "When the Lights Go Out" (1954), "Highway to Happiness" (1954), "Waiting for Your Return" (1955), "My Girl, Ivy" (1957), "Oh Mary, Don't You Weep" (1960), "It's a Lonesome Old World" (1963), "You're Next" (#98 1965), "Blues Around the Clock" (1963), "One Last Chance" (1964), "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues" (1964)
session musician with Groove Holmes, Long John Baldry, and others
served in the military during WWII

Victor Young

b. 1899 in Chicago, IL (grew up in Poland) - d. 10 Nov 1956 in Palm Springs, CA (stroke)
pop musician, instrument: violin
conductor of Victor Young and His Singing Strings, "The Last Round-Up" (#3 1933), "She's a Latin from Manhattan" (#1 1935), "La Vie En Rose" (#27 1950), "(It Happened at the) Festival of Roses" (1950), "Ruby" (#20 1952), "The High and the Mighty" (#6 1954), "Geraldine" (1954), "Autumn Leaves" (#52 1955), "The Toy Tiger" (1955), "Around the World" (#13 1957, he wrote), "Her First Corsage" (1957)
songwriter, co-wrote The Lettermen's "When I Fall in Love" (#7 1962)
bandleader; arranger

August 9

Cathy Fink

b. 1953 in Baltimore, MD
folk/country singer, yodeler
instruments: guitar, 5-string banjo, accordion, fiddle
"The Magic Penny" (1988), "Peanut Butter and Jelly" (1989), "I'd Like to Be a Cowgirl" (1989)
duets with Marcy Marxer, "Seasons Change" (1997), "Voice on the Wind" (1997), "Halfway There" (1997), "Goodnight Waltz" (2000), "Survivors of the Storm" (2002), "Fool's Gold" (2002)
songwriter
see Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer

Whitney Houston (Whitney Elizabeth Houston)

b. 1963 in Newark, NJ
R&B singer
"You Give Good Love" (#3 1985), "Saving All My Love for You" (#1 1985), "How Will I Know?" (#1 1986), "The Greatest Love of All" (#1 1988), "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" (#1 1987), "Didn't We Almost Have it All?" (#1 1987), "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" (#1 1988), "So Emotional" (#1 1988), "All the Man That I Need" (#1 1991), * "I Will Always Love You" (#1 1992), * "Run to You" (#31 1993), "I'm Your Baby Tonight" (#1 1990), "Miracle" (#9 1991), * "I Have Nothing" (#4 1993), "I'm Every Woman" (#4 1993), "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" (#1 1995), "I Believe in You and Me" (#4 1997)
duet with Enrique Iglesias, "Could I Have This Kiss Forever?" (2000)
model; actress
md. to Bobby Brown; daughter of Cissy Houston
see Whitney Houston

Merle Kilgore (Wyatt Merle Kilgore)

b. 1934 in Chickasha, OK (grew up in Shreveport, LA) – d. 6 Feb 2005 in Mexico (lung cancer and congestive heart failure)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Everybody Needs a Little Lovin'" (1955), "Trying to Find (Someone Like You)" (1956), "It'll Be My First Time" (1959), "Ride, Jesse, Ride" (1959), "Love Has Made You Beautiful" (#10c 1960, he wrote), "Dear Mama" (#12c 1960, he wrote), "Getting Old Before My Time" (#29c 1960, he wrote), "42 in Chicago, 81 in L.A." (1962, he wrote), "Whiskey Road" (1963, he wrote), "Touched So Deeply" (1963, he wrote), "God Bless the Working Man" (1971, he co-wrote), "All She Wants to Do is Boogie" (1972), "Just Out of Reach" (#74c 1984)
songwriter, wrote Johnny Horton's "Johnny Reb" (#54, #10c 1959); Webb Pierce's "More and More" (#1c 1954)
co-wrote Maggie Singleton's "Old Records" (#11c 1963), "Wandering Mind" (#52c 1968); John Anderson's "Let Somebody Else Drive" (#10c 1984); Johnny Tillotson's "She Understands Me" (#31 1964); Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" (#17, #1c 1963); Claude King's "Wolverton Mountain" (#6, #1c 1962), "Tiger Woman" (#6c 1965)
actor
he was best man at Johnny Cash and June Carter's wedding
md. to Judy Carlene Moseley Williams (1978- )

Barbara Mason (Barbara Juanita Mason)

b. 1947 in Philadelphia, PA
soul/pop singer
"Girls Have Feelings, Too" (1964), "Sad, Sad Girl" (#27 1965), "Yes, I'm Ready" (#5 1965), "Half a Love" (1968), "You Never Loved Me" (1969), "Your Old Flame" (1970), "Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You)" (1970), "Child of Tomorrow" (1973), "It Was You, Boy" (1978), "I Don't Want No Other Love" (1978), "You Know Who I Love" (1981), "Let Me Give You Love" (1981), "Winter Love" (1984), "Don't I Ever Cross Your Mind?" (1984)
see Barbara Mason

Benjamin Orr (Benjamin Bogdonavich Orzechowski)

b. 1947 in Lakewood, OH (grew up in Parma, OH) – d. 3 Oct 2000 in Atlanta, GA (pancreatic cancer)
rock/pop/folk singer
instruments: bass, keyboards, drums
"Stay the Night" (#24 1986, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Too Hot to Stop" (1986, he co-wrote), "This Time Around" (1986, he co-wrote)
founding member, bassist and singer of The Cars (1976-87), "Just What I Needed" (#27 1978), "Let's Go" (#14 1979), "Shake it Up" (#4 1981), "Drive" (#3 1984), "Hello Again" (#20 1984), "Magic" (#12 1984), "You Might Think" (#7 1984), "Why Can't I Have You?" (#33 1985), "You are the Girl" (#17 1987)
with Big People
songwriter

Diane Williams

b. 1959 in Hahn, AFB, Germany
country/pop singer
founding member and first soprano of Girls Next Door (1982-91), "Slow Boat to China" (#8c 1986), "Love Will Get You Through Times with No Money" (#18c 1986), "Baby, I Want it" (#26c 1986), "Walk Me in the Rain" (#28c 1987), "Easy to Find" (#57c 1987), "How Can They Call This Cheating?" (1990), "How about Us?" (#71c 1990), "Last Goodbye" (1990)
backup singer

August 10

Al Alberts

b. 1922 in Chester, PA
pop singer
"On the Way to Cape May" (1960), "Only on Sunday" (1961), "Blue O'Clock in the Morning" (1962), "One Has My Name, the Other Has My Heart" (1963), "Before Tomorrow is Yesterday" (1963), "Summertime in Venice" (1964)
founding member and lead singer of The Four Aces (1949-56, and reunions), "(It's No) Sin" (#4 1951), "Tell Me Why" (#2 1952, he co-wrote), "A Garden in the Rain" (1952), "Perfidia" (#7 1952), "Should I?" (#9 1952), "Heart and Soul" (#11 1952), "Just Squeeze Me" (1952), "Laughing on the Outside" (#22 1952), "The Gang That Sang (Heart of My Heart)" (#7 1953), "Stranger in Paradise" (#3 1954), "Three Coins in the Fountain" (#1 1954), "Mister Sandman" (#5 1954), "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing" (#1 1955), "Melody of Love" (#3 1955)
songwriter
served in the Navy
see The Four Aces

Peter Beckett

b. 1948 in Liverpool, England
rock singer
instrument: guitar
with Little River Band (1990-98), "Every Time I Turn Around" (1990, he co-wrote), "I Dream Alone" (1990), "Parallel Lines" (1991)
with Skyband
with The Thoughts, "All-Night Stand" (1966), "Memory of Our Love" (1966, he co-wrote)
founding member of Player, "Come on Out" (1977), "Baby, Come Back" (#1 1977, he co-wrote), "Melanie" (1977), "Join in the Dance" (1978, he co-wrote), "This Time I'm in it for the Love" (#10 1978), "Prisoner of Your Love" (#27 1978, he co-wrote), "Room With a View" (1980, he wrote), "It Only Hurts When I Breathe" (1982, he co-wrote)
songwriter
see Little River Band
see Peter Beckett

Ronnie Bennett (Veronica Yvette Bennett)

b. 1943 in New York, NY
rock/R&B singer
recorded as Veronica, "Larry L." (1964), "Chubby Danny Dee" (1964)
recorded as Ronnie Spector, "Try Some, Buy Some" (#77 1971), "You'd Be Good for Me" (1975), "It's a Heartache" (1978), "Who Can Sleep?" (1987), "Let Your Feelings Show" (1980), "All I Want" (2006), "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" (2006), "Out in the Cold Again" (2006)
founding member and lead singer of The Ronettes (1959-66), "You Bet I Would" (1962), * "Be My Baby" (#2 1963), * "Baby, I Love You" (#24 1963), "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up" (#39 1964), * "Do I Love You?" (#34 1964), "Walking in the Rain" (#23 1964), "Born to Be Together" (#52 1965), "Is This What I Get for Loving You?" (#75 1965), * "You, Baby" (1965), "I Can Hear Music" (#100 1966), "You Can, You Saw, You Conquered" (released 1969), * "I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine" (released 1974)
backup singer on "Eddie Money's "Take Me Home Tonight" (#4 1986), and others
md. 1st to music producer, Phil Spector (1968-74); md. 2nd to Jonathan Greenfield
sister of Estelle Bennett; cousin of Nedra Talley
see The Ronettes on The History of Rock 'n' Roll
see Ronnie Spector

Jerry Crutchfield

b. 1934 in Paducah, KY
western swing/country singer
instruments: organ, piano, vibraphone
"Rock Me Easy" (1960), "Alaskan Love Song" (1962), "That Happy Feeling" (1962)
founding member of the Jerry Crutchfield Band, "I'll Be Forever Lovin' You" (1960)
with The Texas Playboys (1967)
sessionist with Jack Scott, Hank Locklin, and others
songwriter
music producer
author of children's books
see The Texas Playboys

Sal Cuomo

b. 1939
rock/pop singer
founding member of The Regents (1958- ), "Barbara Ann" (#13 1961) (he co-wrote), "Runaround" (#28 1961), "Jeanette, Jeanette" (1961), "Just Cry" (1961), "Turn and Run" (1966), "Bad Trip" (1966)
songwriter

Jimmy Dean (Jimmy Ray Dean)

b. 1928 near Plainview, TX (grew up in Seth Ward, TX) - 13 Jun 2010
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano, harmonica, accordion
"Makin' My Mind Up" (1958), "Big Bad John" (#1, #1c 1961, he wrote), * "I Won't Go Huntin' with You, Jake" (1961), "Dear Ivan" (#24, #9c 1962), * "P.T. 109" (#8, #3c 1962), "The Cajun Queen" (#22, #16c 1962), * "To a Sleeping Beauty" (#26, #15c 1962), "Little Black Book" (#29, #10c 1962, he wrote), "The First Thing Every Morning (and the Last Thing Every Night)" (#91, #1c 1965, he co-wrote), "Awkward Situation" (1965), "Stand Beside Me" (#10c 1966), "When Someone Mentions Your Name" (1967), "Sweet Misery" (#16c 1967), "A Thing Called Love" (#21c 1968), "Read 'em and Weep" (1968), "My Hometown Sweetheart" (1969), "When Judy Smiled" (1970), "The One You Say Good Morning to" (1971), "Days When Jim Liked Jenny" (1973), "I.O.U." (#35, #9c 1976, he co-wrote)
duet with Dottie West, "Slowly" (#29c 1971)
duet with T Texas Tyler, "Bummin' Around" (#5c 1953)
songwriter
served in the Merchant Marines (1946); served in the Air Force
actor
md. to singer/songwriter, Donna Meade (1991- )

Leo Fender (Clarence Leonidas Fender)

b. 1909 near Anaheim, CA – d. 21 Mar 1991 (Parkinson's disease)
guitar maker
he invented the first marketable solid-body electric guitar, first electric bass, and other instruments
he designed the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars

Larry Finnegan (John Lawrence Finneran)

b. 1938 in New York, NY - d. 22 Jul 1973 in South Bend, IN (brain tumor)
rockabilly singer, musician
"Dear One" (#11 1962, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Pretty Suzy Sunshine" (1962), "Knock on Wood" (1962), "There Ain't Nothin' in This World" (1962), "A Kiss and a Dozen Roses" (1963), "Baton Rouge" (1964), "When My Love Passes By" (1964)
songwriter
actor

Eddie Fisher (Edwin Jack Fisher)

b. 1928 in Philadelphia, PA
pop singer
"When You Kiss a Stranger" (1950), "Warm Kisses in the Cool of the Night" (1950), "Turn Back the Hands of Time" (#8 1951), "Any Time" (#2 1951), "Wish You Were Here" (#1 1952), "Lady of Spain" (1952), "Many Times" (1953), "I Need You Now" (#1 1954), "Count Your Blessings" (1954), "Oh My Papa (O Mein Papa)" (#1 1954), "Heart" (1955), "Dungaree Doll" (#7 1955), "Cindy, Oh! Cindy" (1957), "Kari Waits for Me" (1958), "Sunrise, Sunset" (1965), "Games That Lovers Play" (#45 1966)
duets with Perry Como, "Maybe" (#3 1952), "Watermelon Weather" (1952)
duet with Sally Sweetland, "I'm Walking Behind You" (#1 1953)
md. 1st to actress, Debbie Reynolds (1955-59); md. 2nd to actress, Elizabeth Taylor (1959-64); md. 3rd to actress, Connie Stevens (1967-69); md. 4th to Terry Richard (1975-76); md. 5th to Betty Lin (1993-2001, her death)

Jimmy Griffin (James Arthur Griffin)

b. 1943 in Cincinnati, OH (grew up in Memphis, TN) - 11 Jan 2005 in Franklin, TN (cancer)
rock/country singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards, percussion
"Little Miss Cool" (1963), "Running to You" (1964), "Breakin' up is Easy" (1974), "How Do We Say Goodbye?" (1974)
founding member of Bread (1969-77, and reunions), "Make it with You" (#1 1970), "It Doesn't Matter to Me" (#10 1970), "If" (#4 1971), "Baby, I'm-a Want You" (#3 1971), "Dream Lady" (1972), "Diary" (#15 1972), "Everything I Own" (#5 1972), "Aubrey" (#15 1973), "Lost Without Your Love" (#9 1976)
founding member of Black Tie (1986- ), "Learning the Game" (#59c 1991)
founding member of The Remingtons (1991- ), "A Long Time Ago" (#10c 1992), "Two-Timin' Me" (#18c 1992, he co-wrote), "I Could Love You (With My Eyes Closed)" (#33c 1992)
songwriter (as Arthur James), wrote Conway Twitty's "Who's Gonna Know?" (#51c 1989); Restless Heart's "You Can Depend on Me" (#3c 1992); co-wrote The Carpenters' "For All We Know" (#3 1971)
actor

Jennifer Hanson

b. 1973 in Whittier, CA (grew up in La Habra, CA)
country singer
"Beautiful Goodbye" (#76, #16c 2002, she co-wrote), "This Far Gone" (#42c 2003), "Half a Heart Tattoo" (#40c 2003, she co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote The Wreckers' "Leave the Pieces" (#34, #1c 2006); Bucky Covington's "A Different World" (#58, #26c 2007)
md. to songwriter, Mark Nesler (1997- )

Bobby Hatfield (Robert Lee Hatfield)

b. 1940 in Beaver Dam, WI (grew up in Anaheim, CA) – d. 5 Nov 2003 in Kalamazoo, MI (heart attack brought on by a cocaine overdose)
pop/soul singer (tenor)
"Hot Tamale" (1962), "Only You (and You Alone)" (#95 1969)
founding member of The Righteous Brothers (1962-68, 1974, and reunions), * "Little Latin Lupe Lu" (#49 1963), "If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying" (1963), "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (#1 1965), "Just Once in My Life" (#9 1965), * "Unchained Melody" (#4 1965, #13 1990), "Ebb Tide" (#5 1965), * "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" (#1 1966), "Rock 'n' Roll Heaven" (#3 1974), "Dream on" (#32 1974)
see the Righteous Brothers

Gene Johnson

b. 1948/49 in Jamestown, NY (grew up in Sugar Grove, PA)
country/rock singer
instrument: mandolin
"Always True" (1977), "Still in Love with You" (1977), "Just Good Friends" (1977), "Don't Say You Love Me" (1977)
founding member of Diamond Rio (1989- ), "Meet in the Middle" (#1c 1991), "Mirror, Mirror" (#3c 1991), "Norma Jean Riley" (#2c 1992), "In a Week or Two" (#2c 1992), "Oh Me, Oh My, Sweet Baby" (#5c 1993), "Love a Little Stronger" (#2c 1994), "Finish What We Started" (#19c 1994), "Walkin' Away" (#2c 1995), "That's What I Get for Lovin' You" (#4c 1996), "Holdin'" (#4c 1996), "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" (#1c 1997), "Imagine That" (#4c 1997), * "Unbelievable" (#36, #2c 1998), "You're Gone" (#4c 1998), "Two-Pump Texaco" (1998), * "One More Day with You" (#29, #1c 2001), * "I Believe" (#31, #1c 2002), "Beautiful Mess" (#28, #1c 2002), "Wrinkles" (#16c 2003), "We All Fall Down" (#45c 2004), "Can't You Tell?" (#43c 2005), "God Only Cries" (#30c 2006)
with J. D. Crowe and the New South
see Diamond Rio

Aaron Kamin (Aaron Kamm Kamin)

b. 1977 in Studio City, CA
rock musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of The Calling, * "Wherever You Will Go" (#5 2002), "Adrienne" (2002), "Could it Be Any Harder?" (2002), "Our Lives" (2004), "Things Will Go My Way" (2004)
songwriter
music producer

Jerry Kennedy (Jerry Glenn Kennedy)

b. 1940 in Shreveport, LA
country singer
instruments: guitar, dobro
"Teenage Love is Misery" (1958), "I'll Drown in My Own Tears" (1962), "The Wayward Wind" (1963), "Lost Dreams" (1964), "Sunday Morning Coming Down" (1973), "She Even Woke Me up to Say Goodbye" (1974)
duet with David Briggs as Joe Kenyon, "Hymne" (#33c 1987)
session musician with Elvis Presley, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Dudley, Faron Young, and others
producer
md. to singer, Linda Brannon

Larry Larden

b. 1945 in Brooklyn, NY
country/folk/rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Every Mother's Son (1967-69), "Come on Down to My Boat" (#6 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "Put Your Mind at Ease" (1967), "The Proper Four-Leaf Clover" (1967), "What Became of Mary?" (1967), "Alison Dozer" (1967), "Didn't She Lie?" (1967), "No One Knows" (1968), "Pony with the Golden Mane" (1968), "Rainflowers" (1968)
brother of Dennis Larden

Jimmy Martin (James Henry Martin)

b. 1927 near Sneedville, TN - d. 14 May 2005 in Nashville, TN (bladder cancer)
bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
"Blue-Eyed Darlin'" (1953), "20-20 Vision" (1954), "Rock Hearts" (#14c 1958), "Home Run Man" (1958), "Night" (#26c 1959), "I Can, I Will, I Do Believe" (1961), "Shut-in's Prayer" (1962), "Widow Maker" (#19c 1964), "Shenandoah Waltz" (1965), "She Left Me Again" (1966), "Last Song" (1966), "Moonshine Hollow" (1969), "Undo What's Been Done" (1969), "Knoxville Girl" (1977), "Who's Calling You Sweetheart Tonight?" (1977), "Pete, the Best Coon Dog in the State of Tennessee" (1977), "I Can't Give My Heart Again" (1995)
founding member of The Sunny Mountain Boys (1954- ), "Sunny Side of the Mountain" (1971), "It's Not Like Home" (1959, he wrote), "Sophronie" (1960), "You Don't Know My Mind" (1960)
with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1949-51, 1952-54), "When You Are Lonely" (#12c 1949), "Heavy Traffic Ahead" (1949), "Along about Daybreak" (1949), "Uncle Pen" (1950), "Christmas Time's a Comin'" (1951), "In the Pines" (1952), "Mighty Pretty Waltz" (1952), "Letter from My Darlin'" (1952), "Country Waltz" (1953), "Wishing Waltz" (1954)
backup singer
bandleader
songwriter
see The Blue Grass Boys
see Jimmy Martin on Wikipedia

Joni Mosby (Janice Irene Shields)

b. 1940 in Van Nuys, CA
country singer
"I've Been There" (#72c 1973)
founding member of Johnny and Joni Mosby, "Still Going Steady" (1958), "Don't Call Me from a Honky-Tonk" (#13c 1963), "Trouble in My Arms" (#13c 1963), "Who's Cheatin' Who?" (#27c 1963), "Keep Those Cards and Letters Coming in" (#16c 1964), "Make a Left and Then a Right" (#36c 1967, she co-wrote), "Hello There, Stranger" (1968, she co-wrote), "Just Hold My Hand" (#12c 1969), "Walkin' Papers" (1969), "I'm Leavin' it Up to You" (#18c 1970)
songwriter
at age fifty-two she became the oldest would to have a child through invitro fertilization

Bobby Pinson (Bobby Olen Pinson)

b. 1972 in Tulsa, OK (grew up in Texas)
country singer
"Don't Ask Me How I Know" (#88, #16c 2005, he co-wrote), "Way Down" (#58c 2005), "Just to Prove I Could" (2007), "Past Comin' Back" (2007), "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" (2007)
songwriter: co-wrote Sugarland's "Want To" (#32, #1c 2006); Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's "Love Me" (#3c 1998); Catherine Britt's "What I Did Last Night"(#39c 2007); Marty Stuart's "If There Ain't There Oughtta Be (#41c 2003)
rhythm guitarist
served in the Army

August 11

Terry Aden

b. 1952 in Poplar Bluff, MO - d. 28 Nov 2001
country singer
"What's So Good About Goodbye?" (#81c 1981), "I'm Here" (1981), "She Doesn't Belong to You" (#73c 1982)

Jeb Brown

b. 19?? in Brooklyn, NY
country/bluegrass singer
instrument: bass
with The High Lonesome, "True Believer" (1995, he co-wrote), "Mustang Thang" (1995, he co-wrote), "Something Wild" (1995, he co-wrote), "World Fall Apart" (1995, he co-wrote), "Lone Star" (1995, he co-wrote)
songwriter
actor

Eric Carmen (Eric Howard Carmen)

b. 1949 in Cleveland, OH (grew up in Lyndhurst, OH)
rock/pop/country singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
"All By Myself" (#2 1976), "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" (#11 1976), "She Did it" (1977), "Boats Against the Current" (#88 1977), "Make Me Lose Control" (1988, he wrote)
founding member of The Raspberries (1969-75, and reunions), "Drivin' Around" (1972, he co-wrote), "Overnight Sensation" (#18 1974, he wrote), "Cruisin' Music" (1974, he wrote)
duet with Louise Mandrell, "As Long as We've Got Each Other" (#51c 1988)
songwriter
see Eric Carmen

John Conlee (John Wayne Conlee)

b. 1946 in Versailles, KY
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Let Your Love Fall Back on Me" (1977), "Rose-Colored Glasses" (#5c 1978, he co-wrote), "Lady Lay Down" (#1c 1979), "The Backside of Thirty" (#1c 1979, he wrote), "Before My Time" (#2c 1979), "Baby, You're Something" (#7C 1979), "Friday Night Blues" (#2c 1980), "She Can't Say That Anymore" (#2c 1980), "What I Had with You" (#12c 1980), "Miss Emily's Picture" (#2c 1981), "Could You Love Me (One More Time)?" (#26c 1981), "Busted" (#6c 1982), "I'm Only in it for the Love" (#1c 1983), "Common Man" (#1 1983), "In My Eyes" (#1c 1983), "As Long as I'm Rockin' With You" (#1c 1984), "Way Back" (#4 1984), "Years after You" (#2c 1984), "Working Man" (#7c 1984), "Blue Highway" (#15c 1985), "Old School" (#5c 1985), "Got My Heart Set on You" (#1c 1986), "Domestic Life" (#4c 1986), "Hit the Ground Runnin'" (#43c 1989)
songwriter
DJ
mortician; farmer
humanitarian
md. to Gail (1982- )
see John Conlee

Ronnie Dawson (Ronald F. Dawson aka 'the Blonde Bomber')

b. 1939 in Dallas, TX (grew up in Waxahachie, TX) - d. 7 Oct 2003 in Dallas, TX (throat cancer)
rockabilly singer
instruments: drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo
"Action Packed" (1958), "Rockin' Bones" (1959), "Decided by the Angels" (1960), "How Can We Tell Her?" (1961), "Charlena" (1963), "She Cried" (1969), "Yum Yum Yum" (1989), "Boy Next Door" (1994), "Green-Eyed Cat" (1996), "Good at Being Bad" (1999), "Waxahachie Drag Race" (1999, he co-wrote), "Rockin' Country Cat" (1999)
session musician on Bruce Channel's "Hey! Baby" (#1 1962); Paul and Paula's "Hey Paula" (#1 1963); and others
songwriter

Mike Douglas (Michael Delaney Dowd, Jr.)

b. 1925 in Chicago, IL - d. 11 Aug 2006 in North Palm Beach, FL
pop singer
* "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" (#6 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "That's How Love Goes" (1966), "Let Her Be a Little Girl (a Little Longer)" (1966)
with the Kay Kyser Band (1946-51), "Ole Buttermilk Sky" (#1 1946), "The Old Lamplighter" (#3 1946)
talk-show host
served in the Navy

Tebes Douglass (Stephen Douglass)

b. 1950 in Columbus, OH - d. 12 Jan 1984 (auto accident)
country/rock/bluegrass singer
instruments: keyboards, harmonica
with McGuffey Lane (1977-84), "Long Time Lovin' You" (1980), "People Like You" (1980), "Let Me Take You to the Rodeo" (1980), "Start it All Over" (1981), "Outlaw Rider" (1981), "It Comes from the Heart" (1981), "Making a Living's Been Killing Me" (#44c 1982), "Doing it Right" (#62c 1983), "Let the Hard Times Roll" (1983), "Day by Day" (#44c 1984), "Lorianne" (1984), "The First Time" (#63c 1984, he co-wrote)

Kenny Gamble

b. 1943 in Philadelphia, PA or Kingston, Jamaica
R&B singer
"You Don't Know What You Got Until You Lose it" (1963), "Chains of Love" (1967)
with The Romeos, "Hitch-Hikin'" (1962), "Down by the Seashore" (1965), "Ain't it, Baby?" (1965), "Hard to Find the Right Girl" (1967)
songwriter, co-wrote Dee Dee Warwick's "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (#32 1968); Soul Survivors' "Expressway to Your Heart" (#4 1967); The Intruders' "Cowboys to Girls" (#6 1968); Jerry Butler's "Only the Strong Survive" (#4 1969); Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones" (#1 1972); The Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me by Now" (#3 1972, also #1 1989 for Simply Red); The O'Jays' "Love Train" (#1 1972), "For the Love of Money" (#9 1973); MSFB's "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" (#1 1974); The Three Degrees' "When Will I See You Again?" (#2 1974)
music producer; arranger
humanitarian
md. to Dee Dee Sharp (1967- )

Jim Kale (Michael James Kale)

b. 1943 in Winnipeg, Canada
rock/blues musician, instrument: bass
founding member The Guess Who (1964-73, 1979), "Till We Kissed" (1964), "Shakin' All Over" (#22 1965), "Theme From a Music Box" (1965), "The Clock on the Wall" (1966), "His Girl" (1966), "This Time Long Ago" (1967), "A Wednesday in Your Garden" (1968), "Maple Fudge" (1968), "Pink Wine Sparkles in the Glass" (1968), "These Eyes" (#6 1969), "Laughing" (#10 1969), "Undun" (#22 1969), "No Time" (#6 1970), "Hand-Me-Down World" (#17 1970), "Share the Land" (#10 1970), "American Woman" (#1 1970, he co-wrote), "Bus Rider" (1970), "Rain Dance" (#19 1971), "One Divided" (1971), "Heartbroken Bopper" (#47 1972), "Guns, Guns, Guns" (1972)
The Guess Who was formerly called Chad Allan and the Expressions
session musician with Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and others
songwriter
see The Guess Who on Wikipedia

Stan Kesler

b. 1928 in Abbeville, MS
pop/rock musician, instruments: bass, steel guitar
with The Sun Rhythm Section
session musician with Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Ronnie Dawson, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Elvis Presley's "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" (#1c 1956); Jerry Lee Lewis' "One Minute Past Eternity" (#2c 1969), "Sometimes a Memory Ain't Enough" (#6c 1973)
music producer, sound engineer

Christine Kittrell

b. 1929 in Nashville, TN - d. 19 Dec 2001 in Columbus, OH (emphysema)
R&B/gospel singer
"Sittin' Here Drinkin'" (1952), "Heartache Blues" (1952, she wrote), "Every Night in the Week" (1953), "Lord Have Mercy" (1954, with Little Richard on piano), "Black Cat Crossed My Trail" (1955), "I'm Just What You're Looking For" (1959), "Mister Big Wheel" (1961), "I'm a Woman" (1962), "Call His Name" (1965, she wrote), "Ain't Never Seen So Much Rain Before" (1966)
backup singer
songwriter
she was wounded by shrapnel while entertaining troops in Vietnam in 1967

Rachel Proctor

b. 1974 in Charleston, WV
country singer
"Days Like This" (#24c 2003, she co-wrote), "Didn't I?" (#43c 2003), "Me and Emily" (#18c 2004, she co-wrote), "Where I Belong" (#37c 2004), "The Noise" (2006, she co-wrote), "Only Lonely Girl" (2006, she co-wrote), "Better Off Now" (2006)
backup singer with Blake Shelton, and others
songwriter, wrote Martina McBride's "Where Would You Be?" (#45, #3c 2002)

Jesse Smith

b. 1942 in Chicago - d. 4 Sep 2007 in Minneapolis, MN (cancer)
soul/doo-wop singer, instrument: trumpet
founding member of The Marvelows (1964-66), "I Do" (#37 1965, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote)
songwriter
served in the Navy (1960-63)
lost his left eye in an auto accident in 1963

Guy Villari

b. 1942 in The Bronx, NY
rock/pop singer
founding member of The Regents (1958- ), "Barbara Ann" (#13 1961, he co-wrote), "Runaround" (#28 1961), "Jeanette, Jeanette" (1961), "Just Cry" (1961), "Turn and Run" (1966), "Bad Trip" (1966)
songwriter

Jimmy Work

b. 1924 (maybe Mar 29) in Akron, OH (grew up near Dukedom, TN)
country/honky-tonk singer, yodeler
instrument: guitar, fiddle
"Those Kentucky Bluegrass Hills" (1945), "Rainy, Rainy Blues" (1946, he wrote), "Pickup Truck" (1951), "Do Your Honky-Tonkin' at Home" (1951), "Making Believe" (#5c 1955, he wrote), "That's What Makes the Jukebox Play" (#6c 1955, he wrote), "Blind Heart" (1956), "That Cold, Cold Look in Your Eye" (1957)
founding member of Jimmy Work and His Tennessee Border Boys, "Bluegrass Tickling My Feet" (1949, he wrote), "Hospitality" (1949, he wrote), "Smokey Mountain Moon" (1949)
songwriter, wrote Red Foley's "Tennessee Border" (#3c 1949)

August 12

Hot Rod Bernard (Rod Bernard)

b. 1940 in Opelousas, LA
swamp-pop/rock/country singer
instrument: guitar
"Dance, Fool, Dance" (1960), "Who's Gonna Rock My Baby?" (1962), "I Might As Well" (1964), "Recorded in England" (1965), "These Were Our Songs" (1966), "Those Were Our Songs" (1967), "Congratulations to You, Darling" (1968), "A Tear in the Lady's Eye" (1968, 2006, he wrote, this is a pro-military song and the 'lady' is Statue of Liberty), "Somebody Wrote That Song for Me" (1974), "I Forgot I Had These Memories of You" (1975), "I Never Had the One I Wanted" (1976), "Hurricane Watch" (1999, he wrote), "Family Secrets" (1999, he wrote), "Pain in My Past" (1999), "Someone You Run From" (1999)
founding member of The Twisters (1957-59), "All Night in Jail" (1957), "Linda Gail" (1957), "This Should Go on Forever" (#20 1959, One-Hit Wonder)
songwriter
DJ
served in the Marines

Joe Jones

b. 1926 in New Orleans, LA - d. 27 Nov 2005 in Los Angeles, CA (complications following bypass surgery)
novelty/R&B singer
instrument: piano
"Will Call" (1954), "Adam Bit the Apple" (1954), "Every Night About Eight" (1958), "You Talk Too Much" (#6 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "I Love You Still" (1960)
songwriter, co-wrote The Dixie Cups' "Iko Iko" (#20 1965)
music producer; arranger
served in the Navy during WWII
advocate for artists rights
he was once a valet for B.B. King
see Joe Jones

Buck Owens (Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr.)

b. 1929 in Sherman, TX (grew up in Mesa, AZ) - d. 25 Mar 2006 in Bakersfield, CA
country singer
instruments: guitar, steel guitar, trumpet, sax, mandolin
"I Only Know That I Love You" (1958), "Second Fiddle" (#24c 1959, he wrote), "Under Your Spell Again" (#4c 1959, he wrote), "Above and Beyond" (#3c 1960), "Excuse Me (I Think I've Got a Heartache)" (#2c 1960, he co-wrote), "I've Got a Right to Know" (#25c 1960, he wrote), "Till These Dreams Come True" (1960), "Foolin' Around" (#2c 1961, he co-wrote), "Under the Influence of Love" (#2c 1961, he co-wrote), "You're for Me" (#10c 1961, he co-wrote), "Save the Last Dance for Me" (#11c 1962), "Right After the Dance" (1962), "Act Naturally" (#1c 1963), "Love's Gonna Live Here" (#1c 1963, he wrote), "Together Again" (#1c 1964, he wrote), "I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)" (#92, #1c 1964, he wrote), "My Heart Skips a Beat" (#94, #1c 1964, he wrote), "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" (#25, #1c 1965, he co-wrote), "Before You Go" (#83, #1c 1965, he co-wrote), "Only You (Can Break My Heart)" (#1c 1965, he wrote), "Arms Full of Empty" (#27c 1973, he wrote), "Big Game Hunter" (#8c 1974, he wrote), "Let Jesse Rob the Train" (#33c 1979, he wrote), "Put a Quarter in the Jukebox" (#60c 1989, he wrote)
backed by his band The Buckaroos, "Buckaroo" (#60, #1c 1965), "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" (#57, #1c 1966, he co-wrote), "Open up Your Heart" (#1c 1966, he wrote), "Think of Me" (#74, #1c 1966), "Where Does the Time Go?" (#1c 1967, he wrote), "Sam's Place" (#92, #1c 1967, he co-wrote), "Your Tender Loving Care" (#1c 1967, he wrote), "It Takes People Like You (To Make People Like Me)" (#2c 1967, he wrote), "You Left Her Lonely Too Long" (1967, he wrote), "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone?" (#1c 1968, he wrote), "Sweet Rosie Jones" (#2c 1968, he wrote), "I've Got You on My Mind Again" (#5c 1968, he wrote), "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass?" (#1c 1969, he wrote), "Johnny B. Goode" (#1c 1969), "Tall Dark Stranger" (#1c 1969, he wrote), "The Kansas City Song" (#2c 1970, he co-wrote), "I Wouldn't Live in New York City (if They Gave Me the Whole Dang Town)" (#9c 1970, he wrote), "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms" (#2c 1971, he wrote), "Ruby (Are You Mad)?" (#3c 1971), "I'll Still Be Waiting for You" (#8c 1972, he wrote), "Made in Japan" (#1c 1972)
recorded as Corky Jones, "Hot Dog" (1956), "Rhythm and Booze" (1956)
duet with Dwight Yoakam, "Streets of Bakersfield" (#1c 1988)
duets with Rose Maddox, "Mental Cruelty" (#8c 1961, he co-wrote), "Loose Talk" (#4c 1961), "We're the Talk of the Town" (#15c 1963, he co-wrote)
duet with Emmylou Harris, "Play 'Together Again', Again" (#11c 1979, he co-wrote)
duet with Ringo Starr, "Act Naturally" (#27c 1989)
duets with Susan Raye, "We're Gonna Get Together" (#13c 1970, he wrote), "Togetherness" (12c 1970), "The Great White Horse" (#8c 1970, he co-wrote)
duet with Buddy Alan "Let the World Keep on a Turnin'" (#7c 1968, he wrote)
session lead guitarist on Tommy Collins "You Better Not Do That (#2c 1953); and others
songwriter
md. to Bonnie Campbell (1948-53), md. to Jennifer Smith (1979- ); father of singer, Buddy Alan
quote by Buck Owens: "I'd like just to Be remembered as a guy that came along and did his music, did his best and showed up on time, clean and ready to do the job, wrote a few songs, and had a hell of a time."

Danny Shirley

b. 1956 in Chattanooga, TN
country/rock/honky-tonk singer
instrument: guitar
"Love and Let Love" (#72c 1984), "Going to California" (#81c 1987), "I Make the Living (She Makes the Living Worthwhile)" (#76c 1988)
founding member and lead singer of Confederate Railroad (1987- ), "She Took it Like a Man" (#37c 1992), "Jesus and Mama" (#4c 1992), "Queen of Memphis" (#2c 1993), "Trashy Women" (#10c 1993), "When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back" (#14c 1993), "She Never Cried (When Ol' Yeller Died)" (#27c 1994), "Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind" (#9c 1994), "Redneck Romeo" (1994), "When and Where" (#24c 1995), "See Ya" (#51c 1996), "Keep on Rockin'" (1998), "Cowboy Cadillac" (#70c 1999), "That's What Brothers Do" (#39c 2001)
md. to Jenni George (1997- )

Porter Wagoner (Porter Wayne Wagoner)

b. 1927 near West Plains, MO
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Headin' for a Weddin'" (1952), "Bringing Home the Bacon" (1953), "Company's Comin'" (#7c 1954), * "A Satisfied Mind" (#1c 1955), "Eat, Drink and Be Merry (Tomorrow You'll Cry)" (#3c 1956), "I've Known You From Somewhere" (1956), "If Jesus Came to Your House" (1956), "Uncle Pen" (#14c 1956), "The Girl Who Didn't Need Love" (#26c 1960), "Your Old Love Letters" (#10c 1961), "Misery Loves Company" (#1c 1962), "I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand" (#7c 1962), "Sorrow on the Rocks" (#5c 1964), "Green, Green Grass of Home" (#4c 1965), "Skid Row Joe" (#3c 1966), "You Can't Make a Heel Toe the Mark" (1967), "Out of the Silence (Came a Song)" (1967), "The Cold Hard Facts of Life" (#2c 1967), * "Carol County Accident" (#92, #2c 1969), "When You're Hot, You're Hot" (#21 1969), "You Got-ta Have a License" (1970), "Roses Out of Season" (1970), "What Ain't to Be Just Might Happen" (#8c 1972, he wrote), "Denise Mayree" (1972), "Katy Did" (#16c 1972, he wrote), "Highway Headin' South" (#15c 1974, he wrote), "When Lea Jane Sang" (#66c 1976, he wrote), "Everything I've Always Wanted" (#32c 1979), "This Cowboy's Hat" (#35c 1983)
duets with Dolly Parton, "The Last Thing on My Mind" (#7c 1967), "We'll Get Ahead Someday" (#5c 1968), "Holding on to Nothing" (#7c 1968), "Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark" (#51c 1968), "Just Someone I Used to Know" (#5c 1969), "Lost Forever in Your Kiss" (#9c 1972), "If Teardrops Were Pennies" (#3c 1973), "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" (#1c 1974, he co-wrote), "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" (#5c 1975), "Is Forever Longer Than Always?" (#8c 1976, he co-wrote), "Making Plans" (#2c 1980)
songwriter
actor

August 13

Dave 'Baby' Cortez (David Cortez Clowney)

b. 1938 in Detroit, MI
pop/R&B musician, instrument: piano, organ
"Hoot Owl" (1958), "You Give Me the Heebie Jeebies" (1958), "The Happy Organ" (#1 1959, he co-wrote, first pop hit with the organ as lead instrument), "Love Me as I Love You" (1959), "The Whistling Organ" (#61 1959, he co-wrote), "Great Dust Storm" (1959), "Cat Nip" (1959, he co-wrote), "You're Just Right" (1959), "Rinky Dink" (#10 1962, he co-wrote), "Happy Weekend" (1962), "Happy Feet" (1962), "Popping Popcorn" (1964), "Belly Rub" (1967), "Someone Has Taken Your Place" (1973), "Do Any Dance" (1966, he wrote), "You Talk Too Much" (1966), "Hula Hoop (Shoop Shoop)" (1960, he co-wrote)
songwriter

Cliff Fish

b. 1949 in Derbyshire, England
pop/rock musician, instrument: bass
founding member of Paper Lace (1969- ), "Elsie" (1971), "I've Got You, That's Enough for Me" (1972), "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" (#96 1974), * "The Night Chicago Died" (#1 1974, One-Hit Wonder), * "The Black-Eyed Boys" (#41 1974)

Dan Fogelberg (Daniel Grayling Fogelberg)

b. 1951 in Peoria, IL
pop/folk/rock/country singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, bass, mandolin, keyboards, slide guitar
"Illinois" (1974, he wrote), "Changing Horses" (1974, he wrote), "Part of the Plan" (#31 1975, he wrote), "Old Tennessee" (1975, he wrote), "Dancing Shoes" (1977, he wrote), "The Power of Gold" (#24 1978, he wrote), "Longer" (#2, #85c 1980, he wrote), "Heart Hotels" (#21 1980, he wrote), "Same Old Lang Syne" (#9 1981, he wrote), "Stolen Moments" (1981, he wrote), "Hard to Say" (#7 1981), "Leader of the Band" (#9 1982), * "Run for the Roses" (#18 1982, he wrote), "Language of Love" (#13 1984, he wrote), "Believe in Me" (#48 1984, he wrote), "Go Down Easy" (#56c 1985), "Wolf Creek" (1985, he wrote), "Lonely in Love" (1987, he wrote), "She Don't Look Back" (#84 1987, he wrote), "Anastasia's Eyes" (1990), "Rhythm of the Rain" (1990), "A Love Like This" (1993, he wrote)
songwriter
see Dan Fogelberg

Andy Griggs

b. 1973 in Moore/Monroe, LA
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Waitin' on Sundown" (1998), "You Won't Ever Be Lonely" (#2c 1999, he co-wrote), "I'll Go Crazy" (#65, #10c 1999, he co-wrote), "She's More" (#37, #2c 2000), "You Made Me Feel This Way" (#19c 2000), "How Cool is That?" (#22c 2001, he co-wrote), "Tonight I Wanna Be Your Man" (#52, #7c 2002), "She Thinks She Needs Me" (#43, #5c 2004), "If Heaven" (#65, #5c 2004), "I Never Had a Chance" (2005), "This I Gotta See" (#58c 2005), "Tattoo Rose" (2007)
duet with Martina McBride, "Practice Life" (#33c 2002, he co-wrote)
duet with Tracy Byrd, Blake Shelton, Montgomery Gentry, "The Truth about Men" (#77, #13c 2003)
songwriter
md. to Stephanie Sullivan (1995-2003)
he was arrested in FL after he and a band member took a joyride in an ambulance

Hoot Hester (Hubert Dwayne Hester)

b. 1951 near Louisville, KY
country/western swing/bluegrass backup singer
instruments: fiddle, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin
"I Still Love Her Memory" (#95c 1979), "Forever Ended Yesterday" (1979)
with The Time Jumpers
with The Bluegrass Alliance
session musician with Wylie and the Wild West Show, Alabama, Conway Twitty, Randy Travis, Ricky Van Shelton, John Conlee, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Steve Wariner, Moe Bandy, Ray Charles, Manhattan Transfer, and others

Joel Scott Hill

b. 1939 in Naples, TX (grew up in San Diego, CA)
country/rock/blues singer
instrument: guitar
"I Ran" (1963), "Another Memory Gone By" (2006), "Midnight Memories" (2006)
with The Strangers, "The Caterpillar Crawl" (#49 1959), "I Thought it Over" (1960)
with The Invaders, "One Step in the Darkness" (1965), "The Id" (1965), "Flower Song" (1968)
with Canned Heat (1971-75), "Wooly Bully" (1971), "Long Way from L.A." (1971)
lead singer with the Flying Burrito Brothers (1974-77), "Building Fires" (1975), "Sweet Desert Childhood" (1975), "Big Bayou" (1976)
session musician on Chris Montez's "Let's Dance" (#4 1962); Kathy Young and the Innocents' "A Thousand Stars" (#3 1960), "Happy Birthday Blues" (#30 1961); and others
see Canned Heat

Don Ho (Donald Tai Loy Ho)

b. 1930 in Kaka'ako, HI - 14 Apr 2007 in Honolulu, HI (heart failure)
pop singer
instrument: ukulele
"Ain't No Big Thing" (1966), "Tiny Bubbles" (#8 1966), "Forbidden Fruit" (1967), "Sleepy Summer Days" (1967), "Sunny Days, Starry Nights" (1968), "Pearly Shells" (1969), "Sweet Someone" (1969), "Questions" (1970), "It Must Have Been the Wine" (1970)
served in the Air Force (1954-59)

Fanita James (Fanita Barrett)

b. 1938 in St. Louis, MO
pop/R&B singer
founding member of Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, "Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah" (#8 1962), "Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Hearts?" (#38 1963), "Not Too Young to Get Married" (1963), "Annette" (1963)
founding member of The Blossoms (1954- ), "Son-In-Law" (1961), "That's When the Tears Start" (1965), "Good, Good Lovin'" (1967), "Soul and Inspiration" (1969), "One Step Away" (1970), "Walking on Air" (1977), "Lonely Friday Night" (1989)
"He's a Rebel" (#1 1962) and "He's Sure the Boy I Love" (#11 1963) were credited to The Crystals' but were sung by Darlene Love backed The Blossoms
The Blossoms recording as The Wildcats, "What Are You Gonna Do?" (1964)
The Blossoms were backup on Duane Eddy's "Dance with the Guitar Man" (#12 1962), "Boss Guitar" (#28 1963)
backup singer for Richard Berry, and others
see The Blossoms

Jimmy McCracklin (James David Walker)

b. 1921 in St. Louis, MO
blues/rock singer
"Highway 101" (1945), "True Blues" (1950), "Love When it Rains" (1951), "What's Your Phone Number?" (1952), "Fare You Well" (1956), "The Walk" (#7 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Get Tough" (1958, he wrote), "With Your Love" (1959, he wrote), "Things I Meant to Say" (1960), "Just Got to Know" (#64 1961), "That's No Big Thing" (1962), "I'm Gonna Tell Your Mother" (1962), "The Slightest Idea" (1963), "Every Night, Every Day" (#91 1965), "My Answer" (#92 1966), "Come on Home (Back Where You Belong)" (1966), "Drown in My Own Tears" (1969), "I Just Live By the Rules" (1970)
with Jimmy McCracklin and His Blues Blasters, "Just Won't Let Her Go" (1950), "Couldn't Be a Dream" (1954)
songwriter
served in the Navy during WWII (1938-45)

Mike Melancon (Michael Melancon)

b. 1978 in Quebec, Canada
country musician, instruments: drums, guitar
founding member of Emerson Drive (1995- ), * "I Should Be Sleeping" (#35, #4c 2002), "Fall into Me" (#34, #3c 2002), Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You) (#23c 2003), "Fishin' in the Dark" (2004), "Last One Standing" (#89, #21c 2004), "November" (#41c 2004), "A Good Man" (#17c 2006), "Moments" (#56, #1c 2007), "You Still Own Me" (#35c 2007)
see Emerson Drive

Scott Powell (Tony Santini)

b. 1948
pop singer
founding member of Sha Na Na (1968- ), "Remember Then" (1969), "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay" (1971), "Top Forty" (1971), "At the Hop" (1971), "Don't Want to Say Goodbye" (1975), "Shot Down in Denver" (1975), "Only One Song" (1978)
orthopedic surgeon
see Sha Na Na

Buddy Rogers (Charles Edward Rogers)

b. 1904 in Olathe, KS - d. 21 Apr 1999 in Rancho Mirage, CA
jazz/swing musician, instruments: trombone, trumpet, piano, drums
founding member of Buddy Rogers and His California Cavaliers, "Sweeping the Clouds Away" (1930), "My Future Just Passed" (1930), "Hello, Gorgeous" (1932), "You Fascinate Me" (1932)
founding member of Buddy Rogers and His Famous Swing Band (1938), "You Can't Be Mine and Someone Else's Too" (1938)
actor
humanitarian
served in the Navy in WWII
md. to actress, Mary Pickford (1937-79, her death); md. to Beverly Ricondo (1981-99, his death)

Bryan Sennett

b. 1942 in Cleveland, OH (grew up in CO)
folk singer
instrument: guitar
founding member and lead singer of The Serendipity Singers (1963-66, and reunions), "Don't Let the Rain Come Down (Crooked Little Man)" (#6 1964), "Beans in My Ears" (#30 1964), "Take Your Shoes Off" (1964), "Autumn Wind" (1964), "Down Where the Wind Blows" (1964), "Cloudy Summer Afternoon" (1965), "Boots and Stetsons" (1965), "When Peaches Grow on Lilac Trees" (1965), "My Heart Keeps Following You" (1965)
songwriter
see The Serendipity Singers

George Shearing

b. 1919 in London, England
jazz/bebop/swing musician, instruments: piano, accordion
founding member of The George Shearing Quintet (1949-78), "September in the Rain" (#25 1949), "Geneva's Move" (1955), "Loose Leaf" (1955), "Pawn Ticket" (1958), "Giselle" (1958), "Lonely Moments" (1958), "Hallucinations" (1958), "East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)" (1960)
songwriter
he was born blind
he became a U.S. citizen in 1956

John Stokes (Sean James Stokes)

b. 1940 in England
pop/folk singer
instrument: harmonica
founding member of The Bachelors (1958-84), "The Day I Met You" (1961), "Diane" (#10 1964), "No Arms Can Ever Hold You" (#10 1965), "Marie" (#15 1965), "Chapel in the Moonlight" (#32 1965), "Love Me with All Your Heart" (#38 1966)

Hughie Thomasson (Hugh Edward Thomasson, Jr.)

b. 1952 - d. 9 Sep 2007 in Brookville, FL (heart attack)
country/rock singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, lead guitar, rhythm guitar
"Three Alarm Fire" (1999), "Hearts Run Wild" (1999), "Only Love Will Do" (1999)
with the new Lynyrd Skynyrd (1996-2005)
founding member of The Outlaws (1972-86, 1993-96, 2005- ), "There Goes Another Love Song" (#34 1975, he wrote), "Green Grass and High Tides" (1975, he wrote), "Girl From Ohio" (1976), "Hearin' My Heart Talkin'" (1977), "Hurry Sundown" (#60 1977, he wrote), "Falling Rain" (1978), "(Come on) Dance With Me" (1979), "White Horses" (1981), "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" (#31 1981), "All Roads" (1982), "Won't Come Out of the Rain" (1982), "One Last Ride" (1986), "Lady Luck" (1986), "Racin' for the Red Light" (1986), "Hittin' the Road" (1993), "Steam on the Blacktop" (1994), "Diablo Canyon" (1994), "Freedom in Flight" (1994)
songwriter
see The Outlaws

August 14

Gil Bridges

b. 1942
rock singer
instruments: sax, flute, percussions
founding member of Rare Earth (1968- ), "When Joannie Smiles" (1970), "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (#7 1970), "Get Ready" (#4 1970), "Born to Wander" (#17 1971), "I Just Want to Celebrate" (#7 1971), "Hey, Big Brother" (1971), "Hum Along and Dance" (1973), "Keepin' Me Out of the Storm" (1975), "Midnight Lady" (1976), "Warm Ride" (1978)
see Rare Earth
see Rare Earth on Wikipedia

Dash Crofts (Darrell Crofts)

b. 1940 in Cisco, TX
pop singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, keyboards, drums
"Sunrise" (2000), "Mystery of Love" (2000)
founding member of Seals and Crofts (1969-80, and reunions), "Summer Breeze" (#6 1972), "Hummingbird" (#20 1972), "Diamond Girl" (#6 1973), "We May Never Pass This Way Again" (#21 1973), "Unborn Child" (#66 1974), "I'll Play for You" (#18 1975), "My Fair Share" (#28 1977), "You're the Love" (#18 1978)
Seals and Crofts with Carolyn Willis, "Get Closer" (#6 1976)
with The Champs (1959-62, 1964), "Double Eagle Rock" (1959), "Too Much Tequila" (#30 1960), "Panic Button" (1961), "Limbo Rock" (#40 1962)
md. to Billie Lee Day
served in the Army (1962-63)
see The Champs
see Seals and Crofts

David Crosby (David Van Courtland)

b. 1941 in Los Angeles, CA
folk/rock/country singer
instrument: guitar
"What are Their Names?" (1971, he co-wrote), "Music is Love" (#95 1971, he co-wrote), "Drive My Car" (#3 1989, he wrote), "Tracks in the Dust" (1989, he wrote)
founding member of The Byrds (1964-67, 1989-90), "Mr. Tambourine Man" (#1 1965), * "Turn! Turn! Turn!" (#1 1965), "Eight Miles High" (#14 1966), "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" (#29 1967), "Renaissance Fair" (1967, he wrote)
founding member of Crosby, Stills and Nash (1968-69), "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" (#21 1968), "Helplessly Hoping" (1969), "Guinevere" (1969, he wrote), "Wooden Ships" (1969, he co-wrote), "You Don't Have to Cry" (1969), "Just a Song Before I Go" (#7 1977)
founding member of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (1969- ), Teach Your Children" (#16 1970), "Woodstock" (#11 1970), "Helpless" (1970), "This Old House" (#92c 1989)
he performed at Woodstock
songwriter
actor
since he spent a year in jail in 1985, he has stayed away from drugs and alcohol; had a liver transplant in 1995

Kevyn Cunningham (John Kevyn Cunningham)

b. 1940 in Liverpool, England
folk/rock/pop musician, instrument: double bass
founding member of The Silkie, "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" (#10 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "City Winds" (1965), "The Keys to My Soul" (1966)

Larry Graham (Larry Graham, Jr.)

b. 1946 in Beaumont, TX (grew up in Oakland, CA)
soul/rock/pop singer (baritone)
instruments: bass, guitar, harmonica, sax, keyboards, drums
"One in a Million You" (#9 1980), "When We Get Married" (#76 1980), "I Just Can't Stop Dancing" (1980), "Just Be My Lady" (#67 1981, he wrote), "I Never Forget Your Eyes" (1983)
founding member and bass player with Sly and the Family Stone (1967-72), "Dance to the Music" (#8 1968), "Everyday People" (#1 1969), "Hot Fun in the Summer Time" (#2 1969), "Thank You" (#1 1970), "Family Affair" (#1 1971), "Runnin' Away" (#23 1972)
Sly and the Family Stone performed at Woodstock
founding member of Graham Central Station (1973-79, 1993- ), "Can You Handle it?" (1974), "Feel the Need" (1974), "Your Love" (#9 1975), "Now Do U Wanna Dance?" (1977)
duet with Aretha Franklin, "If You Need My Love Tonight" (1987)
session musician with John Lee Hooker, Jackie Wilson, and others
songwriter
music producer
cousin of Sly Stone
see Sly and the Family Stone

Alyce King (Alyce Driggs)

b. 1916 in Payson, UT - 23 Aug 1996 (bronchial asthma)
swing/jazz/pop singer (alto)
"Around and Around She Goes" (1941), "It isn't a Dream Anymore" (1941), "Blue Shadows and White Gardenias" (1942), "A Time for Love" (1971)
founding member of The Driggs Sisters (1931-34)
founding member of The King Sisters (1935- ), "Half Moon on the Hudson" (1938)
The King Sisters backed by The Alvino Rey Orchestra, "The Sailor with the Navy Blue Eyes" (1940), "Where the Mountains Meet the Moon" (1941), "It's Love, Love, Love" (#4 1944)
The King Sisters backed by The Buddy Cole Orchestra, "Divorce Me C.O.D." (#5c 1946)
md. to Robert Clarke (1956- )

Cody McCarver

b. 19?? in Dunlap, TN
country/rock/honky-tonk singer
instruments: bass, piano
"Red Flag" (2006), "Tonight's the Night" (2006), "Hard to Be Honest" (2006), "Should've Been Me" (2006)
with Confederate Railroad (1999- , replaced Chris McDaniel), "Cowboy Cadillac" (#70c 1999), "That's What Brothers Do" (#39c 2001)

John McCutcheon

b. 1952 in WI
folk/pop singer
instruments: hammered dulcimer, guitar, fiddle, banjo, autoharp
"Every Bush and Tree" (1977), "Wild Rose of the Mountains" (1982), "Sally Anne" (1982), "Christmas in the Trenches" (1984), * "Mail Myself to You" (1988), "New Car" (1988), "The Red Corvette" (1989, he wrote), "Imaginary Friend" (1993), "Happy Adoption Day" (1993, he wrote), "New Boots" (1995, he co-wrote), "Bird Dog" (1998, he co-wrote), "Spring Cleaning" (1999, he co-wrote), "Junk Mail" (1999, he co-wrote), "Last First Kiss" (2002, he co-wrote), "Duct Tape" (2004, he wrote), "Drive All Night" (2007, he wrote)
songwriter
see John McCutcheon

Betty McDaniel (Betty Chaba)

b. 1953 - d. 2 Jun 2003 in Knoxville, TN (complications of surgery for a brain aneurysms)
folk/bluegrass/Christian singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"Waterfall" (2001, she co-wrote), "Where is My Love?" (2001, she co-wrote), "Grace Alone" (2001, she co-wrote)
with Roy Forbes and the Foreman Young Band
duets with Jim Woodyard, "You Were Falling in Love with Me" (1991), "Wipe Away My Tears" (1991)
backup singer
songwriter

Jeff Rymes

b. 1954 in Greeley, CO
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Lonesome Strangers (1984- ), "Goodbye Lonesome, Hello Baby Doll" (#32c 1989), "Just Can't Cry No More" (#66c 1989, he co-wrote), "Don't Back Down" (1989), "Another Fool Like Me" (1989), "Sharon" (1997), "The Truth About You" (1997), "Ramblin' Around" (1997)
backup singer on Dwight Yoakam's "Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room (She Wore Red Dresses)" (#46c 1989), "I Sang Dixie" (#1c 1989), "I Got You" (#5c 1989)
songwriter

Connie Smith (Constance June Meador)

b. 1941 in Elkhart, IN (grew up in Hinton, WV)
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
* "Once a Day" (#1c 1964), "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" (1964), "Then and Only Then" (#4c 1965), "I Can't Remember" (#9c 1965), "If I Talk to Him" (#4c 1965), "Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You)" (#4c 1966), "Ain't Had No Lovin'" (#2c 1966), "The Hurtin's All Over" (#3c 1966), "I'll Come Runnin'" (#10c 1967, she wrote), "Cincinnati, Ohio" (#3c 1967), "Burning a Hole in My Mind" (#5c 1968), "You and Your Sweet Love" (#6c 1969), "Ribbon of Darkness" (#13c 1969), "I Never Once Stopped Loving You" (#5c 1970), "Clinging to a Saving Hand" (1970), "Just One Time" (#2c 1971), "I'm Sorry if My Love Got in Your Way" (#14c 1971), "Don't Walk Away" (1971), "Just for What I Am" (#5c 1972), "You've Got Me (Right Where You Want Me)" (#21c 1973, she co-wrote), "If it Ain't Love (Let's Leave it Alone)" (#7c 1972), * "Dream Painter" (#23c 1973), "I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before)" (#13c 1974), "Ain't Love a Good Thing?" (#10c 1974), "I Got a Lot of Hurtin' Done Today" (#30c 1975), "The Song We Fell in Love to" (#29c 1976), "Till I Kissed You" (#10c 1976), "I Don't Want to Talk it Over Anymore" (#13c 1976), "You Crossed My Mind a Thousand Times Today" (1976), "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" (#14c 1977)
duet with Nat Stucky, "Young Love" (#20c 1969)
songwriter
actress
md. 1st to Jerry Smith; md. 2nd to Jack Watkins; md. 3rd to Marshall Haynes; md. 4th to Marty Stuart (1997- )
see Connie Smith on Wikipedia

August 15

Floyd Ashton

b. 1933 (maybe Nov 15) in Atlanta, GA
soul singer
founding member of The Tams (1960-64), "Untie Me" (#60 1962), "Disillusioned" (1962), "If You're So Smart (Why Do You Have a Broken Heart?)" (1962), "What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)?" (#9 1963, One-Hit Wonder)
see The Tams

Jackie Brenston

b. 1930 in Clarksdale, MS – d. 15 Dec 1979 in Memphis, TN (heart attack after years of alcoholism)
rock/R&B singer
instrument: tenor sax
"Trouble Up the Road" (1961), "You Ain't the One" (1961)
lead singer of Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats, "Rocket 88" (1951, he co-wrote, considered by many to be the first rock 'n' roll record), "Come Back Where You Belong" (1951), "Tuckered Out" (1951), "Independent Woman" (1951), "Starvation" (1953), "Gonna Wait for My Chance" (1956)
with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm (1955-62), "Walking Down the Aisle" (1959), "(I Know) You Don't Love Me" (1959)
session musician with Lowell Fulson, Earl Hooker, and others
songwriter
served in the Army

Buster Brown (Wayman Glasco)

b. 1911 in Cordele, GA - d. 31 Jan 1976 in Brooklyn, NY
blues/R&B singer
instrument: harmonica
"I'm Gonna Make You Happy" (1943), "Fannie Mae" (#38 1960, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Lost in a Dream" (1960), "Is You or is You Ain't My Baby?" (#81 1961), "Sugar Babe" (#99 1962, he wrote), "In the Presence of You" (1965)
songwriter

Brendan Croker

b. 1953 in Yorkshire, England
country/rock/blues singer
instrument: guitar
"Let the Liar Pass on By" (1986), "Each Night You Die a Little" (1988), "You Don't Need Me Here" (1989), "Just an Old Waltz" (1989), "Nothing But Time" (1992), "Running on Down the Road" (1992), "I Guess That Says it All" (1992), "Sittin' on Ready" (1993), "If Forever" (1993), "Watching the Wheels" (1995), "Walk Through Fire" (1995), "From One Heart to Another" (1996), "Tomorrow is Another Day" (2000), "The Great Indoors" (2000), "What it Takes" (2000)
founding member of The Notting Hillbillies (1986- ), "That's Where I Belong" (1990), "Feel Like Going Home" (1990)
founding member of The Five O'Clock Shadows, "Wrong Decision" (1989), "All Mixed Up" (1989)
session musician
songwriter
see Brendan Croker

Ben Eldridge

b. 1934/38 in Washington, D.C. – d. 10 Dec 1996 (heart attack)
bluegrass/folk musician, instrument: banjo
founding member of Seldom Scene (1971-96, and reunions), "Little Georgia Rose" (1973), "Don't Bother with White Satin" (1973), "Small Exception of Me" (1973), "Different Roads" (1974), "If That's the Way You Feel" (1976), "If I Had Left it up to You" (1981), "It Turns Me Inside Out" (1983), "Alabama Clay" (1987), "Brand New Walking Shoes" (1988), "If You Ever Change Your Mind" (1990), "Like I Used to Do" (1994), "Bad Moon Rising" (1996), "Boots of Spanish Leather" (2000)
mathematician

Little Beaver Hale (Willie Hale)

b. 1944 in Forrest City, AR
soul/blues singer
instrument: guitar
"Joey" (1972), "Katie Pearl" (1972), "Party Down" (1974), "Never Can Say Goodbye" (1974), "Just My Imagination" (1974)
session musician on Betty Wright's "Clean-up Woman" (#6 1972), and others
songwriter
his nickname referred to his teeth

Bobby Helms (Bobby Lee Helms)

b. 1933 in Bloomington, IN – d. 19 Jun 1997 (emphysema and asthma)
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Jingle Bell Rock" (#6, #13c 1957, #36 1960, #41 1965, #56 1967, he wrote), "Fraulein" (#36, #1c 1957), "Just a Little Lonesome" (#10c 1957), "Jacqueline" (#63, #5c 1957), "Living in the Shadow of the Past" (1958), "My Special Angel" (#1c 1957), "The Fool and the Angel" (1958), "Borrowed Dreams" (1958), "Miss Memory" (1959), "I Guess I'll Miss the Prom" (1959), "Lonely River Rhine" (#16c 1960), "Sad-Eyed Baby" (1961), "Same Old Memories" (1963), "I Close My Eyes (and See it All)" (1966), "He Thought He'd Die Laughing" (#46 1967), "The Things I Remember Most" (1967), "Echoes and Shadows" (1969), "Mary Goes 'Round" (#41c 1970), "The Old Year is Gone" (1970), "With Jenny on My Mind" (1974), "Something Wrong is Lookin' Right" (1987)
duet with The Anita Kerr Singers, "My Special Angel" (#7, #1c 1957, he wrote)
with The Helms Brothers
songwriter
see Bobby Helms

Paul Jefferson

b. 1961 in Woodside, CA
country/bluegrass/folk singer
instrument: guitar
"Check, Please" (#50c 1996, he co-wrote), "Nothing Comes Close" (1996, he co-wrote), "Unconditionally" (1996, he co-wrote), "Fear of a Broken Heart" (#73c 1996, he co-wrote), "I Might Just Make it" (#73c 1996, he co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote Aaron Tippin's "That's As Close As I'll Get (to Loving You)" (#1c 1995)

Tom Johnston

b. 1948 in Visalia, CA
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"I Can Count on You" (1979), "Reachin' Out for Lovin' from You" (1979, he wrote), "Savannah Nights" (1979), "Wishing" (1981)
founding member of The Doobie Brothers (1970-77, 1987- ), "Listen to the Music" (#11 1972, he wrote), "Long Train Runnin'" (#8 1973), "China Grove" (#15 1973, he wrote), "Another Park, Another Sunday" (#32 1974), "Black Water" (#1 1975), "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)" (#11 1975), "Sweet Maxine" (#40 1975), "Takin' it to the Streets" (#13 1976), "The Doctor" (#9 1989, he wrote), "Divided Highway" (1991), "Dangerous" (1991), "Rockin' Down the Highway" (1996, he wrote), "Wild Ride" (1996), "Angels of Madness" (2000)
songwriter

Rose Maddox (Roselea Arbana Brogdon aka 'The Sweetheart of Hillbilly Swing')

b. 1925/26 in Boaz, AL (grew up in Modesto, CA) – d. 15 Apr 1998 in Modesto, CA (kidney failure)
country/folk/bluegrass/honky-tonk/gospel/rockabilly singer
instruments: bass fiddle, snare drum
"Gambler's Love" (#22c 1959), "I Lost Today" (1959), "Custer's Last Stand" (1959), "Shining Silver, Gleaming Gold" (1960), "Kissing My Pillow" (#14c 1961), "I Want to Live Again" (#15c 1961), "Conscience, I'm Guilty" (#14c 1961), "Sing a Little Song of Heartache" (#3c 1962), "Lonely Teardrops" (#18c 1963), "Somebody Told Somebody" (#30c 1964), "Tia Lisa Lynn" (1964), "Philadelphia Lawyer" (1964), "I Hate to See Me Go" (1968), "Reckless Love and Bold Adventure" (1977)
duets with Buck Owens, "Mental Cruelty" (#8c 1961), "Loose Talk" (#4c 1961), "We're the Talk of the Town" (#15c 1963)
with Rosie and Retta, "I'm Gonna Be Loved Tonight" (1955)
founding member of The Maddox Brothers and Rose (1933-57), "Careless Driver" (1947), "Gosh, I Miss You All the Time" (1948), "At the First Fall of Snow" (1949), "I'm Sending You Daffydills" (1949), "Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down" (1950), "Just One Little Kiss" (1950), "Dark as a Dungeon" (1950), "Chocolate Ice Cream" (1950), "I'll Make Sweet Love to You" (1952), "These Wasted Years" (1953), "Kiss Me Like Crazy" (1953), "Poor Little Heartbroken Rose" (1954), "You've Been Talkin' in Your Sleep" (1954), "Second Choice" (1955), "Hey, Little Dreamboat" (1956), "Wish You Would" (1956), "Take a Gamble on Me" (1957), "1-2-3-4 Anyplace Road (Somewhere, USA)" (1957)
songwriter

Curly Palmer (Thomas J. Palmer)

b. 1929 in El Paso, TX
R&B musician, instrument: guitar
with The Coasters (1962- ), "Ladylike" (1965), "Down Home Girl" (1967), "She Can" (1968), "Love Potion Number Nine" (1971)
music director, arranger
see The Coasters

Bill Pinkney

b. 1925 in Sumter, NC or Dalzell, SC - d. 4 Jul 2007 in Daytona Beach, FL (heart attack)
doo-wop/R&B singer (tenor/bass)
"Don't Call Me" (1964)
founding member of The Drifters (1953-56), "Money Honey" (1953), "Honey Love" (1954), "Adorable" (1955), "Ruby Baby" (1956)
founding member of Bill Pinkney's 'Original Drifters' (1959- )
served in the Army during WWII (earned four Bronze Stars)
see Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters

Angela Rae

b. 19?? in Temple, TX (grew up near Troy, TX)
country singer
with Wild Horses, "I Will Survive" (#46c 2001), "You Gotta Ride" (2003), "Am I Going too Fast?" (2003), "Listen to My Heart" (2003), "Wild Horses" (2003), "Ride, Cowboy Ride" (2003), "Safely Home" (2003), "How Love Should Be" (2007), "You and Me and San Antone" (2007), "Touch Me There Again" (2007)
md. to singer, Michael Mahler

Don Rich (Donald Eugene Ulrich)

b. 1941 in Olympia, WA (grew up in Tumwater, WA) – d. 17 Jul 1974 in CA (motorcycle accident)
country singer
instruments: lead guitar, fiddle
with The Buckaroos (1960-74), "I'm Coming Back Home to Stay" (#38c 1968), "Nobody But You" (#43c 1969)
The Buckaroos backing Buck Owens, "Above and Beyond" (#3c 1960), "Excuse Me (I Think I've Got a Heartache)" (#2c 1960), "Foolin' Around" (#2c 1961), "Under the Influence of Love" (#2c 1961), "Act Naturally" (#1c 1963), "Love's Gonna Live Here" (#1c 1963), "Together Again" (#1c 1964), "I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)" (#92, #1c 1964), "My Heart Skips a Beat" (#94, #1c 1964), "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" (#25, #1c 1965), "Before You Go" (#83, #1c 1965), "Only You (Can Break My Heart)" (#1c 1965), "Buckaroo" (#60, #1c 1965), "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" (#57, #1c 1966, he co-wrote), "Open up Your Heart" (#1c 1966), "Think of Me" (#74, #1c 1966), "Where Does the Time Go?" (#1c 1967), "Sam's Place" (#92, #1c 1967), "Your Tender Loving Care" (#1c 1967), "It Takes People Like You (To Make People Like Me)" (#2c 1967), "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone?" (#1c 1968), "Sweet Rosie Jones" (#2c 1968), "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass?" (#1c 1969), "Johnny B. Goode" (#1c 1969), "Tall Dark Stranger" (#1c 1969), "The Kansas City Song" (#2c 1970), "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms" (#2c 1971), "Made in Japan" (#1c 1973), and others
duets with Buddy Alan, "Cowboy Convention" (1970), "I'm on the Road to Memphis" (1971)
songwriter

Rita Robbins

b. 1932 in Claxton, GA
country singer
"Take a Look at That Moon" (1954), "Teen-Age Crush" (1956), "Why Don't You Be Good?" (1956)
duets with Don Winters, "Two Hearts, Two Kisses (Make One Love)" (1955), "The Flower of My Heart" (1955)
founding member of Nita, Rita and Ruby, "Whose Baby Are You?" (1955), "But I Love You Just the Same" (1955), "Last Night in My Dreams" (1956), "You Came to the Prom Alone" (1957)
sister of Don Winters

Mike Seeger

b. 1933 in New York, NY
country/folk singer
instruments: harmonic, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, guitar, mandolin, dobro
"Tennessee Dog" (1991), "Dog and Gun" (1991), "Wind and Rain" (1991)
founding member of The New Lost City Ramblers (1958- ), "Tom Cat Blues" (1958), "Brown's Ferry Blues" (1958), "Didn't He Ramble?" (1959), "Johnny, Get Your Gun" (1959), "My Sweet Farm Girl" (1961), "Kentucky Bootlegger" (1962), "Bill Morgan and His Girl" (1963), "Grey Cat on a Tennessee Farm" (1963), "Pretty Little Miss Out in the Garden" (1963), "There Ain't No Bugs on Me" (1963), "Saddle Up the Grey" (1964), "Cowboy Waltz" (1964), "The Cyclone of Rye Cove" (1965), "Fishin' Creek Blues" (1965), "Automobile Trip Through Alabama" (1965), "Cat's Got the Measles, Dog's Got the Whooping Cough" (1966), "Henry Ford's Model A" (1968)
duets with John Hartford and David Grisman, "My Walking Shoes" (1999), "Flint Hill Special" (1999)
session musician with The Clinch Mountain Boys
half-brother of Pete Seeger
see Mike Seeger

Johnny Thunder (Gil Hamilton)

b. 1941 in Leesburg, FL
rock/soul singer (tenor)
Loop De Loop (#4 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "The Rosey Dance" (#122 1963), "Good Morning, Sadness" (1963), "Everybody Do the Sloopy" (#67 1964), "A Broken Heart" (1966), "Bewildered" (1966), "In and Out the Window" (1966), "Am I Right or Am I Wrong?" (1967), "Groovy Two Shoes" (1968)
recorded as Gil Hamilton, "Much Obliged" (1960)
duet with Ruby Winters, "Make Love to Me" (1967)
sessionist with The Drifters, Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston, and others

Jimmy Webb (Jimmy L. Webb)

b. 1946 in Elk City, OK
rock/pop singer
instruments: piano, organ, keyboards
"P.F. Sloan" (1970, he wrote), "If Ships Were Made to Sail" (1971, he wrote), "Pocketful of Keys" (1971, he wrote), "Met Her on a Plane" (1971, he wrote), "Crying in My Sleep" (1973), "Lady Fits Her Blue Jeans" (1974), "Dance to the Radio" (1977, he wrote), "No Signs of Age" (2005, he wrote), "Why Do I Have to...?" (2005, he wrote), "Time Flies" (2005, he wrote)
songwriter, wrote Richard Harris' "MacArthur Park" (#2 1968); Glen Campbell's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (#26, #2c 1967), "Galveston" (#4, #1c 1969), "Wichita Lineman" (#3, #1c 1969); The Fifth Dimension's "Up Up and Away" (#7 1967); The Brooklyn Bridge's "The Worst That Could Happen" (#3 1969); Art Garfunkel's "All I Know" (#9 1973)
music producer; arranger
see Jimmy Webb

Michael White (Michael Tracey White aka 'Bam Bam')

b. 1967 in Salisbury, MD - d. 3 Sep 2006 (internal bleeding)
rockabilly/country/western swing singer
instruments: guitar, bass, keyboards, drums
"Cold Day in Daytona" (2002, he wrote as a tribute to Dale Earnhardt), "The Stars Are in Your Eyes" (2002), "Oh, Alison" (2002)
with The Chest Pains
with Institution of Faith
with The Twisting Tarantulas
songwriter
producer

Hugo Winterhalter

b. 1909 in Wilkes-Barre, PA – d. 17 Sep 1973 in Greenwich, CT (cancer)
pop musician, instrument: violin
founding member and conductor of the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra, "My Foolish Heart" (#29 1950), "Something to Dance About" (1950), "Cross My Heart, I Love You" (1950), "(Put Another Nickel In) Music! Music! Music!" (#17 1950), "Here Comes the Bride on a Pinto Pony" (1950), "The Third Man Theme" (#21 1950), "I'll Never Know Why" (1951), "Vanessa" (#9 1952), "Never Smile at a Crocodile" (1952), "Music Box in Blue" (1953), "Song of the Barefoot Contessa" (1954), "Autumn Rhapsody" (1955), "Kiki" (1955), "Theme From an Unfilmed Movie" (1960), "Blue Violins" (1964)
the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra backing Eddie Heywood, "Canadian Sunset" (#2 1956), "Soft Summer Breeze" (#11 1956)
the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra backing June Valli, "I Understand" (#8 1954)
the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra backing Eddie Fisher, "Wish You Were Here (#1 1952)
the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra was backup on many pop hits during the 1950's
arranger

Pete York (Peter York)

b. 1942 in Nottingham, England
rock/R&B musician, instrument: drums
"High Heel Sneakers" (1991), "Never Too Old to Rock" (1991), "Cute" (1994), "When You Wish Upon a Star" (1994)
founding member of The Spencer Davis Group (1963-68), "Somebody Help Me" (#47 1966), "Keep on Running" (1966), "When I Come Home" (1966), "Trampoline" (1966), "Blues in F" (1967), "Gimme Some Lovin'" (#7 1967), "I'm a Man" (#10 1967), "Sanity Inspector" (1967), "After Tea" (1968)
founding member of The Pete York Percussion Band, "Cold Night in the City" (1972), "Finders Keepers" (1974)
founding member of Hardin and York
session musician with Eric Burdon, John Crocker, Eddie Hardin, Nazareth, and others
see Pete York

August 16

Kevin Ayers

b. 1945 in Kent, England
rock singer
instruments: bass, guitar
"Girl on a Swing" (1969, he wrote), "All This Crazy Gift of Time" (1969, he wrote), "Champagne Cowboy Blues" (1971, he wrote), "Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes" (1971, he wrote), "Shouting in a Bucket Blues" (1973, he wrote), "Beware of the Dog" (1983, he wrote), "Sweet Deceiver" (1975, he wrote), "Farewell Again (Another Dawn)" (1975, he wrote), "Lady Rachel" (1976), "My Speeding Heart" (1984)
founding member of Soft Machine (1966-68), "Love Makes Sweet Music" (1968), "Joy of a Toy" (1968), "Why Are We Sleeping?" (1968)
founding member of The Whole World (1970), "Shooting at the Moon" (1970, he wrote), "Clarence in Wonderland" (1980, he wrote)
songwriter

Sean Bonniwell (Thomas Harvey Bonniwell aka T.S. Bonniwell)

b. 1940 in San Jose, CA
rock/folk singer
instrument: guitar
"Bottom of the Soul" (1967), "To the Light" (1968), "Where Am I to Go?" (1969, he wrote), "Who Remembers?" (1969, he wrote), "Advise and Consent" (1969), "Where it Belongs" (1969)
with The Wayfarers, "Ticonderoga" (1963), "Crabs Walk Sideways (and Lobsters Walk Straight)" (1963)
founding member and lead of The Music Machine (1965-67), "Talk, Talk" (#15 1966, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "The People in Me" (#66 1966), "Masculine Intuition" (1966), "Double Yellow Line" (1967), "Absolutely Positive" (1967)
songwriter

Emily Erwin (Emily Burns Erwin aka Emily Robinson)

b. 1972 in Pittsfield, MA (grew up in Dallas, TX)
country/pop singer
instrument: banjo, dobro, guitar, upright bass, viola
founding member of The Dixie Chicks (1989- ), "West Texas Wind" (1990), "Little Ol' Cowgirl" (1992), "She'll Find Better Things to Do" (1992), "I Can Love You Better" (#77, #7c 1997), * "Once You've Loved Somebody" (1997), "There's Your Trouble" (#36, #1c 1998), "Wide Open Spaces" (#41, #1c 1998, CMA single of the year 1999), "You Were Mine" (#34, #1c 1999), * "Ready to Run" (#39, #2c 1999), * "Cowboy, Take Me Away" (#27, #1c 1999), * "Without You" (#31, #1c 2000), "Goodbye, Earl" (#19, #13c 2000), "If I Fall You're Going Down With Me" (#3c 2000), "Some Days You Gotta Dance" (#55, #7c 2001), "Long Time Gone" (#2c, #7 2002), * "Landslide" (#7, #2c 2002), "Travelin' Soldier" (#25 #1c 2002), "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" (#48c 2002), "Not Ready to Make Nice" (#4, #36c 2005), "So Hard" (2006), "Voice Inside My Head" (2006), "Lubbock or Leave it" (2006), "The Long Way Around" (2006)
songwriter
sister of Martie Erwin; md. to Charlie Robinson (1999- )
see The Dixie Chicks

Snowy Fleet (Gordon Henry Fleet)

b.1946 in England (grew up in Australia)
rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of with The Easybeats (1964-67), "Friday on My Mind" (#16 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "I Wonder" (1966), "I'm Gonna Tell Everybody" (1966, he wrote), "You Are the Light" (1966), "Someway, Somewhere" (1966), "Then I'll Tell You Goodbye" (1966), "The Last Day of May" (1966), "Promised Things" (1966), "Who'll Be the One?" (1967)

Danny Flowers

b. 1948 in Henderson, NC
country/rock musician, instruments: guitar, electric slide guitar, dobro, harmonica
"Tennessee Hideaway" (2000), "Breaking Point" (2000), "Reason to Try" (2007), "World Enough and Time" (2007)
lead guitarist with The Scratch Band (1974- )
The Scratch Band backed Don Williams
songwriter, wrote Don Williams' "Back in My Younger Days" (#2c 1990), "Tulsa Time" (#1c 1979)

Ernie Freeman

b. 1922 in Cleveland, OH - d. 16 May 1981 in HI or CA (heart attack)
pop/R&B/doo-wop/rock/country musician, instrument: piano, xylophone, guitar
"Walking the Beat" (1956), "River Boat" (1957), "Beautiful Weekend" (1957), "Raunchy (#4, #11c 1957, One-Hit Wonder), "Leaps and Bounds" (1958), "After Sunset" (1958), "Night Sounds" (1959), "Marshmallows, Popcorn and Soda Pop" (1959), "Always With You" (1959), "Sky High" (1960), "What Am I Living For?" (1962), "Jivin' Around" (1965)
with Billy Joe and the Checkmates, "Percolator (Twist)" (#10 1962, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote)
with The Shields, "You Cheated" (#12 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "That's the Way it's Gonna Be" (1958), "I'm Sorry Now" (1958)
with The Marketts, "Surfer's Stomp" (#31 1962), "Balboa Blue" (1962), "Out of Limits" (#3 1963), "Vanishing Point" (1964), "Batman Theme" (#17 1966) (not sure if he was on all of the songs)
session musician on Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night" (#1 1966); Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (#1 1970); Dean Martin's "Everybody Loves Somebody" (#1 1964); B. Bumble and the Stingers' "B. Bumble Boogie" (#21 1961); Sonny Knight's "Confidential" (#17 1956), and others
songwriter
arranger
served in the Navy during WWII (1942-45)

Barbara George (Barbara Ann Smith)

b. 1942 in Smithridge, LA (grew up in New Orleans, LA) - d. 19 Aug 2006 in Chauvin, LA
blues/pop singer
"I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" (#3 1962, One-Hit Wonder, she wrote), "You Talk about Love" (1962), "Send for Me (if You Need Some Lovin')" (1962), "Recipe (For Perfect Fools)" (1962), "Something's Definitely Wrong" (1963)
songwriter

Eydie Gorme (Edith Gormezano)

b. 1931 in the Bronx, NY
pop singer
"That Night of Heaven" (1952), "I Danced With My Darling" (1953), "That's How" (1956), "Soda Pop Hop" (1956), "The Kiss in Your Eyes" (1957), "The Voice in My Heart" (1958), "To You, From Me" (1958), "Blame it on the Bossa Nova" (#7 1963), "You Need Hands" (#11 1958), "If He Walked into My Life" (1967), "It Was a Good Time" (#23 1971), "Take One Step" (#94c 1973)
duets with Steve Lawrence (some as Parker and Penny), "Close Your Eyes, Take a Deep Breath" (1955), "Sentimental Me" (1959), "We Got Us" (1960), "Would You Like to Take a Walk?" (1961), "Wouldn't it Be Lovely?" (1961), "I Want to Stay Here" (#28 1963), "I Can't Stop Talking about You" (1963), "Watch What Happens" (1970), "Suddenly You" (1970)
md. to Steve Lawrence (1957- )
see Steve and Eydie

Durwood Haddock (Durwood Martin Haddock)

b. 1934 near Lamasco, TX
country singer
instruments: fiddle, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lap steel guitar, mandolin, harmonica, keyboards
"Big Night at My House" (1962, he wrote), "Just Look at Me" (1964), "The Lady of My House" (1965), "I'm Gonna Quit Thinking" (1966), "California Hillbilly Bar" (1969), "Odds and Ends, Bits and Pieces" (1971), "Angel in an Apron" (#67c 1975), "The Perfect Love Song" (#75c 1978), "It Sure Looks Good on You" (#89c 1980), "Chained to a Memory" (1995), "Many Tears Ago" (1995), "You Can Count on Me (If You Can't Count Too High)" (2007, he wrote), "Honky-tonk Crazy (and Bar-Hoppin' Mad)" (2007, he wrote), "That Make Love to Me Look (in Your Eyes)" (2007, he wrote)
recorded as Durwood Daily, "How Lonesome Can I Get?" (1958, he wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote Carl Smith's "There She Goes" (#3c 1955); Jimmy Heap's "Release Me" (#5c 1954)
DJ

Jaime Hanna

b. 1972 in Evergreen, CO
country/rock/bluegrass/folk singer
instruments; electric guitar, rhythm guitar, mandolin, harmonica
founding member of Hanna-McEuen, "Something Like a Broken Heart" (#38c 2005), "Read Between the Lines" (2005), "A Rock and a Heartache" (2005), "Tell Me" (#56c 2005)
with The Mavericks
session musician
son of musician, Jeff Hanna; first cousin of Jonathan McEuen (their mothers were identical twins)

Ron Hemby

b. 1958
country/rock/Christian singer
instruments: lead guitar, bass
founding member and lead singer of Buffalo Club (1997), "If She Don't Love You" (#9c 1997), "Nothin' Less Than Love" (#26c 1997), "Heart, Hold on" (#53c 1997), "After Alice" (1997), "The Funny Thing is" (1997)
session musician with Amy Grant, and others
songwriter
author

Al Hibbler (Albert George Hibbler)

b. 1915 in Tyro, MS (grew up in Little Rock, AR) - d. 24 Apr 2001 in Chicago, IL
blues/pop/jazz singer
"I Surrender Dear" (1949), "Song of the Wanderer" (1950), "If I Knew You Were There" (1951), "Now I Lay Me Down to Dream" (1951), "Fat and Forty" (1954), "Unchained Melody" (#3 1955), "He" (#4 1955), "I Can't Put My Arms Around a Memory" (1955), "Breeze (Blow My Baby Back to Me)" (1955), "After the Lights Go Down Low" (#10 1956), "Never Turn Back" (1956), "Around the Corner From the Blues" (1957), "When Will I Forget You?" (1958), "Love Me Long, Hold Me Close, Kiss Me Warm and Tender" (1958), "Let's Make the Most of a Beautiful Thing" (1964)
founding member of Al Hibbler and His Orchestra, "Trees" (1951)
with Duke Ellington's orchestra (1943-51), "Blue Cellophane" (1943), "Lady of the Lavender Mist" (1943), "Air-Conditioned Jungle" (1945), "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (#1 1945), "Moon Mist" (1946), "Crosstown" (1946), "Just You, Just Me" (1946), "Park at 106th" (1946), "Stomp, Look and Listen" (1947), "Maybe I Should Change My Ways" (1947), "On a Turquoise Cloud" (1947), "Do Nothin' til You Hear from Me" (1951)
civil rights activist
he was born blind
performed at Louis Armstrong's funeral

Champ Hood (Carroll DesChamps Hood)

b. 1952 in Spartanburg, SC - d. 3 Nov 2001 in TX (lung cancer)
folk/bluegrass singer (3-octave range)
instruments: fiddle, guitar, mandolin
"Warming Trend" (2002), "Chain of Emotion" (2002), "Shine Your Shoes" (2002)
founding member of The Contenders (1976-78), "Lean on Your Mind" (1977), "Whatever Reason" (1977, he wrote), "Snowing Me Under" (1978), "Light from Carolina" (1978)
founding member of Uncle Walt's Band (1973-83)
with Lyle Lovett's Large Band
lead and founding member of Threadgill's Troubadours
session musician
songwriter

Rosie Ledford

b. 1915 in Pilot, KY - d. 24 Jul 1976
bluegrass/folk singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
founding member of The Coon Creek Girls (1937-57), "Banjo Pickin' Girl" (1938), "The Soldier and the Lady" (1938)
songwriter
sister of Lily May Ledford

Ketty Lester (Revoyda Frierson)

b. 1934/38 in Hope, AR
pop/R&B singer
"Love Letters" (#5 1962, One-Hit Wonder), "But Not for Me" (#41 1962), "You Go Your Way (and I'll Go Crazy)" (1964), "Pretty Lies, Pretty Make Believes" (1965), "I'll Be Looking Back" (1965), "When a Woman Loves a Man" (1966, reply to Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman")
actress

Robert 'Squirrel' Lester

b. 1942 in McComb, MS
soul/pop/rock singer (second tenor)
founding member of The Chi-Lites (1964-77, 1980- ), "Never No More" (1965), "Pretty Girl" (1967), "Let Me Be the Man My Daddy Was" (#94 1969), "Have You Seen Her?" (#3 1971), "Oh, Girl" (#1 1972), "My Heart Just Keeps on Breakin'" (#92 1972), "The Coldest Days of My Life" (#47 1972), "A Letter to Myself" (#33 1973), "I Found Sunshine" (#47 1973), "Toby" (1974), "You Don't Have to Go" (1975), "My First Mistake" (1976), "Happy Being Lonely" (1977), "Heavenly Body" (1980), "Bad Motor Scooter" (1983)
see The Chi-Lites on WikipediA

Gary Loizzo

b. 1945 in Chicago, IL
rock singer
instrument: guitar
with American Breed, "Step Out of Your Mind" (#25 1967), "Same Old Thing" (1967), "Short Skirts" (1967), "Bend Me, Shape Me" (#1 1968), "Green Light" (#20 1968)
with Gary and the Knight Lites
recording engineer

Buddy Lucas (Alonzo W. Lucas)

b. 1914 in Pritchard, AL - d. 18 Mar 1983 in Stamford, CT
pop/rock singer
instruments: tenor sax, harmonica
"It Rains" (1953), "High, Low, Jack" (1954), "No Dice" (1954), "Oh, Mary Ann" (1956), "Priscilla" (1957), "True Love Will Come Home" (1962)
founding member of Buddy Lucas and His Band of Tomorrow, "Diane" (#2 1951)
founding member of The Buddy Lucas Band, "Night Train" (1960)
founding member of Buddy Lucas and the Shouters, "Showdown" (1962), "Down Home Turnaround" (1962)
with The Gone All Stars, "7-11" (#30 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Hoppin' Bop" (1958)
session musician on The Teenagers' "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" (#6 1956); The Chantels' "Maybe" (#15 1958); Little Anthony and the Imperials' "Tears on My Pillow" (#4 1958); The Dubs' "This Could Be Magic" (#23 1957); James Ray's "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" (#22 1961); Ray Charles' "Busted" (#4c 1963); Dion's "The Wanderer" (#2 1961); and with LaVern Baker, Paul Anka, Aretha Franklin, and others

Norman Phelps

b. 1913 - d. 24 Aug 1981
country/western swing singer (bass)
instruments: bass, guitar
founding member of Ray Whitley and the Six-Bar Cowboys (1936- )
founding member of The Phelps Brothers
founding member of Norman Phelps and the Virginia Rounders, "Rose in Your Hair" (1936), "Beautiful Lady in Blue" (1936), "On the Road That Winds Down to the Sea" (1936)
songwriter
actor
older brother of Earl and Willie Phelps
see The Phelps Brothers

Johnny Reed

b. 1923 in Baltimore, MD – d. 18 Jun 2005 in Lakewood, NJ
R&B singer (bass)
instrument: double bass
founding member of The Orioles (1948-54), "It's Too Soon to Know" (#11 1948), "Tell Me So" (1949), "A Kiss and a Rose" (1949), "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (1949), "Barbara Lee" (1949), "Is My Heart Wasting Time?" (1950), "I'd Rather Have You Under the Moon" (1950), "I Wonder When" (1950), "When You're a Long Way From Home" (1951)
with The Ink Spots (1954- ), "Too Much" (1958), "Don't Knock the Rock" (1958)
he was injured in the same accident that killed Tommy Gaither in 1950
see The Orioles on Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks

Billy Joe Shaver

b. 1939/41 in Corsicana, TX (grew up in Waco, TX)
country/rock singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"Fun While it Lasted" (1973), "I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train" (#88c 1973, he wrote), "You Asked Me to" (#80c 1978, he co-wrote), "Blue Texas Waltz" (1981)
founding member of Shaver (1993-2000), "When the Fallen Angels Fly" (1993, he wrote), "Tramp on Your Street" (1993, he wrote), "Live Forever" (1993, he co-wrote), "Georgia on a Fast Train" (1993, he wrote), "Oklahoma Wind" (1993, he wrote), "Yesterday Tomorrow Was Today" (1996, he wrote), "The First and Last Time" (1996, he wrote), "Thunderbird" (1999, he wrote), "She Can Dance" (1999, he wrote), "Heart to Heart" (1999)
songwriter, wrote Bobby Bare's "Ride Me Down Easy" (#11c 1973)
served in the Navy
father of Eddy Shaver
md. to Brenda Joyce Tindell (196?-99, her death); md. to hospice nurse, Joanne Gray (2005- )
quote by Billy Joe Shaver "May the God of your choice bless you."
see Billy Joe Shaver

Dick Shreve (Richard G. Shreve)

b. 1928 in Kansas City, KS - d. Nov 2002 (throat cancer)
jazz/pop musician, instruments: piano
session musician on Andy Williams' "Impossible Dream" (1978), "Can't Get Used to Losing You" (1978), "Until it's Time for You to Go" (1978); and with Sue Raney, Carmen McRae, The Lennon Sisters, and others
songwriter
arranger

Kin Vassey (Charles Kindred Vassy)

b. 1943 in Atlanta, GA - d. 15 Jun 1994 (cancer)
country/rock singer
"Makes Me Wonder if I Ever Said Goodbye" (#67c 1980), "Likin' Him and Lovin' You" (#39c 1981), "Sneakin' Around" (#48c 1982), "When You Were Blue and I Was Green" (#21c 1982)
with The First Edition (1970-72, replaced Mike Settle), "Something's Burning" (#11 1970), "I'm Gonna Sing You a Sad Song, Susie" (1970), "Tell it All, Brother" (#17 1970), "Heed the Call" (#33 1970), "Someone Who Cares" (#51 1971)
backup singer with Kenny Rogers, Elvis Presley, and others
songwriter, wrote Martina McBride's "Phones Are Ringing All Over Town" (#28c 1996)
see The First Edition on Wikipedia

August 17

Greg Arama

b. 1950 - d. 18 Sep 1979 (motorcycle accident)
rock musician, instrument: bass
with The Amboy Dukes (1968-71), "Journey to the Center of the Mind" (#16 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "You Talk Sunshine, I Breathe Fire" (1968), "Why is a Carrot More Orange Than an Orange?" (1968), "Inside the Outside" (1969), "Good-Natured Emma" (1969), "Survival of the Fittest" (1971)
with The Gang
founding member of Ursa Major (1972)
see The Amboy Dukes on WikipediA

Belinda Carlisle (Belinda Jo Carlisle aka Belinda Kurczeski)

b. 1958 in Hollywood, CA
pop/rock singer
instrument: bass, guitar
"Mad about You" (#3 1986), "I Feel the Magic" (#82 1986), "Heaven is a Place on Earth" (#1 1987), "I Get Weak" (#2 1988), "Circle in the Sand" (#7 1988), "Leave a Light on" (#11 1990), "Summer Rain" (#30 1990), "In Too Deep" (1996)
founding member an lead singer of The Go-Gos (1980-85), "Our Lips Are Sealed" (#20 1981), "We Got the Beat" (#2 1981), "Vacation" (#8 1982), "The Way You Dance" (1982), "Head Over Heels" (#11 1984)
model; actress
md. to actor, Morgan Mason (1986- )
see Belinda Carlisle on Wikipedia

Larry Clinton

b. 1909 in Brooklyn, NY - d. 2 May 1985 in Tucson, AZ
jazz/swing musician, instruments: trumpet, trombone, clarinet
founding member of the Larry Clinton Band (1937-42, 1948-50), "Big Dipper" (1937), "I Double Dare You" (#6 1938), "My Reverie" (#1 1938), "Martha" (1938), "Always and Always" (#9 1938), "Comes Love" (#7 1939), "Heart and Soul" (#1 1938), "Summer Souvenirs" (#3 1938), "Cry, Baby, Cry" (#1 1938), "True Confessions" (#3 1938), "In a Persian Market" (#12 1939), "Deep Purple" (#1 1939), "You Told a Lie" (1949)
with the Casa Loma Orchestra (1935-36), "Rose of the Rio Grande" (1936)
arranger
served in the Army Air Force during WWII (1943-46)
md. to Wanda Salik (1931- )
see Larry Clinton on the Big Band Library

Betty Cody (Rita Cote)

b. 1921 in Quebec, Canada (grew up in Auburn, ME)
country singer, yodeler
"Tom-Tom Yodel" (1952), "Don't Believe Everything You Read About Love" (1953), "I Found Out More Than You Ever Knew" (#10c 1953, reply to The Davis Sisters' "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know About Him"), "Phonograph Record" (1953), "Please Throw Away the Glass" (1953, reply to Webb Pierce's "There Stands the Glass"), "I Really Want to Know You" (1953), "Heart to Heart Talk (Let's Talk it Over)" (1953), "Butterfly Heart" (1954), "A Letter I Should Never Have Mailed" (1954), "Always a Bridesmaid" (1954), "The Kiss That Made a Fool of Me" (1954), "You Broke My Heart in Fifteen Million Pieces" (1954), "Of All the Songs We Ever Sang" (1954)
md. to Harold Breau (aka Hal Lone Pine); mother of Lenny Breau

Huey Davis (Huey Marvin Davis)

b. 1938/39 in Columbus, MS - d. 23 Feb 2002 in Detroit, MI
soul musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of The Contours (1959-64), "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?" (#3 1962, #11 1988, One-Hit Wonder), "Shake Sherry" (#43 1963), "Pa, I Need a Car" (1963), "Can You Do it?" (#41 1964)
he was not officially a group member but played on most songs the first few years
security guard
see The Contours

Mark Dinning (Max E. Dinning)

b. 1933 near Drury, OK (grew up near Nashville, TN) – d. 22 Mar 1986 in Jefferson City, MO (heart attack while driving home from a performance)
pop/country singer
instrument: electric guitar
* "Teen Angel" (#1 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "I Lost" (1960), "Top Forty, News, Weather and Sports" (#81 1961), "January" (1964), "Dial AL1-4883" (1965), "I'm Glad We Fell in Love" (1965), "There Stands a Lady" (1966)
younger brother of Ginger, Lou and Jean Dinning of The Dinning Sisters

Georgia Gibbs (aka Fredda Gibbons)

b. 1920 in Worcester, MA - d. 9 Dec 2006 in NY (leukemia)
pop/big band singer
"Autumn Rose Waltz" (1949), "Get Out Those Old Records" (1950), "A Little Bit Independent" (1950), "If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Have Baked a Cake" (#5 1950), "While You Danced, Danced, Danced" (#6 1951), "My Old Flame" (1951), "Kiss of Fire" (#1 1952), "Seven Lonely Days" (#5 1953), "Dance with Me Henry (Wallflower)" (#1 1955), "Tweedlee Dee" (#2 1955), "Tra La La" (#24 1956), "The Hula-Hoop Song" (#32 1958), "Hamburgers, Frankfurters and Potato Chips" (1959), "The Stroll That Stole My Heart" (1960), "Nobody's Asking Questions" (1963), "Venice Blue" (1965), "Let Me Dream" (1966), "Where's the Music Coming From?" (1967)
singer with Artie Shaw's band, "Absent-Minded Moon" (1942)
md. to author, Frank Gervasi
some sources say she was born as late as 1927 but she was already making records in 1936 so that is unlikely

Aubrey Holt

b. in IN
bluegrass/country singer
instrument: guitar, bass
founding member of The Boys from Indiana (1973- ), "We Missed You in Church Last Sunday" (1973), "I Miss My Indiana" (1974), "Lady of the Lake" (1980), "These Memories of Mine" (1980, he wrote), "How Will I Explain about You?" (1980), "The Sad Wind Sighs" (1980, he wrote), "Headin' South" (1980, he wrote), "Where the Wildflowers Grow" (1981), "Springtime Flowers" (1981), "I've Been Everywhere" (1983), "Tribute to the American Soldier" (1983), "Cold Rainy Morning in Wheeling" (1985), "Silver Eagle" (1985), "We'll Head Back to Harlan" (1985), "Forgiveness Just Ain't in Her Plan" (1992), "Big Silver Moon Over Dallas" (1992, he wrote), "So My Tears Won't Show" (1992)
songwriter
music producer
brother of Tommy and Jerry Holt

John Rayford

b. 1943
soul/rock singer
instrument: tenor sax
founding member of The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (1968- ), "Do Your Thing" (#11 1969), "Till You Get Enough" (#67 1969), "Love Land" (#16 1970), "Express Yourself" (#12 1970), "Road Without an End" (1970), "Solution for Pollution" (1971), "Your Love (Means Everything to Me)" (#12 1971), "I Got Love" (1972)
see The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band on Wikipedia

Wayne Raney (Wayne T. Raney)

b. 1920/21 near Wolf Bayou, AR – d. 23 Jan 1993 (cancer)
country singer
instrument: harmonica
"Lost John Boogie" (#11c 1948, he wrote), "Jack and Jill Boogie" (#13c 1948), "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me?" (#1c 1949, he co-wrote), "I'm on My Way" (1950), "Old-Fashioned Matrimony in Mind" (1950), "Pardon My Whiskers" (1950), "Fast Train Through Arkansas" (1950), "I Had My Fingers Crossed" (1951), "My Family Tree Musta Fell on Me" (1951), "Betrayed Waltz" (1953), "Gone With the Wind This Morning" (1955), "Shake, Baby, Shake" (1957), "Fox Chase" (1963), "Mail-Order Heart" (1964), "I Stumble, I Fumble, I Fall" (1964)
singer and harmonica player with The Delmore Brothers (1946- ), "Freight Train Boogie" (#2c 1946), "The Family Tree Musta Fell on Me" (1950), "Blues, Stay Away from Me" (#1c 1950, he co-wrote), "Please Be My Sunshine" (1950), "I Swear By the Stars" (1950), "Who's Gonna Be Lonesome for Me?" (1951), "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide" (1960)
backup musician for Lefty Frizzell, and others
songwriter
DJ

Randy Rogers

b. 197? in San Marcos, TX (grew up in Cleburne, TX)
country singer
instruments: piano, rhythm guitar
founding member and lead singer of The Randy Rogers Band, "This Time Around" (2004), "Tonight's Not the Night (for Goodbye)" (#43c 2005, he co-wrote), "Down and Out" (#48c 2005), "Kiss Me in the Dark" (#45c 2006), "If I Told You the Truth" (2006, he co-wrote), "If Anyone Asks" (2006, he co-wrote), "Better Off Wrong" (2006, he co-wrote), "One More Goodbye" (#53c 2007, he co-wrote)
songwriter
see The Randy Rogers Band

Carman Romano

b. 1939 in New York, NY
do-wop/pop singer
founding member of The Elegants (1957- ), "Little Star" (#1 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Getting Dizzy" (1958), "Please Believe Me" (1958), "Pay Day" (1959), "Little Boy Blue (is Blue No More)" (1960, reply to "Little Star"), "Get Well Soon" (1960), "Barbara, Beware" (1965), "Bring Back Wendy" (1965)
shoe salesman

John Seiter (aka 'The Chief')

b. 1944 in St. Louis, MO
folk/rock singer
instruments: drums, keyboards
with Spanky and Our Gang (1967-69, joined after the first hit), "Making Every Minute Count" (#22 1967), "Lazy Day" (#14 1967), "Sunday Mornin' in the Spring" (#30 1968), "Like to Get to Know You" (#17 1968), "Give a Damn" (#43 1968), "Three Ways from Tomorrow" (1968), "Without Rhyme or Reason" (1969), "And She's Mine" (1969)
with The Turtles (1969), "You Don't Have to Walk in the Rain" (#51 1969, he co-wrote), "Love in the City" (#91 1969, he co-wrote)
founding member of Rosebud (1970-71), "Western Wisconsin" (1971), "Flying to the Morning" (1971)
session musician
songwriter
see Spanky and Our Gang

Gary Talley

b. 1947 in Memphis, TN
pop/soul singer
instruments: lead guitar, electric guitar, bass
founding member of The Box Tops (1966-70, 1996- ), "The Letter" (#1 1967), "Neon Rainbow" (#24 1967), * "Cry Like a Baby" (#2 1968), "Choo Choo Train" (#26 1968), "The Door You Closed to Me" (1968), "Fields of Clover" (1968), * "Soul Deep" (#18 1969)
session musician
songwriter
see The Box Tops
see Gary Talley

Kevin Welch

b. 1955 in Long Beach, CA (grew up in OK)
country singer
"Stay November" (#41c 1989), "I Came Straight to You" (#64c 1989, he co-wrote), "Praying for Rain" (#49c 1990), "Till I See You Again" (#39c 1990, he wrote), "Early Summer Rain" (1991), "True Love Never Dies" (#54c 1991, he co-wrote), "I Look for You" (1991), "Wishing for You" (1995), "Anna Lise, Please" (1999), "Beneath My Wheels" (1999), "Stray Dog" (2002), "Blanket of Snow" (2002)
songwriter
see Kevin Welch

Tommy West (Thomas Picardo, Jr.)

b. 1942
pop singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
"I Know" (1976)
founding member of The Buchanan Brothers (1969-70), "Medicine Man" (#22 1969, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "The Feeling That I Get" (1969)
founding member of Cashman, Pistilli and West, "Some of My Best Friends Are People" (1968), "Goodbye, Jo" (1970)
founding member of Cashman and West, "American City Suite" (#27 1972), "Songman" (#69c 1973, he co-wrote), "Is it Raining in New York City?" (1973), "I Could Feel the Morning" (1974)
songwriter, co-wrote Spanky and Our Gang's "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" (#9 1967)
music producer

August 18

Molly Bee (Molly Beachwood or Beachboard)

b. 1939 in Oklahoma City, OK (grew up in Beltbuckle, TN, AZ and CA)
country/pop singer, yodeler
"Dancing with Someone" (1953), "I'll Tell My Mommy" (1953), "This is My Dog" (1953), "False Alarm" (1955), "Sweet Shoppe Sweetheart" (1956), "Since I Met You, Baby" (1956), "Goin' Steady with a Dream" (1957), "Five Points of a Star" (1958), "Just for the Record" (1962), "All My Love, All My Life" (1963), "Our Secret" (1964), "I Wish I Was a Single Girl Again" (1965), "Everything But Your Name" (1966), "She Kept on Talkin'" (#55c 1974), "Right or Left at Oak Street" (#83c 1975)
duet with Tennessee Ernie Ford, "Don't Start Courtin' in a Hot Rod Ford" (1953)
dancer; actress

Audie Blaylock

b. 1962 in El Paso, TX (grew up in Lansing, MI)
bluegrass singer
instrument: guitar
"Trains are the Only Way to Fly" (2001), "Pages of Time" (2001), "Wildwood Flower Blues" (2001)
with The Lynn Morris Band (1990- ), * "My Heart Skips a Beat" (1990), "If Lonely Was the Wind" (1990)
founding member of Audie Blaylock and Redline, "Lonesome Weary Heart" (2009)
with Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys (1982-90)
with Rhonda Vincent's band (2000- )

Maxine Brown (Maxine Ella Brown)

b. 1932/39 in Kingstree, SC
soul/jazz/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"All in My Mind" (#19 1961, she wrote), "Funny" (#25 1961), "If I Knew Then" (1962), "I Got a Funny Kind of Feeling" (1962), "What I Don't Know (Won't Hurt Me)" (1962), "Yesterday's Kisses" (1963), "Oh No, Not My Baby" (#24 1964), "Little Girl Lost" (1964), "From Loving You" (1969), "Picked Up, Packed Up, and Went Away" (1972)
duets with Chuck Jackson, "Something You Got" (1965), "I Need You So" (1965), "Please Don't Hurt Me" (1966), "Tennessee Waltz" (1967)
songwriter
not Maxine Brown of the country-music Browns

Jerry Brownlow

b. 1952
country/rock singer
instrument: bass
with The Maines Brothers Band (1977- ), "Dream Spinner" (1980), "Farm Road 40" (1980), "I Finally Got it Right" (1981), "On a Real Good Night" (1981), "Panhandle Dancer" (1982), "Flatland Farmer" (1982), "Easy to Love" (1982), "You Are a Miracle" (#85c 1984, he co-wrote), "Everybody Needs Love on a Saturday Night" (#24c 1985), "Danger Zone" (#59c 1986), "River of Love" (1987), "Red Hot and Blue" (1987), "Dark Hearts" (1987), "Pink and Black Song" (1987), "You Can't Get the Hell Out of Texas" (1987), "Dry Land Farm" (1990), "Gonna Be a Cowboy" (1990), "Let the Rain Come Down" (1990)
songwriter

Sarah Dash

b. 1942/45 in Trenton, NJ
R&B/soul singer
"Sinner Man" (1978), "Leaving Again" (1983), "Lucky Tonight" (1983), "Feel Good" (1988), "When You Talk to Me" (1990)
with The Del-Capris, "Theresa" (1963), "Speak to Me of Love" (1963)
founding member of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles (1961-70), "Down the Aisle" (#37 1963), "You'll Never Walk Alone" (#34 1964), "One Phone Call" (1964)
"I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" was by a completely unrelated group
Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles backing Wilson Pickett, "634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)" (#13 1966)
the group name changed to LaBelle (1970-76, and reunions), "Lady Marmalade" (#1 1975)
backup singer with Keith Richards, The O'Jays, The Marshall Tucker Band, and others
actress
see Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles

Barbara Harris (Barbara Ann Harris)

b. 1945 in Elizabeth City, NC
R&B/soul singer
"I'll Wait for the Day" (1998), "I Can't Wait to See You" (1998)
founding member and lead singer of The Toys (1961-68, 1986-88), "The Fight's Not Over" (1963), "A Lover's Concerto" (#2 1965, based on music by Johann Sebastian Bach), "This Night" (1965), "Attack" (#18 1965), "May My Heart Be Cast into Stone" (#85 1966), "I Close My Eyes" (1967)
backup singer
songwriter
md. to musician, Ken Wiltshire
see The Toys
see Barbara Harris

Edwin Hawkins

b. 1943 in Oakland, CA
R&B/soul/gospel singer
instrument: piano
founding member of The Edwin Hawkins Singers, "Oh Happy Day" (#4 1969), "Pray for Peace" (1969), "He's a Friend of Mine" (1970), "Every Man Wants to Be Free" (1971), "Wonderful" (1980)
songwriter

Cisco Houston (Gilbert Vandine Houston)

b. 1918 in Wilmington, DE (grew up in CA) - d. 29 Apr 1961 in San Bernardino, CA (stomach cancer)
folk singer
instrument: guitar
"Night Herding Song" (1946), "The Rambler" (1951), "Trouble in Mind" (1952), "Nine Hundred Miles" (1953), "True Love on My Mind" (1954), "Going Down the Road" (1958), "Colorado Trail" (1959), "The Soup Song" (1960), "The Lavender Cowboy" (1961), "Taking it Easy" (1962), "Danville Girl" (1962), "Outlaw Horse" (1963), "Molly Malone" (1964)
duet with Gordon Jenkins, "Rose, Rose, I Love You" (1951)
with The Almanac Singers
session musician with Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, and others
songwriter
served in the Merchant Marines during WWII in spite of having a serious vision problem caused by nystagmus
see Cisco Houston

Marvin Isley

b. 1953 in Cincinnati, OH (grew up in Englewood, NJ)
R&B/rock/soul/doo-wop singer
instruments: bass, percussions
with Isley Brothers (1973-84, 1991-97), "That Lady" (#6 1973), "Fight the Power" (#4 1975), "For the Love of You" (#23 1975), "Take Me to the Next Phase" (1978), "I Wanna Be with You" (1979), "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love)" (#39 1980)
founding member of Isley, Jasper, Isley (1984-87), "Caravan of Love" (1985)
The Isley Brothers and R. Kelly, "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" (#4 1996)
he has had both legs amputated because of complications of diabetes
see The Isley Brothers

Bobby Koefer

b. 1928 in Clay Center, KS
western swing musician, instrument: steel guitar
"Gotta Rock a Little More" (2000)
duets with Tom Morrell, "Ridin' on a Fender" (1995), "Worried Over You" (1995)
with The Texas Playboys (1951), "Sittin' on Top of the World" (1951)
session musician with Tommy Allsup, PeeWee King, Rebecca Kilgore, and others
see The Texas Playboys

Jody Maphis

b. 1954
country musician, instrument: drums, electric guitar
with The Earl Scruggs Revue, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" (1972), "Step it up and Go" (1973), "Good Morning Sundown" (1974), "Harley" (1976), "Stay a Little Longer" (1977), "I Could Sure Use the Feeling" (#30c 1979), "Blue Moon of Kentucky" (#46c 1980)
duets with Joe Maphis, "If I'm Gonna Have Your Lovin'" (1971), "Fire and Rain" (1971)

Hank Penny (Herbert Clayton Penny)

b. 1918 in Birmingham, AL – d. 17 Apr 1992 in Camarillo, CA (heart attack)
country/western swing singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
"Won't You Ride in My Little Red Wagon?" (1941), "She's Got Freckles on Her, But She's Nice (The Freckle Song)" (1947), "Somebody Moved the Ladder" (1949), "Hillbilly Be-Bop" (1949), "We Met Too Late" (1949), "One Heart, One Love, One Life" (1949), "Bloodshot Eyes" (#4c 1950, he wrote), "I'm Gonna Have My Picture Took" (1951), "I Like Molasses" (1951), "White Shotguns" (1951), "No Muss, No Fuss, No Bother" (1951), "A Bad Penny Always Returns" (1951), "Hold the Phone" (1951), "Tell Me All About Georgia" (1951), "Riding an Old Ferris Wheel" (1951), "That Mink on Her Back" (1951), "Back Up a Little Bit" (1952), "You Can't Pull the Wool Over My Eyes" (1953), "Southern Fried Chicken" (1956), "Wham Bam, Thank You, Ma'am" (1957), "Fool's Lament" (1958)
backed by his Painted Post Rangers (1945-46), "Steel Guitar Stomp" (#4c 1946), "Get Yourself a Redhead" (#4c 1946)
founding member and leader of Hank Penny and His Radio Cowboys (1937-41)
with The Plantation Boys (1941-44)
songwriter
DJ
md. to Sue Thompson (1952-63), md. 5th to Shari Bayne (1967- )

Johnny Preston (John Preston Courville)

b. 1939 in Port Arthur, TX
pop/rock singer
* "Running Bear" (#1 1960), "Feel So Fine (Feel So Good)" (#14 1960), "Cradle of Love" (#7 1960), "She Once Belonged to Me" (1961), "Let's Leave it That Way" (1962), "Just Plain Hurt" (1964), "I've Got My Eyes on You" (1964), "There's No One Like You" (1968)
songwriter

Allen Reynolds (Lee Allen Reynolds)

b. 1938 in North Little Rock, AR
country singer
"She Really Lied" (1962), "Here Comes Raggedy Ann" (1963), "Julie Never Meant a Thing" (1964), "Wrong Road Again" (#95c 1978, he wrote)
backup singer on Garth Brooks' "Standing Outside the Fire" (#3c 1994); and with Hal Ketchum, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Crystal Gayle's "Ready for the Times to Get Better" (#52, #1c 1978), "Somebody Loves You" (#8c 1976); Dickey Lee's "I Saw Linda Yesterday" (#14 1962); The Vogues' "Five O'Clock World" (#4 1965)
music producer

Sonny Til (Earlington Carl Tilghman)

b. 1928 in Baltimore, MD – d. 9 Dec 1981 (heart attack)
R&B singer (tenor)
"Have You Heard?" (1953), "Shy" (1958), "Tears and Misery" (1969)
founding member of The Orioles (1948-81), "It's Too Soon to Know" (#11 1948), "Tell Me So" (1949), "A Kiss and a Rose" (1949), "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (1949), "Barbara Lee" (1949), "Is My Heart Wasting Time?" (1950), "I'd Rather Have You Under the Moon" (1950), "I Wonder When" (1950), "When You're a Long Way From Home" (1951), "Drowning Every Hope I Ever Had" (1954), "I Just Got Lucky" (1956), "Didn't I Say?" (1957), "The First of Summer" (1960), "Write and Tell Me Why" (1963), "Don't Tell Her What Happened to Me" (1963)
served in the military during WWII
see The Orioles on Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks

Lynne Weintraub

b. 1944 in Dallas, TX
folk singer
instrument: tambourine
founding member of The Serendipity Singers (1963-65), "Don't Let the Rain Come Down (Crooked Little Man)" (#6 1964), "Beans in My Ears" (#30 1964), "Take Your Shoes Off" (1964), "Autumn Wind" (1964), "Down Where the Wind Blows" (1964), "Cloudy Summer Afternoon" (1965), "Boots and Stetsons" (1965), "When Peaches Grow on Lilac Trees" (1965), "My Heart Keeps Following You" (1965)
see The Serendipity Singers

Eric Weissberg

b. 1939 in NY
folk/bluegrass singer
instruments: banjo, guitar, dobro, mandolin
"Thanks for Being You" (1973), "Somewhere in Time" (1973), "Ride in the Country" (1973), "Lend Me Your Heart" (1973)
duet with Steve Mandrell, "Dueling Banjos" (#5c 1973)
with The Tarriers (1958-65, replaced Eric Darling)
with The Greenbriar Boys (1958-59)
session musician with Judy Collins, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Doc Watson, Jim Croce, Art Garfunkel, Tom Paxton, Nanci Griffith, and others
served in the National Guard

Steve Wilkinson

b. 1955 in Ontario, Canada
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano, harmonica
"Six Pack" (2007, he wrote), "Big Pockets" (2007, he wrote)
founding member of The Wilkinsons, "26 Cents" (#3c 1998, he co-wrote), "Fly (the Angel Song)" (#15c 1998, he co-wrote), "Then There's You" (1998), "Boy, Oh Boy" (1999, he co-wrote), "Jimmy's Got a Girlfriend" (2000), "The Only Rose" (#50c 2000 he co-wrote), "I Wanna Be That Girl" (#51c 2001), "Tough Luck" (2001, he co-wrote), "Occasionally Crazy" (2005, he co-wrote), "Inside the Lines" (2005, he co-wrote)
father of Tyler and Amanda Wilkinson
songwriter

August 19

Ginger Baker (Peter Edward Baker)

b. 1939 in South London, England
rock/jazz singer
instruments: drums, percussions
"Something Nice" (1972, he co-wrote), "Mountain Time" (1986, he co-wrote), "Basil" (1990)
founding member of Cream (1966-68, and reunions), "Deserted Cities of the Heart" (1968), "Sunshine of Your Love" (#5 1968), "White Room" (#6 1968), "Born Under a Bad Sign" (1968)
with Blind Faith (1969)
founding member of Ginger Baker's Air Force (1970), "Man of Constant Sorrow" (#86 1970), "Don't Care" (1970, he co-wrote), "Sweet Wine" (1970, he co-wrote)
with Hawkwind (1980, replaced Simon King), "Motorway City" (1980), "Who's Gonna Win This War?" (1980)
founding member of Bruce-Baker-Moore (1994), "Waiting in the Wings" (1994), "High Cost of Loving" (1994)
founding member of The Ginger Baker Trio, "Straight, No Chaser" (1994), "Ramblin'" (1994)
duets with Jens Johansson, "To Each His Darkness" (1992, he wrote), "Open Secret" (1992, he wrote)
songwriter
his nickname was from his red hair
see Cream

Gary Chapman

b. 1957 in Waurika, OK (grew up in DeLeon, TX)
country/Christian singer
instruments: bass, guitar
"When We're Together" (#60c 1988), "Everyday Man" (#76c 1988), "Give Me Tomorrow" (1994), "We Can" (1994), "Sweet Glow of Mercy" (1994), "One of Two" (1996), "Man after Your Own Heart" (1996)
session musician with Amy Grant, and others
songwriter, wrote T.G. Sheppard's "Finally" (#1c 1982)
talk-show host
md. to singer, Amy Grant (1982-99), md. to Jennifer Pittman (2000- )

Roger Cook (Roger Frederick Cook)

b. 1940 in Bristol, England
pop/rock singer
"Beautiful Memories" (1976, he co-wrote), "What a Funny Way to Fall in Love" (1976, he wrote), "Long After" (1976, he wrote), "Here Comes Our Love Song" (1976, he wrote), "What's Your Name, What's Your Number?" (1977, he co-wrote), "Livin' in These Troubled Times" (1982, he co-wrote), "Hello, I Love You" (1982, he wrote)
recorded as Roger James Cook, "Not That it Matters Anymore" (1968, he co-wrote), "Primrose Jill" (1970, he co-wrote), "If You Would Stay" (1972, he co-wrote)
with The Kestrels, "There Comes a Time" (1960)
founding member of David and Jonathan (1965-67), "Remember What You Said" (1965, he co-wrote), "Michelle" (#18 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Lovers of the World, Unite" (1966, he co-wrote), "Speak Her Name" (#109 1966, he co-wrote), "She's Leaving Home" (#123 1967), "Bye Bye, Brown Eyes" (1967, he co-wrote)
founding member and lead singer with Blue Mink (1969-74), "But Not Forever" (1969), "Melting Pot" (1969, he co-wrote), "Can You Feel it, Baby?" (1969, he co-wrote), "It Just Goes to Show" (1970, he co-wrote), "I Lose the Game" (1970, he wrote), "Our World" (#64 1970), "Another 'Without You' Day" (1974, he co-wrote)
founding member of Cornwell, Cook and West (1992), "I Believe (I Believe in You)" (1992, he wrote), "More or Less" (1992, he wrote)
with Jon and Julie, "Hey Beautiful" (1962, he wrote)
backup singer on Elton John's "Your Song" (#8 1971); and with others
songwriter, co-wrote George Strait's "I Just Want to Dance with You" (#61, #1c 1998), "One Night at a Time" (#59, #1c 1997); The Fortunes' "You've Got Your Troubles" (#7 1965), "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" (#15 1971); The New Seekers' "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (#7 1971); White Plains' "My Baby Loves Lovin'" (#13 1970); Crystal Gayle's "Talking in Your Sleep" (#18, #1c 1978); The Congregation's "Softly Whispering I Love You" (#29 1970); The Hollies' "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (#2 1972); Don Williams' "Love is on a Roll" (#1c 1983), "I Believe in You" (#24 1980); Gary Lewis and the Playboys' "Green Grass" (#8 1966)

Don Fardon (Donald Maughn)

b. 1943 in Coventry, England
pop singer
"(The Lament of the Cherokee Indian) Indian Reservation" (#20 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "How Do You Break a Broken Heart?" (1968), "Belfast Boy" (1970, tribute to Pete Best), "Hudson Bay" (1970), "Delta Queen" (#86 1973)
founding member and lead singer of The Sorrows (1963-67), "I Don't Wanna Be Free" (1965), "Little Red Kitten" (1966), "How Love Used to Be" (1966), "Pink, Purple, Yellow and Red" (1967)
songwriter

Ian Gillan

b. 1945 in London, England
rock singer
"Pictures of Hell" (1991, he co-wrote), "Toolbox" (1991, he co-wrote), "Long and Lonely Ride" (1997), "No Good Luck" (1997, he co-wrote), "Loving on Borrowed Time" (1997, he co-wrote), "A Day Late and a Dollar Short" (2006), "Men of War" (2006)
lead singer of Deep Purple (1970-73, 1984-88, 1992- , replaced Rod Evans), "Speed King" (1970, he co-wrote), "Highway Star" (1972, he co-wrote), "Lazy" (1972, he co-wrote), "Smoke on the Water" (#4 1973, he co-wrote), "Woman from Tokyo" (1973, he co-wrote), "Smooth Dancer" (1973, he co-wrote), "Perfect Strangers" (1984, he co-wrote), "Wasted Sunsets" (1984, he co-wrote), "The Battle Rages on" (1993, he co-wrote), "Anya" (1993, he co-wrote), "A Touch Away" (1996, he co-wrote), "Watching the Sky" (1998, he co-wrote), "Sun Goes Down" (2003, he co-wrote), "Picture of Innocence" (2003, he co-wrote), "Don't Let Go" (2005, he co-wrote), "Clearly Quite Absurd" (2005, he co-wrote)
founding member of the Ian Gillan Band (1975-82), "Child in Time" (1976, he co-wrote), "Clear Air Turbulence" (1977, he co-wrote), "Country Lights" (1977, he co-wrote), "Message in a Bottle" (1979, he co-wrote), "Secret of the Dance" (1979, he co-wrote), "Time and Again" (1980, he co-wrote), "If You Believe Me" (1980, he co-wrote), "Bite the Bullet" (1981, he co-wrote), "Don't Want the Truth" (1981, he co-wrote), "Night Ride Out of Phoenix" (1981, he co-wrote), "Living a Lie" (1982, he co-wrote), "One for the Road" (1982, he co-wrote)
with Black Sabbath (1983, replaced Ronnie James Dio), "Stonehenge" (1983, he co-wrote), "Hot Line" (1983, he co-wrote), "The Dark" (1983, he co-wrote)
with Episode Six (1965-69), "Here, There and Everywhere" (1966), "Lucky Sunday" (1968)
duets with Roger Glover, "Clouds and Rain" (1988, he co-wrote), "Telephone Box" (1988, he co-wrote), "I Can't Dance to That" (1988, he co-wrote)
songwriter
see Deep Purple
see Deep Purple on classic bands.com

Billy J. Kramer (William Howard Ashton)

b. 1943 in Liverpool, England
rock singer
Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas * "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" (1963), * "Little Children" (#7 1964), "Bad to Me" (#9 1964), "I'll Keep You Satisfied" (#30 1964), "From a Window" (#23 1964), "It's Gonna Last Forever" (1965), "You Make Me Feel Like Someone" (1966)

Bob Kuban

b. 1940/42 in St. Louis, MO
rock/soul/pop musician, instrument: drums
with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm
founding member and leader of Bob Kuban and the In-Men (1964-70), "(You Gotta) Dance with Me" (1965), "The Cheater" (#12 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "The Teaser" (#70 1966), "Drive My Car" (#93 1966), "You Better Run, You Better Hide" (1967), "Hard to Handle" (1970)
Bob Kuban and the In-Men performed at the first St. Louis Cardinals' game played at Busch Memorial Stadium
founding member of the Bob Kuban Brass Band
session musician
bandleader

Shorty Lavender (Grover C. Lavender)

b. 1932 in Old Fort, NC - d. 1 Mar 1982
western swing musician, instrument: fiddle
"Bonanza" (1964), "Hello, Dolly" (1964)
duet with Buddy Spicher, "Three Fiddle Swing" (1963)
with The Texas Playboys (1967)
session musician for Ray Price, The Wilburn Brothers, and others
see The Texas Playboys

Elliott Lurie

b. 1948 in Brooklyn, NY
rock/pop singer
instrument: lead guitar
"Your Love Song" (1974)
founding member and lead singer of Looking Glass (1969-74, and reunions), "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" (#1 1972, he wrote), "Jenny Lynne" (1972), "Don't it Make You Feel Good?" (1972), Jimmy Loves Marianne" (#33 1973, he wrote)
songwriter

Mark McGuinn

b. 1968 in Greensboro, NC
country/rock/jazz singer
instrument: trumpet
"Mrs. Steven Rudy" (#6c 2001, he co-wrote), "That's a Plan" (#25c 2001), "She Doesn't Dance" (#29c 2002, he co-wrote), "Silver Platter" (2001, he co-wrote), "More Beautiful Today" (#54c 2002, he co-wrote), "One Man's Crazy" (2006, he co-wrote)
songwriter, wrote Lonestar's "Unusually Unusual" (#66 #12c 2002)
pro soccer player permanently sidelined by a knee injury

Harry Mills (Harry Flood Mills)

b. 1913 in Piqua, OH – d. 28 Jun 1982
pop singer
founding member of The Mills Brothers (1931-82), "Sweet Adeline" (#10 1939), "Sleepy Head" (#2 1934), "Paper Doll" (#1 1943), "You Always Hurt the One You Love" (#1 1944), "Daddy's Little Girl" (#5 1950), "Be My Life's Companion" (1951), "Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)" (#4 1951), "The Window-Washer Man" (1952), "The Glow-Worm" (#1 1952), "(Who-Who-Who) Who Put the Devil in Evelyn's Eyes?" (1953), "Paper Doll" (1960), "I Found the Only Girl for Me" (1962), "You're Making the Wrong Guy Happy" (1965), "Honeysuckle Rose Blues Bossa Nova" (1967), "Cab Driver" (#23 1968), "My Shy Violet" (1968), "The Flower Road" (1968), "The Ol' Race Track" (1968), "It Ain't No Big Thing" (#64c 1970), "Smile Away Every Rainy Day" (1970), "A Donut and a Dream" (1972)
The Mills Brothers and Bing Crosby, "Dinah" (1931)
he could imitate the sound of a trumpet
see The Mills Brothers

Johnny Nash (John Lester Nash, Jr.)

b. 1940 in Houston, TX
pop/reggae singer
"Out of Town" (1956), "I'll Walk Alone" (1957), "A Very Special Love" (1958), "As Time Goes By" (#43 1958), "Music of Love" (1960), "We Kissed" (1960), "A Thousand Miles Away" (1961), "Spring is Here" (1965), "Let's Move and Groove Together" (1965), "Hold Me Tight" (#5 1968), "You Got Soul" (1969), "Cupid" (#39 1970), "Stir it Up" (#12 1972), "I Can See Clearly Now" (#1 1972), "Tears on My Pillow" (1975)
songwriter
actor

Eddy Raven (Edward Garvin Futch)

b. 1944/5 in Lafayette, LA
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Arkansas Sun" (1973), "The Last of the Sunshine Cowboys" (#63c 1974, he wrote), "Carolina Country Morning" (1974), "Good News, Bad News" (#27c 1975), "Free to Be" (#34c 1976, he wrote), "Rainy Day Woman" (#68c 1976), "You're a Dancer" (#71c 1978, he wrote), "You've Got Those Eyes" (#30c 1980, he co-wrote), "I Should Have Called" (#13c 1981, he wrote), * "Who Do You Know in California?" (#11c 1981, he wrote), "She's Playing Hard to Forget" (#10c 1982), * "Lovin' Arms and Lyin' Eyes" (1982), "I Got Mexico" (#1c 1984, he co-wrote), "Operator, Operator" (#9c 1985), "You Should Have Been Gone by Now" (#3c 1985, he co-wrote), "I Wanna Hear it from You" (#8c 1985), "Sometimes a Lady" (#3c 1986, he co-wrote), "You're Never Too Old for Young Love" (#3c 1987), "Shine Shine Shine" (#1c 1987), "I'm Gonna Get You" (#1c 1988), "Joe Knows How to Live" (#1c 1988), "In a Letter to You" (#1c 1989), "Bayou Boys" (#1c 1989, he co-wrote), "Sooner or Later" (#6c 1990), "Living in Black and White" (2001)
songwriter, wrote Roy Acuff's "Back in the Country" (#51c 1974); Don Gibson's "Touch the Morning" (#6c 1973), "Country Green" (#5c 1971); The Oak Ridge Boys' "Thank God for Kids" (#3c 1982); Jeannie C. Riley's "Good Morning, Country Rain" (#30c 1972)
see Eddy Raven

Clay Walker (Ernest Clayton Walker, Jr.)

b. 1969 in Beaumont, TX
country singer
instrument: guitar
"What's it to You?" (#73, #1c 1993), "Live Until I Die" (#1c 1993, he wrote), "Where Do I Fit in the Picture?" (#11c 1993, he wrote), "Dreaming with My Eyes Open" (#1c 1994), "If I Could Make a Living" (#1c 1994), "This Woman and This Man" (#1c 1995), "Who Needs You, Baby?" (#2c 1995, he co-wrote), "Hypnotize the Moon" (#2c 1996), * "(Only on) Days That End in Y" (#5c 1995), "Rumor Has it" (#1c 1997, he co-wrote), "Watch This" (#65, #4c 1997), "Then What?" (#65, #2c 1998), * "Holdin' Her and Lovin' You" (#68c 1998), "You're Beginning to Get to Me" (#39, #2c 1999), "She's Always Right" (#74, #16c 1999), "Live, Laugh, Love" (#66, #11c 2000), "The Chain of Love" (#40, #3c 2000), "Once in a Lifetime Love" (#50c 2000, he co-wrote), "If You Ever Feel Like Lovin' Me Again" (#27c 2001), * "Could I Ask You Not to Dance?" (2001), * "So Much More" (2001), * "She's Easy to Hold" (2001), "Texas Swing" (2001), "Feliz Navidad" (#49c 2002), "A Few Questions" (#55, #9c 2003), "I Can't Sleep" (#61, #9c 2004, he co-wrote), "Fore She Was Mama" (#21c 2006), "Fall" (#56, #5c 2007)
songwriter
participates in cutting competition with his horse, Maddie
md. to Lori (1992/3- )
he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996
see Clay Walker

Ralph Walsh

b. 1949 in San Francisco, CA
blues/rock singer
instrument: lead guitar
with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1968-71), "In My Own Dream" (1968), "Walking by Myself" (1969), "Losing Hand" (1969), "Love March" (1969)
session musician
see The Paul Butterfield Blues Band on Wikipedia

Lee Ann Womack

b. 1966 in Jacksonville, TX
country singer
"Never Again, Again" (#23c 1997), * "You've Got to Talk to Me" (#2c 1998), "The Fool" (#2c 1998), * "Buckaroo" (#27c 1998), "A Little Past Little Rock" (#43, #2c 1998), * "I Keep Forgetting" (1998), "When the Wheels Are Coming Off" (1998), "Am I the Only Thing You've Done Wrong?" (1998), * "I'll Think of a Reason Later" (#38, #2c 1998), * "Don't Tell Me (to Stop Loving You)" (#56c 1998), "(Now You See Me) Now You Don't" (#72, #12c 1998), * "I Hope You Dance" (#14, #1c 2000, CMA single of the year 2000), "The Healing Kind" (2000), "Does My Ring Burn Your Finger?" (#23c 2000), * "Why They Call it Falling" (#78, #13c 2000), * "Lonely Too" (2000), * "After I Fall" (2000), "I Feel Like I'm Forgetting Something" (2000), "Ashes by Now" (#45, #4c 2001), "Something Worth Leaving Behind" (#20c 2002), "You Should Have Lied" (2002), "I May Hate Myself in the Morning" (#66, #10c 2005, CMA single of the year 2005), "Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago" (#32c 2005), "He Oughta Know That by Now" (#22c 2005), "Finding My Way Back Home" (#37c 2006)
duet with Willie Nelson, "Mendocino County Line" (#22c 2002)
duet with Cross Canadian Ragweed, "Sick and Tired" (#46c 2004)
she sang in the pre-race ceremonies of the Indy 500 in 2004
songwriter
md. to singer/songwriter, Jason Sellers (1990-97); md. to music producer, Frank Liddell (1999- )
quote by Lee Ann Womack: "I don't sing country music because I'm not capable of singing other kinds of music; I sing it because I think it's the most beautiful kind of music there is."
see Lee Ann Womack

August 20

Tom Clay (Thomas Clague)

b. 1929 in New York, NY - d. 22 Nov 1995 in Los Angeles, CA (cancer)
pop/novelty singer
"The Little Boy" (1960), "What the World Needs Now is Love/Abraham Martin and John" (#8 1971, One-Hit Wonder), "Whatever Happened to Love?" (1971), "Baby, I Need Your Loving" (1971)
DJ
he got into trouble for accepting money to play certain songs and once sold memberships in a fake Beatles fan club

Rudy Gatlin (Rudy Michael Gatlin)

b. 1952 in Olney, TX
country musician
sang backup on Larry Gatlin's "Sweet Becky Walker" (#40c 1973), "Delta Dirt" (#84, #14c 1974), "Broken Lady" (#5c 1976), "Love is Just a Game" (#3c 1977), I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love" (#1c 1977), "Nighttime Magic" (#2c 1978), "I've Done Enough Dyin' Today" (#7c 1978)
founding member of The Gatlin Brothers (1979- ), "All the Gold in California" (#1c 1979), "What Are We Doin' Lonesome?" (#4 1981), "Sure Feels Like Love" (#5c 1982), "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)" (#1c 1983), "Denver" (#7c 1984), * "The Lady Takes the Cowboy Every Time" (#3c 1984), "She Used to Be Somebody's Baby" (#2c 1986), "Talkin' to the Moon" (#4c 1987)
actor; motivational speaker
md. to Kim Herman (1990- )
brother of Steve and Larry Gatlin

Isaac Hayes (Isaac Lee hayes)

b. 1942 in Covington, TN
pop/soul singer
instruments: keyboards, organ, sax
"Walk on By" (#30 1969), "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (#37 1969), "I Don't Know What to Do With Myself" (1970), "Theme from 'Shaft'" (#1 1972), "Chocolate Chip" (1975), "Don't Let Go" (#18 1979)
sax player with The Mar-Keys (1958- ), "Last Night" (#3 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "About Noon" (1961), "Foxy" (1961), "One Degree North" (1961), "Philly Dog" (1966)
duets with Millie Jackson, "I Changed My Mind" (1979), "Sweet Music, Soft Lights and You" (1979), "Feels Like the First Time" (1980), "I Feel Like Walking in the Rain" (1983)
session keyboardist on Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now)" (#21 1965), and others
songwriter, co-wrote Jerry Reed and Waylon Jennings' "Hold On, I'm Comin'" (#20c 1983); Sam and Dave's "Soul Man" (#2 1967)
music producer; DJ
actor
humanitarian

John Hiatt

b. 1952 in Indianapolis, IN
country/rock/blues singer
instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards
"Memphis in the Meantime" (1987, he wrote), "Alone in the Dark" (1987, he wrote), "Thank You, Girl" (1987, he wrote), "Paper Thin" (1988, he wrote), "Georgia Rae" (1988, he wrote), "Tennessee Plates" (1988, he co-wrote), "Slow Turning" (#8 1989, he wrote), "Child of the Wild Blue Yonder" (1990, he wrote), "Stolen Moments" (1990, he wrote), "Perfectly Good Guitar" (1993, he wrote), "Permanent Hurt" (1993, he wrote), "Dust Down a Country Road" (1995, he wrote), "Friend of Mine" (1995, he wrote), "All the Lilacs in Ohio" (2001, he wrote), "Missing Pieces" (2003, he wrote), "Uncommon Connection" (2003, he wrote)
duet with Roseanne Cash and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, "One Step Over the Line" (#63c 1990)
founding member of Little Village (1992), "Don't Go Away Mad" (1992), "Don't Think about Her When You're Trying to Drive" (1992)
songwriter, wrote Three Dog Night's "Sure As I'm Sitting Here" (#16 1974); Jeff Healey's "Angel Eyes" (#5 1989); Rosanne Cash's "The Way We Make a Broken Heart" (#1c 1987); Suzy Bogguss' "Drive South" (#2c 1992); Rodney Crowell's "She Loves the Jerk" (#71c 1987)
see John Hiatt

Sneaky Pete Kleinow (Peter E. Kleinow)

b. 1934 in South Bend, IN - d. 6 Jan 2007 in Petaluma, CA (Alzheimer's Disease)
country/rock singer
instrument: pedal steel guitar
"Mississippi Memory" (1974), "Feels Right" (1974), "Love of the Common People" (1979), "Leaning on Your Love" (1979), "Dancin' Wheels" (2001, he wrote), "No More Love to Give" (2001, he wrote)
founding member of the Flying Burrito Brothers (1968-77, 1978-79, 1980-82, 1985- ), "Tried So Hard" (1971), "Just Can't Be" (1971), "Colorado" (1971), "Dixie Breakdown" (1972), "Losing Game" (1972), "Building Fires" (1975), "Sweet Desert Childhood" (1975), "Big Bayou" (1976), "Another Shade of Grey" (1979), "White Line Fever" (#95c 1980), "She's a Friend of a Friend" (#67c 1980), "Does She Wish She Was Single Again?" (#20c 1981), "She Belongs to Everyone But Me" (#16c 1981), "Damned if I'll Be Lonely Tonight" (1981), "That's When You Know it's Over" (1981), "If Something Comes between Us (Let it Be Love)" (#27c 1981), "Closer to You" (#40c 1982), "I'm Drinking Canada Dry" (#39c 1982), "Blue and Broken-Hearted Me" (#48c 1982), "Our Roots are Country Music" (1982), "How'd We Ever Get This Way?" (1982), "Coast to Coast" (1982), "Eye of the Hurricane" (1994), "Heart Highway" (1994), "Jukebox Saturday Night" (1994)
session musician with Joe Cocker, Little Feat, John Lennon, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, Joan Baez, Neil Sedaka, The Eagles, Carly Simon, and others
special effects artist

John Lantree (John David Lantree)

b. 1940 in Berkshire, England
pop musician, instrument: bass guitar
founding member of The Honeycombs (1963-67), * "Have I the Right?" (#5 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Is it Because?" (1964), "Leslie Anne" (1964), "I Can't Stop" (1965), "Who is Sylvia?" (1966)

Jamie Lyons

b. 1949 - d. 25 Sep 2006 in Little River, SC
rock/pop/R&B singer
instrument: percussions
"Stay By My Side" (1967), "Soul Struttin'" (1968), "Flowers to Sunshine" (1968)
founding member of The Music Explosion (1966-68), "Little Bit o' Soul" (#2 1967), "Sunshine Games" (#63 1967), "We Gotta Go Home" (1967), "Rewind" (1968), "Road Runner" (1968), "Dazzling" (1968), "Jack in the Box" (1968)
with The Capitol City Rockets (1973), "Ten Whole Dollars" (1973)
with Mixed Water
with Hard Sauce

Robert Plant (Robert Anthony Plant)

b. 1948 in West Midlands, England
rock singer
"Burning Down One Side" (#64 1982, he co-wrote), "Slow Dancer" (1982, he co-wrote), "Worse Than Detroit" (1982, he co-wrote), "Big Log" (#20 1983, he co-wrote), "In the Mood" (#39 1983, he co-wrote), "Other Arms" (1983, he co-wrote), "Little by Little" (#36 1985), "Sixes and Sevens" (1985), "Tall Cool One" (#25 1988, he co-wrote), "Dance on My Own" (1988, he co-wrote), "Heaven Knows" (1988), "Ship of Fools" (#84 1988, he co-wrote), "Hurting Kind (I've Got My Eyes on You)" (#46 1990), "Your Ma Said You Cried in Your Sleep Last Night" (1990), "Tie-Dye on the Highway" (1990), "I Cried" (1990), "I Believe" (1993, he co-wrote about his late son, Karac), "Memory Song (Hello, Hello)" (1993, he co-wrote), "Red Dress" (2002, he co-wrote), "The Last Time I Saw Her" (2002, he co-wrote)
founding member of Led Zeppelin (1968-80), "Whole Lotta Love" (#4 1969), "Ramble on" (1969), "Communication Breakdown" (1969), "Stairway to Heaven" (#15 1971), "Black Dog" (#15 1971, he co-wrote), "The Song Remains the Same" (1973), "Custard Pie" (1975), "All My Love" (1979, he wrote - inspired by the death of his son, Karac), "Fool in the Rain" (#21 1979)
founding member of The Honeydrippers (1984-85), "Rockin' at Midnight" (#25 1985), "Sea of Love" (#3 1985)
founding member of Strange Sensation (2002- ), "Freedom Fries" (2005), "Shine it All Around" (2005), "Dancing in Heaven" (2005), "All the King's Horses" (2005)
he lost his leg from an auto accident in 1975
songwriter
see Led Zeppelin
see Robert Plant

Jim Reeves (James Travis Reeves aka 'Gentleman Jim Reeves')

b. 1923 near Carthage, TX – d. 31 Jul 1964 in near Nashville, TN (plane crash, he was the pilot)
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Butterfly Love" (1953), "Mexican Joe" (#23, #1c 1953), Bimbo" (#26, #1c 1956), "Penny Candy" (#5c 1954), "Then I'll Stop Loving You" (#15c 1954, he wrote), "Yonder Comes a Sucker" (#4c 1955, he wrote), "According to My Heart" (#4c 1956), "Drinking Tequila" (1956), "My Lips are Sealed" (#8c 1956), "Am I Losing You?" (#3c 1957, he wrote), "Four Walls" (#11, #1c 1957), "Two Shadows on Your Window" (#9c 1957), "Waitin' for a Train" (#3c 1957), "Anna Marie" (#93, #3c 1958), "Blue Boy" (#45, #2c 1958), "Billy Bayou" (#95, #1c 1959), "Home" (#2c 1959), "Partners" (#5c 1959), * "We Could" (1960), "He'll Have to Go" (#2, #1c 1960), * "I Missed Me" (#44, #3c 1960), "Am I Losing You?" (new version, #31, #8c 1960, he wrote), "I'm Gettin' Better" (#37, #3c 1960, he wrote), "I Know One" (#82, #6c 1960), "The Blizzard" (#62, #4c 1961), "(How Can I Write on Paper) What I Feel in My Heart?" (#7c 1962, he co-wrote), "Adios Amigo" (#90, #2c 1962), "I'm Gonna Change Everything" (#95, #2c 1962), "Losing Your Love" (#89, #2c 1962), "An Old Christmas Card" (1963), "Guilty" (#91, #3c 1963), * "Mary's Boy Child" (1963), "Is This Me?" (#3c 1963), "Welcome to My World" (#2c 1964), "I Guess I'm Crazy (For Loving You)" (#82, #1c 1964), "I Won't Forget You" (#93, #3c 1964), "I Love You Because" (1964), "Is it Really Over?" (#79, #1c 1965, he wrote), "This is it" (#88, #1c 1965), "There's That Smile Again" (1965), "Distant Drums" (#45, #1c 1966), "The Blue Side of Lonesome" (#59, #1c 1966), "Maureen" (1966), "Snowflake" (#66, #2c 1966), "The Storm" (#16c 1967, he co-wrote), "I Won't Come in while He's There" (#1c 1967), "I Heard a Heart Break Last Night" (#9c 1967), "When You Are Gone" (#7c 1968), "When Two Worlds Collide" (#6c 1969), "That's When I See the Blues (in Your Pretty Brown Eyes)" (#9c 1969), "Angels Don't Lie" (#4c 1970), "Missing You" (#8c 1972), "Am I That Easy to Forget?" (#12c 1973), "You'll Never Know" (#71c 1975), "It's Nothing to Me" (#14c 1977)
duet with Dottie West, "Love is No Excuse" (#7c 1964)
duet with Ginny Wright, "I Love You" (#3c 1954)
duets with Deborah Allen (her voice was overdubbed later), "Don't Let Me Cross Over" (#10c 1979), "Oh, How I Miss You Tonight" (#6c 1979), "Take Me in Your Arms and Hold Me" (#10c 1980)
duet with Patsy Cline (her voice was overdubbed later), "Have You Ever Been Lonely?" (#5c 1981)
songwriter
DJ; actor
see Jim Reeves

Paul Robi

b. 1931 in New Orleans, LA - d. 1 Feb 1989 (pancreatic cancer)
pop/R&B/doo-wop/soul singer (baritone)
with The Platters (1954-64), "Tell the World" (1954), * "Only You (and You Alone)" (#5 1955), "I'm Just a Dancing Partner" (1955), "The Great Pretender" (#1 1956), "My Prayer" (#1 1956), "(You've Got) the Magic Touch" (1956), "On My Word of Honor" (1957), "My Dream" (1957), "Twilight Time" (#1 1958), "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (#1 1959), "Harbor Lights" (#8 1960), "I'll Never Smile Again" (#25 1961), "It's Magic" (1962)

Ralph Stanley II (Ralph Edmond Stanley II)

b. 1978 in Coeburn, VA
country/bluegrass singer
instrument: guitar
"Mary, Merry Christmas" (1999), "Katie Daley" (1999), "I'll Remember You in My Dreams" (2000), "All I Ever Loved Was You" (2000), "Keep My Love with You" (2002), "Four Horsemen" (2002), "You Will Never Be Mine" (2004), "Ain't it Hard?" (2004)
with The Clinch Mountain Boys (1995- ), "Will You Miss Me?" (2002), "Daybreak in Dixie" (2002)
The Clinch Mountain Boys were also known as The Stanley Brothers
son of banjo player, Ralph Stanley; md. to Kristi Ison (2000- )

Justin Tubb (Justin Wayne Tubb)

b. 1935 in San Antonio, TX - d. 24 Jan 1998 (stomach aneurysm)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"I Gotta Go Get My Baby Back" (#8c 1955), "Pepper-Hot Baby" (1955), "Rock it on Down to My House" (1958), "Almost Lonely" (1958), "My Heart Keeps Getting in the Way" (1961), "Your Side of the Story" (1961), "I'd Know You Anywhere" (1962), "Take a Letter, Miss Gray" (#6c 1963), "If I Miss You (Half as Much as I Have Loved You)" (1964), "Where You're Concerned" (1965), "But Wait, There's More" (#63c 1967), "Second Thing I'm Gonna Do" (1967), "Great River Road Mystery" (1969), "Thanks, Troubadour, Thanks" (1985, he wrote as a tribute to his father), "What's Wrong with the Way We're Doing it Now?" (1999), "My Ex-Wife is Gonna Be My Next Wife" (1999)
duets with Goldie Hill, "Lookin' Back to See" (#4c 1954), "Sure Fire Kisses" (#11c 1954)
duet with Ernest Tubb, "Blue-Eyed Elaine" (1985)
duets with Lorene Mann, "Hurry, Mr. Peters" (#23c 1965, reply to "Yes, Mr. Peters"), "We've Gone Too Far Again" (#44c 1966)
duet with Roger Miller, "Mine is a Lonely Life" (1958)
songwriter, wrote Hawkshaw Hawkins' "Lonesome 7-7203" (#1c 1963); Del Reeves' "Be Glad" (#5c 1969); Faron Young and Margie Singleton's "Keeping up with the Joneses" (#5c 1964); Jim Reeves and Dottie West's "Love is No Excuse" (#7c 1964)
son of Ernest Tubb; md. to Carolyn McPherson

August 21

Count Basie (William James Basie)

b. 1904 in Red Bank, NJ – d. 26 Apr 1984 in Hollywood, FL (pancreatic cancer)
swing/jazz musician, instruments: piano, organ
founding member and leader of The Count Basie Orchestra, "The Me and You That Used to Be" (1937), "Stop Beatin' Round the Mulberry Bush" (1938), "Georgiana" (1938), "Swingin' the Blues" (1938), "Jumpin' at the Woodside" (1938), "The Moon Fell in the River" (1940), "Tuesday at Ten" (1941), "Rusty Dusty Blues" (1942), "Call Me Darling (Call Me Sweetheart, Call Me Dear)" (1944), "Swing-Shift Swing" (1944), "I Didn't Know about You" (1945), "Red Bank Blues" (1945), "Open the Door, Richard" (#1 1947), "Free Eats" (1947), "I'm Drowning in Your Deep Blue Eyes" (1947), "One O'Clock Boogie" (1947), "I Ain't Mad at You (You Ain't Mad at Me)" (1947), "3:15 a.m. Blues" (1950), "April in Paris" (#28 1955), "Corner Pocket" (1955), "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" (1955), "Only Forever" (1956), "Lady in Lace" (1956), "Trick or Treat" (1956), "Li'l Darlin'" (1957), "Silks and Satins" (1957), "You're a Memory" (1958), "Pony Tail" (1958), "It's Awfully Nice to Be With You" (1958), "Pensive Miss" (1958), "Sweet Sue, Just You" (1958), "Kansas City Shout" (1958), "Jessica's Day" (1959), "Rare Butterfly" (1960), "Thanks for the Ride" (1962), "Bluish Grey" (1962), "Pleasingly Plump" (1963), "Lullaby for Jolie" (1963), "Orange Sherbet" (1975), "Freckle Face" (1975), "Tree Frog" (1976), "Moonlight Becomes You" (1978), "Blues for Stephanie" (1979), "88 Basie Street" (1983)
songwriter
see Count Basie on Wikipedia

James Burton (aka Jimmy Dobro)

b. 1939 in Dubberly, LA (grew up in Shreveport, LA)
rock/rockabilly musician, instrument: Fender Telecaster guitar, steel guitar, dobro
"Everybody Listen to the Dobro" (1963)
with Rick Nelson's band (1958-65), "Lonesome Town" (#7 1958), "Stood Up" (#2 1958), "Poor Little Fool" (#1 1958), "Believe What You Say" (#4 1958), "Just a Little Too Much" (#9 1959), "It's Late" (#9 1959), "Never Be Anyone Else But You" (#6 1959), "Travelin' Man" (#1 1961), "Hello, Mary Lou" (#9 1961), "It's up to You" (#6 1962), "Teenage Idol" (#5 1962), "For You" (#6 1964), and others
lead guitarist and leader of Elvis Presley's band (1969-77), "Suspicious Minds (#1 1969), "The Wonder of You" (#9 1970), "Burning Love" (#2 1972), "Moody Blue" (#31, #1c 1977), "Pledging My Love" (#1c 1977), "She Thinks I Still Care" (#31, #1c 1977), and others
with John Denver's band (1977-94), "Some Days are Diamonds (Some Days are Stone)" (#38, #10c 1981), "Dreamland Express" (#9c 1986), "And So it Goes" (#14c 1989), and others
session musician on Dale Hawkins' "Suzie-Q" (#27 1957, he wrote); and with Emmylou Harris, Bob Luman, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and others
he developed the "chicken picken'" guitar style
songwriter
see James Burton

Jackie DeShannon (Sharon Lee Myers)

b. 1944 in Hazel, KY
folk singer
"How Wrong I Was" (1957), "Dancing Silhouettes" (1962), "Faded Love" (#97 1962), "Little Yellow Roses" (1963), "Did He Call Today, Mama?" (1963), "Needles and Pins" (#84 1963), "When You Walk in the Room" (#99 1964), "She Don't Understand Him Like I Do" (1964), "What the World Needs Now is Love" (#7 1965), "A Lifetime of Loneliness" (#66 1965), "Nobody's Home to Go Home to" (1968), "Laurel Canyon" (1968), "Holly Would" (1968), "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" (#4 1969, she wrote), "Love Will Find a Way" (#40 1969), "Nicole" (1968), "Let the Sailor Dance" (1975), "Don't Let the Flame Burn Out" (#68 1977), "You're the Only Dancer" (1977), "Just to Feel This Love from You" (1978), "Things We Said Today" (1979)
songwriter, co-wrote Brenda Lee's "Dum Dum" (#4 1961); Marianne Faithfull's "Come and Stay with Me" (#26 1965); Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes" (#1 1981); Annie Lennox and Al Green's "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" (#9 1988)
md. to singer/songwriter, Randy Edelman
see Jackie DeShannon

Carl Giammarese

b. 1947 in Chicago, IL
pop singer
instrument: lead guitar
founding member of The Buckinghams (1965-70, 1980- ), "I Call Her Name" (1967), "Kind of a Drag" (#1 1967), "Don't You Care?" (#6 1967), "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (#5 1967), "Hey, Baby (They're Playing Our Song)" (#10 1967), "Susan" (#8 1967)
founding member of Tufano and Giammarese
see The Buckinghams

Glenn Hughes

b. 1952 in Cannock, England
rock/soul/blues singer
instrument: bass guitar
with Finders Keepers, "A Friday Kind of Monday" (1968), "Sadie the Cleaning Lady" (1968)
with Trapeze (1971-73), "You Are the Music, We're Just the Band" (1972), "Loser" (1972)
with Deep Purple (1974-76, replaced Roger Glover), "Might Just Take Your Life" (1974), "Comin' Home" (1975)
with Black Sabbath (1986), "Heart Like a Wheel" (1986, he co-wrote), "No Stranger to Love" (1986, he co-wrote)
session musician with Whitesnake, Roger Glover, Tommy Bolin, and others
songwriter
see Deep Purple
see Deep Purple on classic bands.com
see Glenn Hughes

Nick Kane (Nicholas James Kane)

b. 1954 in Jerusalem, GA
country musician, instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums
"Into the Fire" (1999), "The Lonely Puppy Blues" (1999)
lead guitarist with The Mavericks (1995-2000, replaced David Lee Holt), "Here Comes the Rain" (#22c 1995), "All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down" (#13c 1996), "Dance the Night Away" (#63c 1998)
md. to Kimberly Parker (1996- )

Ronnie Dean McDowell (Ronnie Dean McDowell, Jr.)

b. 1978
country/pop singer
instruments: drums, percussions
with Six Shooters
with Ronnie McDowell's The Rhythm Kings, "Linda, You're Losing a Good Thing" (2002), "Is it Hot in Here?" (2002), "I'll Still Be Here" (2002)
session musician
music producer
son of Ronnie McDowell

Harold Reid (Harold W. Reid)

b. 1939 in Staunton, VA
country singer (bass)
instrument: dobro
founding member of The Statler Brothers (1955-2002), "Flowers on the Wall" (#4, #2c 1965), "You Can't Have You Kate and Edith Too" (#10c 1967), * "Pictures" (#13c 1971), "Bed of Rose's" (#58, #9c 1971, he wrote), * "Do You Remember These?" (#2c 1972, he co-wrote), * "The Class of '57" (#6c 1972, he co-wrote), "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott?" (#22c 1974, he co-wrote), * "Susan When She Tried" (#15c 1974), * "All-American Girl" (1975, he co-wrote), "I'll Go to My Grave Loving You" (#93, #3c 1975), * "Thank God I've Got You" (#10c 1976), "Hat and Boots" (1976), * "Your Picture in the Paper" (1976), "Silver Medals and Sweet Memories" (#18c 1977), * "I Was There" (#8c 1977), * "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine?" (#1c 1978, he co-wrote), "Who Am I to Say?" (#3c 1978), * "Some I Wrote" (#17c 1978, he co-wrote), * "The Official Historian of Shirley Jean Berrell" (#5c 1979, he co-wrote), "Here We Are Again" (#11c 1979), * "How to Be a Country Star" (#7c 1979, he co-wrote), * "I'll Even Love You Better Than I Did Then" (#8c 1980, he co-wrote), "Charlotte's Web" (#5c 1980), * "We Got Paid by Cash" (1980), * "Don't Forget Yourself" (#13c 1980), * "Years Ago" (#12c 1981), * "Dad" (1981), "You'll Be Back (Every Night in My Dreams)" (#3c 1982), "Whatever" (#7c 1982, he co-wrote), "A Child of the Fifties" (#17c 1983), "Elizabeth" (#1c 1984), "Atlanta Blue" (#3c 1984), "Hello, Mary Lou" (#3c 1985), "My Only Love" (#1c 1986), "Too Much on My Heart" (#1c 1986), "Count on Me" (#5c 1986), "Forever" (#7c 1987), "I'll Be the One" (#10c 1987, he co-wrote), "Let's Get Started if We're Gonna Break My Heart" (#12c 1988, he co-wrote), "More Than a Name on the Wall" (#6c 1989)
songwriter
older brother of Don Reid
see The Statler Brothers

Kenny Rogers (Kenneth Donald Rogers)

b. 1938 in Houston, TX
country/pop singer
instruments: bass, guitar, piano
"Sunglasses After Dark" (1958), "I've Got a Lot to Learn" (1958), "(You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me) Lucille" (#5, #1c 1977, CMA single of the year 1977), * "Daytime Friends and Nighttime Lovers" (#28, #1c 1977), "When I Play the Fiddle" (1977), "Love or Something Like it" (#32, #1c 1978), "The Gambler" (#16, #1c 1979), "She Believes in Me" (#5, #1c 1979), "Coward of the County" (#3, #1c 1979), "You Decorated My Life" (#7, #1c 1979), "Lady" (#1, #1c 1980), * "The Long Arm of the Law" (1980), "Love the World Away" (#4c 1980), "I Don't Need You" (#3, #1c 1981), "Share Your Love with Me" (#13, #1c 1981), "Through the Years" (#13, #5c 1981), "Love Will Turn You Around" (#13, #1c 1982), "Scarlet Fever" (#94, #5c 1983), "You Were a Good Friend" (#20c 1984), "This Woman" (#23 1984), "Evening Star" (#11c 1984), * "Buried Treasure" (#3c 1984), "Crazy" (#84, #1c 1985, he co-wrote), "Morning Desire" (#79, #1c 1986), "Tomb of the Unknown Love" (#1c 1986), "Twenty Years Ago" (#2c 1987), "If You Want to Find Love" (#11c 1992, he co-wrote), "The Greatest" (#26c 1999), "Slow Dance More" (#67c 1999)
with The New Christy Minstrels (19 -67)
founding member and lead of The First Edition (1967-1975), "Shadow in the Corner of Your Mind" (1967), "Homemade Lies" (1968), "Just Dropped in (to See What Condition My Condition Was in)" (#5 1968), "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (#6, #39c 1969), "Ruben James" (#26 1969), "But You Know I Love You" (#19 1969), "Something's Burning" (#11 1970), "I'm Gonna Sing You a Sad Song, Susie" (1970), "Tell it All, Brother" (#17 1970), "Heed the Call" (#33 1970), "Someone Who Cares" (#51 1971)
duets with Dottie West, * "Anyone Who isn't Me Tonight" (#2c 1978), * "Every Time Two Fools Collide" (#1c 1978), * "All I Ever Need is You" (#1c 1979), * "Till I Can Make it on My Own" (#3c 1979), "What Are We Doin' in Love?" (#14, #1c 1981), * "Together Again" (#19c 1984), * "That's the Way it Could Have Been" (1984), "I Prefer the Moonlight" (#2c 1987), "The Factory" (#6c 1988), "The Vows Go Unbroken (Always True to You)" (#8c 1989)
duets with Dolly Parton, "Islands in the Stream" (#1, #1c 1983), "Real Love" (#91, #1c 1985), "Love is Strange" (#21c 1990)
duet with Sheena Easton, * "We've Got Tonight" (#6, #1c 1983)
duet with Kim Carnes, "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" (#4, #3c 1980)
duet with Alison Krauss and Billy Dean, * "Buy Me a Rose" (#40, #1c 2000)
duet with Ronnie Milsap, "Make No Mistake, She's Mine" (#1c 1987)
songwriter
actor
md. to Marianne Gordon (1977- ); md. to Wanda Mille (1997- )
see Kenny Rogers
see The First Edition on Wikipedia
see The New Christy Minstrels

Steve Smith

b. 1954 in Whitman, MA
rock/jazz singer
instruments: drums, percussions
with The Storm
with Journey (1978-85, 1995-98), "Wheel in the Sky" (#57 1978), "Any Way You Want it" (#23 1980), "Who's Crying Now?" (#4 1981), "Don't Stop Believin'" (#9 1981), "Open Arms" (#2 1982), "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" (#8 1983), "Faithfully" (#12 1983), "Only the Young" (#9 1985), "Be Good to Yourself" (#9 1986), "When You Love a Woman" (#12 1997)
founding member of Vital Information
founding member of Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy
session musician with Mariah Carey, Savage Garden, Bryan Adams, Dweezil Zappa, Randy Brecker, and others

August 22

Tim 'Buck' Buckley (Timothy P. Buckley)

b. 1955 in St. Louis, MO - d. 6 Jan 2005 in Arlington, TX (heart attack)
country musician, instrument: lead guitar
with Doug Supernaw's Possum-Eatin' Cowboys (1991-98), "I Don't Call Him Daddy" (#1c 1993), "Reno" (#4c 1993, he co-wrote), "You're Gonna Bring Back Cheatin' Songs" (1993), "What'll You Do about Me?" (#16c 1994), "Fire in the Rain" (1995), "Not Enough Hours in the Night" (#3c 1996)
session musician with The Wall Brothers, Mundo Earwood, and others
songwriter
Quik Trip manager
md. to Linda Mesecke

Ron Dante (Carmine Granito)

b. 1945 in Staten Island, NY
rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Funny" (1963), "If You Love Me, Laurie" (1964), "There's Love" (1965), "Look at Me" (1965), "In the Rain" (1965), "Janie Janie" (1966, he co-wrote), "221 East Maple" (1966), "The Absence of Lisa" (1967, he co-wrote), "Gypsy, Be Mine" (1967, he co-wrote), "Follow a Dream" (1968), "Sweet Taste of Love" (1970, he co-wrote), "Let Me Bring You Up" (1970), "Go Where the Music Takes You" (1970, he co-wrote), "Jo-Anna" (1970, he co-wrote), "That's What Life is All About" (1972), "Country Dog" (1972, he co-wrote), "Yesterday Dreamin'" (1974, he co-wrote), "How Am I to Know?" (1977, he co-wrote), "Skywriter" (1977), "God Bless Rock 'n' Roll" (1980, he co-wrote), "Even After" (2004, he co-wrote), "Don't Lose Heart" (2004, he co-wrote), "Tear up the Dance Floor" (2004)
founding member and lead singer of The Archies (1968-71), "Bang-Shang-A-Lang" (#22 1968), "Feelin' So Good" (#53 1968), * "Sugar, Sugar" (#1 1969), "Jingle, Jangle" (#10 1969), "Who's Your Baby?" (#40 1970), "Together, We Two" (1970), "This is Love" (1970), "A Summer Prayer for Peace" (1971), "Strangers in the Morning" (1972)
recorded as The Cuff Links, "Tracy" (#9 Oct 1969, One-Hit Wonder, he sang both lead and backup by overdubbing), "Sally Ann" (1969), "When Julie Comes Around" (#41 1970), "Run Sally Run" (#76 1970), "The Kiss" (1970)
with The Detergents, "Leader of the Laundromat" (#19 1964, parody of the Shangri-la's "Leader of the Pack"), "Double-O-Seven" (#89 1965), "Tea and Crumpets" (1966)
founding member of Dante's Inferno, "Round about Midnight" (1979), "Could it Be Magic?" (1979), "Fire Island" (1979, he co-wrote), "Skate Key" (1979)
recorded as Ronnie and the Dirt Riders, "Yellow Van" (1976, he co-wrote), "Love Will Never Hurt You" (1976)
recorded as Pearly Gates, "Free" (1969), "Daisy" (1970)
recorded as The Webspinners, "The Amazing Spiderman" (1972)
recorded as Noah's Ark, "Hold Back the Sun" (1966), "Paper Man" (1967)
recorded as The Eighth Day, "A Million Lights" (1967, he co-wrote), "Glory" (1967, he co-wrote), "Long Winter Nights" (1967, he co-wrote), "Raining Sunshine" (1967, he co-wrote)
recorded as C.G. Rose, "Sayonara, Baby" (1968, he co-wrote), "Man of the Family" (1968, he co-wrote)
backup singer on Barry Manilow's "Mandy" (#1 1975); The McCoys' "Hang on, Sloppy" (#1 1965); Jay and the Americans' "Only in America" (#25 1963); Tommy James' "Draggin' the Line" (#4 1971); and others
songwriter
music producer

Jennifer Day

b. 1979 in McAlpin, FL
country singer
"The Fun of Your Love" (#31c 2000, she co-wrote), "Yeah, Right" (2000), "I Turn to You" (2000), "What if it's Me?" (#67c 2000), "Fearless" (2000, she wrote), "Gone By Dawn" (2000, she co-wrote)
songwriter
md. to Brian Phillips

Holly Dunn (Holly Suzette Dunn)

b. 1957 in San Antonio, TX
country singer
instruments: guitar, drums
"Two Too Many" (#39c 1986, she wrote), "Daddy's Hands" (#7c 1986, she wrote), "Love Someone Like Me" (#2c 1987, she co-wrote), "Only When I Love" (#4c 1987, she co-wrote), "Strangers Again" (#7c 1988, she co-wrote), "That's What Your Love Does to Me" (#5c 1988), "(It's Always Gonna Be) Someday" (#11c 1988, she co-wrote), "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me?" (#1c 1989, she co-wrote), "There Goes My Heart Again" (#4c 1989), "The Blue Rose of Texas" (1989), "You Really Had Me Going" (#1c 1990, she co-wrote), "Heart Full of Love" (#19c 1991)
duet with Michael Martin Murphey, "A Face in the Crowd" (#4c 1987)
duet with Kenny Rogers, "Maybe" (#25c 1990)
songwriter, wrote Louise Mandrell's "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet" (#7c 1984)
artist
sister of songwriter, Chris Waters

Bob Flanigan

b. 1926 in Greencastle, IN
pop/jazz singer
instruments: guitar, bass, trombone
founding member and lead singer of The Four Freshmen (1948-92), "Now You Know" (1951), "It's a Blue World" (#30 1952), "It Happened Once Before" (#29 1953), "Baltimore Oriole" (1953), "Mood Indigo" (#24 1954), "Graduation Day" (#27 1956), "Nights are Longer" (1958), "When I Stop Lovin' You" (1965), "Nowhere to Go" (1966), "Blue World" (1969), "Laughter in the Rain" (1977), "Here's That Rainy Day" (1977), "For Once in My Life" (1977), "I've Never Loved Anyone More" (1982), "Lovin' You" (1982), "Maxine" (1986), "Sunshine of My Life" (1986), "We're in This Love Together" (1986), "Home for Christmas" (1992), "April in Paris" (1992)
cousin of Ross and Don Barbour
see The Four Freshmen

Donna Godchaux (Donna Jean Thatcher)

b. 1945/47 in Sheffield, AL or San Francisco, CA
rock/Christian singer
with The Grateful Dead (1972-79), "Ramble on Rose" (1972), "One More Saturday Night" (1972), "Sugar Magnolia" (#91 1973), "The Music Never Stopped" (#81 1975), "Dancin' in the Streets" (1977), "Sunrise" (1977, she wrote)
founding member of The Heart of Gold Band
founding member of Donna Jean and the Tricksters
duets with Keith Godchaux, "My Love for You" (1975, she co-wrote), "Every Song I Sing" (1975, she co-wrote)
backup singer with New Riders of the Purple Sage, Elvis Presley, Cher, Jerry Garcia, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and others
md. to keyboard player, Keith Godchaux (1970-80, his death in an auto accident); md. to bass player, Dave Mackay
see The Grateful Dead
see The Heart of Gold Band

Milt Grayson (Milton B. Grayson, Jr.)

b. 1931 in Brooklyn, NY - d. 3 Sep 2005 in NY
jazz singer
"I Love You Much Too Much" (1958), "Here I am Broken-Hearted" (1962), "Your Old Stand-By" (1963), "Something That Gets to Me" (1967), "Face in the Crowd" (1976)
with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (1960-63), "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" (1960), "Lost in Loveliness" (1960), "The Lonely Ones" (1962)
with The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
backup singer on The Dominoes' "Deep Purple" (#20 1957), "St. Therese of the Roses" (#27 1956); and with Alvin Scott, and others

Ricky Lynn Gregg

b. 1959/61 in Longview, TX
country singer
instruments: guitar, acoustic guitar
"If I Had a Cheatin' Heart" (#36c 1993), "Can You Feel it?" (#58c 1993, he co-wrote), "Three Nickels and a Dime" (1993), "Get a Little Closer" (#73c 1994), "No Place Left to Go" (1993), "After the Fire is Gone" (1994), "To Find Where I Belong" (1994), "Dangerously Close" (1994), "I Wanna Be Loved by You" (2001), "Victoria's Secret" (2001, he co-wrote), "Careful What You Wish For" (2001), "Jeans" (2001)
songwriter
humanitarian
see Ricky Lynn Gregg

Dale Hawkins (Delmar Allen Hawkins)

b. 1938 in Goldmine, LA
rockabilly singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"Four Letter Word (Rock)" (1956), "Suzie-Q" (#27 1957, he co-wrote), "Don't Treat Me This Way" (1957), "Daredevil" (1957, he co-wrote), "Tornado" (1958), "Cross-ties" (1958, he co-wrote), "A House, a Car, and a Wedding Ring" (1958), "Take My Heart" (1959, he wrote), "Lifeguard Man" (1959), "Back to School Blues" (1959), "Someday, One Day" (1959), "Poor Little Rhode Island" (1960), "I Can't Erase You (Out of My Heart)" (1961), "I Wish I Hadn't Called Home" (1961), "Mumbly Peg" (1961), "Gotta Dance" (1962, he wrote), "And I Believed You" (1964, he co-wrote), "I'll Fly High" (1965), "Little Rain Cloud" (1969, he co-wrote), "Back Street" (1969, he wrote), "Hat Trick" (1997), "Goin' Down the Road" (1997, he wrote), "Wildcat Tamer" (1997), "Born in Louisiana" (1997, he wrote)
Dale Hawkins with The Escapades, "Paulina" (1962, he wrote), "Someone to Care" (1962, he co-wrote), "Empty Shoes" (1962, he wrote)
session musician
songwriter
music producer
cousin of Ronnie Hawkins

John Lee Hooker (aka John Lee Booker, aka 'Texas Slim')

b. 1917/20 near Clarksdale, MS – d. 21 Jun 2001 in Los Altos, CA
country/blues/folk singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar
"Sallie Mae" (1948, he co-wrote), "Crawling King Snake" (1949), "Miss Sadie Mae" (1949), "Goin' Down Highway 51" (1950), "Give Me Your Phone Number" (1950), "Ramblin' By Myself" (1951), "Dreamin' Blues" (1951), "Road Trouble" (1952), "Keys to the Highway" (1952), "Ride Til I Die" (1953), "Real, Real Gone" (1954), "Rosie Mae" (1957), "The Road is So Rough" (1957), "Don't You Remember Me?" (1958), "Wednesday Evenin' Blues" (1960), "No Shoes" (1960), "Crazy about That Walk" (1960), "Tupelo" (1960), "Boom Boom" (#60 1962), "Flowers on the Hour" (1965), "Shake it, Baby" (1966), "Decoration Day" (1966), "Mai Lee" (1966), "Let's Go Out Tonight" (1966), "I Don't Wanna Go to Vietnam" (1969), "Stand By" (1977), "Daizie May" (1978), "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" (1988)
recorded an album with Canned Heat titled Hooker 'n' Heat, "Drifter" (1970), "I Got My Eyes on You" (1970)
duet with Van Morrison, "Never Get Out of These Blues Alive" (1972)
duet with Bonnie Raitt, "The Healer" (1989, he co-wrote)
songwriter
cousin of Earl Hooker
see John Lee Hooker

Billy Knight (David Leon Knight)

b. 1947 in Atlanta, GA - d. 4 Dec 2002 in Las Vegas, NV (heart attack)
soul musician, instrument: percussions
with Gladys Knight's band
younger brother of Gladys Knight

Vince Maloy (George Vincent Maloy)

b. 1933 in MD - d. 14 Aug 2002 in MD (leukemia)
rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Honey Baby" (1957), "Hubba Hubba Ding Ding" (1957), "Flying Love" (1957), "Draggin' All Night" (1958, he wrote), "Be My Chick" (1959)
founding member of The Vince Maloy Trio
session musician on The Flea Bops' "Indeed I Do" (2001)
songwriter
law enforcement officer

Carl Mann

b. 1942 in Huntington, TN
rock/rockabilly/country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Mona Lisa" (#25 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Foolish One" (1959), "Pretend" (#57 1959), "I'm Comin' Home" (1960), "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" (1962), "Down to My Last 'I Forgive You'" (1966), "Twilight Time" (#100c 1976)
founding member of Carl Mann and the Kool Kats, "Gonna Rock and Roll Tonight" (1958), "Rockin' Love" (1958)
with Carl Perkins' band (1962-64)
served in the Army
logger

David Marks (David Lee Marks)

b. 1948 in Newcastle, PA
rock/jazz singer
instruments: rhythm guitar, bass, piano
"Stowaway" (2003), "Still Life in Motion" (2003), "I Think about You Often" (2007), "Dancin' in the Mirror" (2007), "Pretty Eyes" (2007)
with The Beach Boys (1962-63, replaced Al Jardine, 1997-99), "409" (1962), * "Surfin' Safari" (#14 1962), * "Surfin' USA" (#3 1963), * "Shut Down" (#23 1963), * "Surfer Girl" (#7 1963), * "Little Deuce Coupe" (#15 1963), * "Be True to Your School" (#6 1963)
founding member of Dave and the Marksmen (1964-65)
with Casey Kasem's Band Without a Name (1966)
founding member of The Moon (1968-69), "Got to Be on My Way" (1968), "I Should Be Dreaming" (1968), "Someday Girl" (1968), "Not to Know" (1969), "Mary Jane" (1969)
session musician with Leon Russell, Delbert McClinton, Buzz Clifford, Delaney and Bonnie, and others
songwriter
md. to Carrieann Haight
he has Hepatitis C and works to raise awareness and encourage testing
see the Beach Boys

Mila Mason (Mila Jade Macmillan)

b. 1963 in Murray, KY (grew up in Dawson Springs, KY)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"That's Enough of That" (#18c 1996), "Dark Horse" (#21c 1996), "Heart Without a Past" (1996), "Closer to Heaven" (#31c 1998), "Don't Maybe Me" (1998), "One Thing Led to Another" (1998), "Standing in My Own Way" (2003, she co-wrote), "Maybe, Maybe Not" (2003, she co-wrote)
songwriter
md. to Jason Grainger

Fred Milano

b. 1939 in the Bronx, NY
pop/doo-wop singer (tenor)
founding member and second tenor with Dion and the Belmonts (1958- ), * "No One Knows" (#19 1958), * I Wonder Why" (#22 1958), * "Every Little Thing I Do" (#48 1959), * "Don't Pity Me" (#40 1959), "Teenager in Love" (#3 1959), * "Where or When" (#3 1960), * "When You Wish Upon a Star" (#30 1960)
founding member of The Belmonts (1961- ), "Such a Long Way" (1961), "Tell Me Why" (#18 1961), "Come on, Little Angel" (#28 1962), "Hombre" (1962), "Ann Marie" (1963), "More Important Things to Do" (1963), * "Be Careful of Stones You Throw" (#31 1963), "Answer, My Love" (1969)
backup singer
see The Belmonts on Wikipedia

Sam Neely

b. 1948/50 in Cuero, TX - d. 19 Jul 2006 in Corpus Christi, TX (heart attack and complications of diabetes)
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Lovin' You Just Crossed My Mind" (#29 1972, he wrote), "Long Road to Texas" (1972, he wrote), "Rosalie" (1973, he wrote), "You Can Have Her" (#49c 1974), "I Fought the Law" (#61c 1975), "Sail Away" (#98c 1977), "(When You Leave That Way) You Can Never Go Back" (#77c 1983), "You're No Ordinary Memory" (1984), "Old Photographs" (#81c 1984)
with Buckle
wrote and sang the last song on the last episode of M*A*S*H, "The Party's Over" (1983)
songwriter

Collin Raye (Floyd Collin Wray aka Bubba Wray)

b. 1959/60 in DeQueen, AR
country/Rock singer
instrument: guitar
* "All I Can Be (is a Sweet Memory)" (#29c 1991), "Sadly Ever After" (1991), "Love, Me" (#1c 1991), "Every Second" (#2c 1992), * "In This Life (I Was Loved by You)" (#1c 1992), "I Want You Bad (and That Ain't Good)" (#7c 1992), "Somebody Else's Moon" (#5c 1993), "That Was a River" (#4c 1993), "That's My Story" (#6c 1993), "Little Rock" (#2c 1994), "The Wall" (1995), "My Kind of Girl" (#1c 1995), "If I Were You" (#4c 1995), "One Boy, One Girl" (#87, #2c 1995), "Not That Different" (#3c 1995), "I Think about You" (#3c 1996), "On the Verge" (#2c 1997), "What the Heart Wants" (#2c 1997), "Little Red Rodeo" (#3c 1997), "I Can Still Feel You" (#1c 1998), "Someone You used to Know" (#37, #3c 1998), "Anyone Else" (#37, #4c 1999), "The Eleventh Commandment" (1998, about abuse), "Couldn't Last a Moment" (#43, #3c 2001), "You Still Take Me There" (#47c 2001), "Ain't Nobody Gonna Take That from Me" (#43c 2001)
founding member of the Wray Brothers Band, "Reason to Believe" (#88c 1983), "Until We Meet Again" (#93c 1985)
founding member of The Wrays, "I Don't Want to Know Your Name" (#71c 1986), "You Lay a Lotta Lovin' on Me" (#48c 1987)
duet with Bobbie Eakes, * "Tired of Loving This Way" (#50c 2000)
songwriter
see Collin Raye

Gary 'Mutha' Withem

b. 1946 in San Diego, CA
pop/rock musician instruments: woodwinds, piano
founding member of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (1967-70), * "Woman, Woman" (#4 1968), * "Young Girl" (#2 1968), * "Lady Willpower" (#2 1968), * "Over You" (#7 1968), "Don't Give in to Him" (#15 1969), * "This Girl is a Woman Now" (#9 1969), * "Little Green Apples" (1969), "Let's Give Adam and Eve Another Chance" (#41 1970)
songwriter
high school band teacher
see Gary Puckett and the Union Gap

August 23

Rex Allen, Jr.

b. 1947 in Chicago, IL
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Before I Change My Mind (I'm Going Home)" (1968), "The Great Mail Robbery" (#63c 1974), "Another Goodbye Song" (#31c 1974), "Goodbye" (#19c 1974), * "Homemade Love" (1976), "You're the Only One I'll Every Love" (1976, he co-wrote), "Teardrops in My Heart" (#18c 1976), "I Gotta Remember to Forget" (1976, he co-wrote), "Two Less Lonely People" (#8c 1977), "I'm Gettin' Good at Missing You" (#10c 1977), "Don't Say Goodbye" (#15c 1977), "Lonely Street" (#8c 1978), "Kin to the Wind" (1978), "Diary" (1978), "No No No (I'd Rather Be Free)" (#8c 1978), "With Love" (#10c 1978, he co-wrote), "It's Time We Talk Things Over" (#12c 1979), "Me and My Broken Heart" (#9c 1979), "Wonder-Working Love" (1979), "One Lives in My Life (One Lives in My Heart)" (1979), "If I Fell in Love with You" (#18c 1979), "It's Over" (#14c 1980), "Oklahoma Rose" (1980, he co-wrote), "Just a Country Boy" (#35c 1981, he co-wrote), "Arizona" (1981, he co-wrote), "Where Are the Heroes?" (1982, he co-wrote), "Sweet Rosanna" (#44c 1984), "Dream on Texas Ladies" (#18c 1984), "Running Down Memory Lane" (#24c 1985), "You Are My Life" (2002), "Deanna" (2002), "Second Time Around" (2002), "He'll Have to Go" (2002), "'57 Ragtop Chevrolet" (2002)
duets with Margo Smith, "Cup of Tea" (#12c 1981), "While the Feeling's Good" (#26c 1981)
duet with Sarah Shelton, "Let it Be Me" (2002)
duet with The Sons of the Pioneers, "Can You Hear Those Pioneers?" (#17c 1976)
songwriter
actor
served in the Army (1967-69)
son of Rex Allen and Bonnie Linder; md. to Judy Wright (1967- )

Bob Crosby (George Robert Crosby)

b. 1913 (maybe Aug 25) in Spokane, WA - d. 9 Mar 1993 in La Jolla, CA (complications of cancer)
pop/dixieland jazz singer
"Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" (1950), "9:20 Special" (1951), "Petite Fleur" (1959)
founding member of the Bob Crosby Orchestra, "In a Little Gypsy Tea Room" (#1 1935), "Whispers in the Dark" (#1 1937), "Let's Give Love Another Chance" (1937), "Day in, Day Out" (#1 1939), "Loopin' the Loop" (1939), "Deep in Dream" (1939), "What's New?" (#10 1939)
the Bob Crosby Orchestra backing Bing Crosby, "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" (#1 1938), "Dolores" (#2 1940), "New San Antonio Rose" (#7 1940), "It Makes No Difference Now" (#23 1940), "Let's Start the New Year Right" (#18 1943), and others
founding member of Bob Crosby and the Bob Cats, "March of the Bob Cats" (1938), "South Rampart Street Parade" (1937), "Big Noise from Winnetka" (1938), "Jukebox Judy" (1941)
with The Dorsey Brothers (1934-35)
younger brother of Bing Crosby
served in the Marines during WWII

Ira Dean

b. 1969 in Raleigh, NC
country singer
instruments: stand-up bass, electric bass
founding member of Trick Pony (1996-2007), "Pour Me" (#71, #12c 2000), * "On a Night Like This" (#47, #4c 2001), "Just What I Do" (#13c 2002), "On a Mission" (#20c 2002), "The Bride" (#27c 2002), "It's a Heartache" (#22c 2005)
session musician

Little Jimmy Dempsey (James Clifford Dempsey)

b. 1937 in Atlanta, GA
country musician, instrument: lead guitar
"Bop Hop" (1958), "Answer From Your Heart" (1959), "One-Way Love Affair" (1961), "Feelings" (1966), "Bessie Was a Good Old Cow" (1967), "Rhode Island Red" (1967), "Betcha Can't Eat Just One" (1968), "Strawberry Wine" (1973)
with Ray Price's Cherokee Cowboys (1958-62), "City Lights" (#71, #1c 1958), "Invitation to the Blues" (3c 1958), "The Same Old Me" (#1c 1959), "Heartaches by the Number" (#2c 1959), "One More Time" (#2c 1960), "Soft Rain" (#2c 1961)

Jack Earls

b. 1932 near Woodbury, TN
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"A Fool for Lovin' You" (1956, he wrote), "Sign on the Dotted Line" (1956), "Let's Bop" (1956, he wrote), "My Gal Mary-Ann" (1956, he wrote), "Take Me to That Place" (1957, he wrote), "She Sure Can Rock Me" (1975), "When I Dream" (1999, he wrote)
songwriter

Emilio (Emilio Navaira)

b. 1962 in San Antonio, TX
country/rock/pop musician, instruments: alto sax, piano, organ
"We Had it Made in Mexico" (1991), "Never Love Again" (1993, he wrote), "It's Not the End of the World" (#27c 1995), "Any Little Lie" (1995), "Even if I Tried" (#41c 1996), "I'd Love You to Love Me" (#56c 1997)
founding member of Rio
songwriter

Shelly Fairchild

b. 1977 in Clinton, MO
country/rock/blues singer
"You Don't Lie Here Anymore" (#35c 2004, she co-wrote), "Tiny Town" (2005, she co-wrote), "Kiss Me" (2005, she co-wrote)
songwriter
she is a spokesperson for Harley Davidson and has a custom bike named after her

Roger Greenaway (Roger John Greenaway)

b. 1938 in Bristol, England or Taupo, New Zealand
pop/rock singer
"Ballad of Mae West (Come up and See Me Sometime)" (1972, he co-wrote)
founding member of Pipkins, "Gimme Dat Ding" (#9 1970, he co-wrote), "Ten Out of Ten" (1970, he co-wrote)
with The Kestrels, "There Comes a Time" (1960)
founding member of David and Jonathan (1965-67), "Remember What You Said" (1965, he co-wrote), "Michelle" (#18 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Lovers of the World, Unite" (1966, he co-wrote), "Speak Her Name" (#109 1966, he co-wrote), "She's Leaving Home" (#123 1967), "Bye Bye, Brown Eyes" (1967, he co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote The Fortunes' "You've Got Your Troubles" (#7 1965), "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" (#15 1971); The New Seekers' "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (#7 1971); White Plains' "My Baby Loves Lovin'" (#13 1970); The Congregation's "Softly Whispering I Love You" (#29 1970); The Hollies' "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (#2 1972); Gary Lewis and the Playboys' "Green Grass" (#8 1966); Crystal Gayle's "It's Like We Never Said Goodbye" (#63, #1c 1980)

Wendell Hall (Wendell Woods Hall)

b. 1896 in St. George, KS (grew up in Royston, GA) - d. 2 Apr 1969 in AL
pop/blues singer
instruments: ukulele, banjo ukulele
"It Ain't Gonna Rain No More" (1923, he co-wrote), "Bluebird Blues" (1924), "It Looks Like Rain" (1924), "Land of My Sunset Dreams" (1924), "Lonely Lane" (1924), "Little Lindy Lou" (1925), "Whispering Trees, Memories and You" (1925), "Down Kentucky Way" (1927)
duets with Carson Robison, "Swanee River Dreams" (1924), "Camptown Races" (1924)
songwriter

Rudy Lewis

b. 1936 in Philadelphia, PA - d. 20 May 1964 in NY (asphyxiation that lead to heart failure)
doo-wop/R&B singer
"I've Loved You So Long" (1963)
with The Clara Ward Singers
lead singer of The Drifters (1961-64, replaced Ben E. King), "Please Stay" (#14 1961), "I Count the Tears" (#17 1961), "She Never Talked to Me That Way" (1961), "Somebody New Dancing with You" (1961), "Sweets for My Sweet" (#16 1961), "When My Little Girl is Smiling" (#28 1962), "On Broadway" (#9 1963), "Up on the Roof" (#5 1963), "I'll Take You Home" (#25 1963)
he died the night before the group recorded "Under the Boardwalk", some sources say an overdose lead to his death while others say it was binge eating

Bob Malach

b. 1954 in Philadelphia, PA
rock/soul/blues/jazz singer
instruments: sax, tenor sax, trombone
"Mood Swing" (1990), "The Searcher" (1997), "Circles" (1997), "All or Nothing at All" (1999), "12 More Bars to Go" (1999)
with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1976-77), "I Don't Want to Go Home" (1976), "This Time it's for Real" (1977), "Love on the Wrong Side of Town" (1977), "When You Dance" (1977)
session musician with Steve Miller, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, and others
see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Tony Micale

b. 1942 in NY
doo-wop singer
recorded as Tony Michaels, "Picture Me and You" (1966), "I Love the Life I Live (and Live the Life I Love)" (1966)
founding member and lead tenor of The Reflections (1961- ), "You Said Goodbye" (1963), * "(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet" (#6 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Like Columbus Did" (#96 1964), "Can't You Tell By the Look in My Eyes?" (1964), "Poor Man's Son" (#55 1965), "Deborah Ann" (1965), "June Bride" (1965), "Girl in the Candy Store" (1965)

Keith Moon (Keith John Moon)

b. 1946 in London, England – d. 7 Sep 1978 in London, England (accidental overdose of prescribed alcoholism medication)
rock singer
instrument: drums
"Crazy Like a Fox" (1975), "Together" (1975, he co-wrote)
founding member of The Who (1964-78), "My Generation" (#74 1965), "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" (1965), "The Ox" (1965, features his drumming), "Boris the Spider" (1966), "La-La-La-Lies" (1966), "Happy Jack" (#24 1967), "Pictures of Lily" (1967), "I Can See for Miles" (#9 1967, features his drumming), "Magic Bus" (#25 1968), "I'm Free" (#37 1969), "Pinball Wizard" (#19 1969), "See Me, Feel Me" (#12 1970), "Won't Get Fooled Again" (#15 1971), "Join Together" (#17 1972), "Squeeze Box" (#16 1975), "Who Are You?" (#14 1978)
The Who performed at Woodstock
actor
md. to Kim Kerrigan (1966-75)

Woody Paul (Dr. Paul Woodrow Chrisman)

b. 1949 in Nashville, TN
country/swing singer (tenor and lead)
instruments: fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion, harmonica
founding member of Riders in the Sky (1977- ), "Bluebonnet Lady" (1979), "Don't Fence Me in" (1979), "Prairie Serenade" (1982), "Back in the Saddle Again" (1982), "Cowboy on the Highway" (1986), "Sundown Blues" (1988), "Singing a Song to the Sky" (1989), "Ride with the Wind" (1991), "One Little Coyote" (1991), "Biscuit Blues" (1991), "The Cowboy's in Love" (1994), "The Whispering Wind" (1995), "(I Got Spurs That) Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" (1996), "Down the Lullaby Trail" (1997), "A Hundred and Sixty Acres" (1998), "The Prairie Dog Christmas Ball" (1999), "We're Burnin' Moonlight" (2002), "Katherine's Waltz" (2002), "Heading for Texas" (2004)
with Loggins and Messina
has a PhD in Nuclear Physics
see Riders in the Sky
see Woody Paul

Rita Pavone

b. 1945 in Turin, Italy
pop/rock singer
"Remember Me" (#26 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Just Once More" (1964), "Wait for Me" (1964), "Eyes of Mine" (1965)
actress
md. to singer, Teddy Reno (1968- )

Dennis Robbins

b. 19?? in Hazelwood, NC
country/rock singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar, slide guitar
"If I Could Get Over You" (1983), "Full Moon Risin'" (1986), "You're Not Drinking Enough" (1986), "Sweet, Sweet Lovin'" (1986), "I am Just a Rebel" (1989, he wrote), "Home Sweet Home" (#34c 1992), "My Side of Town" (#59c 1992), "Man with a Plan" (1992), "Mona Lisa on Cruise Control" (#68c 1993), "Walking on the Edge" (1994), "Where There's a Wheel There's a Way" (1994), "Travelin' Music" (1994), "Ride Ride Ride" (1994), "Before We Reach the Crossroads" (1994)
founding member of The Rockets (1977-81), "Fastest Thing in Detroit" (1977), "Oh Well" (#30 1979), "Turn up the Radio" (1979), "Can't Sleep" (#51 1979), "Desire" (#70 1980, he wrote), "Sally Can't Dance" (1980), "Tired of Wearing Black" (1981)
founding member of Billy Hill (1989-90), "Too Much Month at the End of the Money" (#25 1989, he co-wrote), "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" (#58c 1989)
songwriter, co-wrote Garth Brooks' "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House" (#1c 1991); Shenandoah's "The Church on Cumberland Road" (#1c 1989)
served in the Marines
see The Rockets on Wikipedia

Sammy Sadler

b. 1967 in Memphis, TN (grew up in Bonham, TX)
country singer
"Tell it Like it is" (#70c 1989), "Once in a Lifetime Thing" (#86c 1990), "Hard on a Heart" (2004), "That Ole Gravel Road" (2004), "Any Four Walls" (2004), "A Heart Shaped Like Texas" (2007), "I Know a Place" (2007)
he was severely injured in a shooting in 1989
see Sammy Sadler

Pete Shannon (Peter Shannon Harris)

b. 1941 in Northern Ireland
rock musician, instrument: bass
founding member of The Nashville Teens (1962-73), "Tobacco Road" (#14 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Find My Way Home" (1965), "This Little Bird" (1965), "The Biggest Night of Her Life" (1970), "Ella James" (1971)
The Nashville Teens backed Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, and others
see The Nashville Teens

Jim Sohns

b. 1949
rock singer
founding member and lead singer of The Shadows of Knight (1964-67, 1968- ), "Gloria" (#10 1966), "Dark Side" (1966), "Oh Yeah" (#39 1966), "Bad Little Woman" (#91 1966), "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" (#90 1966), "Someone Like Me" (1967), "Shake" (#46 1969), "Winds and Sea" (1970)

Tex Williams (Sollie Paul Williams aka Jack Williams)

b. 1917 in Ramsey, IL – d. 11 Oct 1985 (lung cancer)
country/western swing singer
instruments: guitar, banjo, harmonica
"Never Trust a Woman" (#2c 1947), "That's What I Like about the West" (#4c 1947), "Banjo Polka" (#5c 1948), "Who, Me?" (#6 1948), Suspicion" (#4c 1948), "Foolish Tears" (#15c 1948), "Don't Telephone, Don't Telegraph (Tell a Woman)" (1948), "Just a Pair of Blue Eyes" (#13c 1948), "Ham and Eggs" (1949), "Hot Pretzels" (1949), "My San Fernando Rose" (1950), "Three Little Girls Dressed in Blue" (1950), "Black Strap Molasses" (1951), "Cocker Spaniel Polka" (1951), "Money" (1954), "Roses and Revolvers" (1955), "You Rocked When You Shoulda' Rolled" (1958), "Wild Card" (1962), "How Do You Lie to a Heart?" (1962), "Late Movies" (1963), "Five Foot Deep in Teardrops" (1963), "Empty Letter" (1964), "Between Tomorrow and Today" (1966), "Keeper of Boot Hill" (1966), "Wasted Dreams" (1970), "Pretty in Blue" (1971), "Everywhere I Go (He's Already Been There)" (#67c 1971), "The Night Miss Nancy Ann's Hotel for Single Girls Burned Down" (#32c 1971), "Cynthia Ann" (1972), "Is This All You Hear (When a Heart Breaks)?" (1974), "Deuces Wild" (1980)
founding member of Tex Williams and the Western Caravan (1946-57), "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette" (#1, #1c 1947)
lead singer and guitarist with Spade Cooley and his Orchestra (1942-47), "Shame on You" (#1c 1945, he wrote), "A Pair of Broken Hearts" (#8c 1945), "I've Taken All I'm Gonna Take From You" (#4c 1945), "Detour" (#2c 1946), "You Can't Break My Heart" (#3c 1946, he co-wrote), "Crazy 'Cause I Love You" (#4c 1947, he wrote)
duet with Rex Allen, "Let's Go Rockabilly" (1957)
songwriter
cowboy actor

August 24

Ronee Blakley

b. 1945 in Stanley, ID or Caldwell, ID
country/folk singer
"Graduation Tune" (1972), "Down to the River" (1972), "Dues" (1972), "She Lays it on the Line" (1975), "If I Saw You in the Morning" (1975)
songwriter
actress
md. to Wim Wenders (1979-81)

Jim Brady

b. 1937/44
folk/pop/rock singer
with The Mitchell Boys Choir
founding member of The Sandpipers (1965-75), "Guantanamera" (#9 1966), "Louie, Louie" (#30 1966), "I'll Remember You" (1967), "Rain, Rain Go Away" (1967), "That Night" (1969), "Come Saturday Morning" (#17 1970)

Oteil Burbridge

b. 1964 in Washington, D.C.
rock/blues/country singer
instruments: 6-string bass, drums
with the Allman Brothers Band (1997- , replaced Allen Woody), "The High Cost of Low Living" (2003), "Old Friend" (2003), "Who to Believe" (2003)
founding member of the Aquarium Rescue Unit
founding member of Oteil and the Peacemakers (2000- ), "In There Out There" (2000), "Overcast" (2000), "Time Won't Tell" (2003), "My Dog, Sassy" (2003), "Full Circle" (2003)
he often performs barefoot
'Oteil' is Egyptian for 'explorer' or 'wanderer'
see The Allman Brothers
see Oteil Burbridge

Ed Butler

b. 1953 in Baltimore, MD
country/folk/jazz musician, instruments: drums, banjo, guitar, mandolin
with the Red Clay Ramblers (1989- ), "Katie's Ride" (1989), "Far North" (1989), "Annie Oakley" (1992), "Barbecue" (1992), "Long Day's Journey into Night" (2001), "Half a Life Without a Dog" (2001), "Pictures of You" (2001), "Fiddlesticks" (2001), "Should've Seen it Coming" (2001)
with The Nancy Middleton Band (1993-97), "Leave it to Me" (1994), "Walk Through Broken Glass" (1994), "The Way I Do" (1996), "On the Interstate" (1996)
session musician
songwriter
see the Red Clay Ramblers

Joe Chambers (Joseph Chambers)

b. 1942 in Lee County, MS or Scotty County, MS
R&B/rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Chambers Brothers (1954-72, 19774- ), "Love Me Like the Rain" (1967), "Falling in Love" (1967), "Time Has Come Today" (#11 1968, he co-wrote), "I Can't Turn You Loose" (#37 1968), "To Love Somebody" (1969), "Have a Little Faith" (1969)
songwriter
brother of George, Willie, and Lester Chambers

John Cipollina

b. 1943 in Berkeley, CA - d. 29 May 1989 (emphysema)
rock singer
instrument: lead guitar
founding member of Quicksilver Messenger Service (1965-72), "It's Been Too Long" (1968), "Gold and Silver" (1968), "Light Your Windows" (1968), "Happy Trails" (1969), "Three or Four Feet from Home" (1970, he wrote), "Words Can't Say" (1970)
with Terry and the Pirates, "What Did He Say?" (1958), "For No One" (1966)
songwriter
see John Cipollina
see Quicksilver Messenger Service on Wikipedia

John Cowan

b. 1952 in Evansville, IN
bluegrass/soul singer
instrument: bass
"I Found a Letter" (1998), "Two Steps from the Blues" (1998), "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1998), "Last Summer Rose" (2000), "Wichita Way" (2000), "High Above the Power Lines" (2000), "Two Quarts Low" (2002), "Long Distance Runaround" (2002)
founding member of New Grass Revival (1974-89), "I Wish I Said" (1972), "With Care from Someone" (1972), "When the Storm is Over" (1975), "How about You?" (1977), "Like a Child in the Rain" (1977), "Dancin' with the Angels" (1979), "Goin' to the Fair" (1979), "You're the Best Friend That I Know" (1984), "Where Do I Go from Here?" (1984), "Ain't That Peculiar" (#53c 1986), "Unconditional Love" (#44c 1987), "Hold on to a Dream" (1987), "One-Way Street" (1987), "Can't Stop Now" (#45c 1988), "Callin' Baton Rouge" (#37c 1989)
founding member of The Sky Kings, "Picture Perfect" (#52c 1996)
founding member of The John Cowan Band, "Carla's Got a New Tattoo" (2006), "Misery and Happiness" (2006), "With a Memory Like Mine" (2006)
see New Grass Revival on Wikipedia
see John Cowan

Clint Daniels

b. 1974 in Panama City, FL (grew up in Lynn Haven, FL)
country/honky-tonk singer
instrument: guitar
"A Fool's Progress" (#44c 1998, he co-wrote), "When I Grow Up" (#53c 1998), "A Swing Through Dallas" (1999), "Wish it Was As Easy" (1999), "Long Way Down" (1999), "The Letter (Almost Home)" (#56c 2003)
songwriter

Bob Flick

b. 1938 in Seattle, WA
folk/pop singer (baritone, bass)
instruments: acoustic bass, electric upright bass
founding member of The Brothers Four (1957-72, 1975- ), * "Greenfields" (#2 1960), "The Green Leaves of Summer" (1960), "Frogg" (#32 1961), "Blue Water Line" (1962), * "Try to Remember" (1965), "If I Fell" (1966)
Flick, Foley, Kirkland and Paine were fraternity brothers at the University of Washington
see The Brothers Four

Jimmy Fox (James Fox)

b. 1947
rock musician, instruments: drums, organ
founding member of The James Gang (1966-76, 1996- ), "Satin and Lace" (1966), "The Bomber" (1970), "Walk Away" (#51 1971), "Ride the Wind" (1973), "Cruisin' Down the Highway" (1974), "Wildfire" (1974)
see The James Gang on Wikipedia

David Freiberg

b. 1938 in Cincinnati, OH or Boston, MA
rock singer
instruments: bass, keyboards, viola
founding member of Quicksilver Messenger Service (1965- ), "It's Been Too Long" (1968), "Gold and Silver" (1968), "Light Your Windows" (1968, he co-wrote), "Happy Trails" (1969), "Three or Four Feet from Home" (1970), "Words Can't Say" (1970, he co-wrote)
with Jefferson Airplane (1972-74)
with Jefferson Starship (1974-84, 2005- ), "Miracles" (#3 1975), "With Your Love" (#12 1976), "Don't Let it Rain" (1976), "Runaway" (#12 1978), "Count on Me" (#8 1978), "Jane" (#14 1979), "Find Your Way Back" (#29 1981), "Be My Lady" (#28 1982), "No Way Out" (#23 1984)
songwriter
md. to singer, Linda Imperial
see Quicksilver Messenger Service on Wikipedia

Darrin Kirkindoll

b. 1969 in Bakersfield, CA
country/rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Smokin' Armadillos (1992- ), "My Girlfriend Might" (1995), "Red Rock" (1995), "Let Your Heart Lead Your Mind" (#53c 1996), "Love of a Lifetime" (1996), "I Don't Want No Part of it" (#64c 1998), "You Were a Mountain" (2003), "Is That Askin' Too Much?" (2003)

Dale Norris

b. 1936 in Manhattan, KS - d. 28 Jun 2005 in AZ (lung cancer)
jazz/swing musician, instrument: alto sax
founding member of The Dale Norris Quartet
with Big Band Express
with Stan Kenton Orchestra (1963)
session musician with Tommy Dorsey, Henry Mancini, and others
songwriter

Kristyn Osborn (Kristyn Robyn Osborn)

b. 1970 in Magna, UT
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
founding member of SHeDaisy (1999- ), "Little Goodbyes" (#43, #3c 1999, she co-wrote), "This Woman Needs" (#57, #9c 2000), "I Will...But" (#43, #2c 2000), "Lucky 4 You (Tonight I'm Just Me)" (#79, #11c 2000), "Brand New Year (My Revolution)" (2000), "Passenger Seat" (#66, #12c 2004), "Come Home Soon" (#75, #14c 2004), "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing" (#59, #7c 2005), "I'm Taking the Wheel" (#22c 2006)
songwriter
the group name came from a Navajo word meaning 'my little sister'
md. to Joel Stevenett (1994-2002)
see SHeDaisy

Fred Rose (Knowles Fred Rose)

b. 1897 in Evansville, IN (grew up in St. Louis, MO) - d. 1 Dec 1954 in Nashville, TN
country/pop singer
instrument: piano
recorded as 'The Rambling Rogue', "Tender-Hearted Sue" (#5c 1945, he wrote), "You're the Only One in My Arms" (1945)
songwriter, wrote Roy Acuff's "The Waltz of the Wind" (#8c 1948); Hank Williams' "Crazy Heart" (#4c 1951); Willie Nelson's "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" (#21, #1c 1975)
co-wrote Gene Watson's "No One Will Ever Know" (#13c 1980); Hank Williams' "Take These Chains From My Heart" (#1c 1953), "Kaw-Liga" (#1c 1953); Eddy Arnold's "It's a Sin" (#1c 1947), "Texarkana Baby" (#1c 1948)
music producer; music publisher
md. 1st to Della Braico; md. 2nd to Helen Holmes

Jimmy Soul (James McCleese)

b. 1942 in Weldon, NC – d. 25 Jun, 1988 in New York, NY (heart attack)
pop/R&B singer
"Twistin' Matilda" (#22 1962), "I Can't Hold Out Any Longer" (1962), * "If You Wanna Be Happy" (#1 1963), "My Baby Loves to Bowl" (1963), "Go Away, Christina" (1963), "My Girl, She Sure Can Cook" (1964)
with The Nightingales
served in the Army

Louis Teicher

b. 1924 in Wilkes-Barre, PA
pop musician, instrument: piano
with Ferrante and Teicher (1947- ), "How High the Moon?" (1958), "Prairie Blues" (1959), "Theme from 'Apartment'" (#10 1960), "Exodus" (#2 1961), "Lida Rose" (1962), "Midnight Cowboy" (#10 1969)
see Ferrante and Teicher

Marshall Thompson (Marshall Donald Thompson)

b. 1942 in Chicago, IL
soul/pop/rock musician
founding member of The Chi-Lites (1964-77, 1980- ), "Never No More" (1965), "Pretty Girl" (1967), "Let Me Be the Man My Daddy Was" (#94 1969), "Have You Seen Her?" (#3 1971), "Oh, Girl" (#1 1972), "The Coldest Days of My Life" (#47 1972), "My Heart Just Keeps on Breakin'" (#92 1972), "I Found Sunshine" (#47 1973), "A Letter to Myself" (#33 1973), "Toby" (1974), "You Don't Have to Go" (1975), "My First Mistake" (1976), "Happy Being Lonely" (1977), "Heavenly Body" (1980), "Bad Motor Scooter" (1983)
see The Chi-Lites on WikipediA

Mason Williams

b. 1938 in Abilene, TX
pop/bluegrass musician, instrument: guitar
"Classical Gas" (#2 1968, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Long Time Blues" (1968, he wrote), "Greensleeves" (1969), "A Little Bit of Time" (1971), "Shenandoah" (1984), "Cripple Creek" (1984), "Miss the Mississippi and You" (1984), "Of Time and Rivers Flowing" (1984), "Country Idyll" (1987), "Santa Fe Souvenir" (2003), "Destinations of the Sun" (2003)
with The Wayfarers Trio, "Little Billy Blue Shoes" (1960), "Cumberland Mountain Bear Chase" (1960), "That's the Way the War Began" (1961)
songwriter
poet; comedy writer; artist
environmentalist
see Mason Williams

Ernest Wright, Jr.

b. 1941 in Brooklyn, NY
doo-wop/R&B/soul singer (tenor)
with Little Anthony and the Imperials (1958-61, 1963-69, 1992- ), * "Tears on My Pillow" (#4 1958), "Just Two Kinds of People in the World" (1958), "A Prayer and a Jukebox" (#81 1959), "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop" (#24 1960), "I'm on the Outside Looking in" (#15 1963), "Goin' Out of My Head" (#6 1964), "Hurt So Bad" (#10 1965), "I Miss You So" (#34 1965), "Take Me Back" (#16 1965), "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" (#52 1969)
songwriter

August 25

Christopher Augustine

b. 1941 in NY
rock musician, instruments: drums, percussions
founding member of The Rainmakers
founding member of Every Mother's Son (1967-69), "Come on Down to My Boat" (#6 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "Put Your Mind at Ease" (1967), "The Proper Four-Leaf Clover" (1967), "What Became of Mary?" (1967), "Alison Dozer" (1967), "Didn't She Lie?" (1967), "No One Knows" (1968), "Pony with the Golden Mane" (1968), "Rainflowers" (1968)
session musician
actor

Billy Ray Cyrus (William Ray Cyrus)

b. 1961 in Flatwoods, KY
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
* "Achy Breaky Heart" (#4, #1c 1992, he co-wrote, CMA single of the year 1992), "Three Little Words" (1992), "Could've Been Me" (#72, #2c 1992), "I'm So Miserable Without You (it's Almost Like You're Here)" (1992), "Some Gave All" (#52c 1993), "Dreamin' in Color, Livin' in Black and White" (1993), "She's Not Cryin' Anymore" (#70, #6c 1993, he co-wrote), "In the Heart of a Woman" (#76, #3c 1993), "Somebody New" (#9c 1993), "Words by Heart" (#12c 1994), "The Fastest Horse in a One-Horse Town" (1995), "It's All the Same to Me" (#19c 1997), "Busy Man" (#46, #3c 1998), "You Won't Be Lonely Now" (#80, #17c 2000), "We the People" (#6c 2000), "Ready, Set, Don't Go" (2007)
songwriter
actor; used car salesman
md. to Letica 'Tish' Finley (1993- )
see Billy Ray Cyrus

Bill Denny

b. 1935 in Nashville, TN
country/bluegrass singer
instrument: electric guitar
with The Trippin' Billies
session musician with Carl Perkins, and others
songwriter
music producer
see Trippin' Billies

Willy DeVille (William Borsay)

b. 1950 in Stamford, CT
rock/soul/blues/doo-wop/country singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica, dobro
"(Due to) Gun Control" (1987), "Key to My Heart" (1990), "I Can Only Give You Everything" (1992), "Even While I Sleep" (1992), "Lily's Daddy's Cadillac" (1993), "Every Dog Has it's Day" (1995), "Just Off Decatur Street" (1995), "One Love, One Lifetime" (1999), "Downside of Town" (2004), "Been There, Done That" (2008)
founding member of Mink DeVille (1974-85), "Gunslinger" (1977, he wrote), "She's So Tough" (1977, he wrote), "Mixed-Up, Shook-Up Girl" (1977, he wrote), "Desperate Days" (1978, he wrote), "Just Your Friends" (1978, he co-wrote), "I Broke That Promise" (1978, he wrote), "This Must Be the Night" (1980, he wrote), "Turn You Every Way But Loose" (1980, he wrote), "Just to Walk That Little Girl Home" (1980, he co-wrote), "Maybe Tomorrow" (1981, he wrote), "Just Give Me One Good Reason" (1981, he wrote)
songwriter

Geoff Downes (Geoffrey Downes)

b. 1952 in Cheshire, England
rock singer
instrument: keyboards
founding member of The Buggles (1979-82, "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1979), "Living in the Plastic Age" (1979), "Rainbow Warrior" (1982)
with Yes (1980)
founding member of Asia (1981-85, 1990-91), "Only Time Will Tell" (#17 1982), "Heat of the Moment" (#4 1982), "Don't Cry" (#10 1983), "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" (#34 1983), "Go" (#46 1985), "Days Like These" (#64 1990)
with White (2005)
with Trapeze (1993), "You Are the Music" (1993), "Touch My Life" (1993)
duets with John Wetton, "Please Change Your Mind" (2005), "Meet Me at Midnight" (2005)
songwriter
see Asia on Wikipedia

Judd Erickson

b. 1953 in Richfield, MN
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Toys and Games" (1993), "Forget About You" (1993), "Someday" (1999)
founding member of Whiskey River (1973- )
songwriter

Marcy Marxer

b. 1956 in MI
folk/country singer, yodeler
instruments: guitar, mandolin, button accordion, hammered dulcimer
duets with Cathy Fink, "Seasons Change" (1997), "Voice on the Wind" (1997), "Halfway There" (1997), "Goodnight Waltz" (2000), "Survivors of the Storm" (2002), "Fool's Gold" (2002)
songwriter
see Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer

Tim Mensy (Timothy Menzies)

b. 1959 in Mechanicsville, VA
country/rock singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"Hometown Advantage" (#67c 1989, he co-wrote), "You Still Love Me in My Dreams" (#82c 1990, he wrote), "That's Good" (#52c 1992, he co-wrote), "She Dreams" (#74c 1993, he co-wrote), "I Just Wanted You to Know" (2002), "Feels Like Love to Me" (2002), "I Don't Want to Be That Strong" (2002)
founding member of Bandana (1981-86), "Guilty Eyes" (#37c 1982), "The Killin' Kind" (1982), "I Can't Get Over You (Getting Over Me)" (#29c 1983), "Outside Lookin' in" (#18c 1983), "All I Wanna Do (is Make Love to You)" (#52c 1984), "Lovin' Up a Storm" (#37c 1985), "Touch Me" (#54c 1986)
session musician with Mark Chesnut, George Jones, Trisha Yearwood, and others
songwriter
he has had several operations for a hearing problem

Jo Dee Messina (Jo-Dee Marie Messina)

b. 1970 in Farmingham, MA (grew up in Holliston, MA)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Heads Carolina, Tails California" (#2c 1996), * "You're Not in Kansas Anymore" (#7c 1996), "Bye Bye" (#43 #1c 1997), "I'm Alright" (#43, #1c 1998), "Stand Beside Me" (#34, #1c 1998), "Lesson in Leavin'" (#28, #2c 1998), * "Because You Love Me" (#53, #8c 1999), "That's the Way" (#25, #1c 2000), "Burn" (#42, #2c 2000), "Downtime" (#46, #5c 2000), "Was That My Life?" (#21c 2003), "My Give-a-Damn's Busted" (#63, #1c 2005), "Biker Chick" (2007)
duet with Tim McGraw, * "Bring on the Rain" (#36, #1c 2001)
see Jo Dee Messina

Henry Paul (Henry Paul III)

b. 1949 in Kingston, NY (grew up in FL)
country/rock singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
founding member of The Outlaws (1972-77, 1986-89, 2005- ), "There Goes Another Love Song" (#34 1975), "Green Grass and High Tides" (1975), "Girl From Ohio" (1976), "Hearin' My Heart Talkin'" (1977), "Hurry Sundown" (#60 1977), "One Last Ride" (1986), "Lady Luck" (1986), "Racin' for the Red Light" (1986)
founding member of the Henry Paul Band, "Lonely Dreamer" (1979, he co-wrote), "Distant Riders" (1981), "Go Down Rockin'" (1982), "Whiskey Talkin'" (1982), "Circle of Silence" (1982), "Cold War" (1982), "Tragedy" (1982)
founding member and lead singer of Blackhawk, "Goodbye Says it All" (#11c 1993), "I Sure Can Smell the Rain" (#9c 1994), "Every Once in a While" (#2c 1994, he co-wrote), "That's Just about Right" (#7c 1995), "I'm Not Strong Enough to Say No" (#2c 1995), "Like There Ain't No Yesterday" (#3c 1995), "Almost a Memory Now" (#11c 1996), "Postmarked Birmingham" (#37c 1997), * "Always Have, Always Will" (1998), "There You Have it" (#41, #4c 1998), "Your Own Little Corner of My Heart" (#27c 1999)
see The Outlaws
see Henry Paul

Ray Pollard (Ray W. Pollard)

b. 1930 – d. 26 Jan 2005 in Las Vegas, NV (cancer)
pop/jazz/R&B singer
"Darling, Take Me Back, I'm Sorry" (1965), "All the Things You Are" (1966)
founding member and lead singer of The Wanderers (1953-65), "Three Roses" (1954), "Say Hey, Willie Mays" (1954), "I Walked Through a Forest" (1959), "For Your Love" (#93 1961), "Somebody Else's Sweetheart" (1961), "There is No Greater Love" (#88 1962), "After He Breaks Your Heart" (1963)
actor
served in the Korean War
see The Wanderers on R&B Notebooks

Jerry 'Burrhead' Rivers

b. 1928 in Miami, FL (grew up in Nashville, TN) – d. 4 Oct 1996 in Nashville, TN (cancer)
country singer
instrument: fiddle
with The Drifting Cowboys (1949-53, 1977-96), "Rag Mop" (#90c 1978)
The Drifting Cowboys backing Hank Williams, "Honky-Tonk Blues" (#2c 1952), "You Win Again" (#10 1952), "Baby, We're Really in Love" (#4c 1952), "Half As Much" (#10c 1952), "I'll Never Get Out of the World Alive" (#1c 1952), "Your Cheatin' Heart" (#1c 1953), "Take These Chains from My Heart" (#1c 1953), "Kaw-Liga" (#1c 1953)
The Drifting Cowboys backed Jett Williams (1989-96)
with Billy Thundercloud and the Chieftones (1975- ), "What Time of Day?" (#16c 1975), "Indian Nation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)" (#74c 1976), "Try a Little Tenderness" (#47c 1976), "It's Alright" (#77c 1976)
session musician on Keith Whitley's "Some Old Side Road" (#16c 1987), and others
see The Drifting Cowboys

Walter Williams

b. 1942 in Canton, OH
soul/rock singer
founding member of The O'Jays (1963-77), "Lonely Drifter" (#93 1963), "The Storm is Over" (1964), "Lipstick Traces" (1965), "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)" (#66 1967), "One-Night Affair" (#68 1969), "Deeper (in Love with You)" (#64 1970), "Back Stabbers" (#3 1972), "Love Train" (#1 1972), "992 Arguments" (#57 1972), "Time to Get Down" (#33 1973), "Don't You Know a True Love (When You See Her)?" (1974), "Put Your Hands Together" (#10 1974), "For the Love of Money" (#9 1974), "I Love Music" (#5 1975), "Give the People What They Want" (#45 1975), "Livin' for the Weekend" (#20 1976), "Message in Our Music" (#49 1976)

August 26

Don Bowman

b. 1937 in Lubbock, TX or Lorinzo, TX
country/novelty singer
instrument: guitar
"Coward of the Alamo" (1961), "That'll Never Sell Records" (1964), "Chit Akins, Make Me a Star" (#14c 1964, he wrote), "I Never Did Finish That Song" (1964), "I Fell Out of Love with Love" (1965), "What Kind of Fool Am I?" (1966), "Surely Not" (1966), "Freda on the Freeway" (1966), "House of the Setting Sun" (1968), "Just Came to Get Burford Outta Jail" (1969), "I Don't Love You Anymore I Guess" (1970)
with Friends, "Poor Old Ugly Gladys Jones" (#70c 1969, he co-wrote)
duet with Skeeter Davis, "For Lovin' You" (#72c 1967)
songwriter
comedian

Bob Cowsill (Robert Paul Cowsill)

b. 1949 in Newport, RI
pop/rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Cowsills (1965-71, and reunions), "Siamese Cat" (1966), "The Rain, the Park and Other Things" (#2 1967), "We Can Fly" (#21 1967), "In Need of a Friend" (#54 1968), "Poor Baby" (#44 1968), "Hair" (#2 1969)
duet with Gretchen Harris, "I Am" (2001)
session musician on Phil Seymour's "Dance a Dream" (1982, he co-wrote); and with Harry Chapin, Dwight Twilley, and others
songwriter
see The Cowsills

Chris Curtis (Christopher Crummey)

b. 1941 in Lancashire, England – d. 28 Feb 2005 in England
rock/R&B/pop singer
instruments: drums, percussions
"Aggravation" (1966), "Have I Done Something Wrong?" (1966)
with The Searchers (1960-66), "Sugar and Spice" (#44 1963), "Needles and Pins" (#13 1964), "Don't Throw Your Love Away" (#16 1964), "Someday We're Gonna Love Again" (#34 1964), * "When You Walk in the Room" (#35 1964), "I'll Be Missing You" (1964), "This Feeling Inside" (1964), "Love Potion #9" (#3 1964), "What Have They Done to the Rain?" (#29 1964), "I'll Pretend I'm With You" (1964), "Bumble Bee" (#21 1965)
founding member of Deep Purple (1968, left before any recordings)
songwriter
see The Searchers

Vic Dana

b. 1942 in Buffalo, NY
pop singer
"The Story Behind My Tears" (1961), "Little Altar Boy" (#45 1961), "I Will" (#47 1962), "More" (#42 1963), "Heart, Hand and Teardrops" (1963), "Shangri-La" (#27 1964), "Voice in the Wind" (1964), "Garden in the Rain" (#97 1964), "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" (#10 1965), "Moonlight and Roses (Bring Mem'ries of You)" (#51 1965), "I Love You Drops" (#30 1966), "A Lifetime Lovin' You" (1967), "Look of Leavin'" (1969), "If I Never Knew Your Name" (#47 1970), "Another Dream Shot Down" (1970)
dancer

Ernie Fields

b. 1905 in Nacogdoches, TX - d. 11 May 1997
swing/jazz/R&B musician, instruments: trombone, sax, baritone sax, flute, piano
founding member and leader of the Ernie Fields Orchestra, "Long Long Highway" (1954), "The Charleston" (1958), "Tuxedo Junction" (1958), "Annie's Rock" (1958), "In the Mood" (#4 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Christopher Columbus" (1959), "Sweet Slumber" (1960)
session musician
arranger

Bruce Gust

b. 19?? in Hilton, NY
country singer
instruments: drums, percussions
with Western Flyer (199?-97), "Western Flyer" (#61c 1994), "She Should've Been Mine" (#62c 1994), "I Would Give Anything" (1994), "Cherokee Highway" (#75c 1995), "Liar's Moon" (1994), "What Will You Do with M-E?" (#21c 1996)

Lee Hilliard

b. 19?? in Danville, VA
country singer (tenor)
founding member of 4Runner (1994-96, 2002- ), "Cain's Blood" (#26c 1995), "A Heart with a Four-Wheel Drive" (#51c 1995), "You Make the Moonlight" (1995), "Ripples" (#57c 1996), "That Was Him (This is Now)" (#54c 1996), "Ragged Angel" (2003), "Forrest County Line" (#59c 2003)
backup singer for Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, and others
songwriter
see 4Runner on WikipediA

Leon Hughes (Thomas Leon Hughes)

b. 1932 in Los Angeles County, CA
doo-wop/novelty/rock singer (tenor)
with The Hollywood Flames (1952-53)
with The Celebritys, "This is My Plea" (1956), "Absent Minded" (1956)
founding member of The Coasters (1955-57, and reunions), "One Kiss Led to Another" (1956), "Searchin'" (#3 1957), "Three Cool Cats" (1958)
with The Dukes, "Looking for You" (1959), "Leap Year Cha Cha" (1959)
see The Coasters
see The Hollywood Flames on R&B Notebooks

Jimmy Olander

b. 1961 in Minneapolis, MN or Palo Verdes, CA
country/rock musician, instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo
founding member of Diamond Rio (1989- ), "Meet in the Middle" (#1c 1991), "Mirror, Mirror" (#3c 1991), "Norma Jean Riley" (#2c 1992), "In a Week or Two" (#2c 1992), "Oh Me, Oh My, Sweet Baby" (#5c 1993), "Love a Little Stronger" (#2c 1994), "Finish What We Started" (#19c 1994), "Walkin' Away" (#2c 1995), "That's What I Get for Lovin' You" (#4c 1996), "Holdin'" (#4c 1996), "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" (#1c 1997), "Imagine That" (#4c 1997), * "Unbelievable" (#36, #2c 1998), "You're Gone" (#4c 1998), "Two-Pump Texaco" (1998), * "One More Day with You" (#29, #1c 2001), * "I Believe" (#31, #1c 2002), "Beautiful Mess" (#28, #1c 2002), "Wrinkles" (#16c 2003), "We All Fall Down" (#45c 2004), "Can't You Tell?" (#43c 2005), "God Only Cries" (#30c 2006)
skydiver
md. to Claudia Fontenot (1995- )
see Diamond Rio

Rene Ornelas (Rene Victor Ornelas)

b. 1936 in Laredo, TX
pop singer
founding member of Rene and Rene, "Angelito" (1964), "I'm Not the Only One" (1965), "Lo Mucho Que Te Quiero (The More I Love You)" (#14 1968, One-Hit Wonder)

Billy Rush

b. 1952
rock/soul/blues singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1975-85), "I Don't Want to Go Home" (1976), "This Time it's for Real" (1977), "Love on the Wrong Side of Town" (1977), "When You Dance" (1977), "Hearts of Stone" (1978), "All I Want is Everything" (1979, he co-wrote), "Can't Stop Thinking of You" (1983), "Tell Me Lies" (1984)
session musician
songwriter
see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Valerie Simpson

b. 1946 in the Bronx, NY
soul/R&B singer
instrument: piano
"Can't it Wait Until Tomorrow?" (1971), "Back to Nowhere" (1971), "Silly, Wasn't I?" (1972), "I Believe I'm Gonna Take This Ride" (1972)
duets with Nickolas Ashford as Valerie and Nick, "It Ain't Like That" (1964), "You Don't Owe Me a Thing" (1964)
founding member of Ashford and Simpson (1973- ), "(I'd Know You) Anywhere" (#88 1974), "Don't Cost You Nothing" (#79 1978), "Found a Cure" (#36 1979), "It Shows in Your Eyes" (1981), "Street Corner" (#56 1982), "Solid as a Rock" (#12 1984)
backup singer with Jay and the Techniques, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (#19 1967), "Your Precious Love" (#5 1967), "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (#8 1968), "You're All I Need to Get By" (#7 1968); Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman" (#4 1993)
md. to songwriter/singer, Nickolas Ashford (1974- )
see Ashford and Simpson on WikipediA

Moe Tucker (Maureen Ann Tucker)

b. 1944 in Levittown, NJ
rock singer
instruments: drums (played standing up), bass, guitar
"Around and Around" (1981), "Too Shy" (1991), "I'm Sticking with You" (2002)
founding member of The Velvet Underground (1965-71, and reunions), "Here She Comes Now" (1968), "Pale Blue Eyes" (1969), "What Goes On?" (1969), "Sweet Jane" (1970)
songwriter
computer programmer

August 27

Scott Babcock

b. 1960 in Pasadena, CA
country/rock musician, instruments: drums, percussion
with Bryndle (1995, 2001), "On the Wind" (1995), "Under the Rainbow" (1995), "Til the Storm Goes By" (1995), "Forever Ride" (2001), "All I Need to Know" (2001)
session musician

Matt Basford (Matthew Basford)

b. 1962
country/rock singer
instruments: lead guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar
founding member of Yankee Grey (1986- ), "All Things Considered" (#54, #8c 1999), "I Should Have Listened to Me" (1999), "That Would Be Me" (1999), "This Time Around" (#43c 2000), "Another Nine Minutes" (#74, #15c 2000), "Not That Way for Everyone" (2002), "Friends" (2002)
session musician

Tim Bogert

b. 1944 in Ridgefield, NJ
rock musician, instrument: bass, sax
"Friend of Mine" (1981), "Little White Lies" (1981)
founding member and bassist with Vanilla Fudge (1967-70, and reunions), "You Keep Me Hanging on" (#6 1968), "Take Me for a Little While" (#38 1968), "Shotgun" (1969), "Need Love" (1969, he co-wrote)
with The Jeff Beck Group
founding member of Cactus (1970-72), "One Way...Or Another" (1971), "Restrictions" (1971), "Guiltless Glider" (1971), "You Can't Judge a Book By its Cover" (1971), "Telling You" (1972), "Bringing Me Down" (1972, he co-wrote)
with Beck, Bogert and Appice (1973), "Livin' Alone" (1973, he co-wrote)
duets with Jon Bare and Chet McCracken, "I Got the Blues" (1993), "I'll Give You More" (1993)
session musician with Bo Diddley, Rod Stewart, and others
songwriter
see Tim Bogert
see Vanilla Fudge

Jeff Cook (Jeffrey Alan Cook)

b. 1949 in Fort Payne, AL
country singer
instruments: lead guitar, keyboards, fiddle, bass
founding member of Alabama (1977- ), "My Home's in Alabama" (#17c 1980), "Tennessee River" (#1c 1980), "Why Lady Why?" (#1c 1980), "Words at Twenty Paces" (1981), * "See the Embers, Feel the Flame" (1981), * "Fantasy" (1981), * "Old Flame" (#1c 1981), * "Feels So Right" (#20, #1c 1981), "Love in the First Degree" (#15, #1c 1981), "Mountain Music" (#1c 1981), * "Never Be One" (1981), * "Close Enough to Perfect" (#65, #1c 1982), "Take Me Down" (#18, #1c 1982), "Alabama Sky" (1983), "Dixieland Delight" (#1c 1983), "Lady Down on Love" (#76, #1c 1983), "The Closer You Get" (#38, #1c 1983), "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" (#1c 1984), "When We Make Love" (#72, #1c 1984), "Roll on (Eighteen Wheeler)" (#1c 1984), * "Forty-Hour Week (for a Livin')" (#1c 1985), "(There's a) Fire in the Night" (#1c 1985), "There's No Way" (#1c 1985), "Can't Keep a Good Man Down" (#1c 1985), "She and I" (#1c 1986), "Touch Me When We're Dancing" (#1c 1986), "You've Got the Touch" (#1c 1987), "Fallin' Again" (#1c 1988), "Song of the South" (#1c 1989), "High Cotton" (#1c 1989), "If I Had You" (#1c 1989), "Southern Star" (#1c 1990), "Jukebox in My Mind" (#1c 1990), "Forever's As Far As I'll Go" (#1c 1991), "Here We Are" (#2 1991), "Then Again" (#4c 1991), "Born Country" (#2c 1991), "Down Home" (#1c 1991), "I'm in a Hurry (and Don't Know Why)" (#1c 1992), "Take a Little Trip" (#2c 1992), "Once Upon a Lifetime" (#3c 1992), "Reckless" (#1c 1993), "Cheap Seats" (#13c 1994), "T.L.C. A.S.A.P." (#7c 1994), "She Ain't Your Ordinary Girl" (#2c 1995), "In Pictures" (#4c 1995), "Give Me One More Shot" (#3c 1995), "Sad Lookin' Moon" (#2c 1997), "Why Lady Why?" (#1c 1998), "Feels So Right" (#1c 1998), "How Do You Fall in Love?" (#82, #2c 1998), "We Can't Love Like This Anymore" (#6c 1998), "Keepin' Up" (#69, #14c 1999), "When it All Goes South" (#15c 2001)
Alabama and K.T. Oslin, "Face to Face" (#1c 1988)
Alabama and Lionel Richie, "Deep River Woman" (#71, #10c 1987)
Alabama and 'N Sync, "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You" (#29, #3c 1999)
founding member of Jeff Cook and the AllStar Goodtime Band
see Alabama

J. D. Crowe (James Dee Crowe)

b. 1937 in Lexington, KY
bluegrass singer
instruments: banjo, guitar
with The Sunny Mountain Boys (1957-62)
founding member of The Bluegrass Album Band (1980-89)
with Kentucky Mountain Boys
founding member of J.D. Crowe and the New South (1972- ), "Ten Degrees and Getting Colder" (1973), "You Can Share My Blanket" (1973), "For Lovin' Me" (1973), "Will You Be Lonesome, Too?" (1978), "My Window Faces the South" (1978), "Rose-Colored Glasses" (1982), * "Say You Lied" (1986), "Belleville, GA" (1986), "Miner's Lady" (1986), "Bear Tracks" (1987), "Born to Be with You" (1987), "Blackjack" (1987), "Come on Down to My World" (1999), "(I'm So) Afraid of Losing You Again" (1999), "You Didn't Say Goodbye" (1999), "In My Next Life" (2006), "Bluebonnet Lane" (2006), "Lefty's Old Guitar" (2006)
songwriter

Chuck Girard

b. 1943 in Los Angeles, CA (grew up in Santa Rosa, CA)
pop/doo-wop/Christian rock singer
instruments: keyboards, acoustic guitar
founding member of The Castells (1959- ), "Little Sad Eyes" (1961), "Sacred" (#20 1961), "I Get Dreamy" (1961), "Echos in the Night" (1962), "Eternal Spring, Eternal Love" (1962), "So This is Love" (#21 1962), "I'd Like to Know" (1968), "Rocky Ridges" (1968)
founding member of Hondells, "Little Honda" (#9 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "You're Gonna Ride with Me" (1964), "Black Boots and Bikes" (1964), "Two-Wheel Show Stopper" (1964), "A Guy Without Wheels" (1964), "Lonely Rider" (1964), "Lay it Down (Before it's Too Late)" (1964), "Cycle Chase" (1964), "Honda Holiday" (1964), "Younger Girl" (1966), "Suzuki" (1966)
founding member of The Timers, "Competition Coupe" (1963)
founding member of Love Song (1969- )

Dickie Harrell

b. 1940 in Portsmouth, VA
rock/rockabilly musician, instrument: drums
"Drum Safari" (1962), "Chocolate on the Rocks" (1962), "Rocket Racket" (1962)
founding member of Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps (1956-58), "Be-Bop-a-Lula" (#7 1956, he co-wrote), "Race with the Devil" (#96 1956), Blue Jean Bop" (#49 1956), "Waltz of the Wind" (1956), "Pink Thunderbird" (1956), "Wear My Ring" (1957), "Red Bluejeans and a Pony Tail" (1957), "Lotta Lovin'" (#13 1957), "Cat Man" (1957), "Dance to the Bop" (#23 1958), "Say Mama" (1958), "She She Little Sheila" (1958)

Mario (Mario Dewar Barrett)

b. 1986 in Baltimore, MD
R&B/pop singer
"Just a Friend" (#4 2002), "Let Me Love You" (#1 2004), "How Could You?" (#52 2005), "How Do I Breathe?" (#46 2007)
songwriter
dancer; actor

Tommy Sands (Thomas Adrian Sands)

b. 1937 in Chicago, IL (grew up in Shreveport, LA)
pop/rockabilly/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Roses Speak Louder Than Words" (1953), "A Dime and a Dollar" (1954), "Something's Bound to Go Wrong" (1955), "Teenage Crush" (#3 1957), "Goin' Steady" (#16 1957), "Ring My Phone" (#16 1957), "Sing, Boy, Sing" (#24 1958), "You Hold the Future" (1959), "Remember Me to Jennie" (1961), "Ten Dollars and a Clean White Shirt" (1964), "One Rose Today, One Rose Tomorrow" (1965)
actor
md. to Nancy Sinatra (1960-65)
see Tommy Sands

Carter Stanley (Carter Glenn Stanley)

b. 1925 (maybe Aug 17) in Big Spraddle Creek, VA (grew up near McClure, VA) - d. 1 Dec 1966 (cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism)
bluegrass singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
founding member of The Clinch Mountain Boys (1946-66), "Rambler's Blues" (1948), "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow" (1951, 1959, 1961), "I'm Lonesome Without You" (1953), "Lonesome and Blue" (1955), "Midnight Ramble" (1958), "Gonna Paint the Town" (1958), "The Memory of Your Smile" (1959), "How Far to Little Rock?" (#17c 1960), "Stone Walls and Steel Bars" (1963), "Lips That Lie" (1963), "I Just Stood There" (1964), "Shout, Little Lucie" (1964), "Rollin' on Rubber Wheels" (1965), "The End of the Road" (1966)
The Clinch Mountain Boys were also known as The Stanley Brothers
with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1951), "Christmas Time's a Comin'" (1951)
songwriter
brother of Ralph Stanley
md. to Mary Magdalena Kiser; father of singer, Jeanie Stanley
see The Blue Grass Boys

Jeffrey Steele (Jeffrey LeVasseur)

b. 1961 in Burbank, CA
country/rock singer
instruments: bass guitar, rhythm guitar, piano
"A Girl Like You" (#60c 1997, he co-wrote), "Somethin' in the Water" (#33c 2001, he co-wrote), "Good to Go" (#49c 2003, he co-wrote), "Good Year for the Outlaw" (#54c 2004, he co-wrote), "Twenty Years Ago" (2005)
founding member and lead singer with Boy Howdy (1990-96), "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" (1991), "A Cowboy's Born With a Broken Heart" (#12c 1993, he co-wrote), "She'd Give Anything" (#4c 1994, he co-wrote), "They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore" (#2c 1994, he co-wrote), "True to His Word" (#23c 1995, he co-wrote), "She Can't Love You" (#48c 1995)
songwriter, wrote Kevin Sharp's "If You Love Somebody" (#4c 1998); co-wrote Leann Rimes' "Big Deal" (#25, #6c 1999); Rascal Flatts "These Days" (#23, #1c 2002), "What Hurts the Most" (#6, #1c 2006); Diamond Rio's "Unbelievable" (#36, #2c 1998); Steve Holy's "Brand New Girlfriend" (#40, #1 2006)
see Boy Howdy

Stephanie Winslow

b. 1956 in Yukon, SD
country singer
instrument: fiddle
"Say You Love Me" (#10c 1979), "Crying" (#14c 1980), "I Can't Remember" (#38c 1980), "Anything But Yes is Still a No" (#25c 1981), "Dakota" (1981), "When You Walk in the Room" (#29c 1981), "Don't We Belong in Love" (#40c 1982), "Dancin' With the Devil" (#29c 1984, she wrote), "I Don't Want to Talk About it" (1984), "Kisses Like Fire" (1984)
songwriter

August 28

Sherrie Austin (Sherrie Veronica Krenn)

b. 1970 in Sydney, Australia
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
"Lucky in Love" (#34c 1997, she co-wrote), "One Solitary Tear" (#41c 1997, she co-wrote), "Put Your Heart into it" (#34c 1998, she co-wrote), "Never Been Kissed" (#29c 1999, she co-wrote), "Streets of Heaven" (#18c 2003, she co-wrote), "Drivin' into the Sun" (#50c 2004, she co-wrote)
founding member of Colorhaus
songwriter
actress

Clem Cattini (Clemente Anselmo Cattini)

b. 1939 in North London, England
rock musician, instrument: drums
with The Tornadoes, "Ridin' the Wind" (1962), "Telstar" (#1 1962, One-Hit Wonder), "Globetrotter" (1963), "Phantom Surfer" (1963), "Lightnin'" (1964), "Next Stop, Kansas City" (1966)
with Johnny Kidd and the Pirates (1960-61), "Please Don't Bring Me Down" (1961)
session musician on Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (#5 1968); The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" (#7 1964); Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual" (#10 1965), "Green Green Grass of Home" (#11 1966); The New Seekers' "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (#7 1971); Edison Lighthouse's "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" (#5 1970); Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (#4 1966); Hot Chocolate's "So You Win Again" (#31 1977); Three Degrees' "When Will I See You Again?" (#2 1974); Georgie Fame's "Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde" (#7 1968); Englebert Humperdinck's "The Last Waltz" (#25 1967); T-Rex's "Get it on" (#10 1972); The Walker Brothers' "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" (#13 1966), "Make it Easy on Yourself" (#16 1965); The Bachelors' "Diane" (#10 1964); and others

Billy Grammer (Billie Wayne Grammer)

b. 1925 in Benton, IL
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle
"Gotta Travel on" (#4, #5c 1958, a pop One-Hit Wonder), "Chasing a Dream" (1958), "The Kissing Tree" (1959), "On the Job Too Long" (1959), "Unknown Soldier" (1960), "Rainbow Round My Shoulder" (1961), "I Wanna Go Home" (#18c 1962), "I'll Leave the Porch Light A-Burning" (#43c 1964), "Bottles" (1966), "Mabel, You've Been a Friend to Me" (#48 1967), "The Ballad of John Dillinger" (#70c 1968), "Jesus Was a Soul Man" (#66c 1969), "What We Have in Common is Love" (1975)
session musician for Ernest Tubb, and others
songwriter
flat-top guitar designer
served in the Army in WW II
md. to Ruth Burzynski (1944- )

Honey Lantree (Ann Margot Lantree)

b. 1943 in Middlesex, England
pop musician, instrument: drums
founding member of The Honeycombs (1963-67), * "Have I the Right?" (#5 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Is it Because?" (1964), "Leslie Anne" (1964), "I Can't Stop" (1965), "Who is Sylvia?" (1966)

Paddy McHugh

b. 1946
rock/jazz/soul singer
with Kokomo, "Kitty Sittin' Pretty" (1975), "Use Your Imagination" (1976), "Keep on Dancin'" (1982), "Nowhere to Go on Tuesday Night" (1982)
with Arrival, "I Will Survive" (1970), "Not Right Now" (1970)
see Kokomo

Abe Mulkey (Abe W. Mulkey)

b. 1826 - d. 10 Mar 2002
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Don't You Ever Leave My World" (1969), "I'll Be Sorry Tomorrow" (1970), "Until I Met You" (1970)
with Lefty Frizzell's band (1965-75), "She's Gone, Gone, Gone" (#12c 1965), "I Don't Trust You Anymore" (1965, he co-wrote), "I Never Go Around Mirrors" (#25c 1974, he co-wrote), "Lucky Arms" (#21c 1974, he co-wrote), "Life's Like Poetry" (#67c 1975), and others
backup singer with Hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard, Bob Wills, Freddie Hart, Buck Owens, and others
songwriter

Joe Osborn (aka Joe Osborne)

b. 1937 in Mound, LA (grew up in Shreveport, LA)
country/rock musician:instruments: electric bass, guitar
with Rick Nelson's band (1960-64), "Young Emotions" (#12 1960), "Travelin' Man" (#1 1961), "A Wonder Like You" (#11 1961), "Hello, Mary Lou" (#9 1961), "It's up to You" (#6 1962), "Teenage Idol" (#5 1962), "Fools Rush in" (#12 1963), "For You" (#6 1964), and others
session musician on The Mamas and Papas's "Monday, Monday" (#1 1966); Gary Lewis and the Playboys' "This Diamond Ring" (#1 1965); Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" (#1 1965); Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (#1 1970); Fifth Dimension's "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine in" (#1 1969); The Carpenters' "(They Long to Be) Close to You" (#1 1970), "Top of the World" (#1 1973), "Please, Mister Postman" (#1 1975); Johnny Rivers' "Poor Side of Town" (#1 1966); and with Bob Luman, the International Submarine Band, The Dillards, the Byrds, Kenny Rogers, Paul Simon, Mel Tillis, Bobby Sherman, Reba McEntire, and others
see Joe Osborn on Wikipedia

Wayne Osmond (Melvin Wayne Osmond)

b. 1951 in Ogden, UT
country/pop singer
instruments: flute, clarinet, sax, fiddle, banjo, guitar, piano, drums, bagpipes
founding member of The Osmond Brothers, "One Bad Apple" (#1 1971), "Double Lovin'" (#14 1971), "Chilly Winds" (1971), "Yo-Yo" (#3 1971), "Down by the Lazy River" (#4 1972), "Crazy Horses" (1972), "Love Me for a Reason" (1974), "I'm Still Gonna Need You" (1975), "I Can't Live a Dream" (1976), "Never Ending Song of Love" (1982), "I Think About Your Lovin'" (#17c 1982), "She's Ready for Someone to Love Her" (#67c 1983), "Where Does an Angel Go When She Cries?" (#43c 1984), "If Every Man Had a Woman Like You" (#39c 1984)
songwriter
actor
md. to former Miss Utah, Kathlyn White (1974- )
survived brain tumor surgery in 1997

John Perkins

b. 1931 in Toronto, Canada
folk/pop singer
founding member and lead singer of The Crew-Cuts (1952-64, 1977- ), "Crazy 'Bout You Baby" (1954), "Angels in the Sky" (#13 1954), "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)" (#1 1954), "Don't Be Angry" (#14 1955), "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" (#3 1955), "Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)" (#10 1955), "A Story Untold" (#16 1955), "Mostly Martha" (#31 1955), "Gum Drop" (#10 1955), "Whatever, Whenever, Whoever" (1957), "Forever My Darling" (1958), "Fraternity Pin" (1959), "Hip-Huggers" (1963)
brother of Ray Perkins
see The Crew-Cuts on Wikipedia

LeAnn Rimes (Margaret LeAnn Rimes)

b. 1982 in Jackson, MS (grew up in Garland, TX)
country/pop singer
"Blue" (#26, #10c 1996), "Unchained Melody" (#3c 1996), "One-Way Ticket (Because I Can)" (#1c 1996), "The Light in Your Eyes" (#5c 1997), "How Do I Live?" (#2, #1c 1997), "Commitment" (#4c 1998), "On the Side of the Angels" (#4c 1998), "Looking Through Your Eyes" (#18 1998), "The Heart Never Forgets" (1998), "Nothin' New Under the Moon" (#10c 1998), "Big Deal" (#25, #6c 1999), "I Need You" (#11, #8c 2000), "Can't Fight the Moonlight" (#11, #61c 2001), * "But I Do Love You" (#103, #18c 2001), * "Life Goes on" (#60c 2002), "Suddenly" (#43c 2002), "We Can" (2003), "This Love" (#37 2004), * "Baby, You're the Right Kind of Wrong" (2004), "Nothin' about Love Makes Sense" (#52, #5c 2005), * "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way" (#54, #3c 2005), "Somethings Gotta Give" (#51, #2c 2006), "Nothin' Better to Do" (#73, #14c 2007)
songwriter
md. to dancer, Dean Sheremet (2002- )

Shania Twain (Eileen Regina Edwards, later Twain from her step-father)

b. 1965 in Ontario, Canada
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Dance With the One That Brought You" (#55c 1995), * "Any Man of Mine" (#31, #1c 1995, she co-wrote), * "Leaving is the Only Way Out" (1995), "God Bless the Child" (1995), * "The Woman in Me (Needs the Man in You)" (#14c 1995, she co-wrote), * "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" (#11c 1995, she co-wrote), * "If You're Not in it for the Love (I'm Outta Here)" (#74, #1c 1995, she co-wrote), * "Is There Life after Love?" (1995), "You Win My Love" (#1c 1996), * "No One Needs to Know" (#1c 1996, she co-wrote), * "If You Wanna Touch Her, Ask" (1997), * "Love Gets Me Every Time" (#25, #1c 1997, she co-wrote), "Black Eyes, Blue Tears" (1997), * "Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)" (#40, #6c 1998, she co-wrote), "You're Still the One" (#2, #1c 1998, she co-wrote), "Honey, I'm Home" (#1c 1998, she co-wrote), * "You've Got a Way" (#49, #13c 1999, she co-wrote), * "That Don't Impress Me Much" (#7, #8c 1999, she co-wrote), "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" (#23, #4c 1999, she co-wrote), "Come on Over" (#58, #6c 1999, she co-wrote), "I'm Gonna Getcha Good" (#34, #7c 2002, she co-wrote), "Forever and for Always" (#20, #4c 2003, she co-wrote), "She's Not Just a Pretty Face" (#56, #9c 2004, she co-wrote), "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing" (#18c 2004, she co-wrote), "Shoes" (#29c 2005)
duet with Bryan White, * "From This Moment on" (#4, #6c 1998, she co-wrote)
duet with Billy Currington, "Party for Two" (#58, #7c 2004, she co-wrote)
songwriter
md. to music producer, Robert John 'Mutt' Lange (1993- )
see Shania Twain

Walter 'Sleepy' Ward

b. 1940 in Jackson, MS - d. 11 Dec 2006 in Los Angeles, CA
doo-wop singer
founding member and lead singer of The Olympics (1958-2006), "Western Movies" (#8 1958), "(I Wanna) Dance with the Teacher" (#71 1958), "Big Boy Pete" (#50 1960), "(Baby) Hully Gully" (#72 1960), "Shimmy Like Kate" (#42 1960), "Dance by the Light of the Moon" (#47 1960), "Dodge City" (1960), "The Bounce" (#40 1963), "A New Dancin' Partner" (1963), "Good Lovin'" (#81 1965), "Mine Exclusively" (1966)
his last performance with The Olympics was a month before his death

August 29

Gene Allison (Versle Eugene Allison)

b. 1934/35 in Pegram, TN (grew up in Nashville, TN) - d. 28 Feb 1969 in Nashville, TN (liver and kidney failure)
R&B singer
"Hey Hey, I Love You" (1957), "You Can Make it if You Try" (#36 1958), "Have Faith" (1959), "Oh Yeah, I'm in Love" (1960), "Now Hear This" (1965), "It's Almost Sundown" (1969)
soul food restaurant owner

Shawn Camp

b. 1966 in Little Rock, AR (grew up near Perryville, AK)
country singer
instruments: fiddle, guitar
"Fallin' Never Felt So Good" (#39c 1993, he co-wrote), "Confessin' My Love" (#39c 1994, he co-wrote), "Middle of Nowhere" (2001), "Been There, Done That" (2001), "My Love Will Not Change" (2004), "Magnolia Wind" (2004), "Waitin' for the Day to Break" (2006)
session musician with Nanci Griffith, John Prine, The Osborne Brothers, Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Garth Brooks' "Two Pina Coladas" (#1c 1998); Brooks and Dunn's "How Long Gone" (#1c 1998); Blake Shelton's "Nobody But Me" (#4c 2006); Josh Turner's "Would You Go with Me?" (#1c 2006)

Chris Copping

b. 1945 in Lancashire, England
rock backup singer
instruments: organ, bass, piano, keyboards, banjo, guitar
with Procol Harum (1970-77), "Conquistador" (#16 1972), "Fires (Which Burnt Brightly)" (1973), "Pandora's Box" (1975)
Procol Harum was named for a Latin phrase that the founding members thought meant 'beyond these things'; an asteroid and and orchid have both been named after the band
with The Paramounts (1960-62)
session musician
actor

Dick Halligan (Richard Halligan)

b. 1943 in Troy, NY
rock/jazz singer
instruments: trombone, piano, organ, keyboards, flute
founding member of Blood Sweat and Tears (1967-71), "Meagan's Gypsy Eyes" (1968), "You've Made Me So Very Happy" (#2 1969), "More and More/Spinning Wheel" (#2 1969), "And When I Die" (#2 1969), "Hi-De-Ho" (#14 1970), "Lucretia MacEvil" (#29 1970), "Go Down Gamblin'" (#32 1971), "Lisa, Listen to Me" (#73 1971, he co-wrote)
songwriter
arranger
see Blood, Sweat and Tears

Dave Jenkins (David Jenkins)

b. 1947
rock/country singer
instruments: lead guitar, bass
founding member of Pablo Cruise (1966- , replaced Tim Goodman), "Love Will Find a Way" (#6 1978), "Cool Love" (#13 1981)
with Southern Pacific (1987-88), "Midnight Highway" (#14c 1988), "New Shade of Blue" (#2c 1988), "Bail Out" (1988), "Wheels on the Line" (1988), "Honey, I Dare You" (#5c 1989, he co-wrote)
Southern Pacific and Carlene Carter, "Time's Up" (#26c 1989)
see Southern Pacific on Wikipedia

Sterling Morrison (Holmes Sterling Morrison, Jr.)

b. 1942 in East Meadow, NY – d. 30 Aug 1995 in Poughkeepsie, NY (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
rock backup singer
instruments: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass
founding member of The Velvet Underground (1965-71, and reunions), "Here She Comes Now" (1968, he co-wrote), "Pale Blue Eyes" (1969), "What Goes On?" (1969), "Sweet Jane" (1970)
session musician
songwriter
tugboat captain
see Sterling Morrison

Billy Myles (William Myles Nobles)

b. 1934 - d. 9 Oct 2004
pop/doo-wop singer
"The Joker (That's What They Call Me)" (#25 1957, One-Hit Wonder), "Honey Bee" (1957), "The Price of Your Love" (1958), "So in Need of You" (1958, he wrote)
songwriter, wrote Jackie Wilson's "(You Were Made for) All My Love" (#12 1960), "Your One and Only Love" (#40 1961); The Dubs' "Chapel of Dreams" (#74 1959)

Jimmy Newman (Jimmy Yves Newman aka Jimmy C. Newman)

b. 1927 in High Point, LA
cajun/country singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle, accordion
"Cry, Cry, Darling" (#4c 1954, he co-wrote), "Diggy Liggy Lo" (1954), "Daydreamin'" (#7c 1955), "Crying for a Pastime" (1955), "Blue Darlin'" (#7c 1955), "God Was So Good" (#9c 1956), "Seasons of My Heart" (#9c 1956), "I Wanna Tell All the World" (1956), "A Fallen Star" (#23, #2c 1957, One-Hit Wonder), "You're Makin' a Fool Out of Me" (#7c 1958), "Outside Your Door" (1958), "Grin and Bear it" (#9c 1959), "Walkin' Down the Road" (#29c 1959), "Lovely Work of Art" (#6c 1960), "Wanting You with Me Tonight" (#11c 1960), "Alligator Man" (#22c 1962), "DJ for a Day" (#9c 1963), "Artificial Rose" (#8c 1965), "Back-Pocket Money" (#10c 1966), "Louisiana Saturday Night" (#24c 1967, he co-wrote), "Blue, Lonely Winter" (#11c 1968, he co-wrote), "I'm Holding Your Memory (But He's Holding You)" (#65c 1970), "Acadian Rose" (1981)
songwriter

Johnny Paris (Johnny Pocisk)

b. 1940 in Walbridge, OH - d. 1 May 2006
rock musician, instrument: sax
founding member of Johnny and the Hurricanes (1959- ), "Crossfire" (#23 1959), "Red River Rock" (#5 1959), "Reveille Rock" (#25 1959), "Beatnik Fly" (#15 1960), "Down Yonder" (#48 1960), "Sheba" (1960), "Rocking Goose" (#60 1960), "You Are My Sunshine" (#91 1960), "Ja-Da" (#86 1961), "High Voltage" (1961), "Greens and Beans" (1963), "Rough Road" (1963)
md. to Sonja Reuter
raised Bull Mastiffs

Charlie 'Bird' Parker (Charles Christopher Parker, Jr. aka 'Yardbird')

b. 1920 in Kansas City, KS (grew up in Kansas City, MO) – d. 12 Mar 1955 in NY (pneumonia and bleeding ulcer after years of alcohol and drug use)
jazz/be-bop/blues musician, instruments: alto sax, tenor Sax
"Wichita Blues" (1940), "Swingmatism" (1941), "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" (1942), "Ko-ko" (1944, he wrote), "Steeplechase" (1944, he wrote), "Cool Blues" (1945, he wrote), "Billie's Bounce" (1945, he wrote), "Confirmation" (1947, he co-wrote), "Donna Lee" (1947), "Stupendous" (1947, he co-wrote), "Lester Leaps in" (1948), "Cardboard" (1949)
founding member of The Charlie Parker Quartet, "This is Always" (1947), "Dark Shadows" (1947)
founding member of The Charlie Parker Quintet, "Ornithology" (1946, he co-wrote), "Dizzy Atmosphere" (1947), "Dexterity" (1947)
session musician with Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn, Red Norvo, Benny Goodman, and others
songwriter
co-creator of bebop

Pam Rose (Pamela Rose Thacker)

b. 19?? in Chattanooga, TN (grew up in Eau Gallie, FL)
country singer
instruments: guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, banjo
"Midnight Flight" (#83c 1977), "Runaway Heart" (#93c 1977), "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet" (#60c 1980), "It's Not Supposed to Be That Way" (#52c 1980), "I Knew You When" (2004, she co-wrote), "If I Fly" (2007, she co-wrote)
founding member of Calamity Jane (1981- ), "Send Me Somebody to Love" (#61c 1981), "Walkin' After Midnight" (#60c 1982), "Love Wheel" (#87c 1982, she co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote Lee Greenwood's "Ring one Her Finger, Time on Her Hands" (#5c 1982); Martina McBride's "Safe in the Arms of Love" (#4c 1996); Restless Heart's "I'll Still Be Loving You" (#33, #1c 1987); Patty Loveless' "You Will" (#6 1993); Lee Greenwood's "Dixie Road" (#1c 1985); Tom Wopat's "A Little Bit Closer" (#18c 1988); Janie Fricke's "The First Word in Memory is Me" (#7c 1985), "Somebody Else's Fire" (#4c 1985); Pam Tillis' "Goodbye Highway" (#71c 1984); Crystal Gayle's "Me Against the Night" (#4c 1985)

Don Schlitz

b. 1952 in Durham, NC
country singer
instrument: guitar
"The Gambler" (#65c 1978, he wrote), "You're the One Who Rewrote My Life Story" (#91c 1979), "I've Been Loved" (1980), "Say the Word" (1980), "Walkin' the Walk" (1980), "Blank Sheet of Paper" (2001), "I Watched it All on My Radio" (2001, he wrote), "Give Me Wings" (2001), "Aunt Jenny's Blue Dress" (2001), "One Picture's Worth" (2001), "Six Words" (2001)
songwriter, wrote Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" (#16, #1c 1979); The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Stand a Little Rain" (#5c 1986), "I Love Only You" (#3c 1984); The Judds' "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" (#1c 1986); John Conlee's "Old School" (#5c 1985)
co-wrote "Randy Travis' "On the Other Hand" (#1c 1986), "Heroes and Friends" (#3c 1991), "Forever and Ever, Amen" (#1c 1987); Collin Raye's "I Think about You" (#3c 1996); Mary Chapin-Carpenter's "I Feel Lucky" (#4c 1992), "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" (#2c 1994); Paul Overstreet's "Ball and Chain" (#5c 1991); Alabama's "Forty-Hour Week (for a Livin')" (#1c 1985)

Dan Truman

b. 1956 in Flagstaff, AZ (grew up in St. George, UT)
country/rock musician, instruments: keyboards, piano
founding member of Diamond Rio (1989- ), "Meet in the Middle" (#1c 1991), "Mirror, Mirror" (#3c 1991), "Norma Jean Riley" (#2c 1992, he wrote), "In a Week or Two" (#2c 1992), "Oh Me, Oh My, Sweet Baby" (#5c 1993), "Love a Little Stronger" (#2c 1994), "Finish What We Started" (#19c 1994), "Walkin' Away" (#2c 1995), "That's What I Get for Lovin' You" (#4c 1996), "Holdin'" (#4c 1996), "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" (#1c 1997), "Imagine That" (#4c 1997), * "Unbelievable" (#36, #2c 1998), "You're Gone" (#4c 1998), "Two-Pump Texaco" (1998), * "One More Day with You" (#29, #1c 2001), * "I Believe" (#31, #1c 2002), "Beautiful Mess" (#28, #1c 2002), "Wrinkles" (#16c 2003), "We All Fall Down" (#45c 2004), "Can't You Tell?" (#43c 2005), "God Only Cries" (#30c 2006)
songwriter
see Diamond Rio

Dinah Washington (Ruth Lee Jones aka 'Queen of the Blues')

b. 1924 in Tuscaloosa, AL (grew up in Chicago, IL) – d. 14 Dec 1963 in Detroit, MI (mixing alcohol and sleeping pills)
blues/jazz/R&B singer
instrument: piano
"Good Daddy Blues" (1949, she wrote), "I Only Know" (#3 1950, she wrote), "Unforgettable" (#17 1959), "What a Difference a Day Makes" (#8 1959), "This Bitter Earth" (#24 1960), "Love Walked in" (#30 1960), "September in the Rain" (#23 1961), "Where are You?" (#36 1962), "A Foggy Day in London" (1962), "Let Me Be the First to Know" (1963)
duets with Brook Benton, "Baby, You've Got What it Takes" (#5 1960), "A Rockin' Good Way (to Mess Around and Fall in Love)" (#7 1960)
songwriter
md. 7th to football player, Dick 'Night Train' Lane (19??-63, her death)
see Dinah Washington on Wikipedia

August 30

Danny Alguire

b. 1912 in Chickasha, OK - d. 1992
western swing/jazz singer
instruments: trumpet, cornet
with The Texas Playboys (1942), "Cherokee Maiden" (1942), "You're from Texas" (1942)
with Firehouse Five Plus Two, "Fireman's Lament" (1955), "Firehouse Stomp" (1955), "Show Me the Way to the Fire" (1955), "Brass Bell" (1955), "Alabama Jubilee" (1956), "I'm Gonna Charleston Back to Charleston" (1956), "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home?" (1962), "Tiger Rag" (1962)
session musician with The Browns, T. Texas Tyler, and others
see The Texas Playboys

Chuck Colbert (Charles Colbert)

b. 1944 in IL
rock/soul singer
instrument: bass
"You Lied to Me" (2000, he wrote), "Johnnie Didn't Know" (2000), "I Don't Do That" (2001, he wrote), "Dance the Night Away" (2001)
founding member of American Breed (1966-69), "Step Out of Your Mind" (#25 1967), "Same Old Thing" (1967), "Short Skirts" (1967), "Bend Me, Shape Me" (#1 1968), "Green Light" (#20 1968)
founding member of Ask Rufus, "Tell Me Something Good" (#3 1974), "You Got the Love" (#11 1974), "Sweet Thing" (#5 1976)
songwriter
father of Catero Colbert

Jon Corneal

b. 1946 in Auburndale, FL
country/rock singer
instruments: drums, guitar
founding member and drummer with the International Submarine Band (1967-68, 2000), "Luxury Liner" (1968), "Miller's Cave" (1968)
founding member of The Dizzy Rambler
drummer with The Glaser Brothers (1971-73), "That's When I Love You the Most" (1971), "Rings" (#7c 1971), "Ain't it All Worth Living For?" (#15c 1972), "She's Sweet, She's Kind and She's Mine" (1972, he wrote), "Phoney World" (1972, he wrote)
The Glaser Brothers and Leon McAuliffe and the Cimarron Boys, "Faded Love" (#22c 1971)
with Dillard and Clark (1969), "The Radio Song" (1969)
session musician with The Wilburn Brothers, Lorretta Lynn, the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and others
songwriter
songwriter

Geoff Firebaugh

b. 1968
country/rock/rockabilly/western swing musician, instrument: bass
with BR5-49 (2004- ), "She's Talking to Someone (She's Not Talking to Me)" (2004), "A-1 on the Jukebox" (2006), "After the Hurricane" (2006)
served in the Army

Jim Hager

b. 1946 in Chicago, IL - d. 1 May 2008 (heart attack)
country singer
instruments: guitar, drums
founding member of The Hagers, "Gotta Get to Oklahoma ('Cause California's Gettin' to Me)" (#41c 1969), "Loneliness Without You" (#74c 1970), "Silver Wings" (#59c 1970, he co-wrote), "I'm Miles Away" (#47c 1971), "You Can't Get There From Here" (1974)
songwriter
comedian; actor
served in the Army
identical twin of Jon Hager

Jon Hager

b. 1946 in Chicago, IL
country singer
instruments: guitar, drums
founding member of The Hagers, "Gotta Get to Oklahoma ('Cause California's Gettin' to Me)" (#41c 1969), "Loneliness Without You" (#74c 1970), "Silver Wings" (#59c 1970), "I'm Miles Away" (#47c 1971), "You Can't Get There From Here" (1974)
comedian; actor
served in the Army
identical twin of Jim Hager

Jana Jae (Jana Margaret Meyer)

b. 1942 in Great Falls, MT
country/western swing/bluegrass singer
instruments: fiddle, guitar, bass, piano
"Orange Blossom Very Special" (1999), "Don't Rock the Boat" (1999), "The Devil Went on to Tulsa" (1999), "Blue Valley Waltz" (2007), "Faded Love" (2007)
founding member and leader of Hotwire
first female in Buck Owen's Buckaroos (1974-7?)
md. to Sydney Greif; md. to Buck Owens (1977-78)
see Jana Jae

John McNally

b. 1941 in England
rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
founding member of The Searchers (1957- ), "Sugar and Spice" (#44 1963), "Needles and Pins" (#13 1964), "Don't Throw Your Love Away" (#16 1964), "Someday We're Gonna Love Again" (#34 1964), * "When You Walk in the Room" (#35 1964), "I'll Be Missing You" (1964), "This Feeling Inside" (1964), "Love Potion #9" (#3 1964), "What Have They Done to the Rain?" (#29 1964), "I'll Pretend I'm With You" (1964), "Bumble Bee" (#21 1965), "Over the Weekend" (1969)
see The Searchers

Chuck Miller (Charles Nelson Miller)

b. 1924 near Wellington, KS - d. 15 Jan 2000 in Maui, HI
rockabilly/pop/rock singer
instrument: piano
"Am I To Blame?" (1953), "Idaho Red" (1954), "The House of Blue Lights" (#9 1955, One-Hit Wonder), "Can't Help Wonderin'" (1955, he wrote), "Lookout Mountain" (1955), "Bright Red Convertible" (1956), "Cool it, Baby" (1956), "The Auctioneer" (#59 1956), "After Yesterday" (1957), "Down the Road a Piece" (1958)
founding member of the Chuck Miller Trio, "Hoopahoola Boogie" (1954, he wrote), "Something to Live For" (1955)
songwriter

Bobby Phillips (Robert Phillips)

b. 1935
doo-wop/R&B singer (bass)
founding member of The Cadillacs (1954-60, and reunions), "Let Me Explain" (1955), "Widow Lady" (1955), "Speedo" (#17 1956)
see The Cadillacs on Wikipedia

John Phillips (John Edmund Andrew Phillips)

b. 1935 in Parris Island, SC (grew up in Alexandria, VA) – d. 18 Mar 2001 (heart failure)
pop/folk/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Mississippi" (#32, #58c 1970, One-Hit Wonder), "April Anne" (1970), "Promise Not to Tell" (1970), "Slow Starter" (2001), "There is a Place" (2001)
founding member of The Mamas and Papas (1964-68, and reunions), * "California Dreamin'" (#4 1966), "Monday, Monday" (#1 1966, he wrote), "Words of Love" (#5 1966), * "Creeque Alley" #5 1967), * "Dedicated to the One I Love" (#2 1967), * "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (1968)
songwriter
music producer
md. 1st to Susan Adams; md. 2nd to singer, Michelle Gilliam (1962-70); md. 3rd to actress, Genevieve Waite (1972- ); md. 4th to Farnaz (19??-2001, his death)
father of MacKenzie and Chynna Phillips
received a liver transplant in 1992 but continued to drink
see Dream a Little Dream
see The Mamas and the Papas

Kitty Wells (Muriel Ellen Deason aka 'Queen of Country Music')

b. 1918/19 in Nashville, TN
country singer
instrument: guitar
* "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels" (#1c 1952, reply to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life", first #1 country hit by a female artist), "Paying for the Back-Street Affair" (#6c 1953, reply to Webb Pierce's "Back Street Affair"), "Release Me" (#8c 1954), "Thou Shalt Not Steal" (#14c 1954), "Making Believe" (#2c 1955), "Whose Shoulder Will You Cry On?" (#7c 1955), "Searching (for Someone Like You)" (#3c 1956), "Repenting" (#6c 1957), "She's No Angel" (#3c 1957), "Three Ways (to Love You)" (#7c 1957), "Jealousy" (#78, #7c 1958), "I Can't Stop Loving You" (#3c 1958), "Your Wild Life's Gonna Get You Down" (#12c 1959), "Mommy for a Day" (#5c 1959), "I Heard the Jukebox Playing" (1959), "Amigo's Guitar" (#5c 1959, she co-wrote), "Left to Right" (#5c 1960), "Heartbreak U.S.A." (#1c 1961), "We Missed You" (#7c 1962), "A Heartache for a Keepsake" (#29c 1963), "Password" (#4c 1964), "You Don't Hear" (#4c 1965), "A Woman Half My Age" (#15c 1966), "It's All Over But the Crying" (#14c 1966), "Queen of Honky-Tonk Street" (#28c 1967), "A Truck Driver's Sweetheart" (1968), "There Won't Be Any Tree This Christmas" (1969), "Thank You for the Roses" (#75c 1979)
duets with Red Foley, "One by One" (#1c 1954), "As Long As I Live" (#3c 1955), "No One But You" (#3c 1956), "I'm Counting on You" (#6c 1957), "You and Me" (#3c 1961), "Make Believe (Till We Can Make it Come True)" (1961), "Happiness Means You" (#43c 1967)
duets with Webb Pierce, "One Week Later" (#12c 1958), "Finally" (#9c 1964)
duet with Roy Drusky, "I Can't Tell My Heart That" (#26c 1960)
duets with Johnnie Wright, "We'll Stick Together" (#54c 1968), "Heartbreak Waltz" (1968)
songwriter
md. to Johnnie Wright (1937- ); mother of Ruby Wells
see Kitty Wells

August 31

Jerry Allison (Jerry Ivan Allison aka Ivan Allison)

b. 1939 in Hillsboro, TX
rock singer
instruments: drums, percussions
"Everybody's Got a Little Problem" (1965, he wrote)
with The Crickets (with and without Buddy Holly), * "Rock Around with Ollie Vee" (1957), "Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues" (1957), * "That'll Be the Day" (#1 1957, he co-wrote), * "Peggy Sue" (#3 1957, he co-wrote), * "Not Fade Away" (1957), * "Oh, Boy" (#10 1957), * "Words of Love" (1957), * "Tell Me How" (1957), * "Lookin' for Someone to Love" (1957), * "Rave on" (#37 1958), * "Well, All Right" (1958, he co-wrote), * "Think it Over" (#27 1958, he co-wrote), * "It's So Easy" (1958), * "Maybe Baby" (#17 1958, he co-wrote), * "Every Day (1958), * "Heartbeat" (#82 1958), * "Listen to Me" (1958), * "I'm Gonna Love You, Too" (1958), "April Avenue" (1963), "Teardrops Fell Like Rain" (1963, he co-wrote), "(They Call Her) La Bamba" (1964, he wrote), "From Me to You" (1964), "California Sun" (1964), "My Rockin' Days" (1971), "Hayride" (1972), "True Love Ways" (1972)
recorded as Ivan, "Real Wild Child" (1958)
session musician on The Everly Brothers' "Til I Kissed You" (#4, #8c 1959), and others
songwriter, co-wrote Leo Sayer's "More Than I Can Say" (#2 1980)
md. to Peggy Sue Gerron (the one he wrote the song about)

Dean Beard

b. 1935 in Santa Anna, TX - d. 4 Apr 1989 in TX (leukemia)
rockabilly singer
instruments: piano, guitar
"Red Rover" (1955), "Holding on to a Memory" (1959), "The Red Rose" (1962), "Coffee Break" (1962), "The Day That I Lost You" (1962), "Strawberry Shake" (1964), "Pocketful of Stardust" (1966)
founding member and lead of Dean Beard and the Crew Cats, "Rakin' and Scrapin" (1957), "Party, Party" (1957), "Got You on My Mind Again" (1957, he co-wrote), "No Love for Me" (1963), "My Roberta" (1963)
songwriter

Dave Fisher

b. 1940 in New Haven, CT
folk singer (tenor)
instrument: banjo
founding member of The Highwaymen (1958-64, and reunions), "Michael (Row the Boat Ashore)" (#1 1961), "Cotton Fields" (#13 1961), "Cindy, Oh Cindy" (1961), "Lonesome Road Blues" (1962), "Marianne" (1963), "Universal Soldier" (1964)
songwriter
see The Highwaymen

Tom Nallie

b. 1947 in Beaumont, TX
country singer
instrument: drums
with Sons of the Pioneers (1968-74 or 1983-88), "San Antonio Rose" (1968), "I'll Hold You in My Heart" (1968)

Van Morrison (George Ivan Morrison)

b. 1945 in Belfast, Northern Ireland
rock/R&B singer
instruments: harmonica, guitar, sax, bass, drums, keyboards
"Brown-Eyed Girl" (#10 1967), "Chick-a-Boom" (1967), "Come Running" (#39 1970), "Domino" (#9 1971), "Blue Money" (#23 1971), "Wild Night" (#28 1971), "Wavelength" (#42 1978), "Full Force Gale" (1979), "Someone Like You" (#28 1988), "Have I Told You Lately?" (#12 1989)
founding member and lead singer of Them (1964-66), "Baby, Please Don't Go" (1965), * "Here Comes the Night" (#24 1965), "Mystic Eyes" (#33 1965)
songwriter
poet; author
md. to actress/model, Janet (Planet) Rigsbee (1968-72)
see Them
see Van Morrison

Rick Roberts

b. 1949 in FL
country/rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"Jenny's Blues" (1972, he wrote), "Sail Away" (1972, he wrote), "Four Days Gone" (1973), "Old Songs" (1973, he wrote), "West Wind" (1973, he wrote)
with Flying Burrito Brothers (1971-72), "Tried So Hard" (1971), "Colorado" (1971, he wrote), "Just Can't Be" (1971, he co-wrote), "Dixie Breakdown" (1972), "Losing Game" (1972)
founding member and lead singer of Firefall (1974-81, 1989- ), "You Are the Woman" (#9 1976), "Just Remember I Love You" (#11 1977), "Strange Way" (#11 1978, he co-wrote), "Staying with it" (1981)
songwriter

Gina Schock (Regina Ann Schock)

b. 1957 in Baltimore, MD
pop/rock singer
instrument: drum
with The Go-Gos (1979-85, 1990- ), "Our Lips Are Sealed" (#20 1981), "We Got the Beat" (#2 1981), "Vacation" (#8 1982), "The Way You Dance" (1982), "Head Over Heels" (#11 1984)
session musician
songwriter
actress

Andy Stein

b. 1948 in NY
country/rockabilly/rock/western swing singer
instruments: fiddle, tenor sax, baritone sax, cello, trumpet
"Really Blue" (2003), "Apple Blossoms" (2003)
with Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen (1970- ), "Hot Rod Lincoln" (#9, #51c 1972, One-Hit Wonder), "Truck-Stop Rock" (1972), "It Should've Been Me" (1972), "That's What I Like about the South" (1975)
session musician with New Riders of the Purple Sage, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Marilyn Michaels, Mark O'Connor, Bob Dylan, Asleep at the Wheel, and others
see Andy Stein

Jack Wray (John Wray)

b. 1939
R&B/rock singer (bass)
founding member of The Earls (1957-70), "Spinnin'" (1957), "Believe Me, My Love" (1957), "Life is But a Dream" (1961), "Remember Then" (#24 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Eyes" (1963)
see Larry Chance and the Earls on Wikipedia

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