January Birthdays

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January 1

Mike Appel

b. 19??
rock/country singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Balloon Farm, "Question of Temperature" (#37 1967, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Hurry Up Sundown" (1968, he co-wrote)
songwriter
music producer

Wee Bonnie Baker (Evelyn Nelson)

b. 1918 in Orange, TX – d. 11 Aug 1990 in FL
pop singer
"You'd Be Surprised" (1958), "Especially for You" (1958)
with the Orrin Tucker Orchestra (1938-41), "Havin' Myself a Time" (1938), "Oh, Johnny" (#2 1939), "Wouldja Mind?" (1939), "Not Yet" (1940), "Apple Blossoms and Chapel Bells" (#8 1940), "Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" (1941)
Louis Armstrong heard her sing and recommended her to Orrin Tucker
actress
her nickname came from her being only five feet tall

Benny Barnes (Benjamin M. Barnes, Jr.)

b. 1934/36 in Beaumont, TX – d. 9 Aug 1985/87 in Beaumont, TX
rockabilly/honky-tonk singer
instrument: guitar
"No Fault of Mine" (1956), "A Poor Man's Riches" (#2c 1957, he co-wrote), "Token of Love" (1959), "Yearning" (#22c 1961), "A Bar With No Beer" (1964), "Headed for Heartbreak" (1964), "Sweet Suzannah" (1968), "I've Got Some Gettin' Over You to Do" (#94c 1977)
with The Echoes, "Moon Over My Shoulder" (1958), "Heads You Win (Tails I Lose)" (1958), "You Gotta Pay" (1958)
duet with George Jones, "I've Got a New Heartache" (1964)
songwriter

Ernie Chaffin

b. 1928 in Water Valley, MS – d. 16 Apr 1997 in Hattiesburg, MS
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Lonely Wind" (1954), "I Can't Lose the Blues" (1955), "The Stop, Look, and Listen Song" (1956), "Feelin' Low" (1957), "Laughin' and Jokin'" (1957), "Lonesome for My Baby" (1957), "(Nothing Can Change) My Love for You" (1958), "Miracle of You" (1959), "Don't Ever Leave Me" (1959), "Set 'Em Up Joe" (1962)
songwriter

Xavier Cugat (Francisco d'Asis Javier Cugat Mingall de Cru y Deulofeu)

b. 1900 in Barcelona, Spain (grew up in Cuba) - d. 27 Oct 1990 in Spain (heart failure)
pop musician, instrument: violin
founding member of Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra, "Perfida" (1940), "Brazil" (#2 1943), "When I Wrote a Song" (1949), "Francesca" (1951), "Gesundheit" (1958)
actor; cartoonist
md. 1st to Rita Montaner; md. 2nd to Carmen Castillo (1929–1946); md. 3rd to Lorraine Allen (1947–1952); md. 4th to singer, Abbe Lane (1952-63); md. 5th to dancer, Charo (1966- )
see Xavier Cugat at Space Age Pop

Tom Darby

b. 1884 in Columbus, GA - d. 20 Aug 1971
country/blues/bluegrass/folk singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Darby and Tarlton (1927-33), "Cumberland Stockade Blues" (1927, he co-wrote), "Hannah" (1927), "After the Ball" (1928), "Down in the Old Cherry Orchard" (1928), "Heavy-Hearted Blues" (1928), "Sweet Sarah Blues" (1929), "Oyster Stew" (1929), "Frankie Dean" (1930), "Going Back to My Texas Home" (1930), "By the Old Oaken Bucket, Louise" (1931), "Let's Be Friends Again" (1933)
songwriter
Darby and Tarlton supposedly never liked each other

Barry Goldberg

b. 1941 in Chicago, IL
blues/rock musician, instruments: organ, piano, keyboards
"Hole in My Pocket" (1968), "Jimi the Fox" (1969)
with The Chicago Loop, "(When She Needs Good Lovin') She Comes to Me" (#37 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "This Must Be the Place" (1966), "Cloudy" (1967)
founding member of the Barry Goldberg Blues Band, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' on" (1966)
with Electric Flag, "Green and Gold" (1967)
session musician with Mitch Ryder, Al Kooper, Charlie Musselwhite, and others
see Electric Flag at classicbands.com

Esco Hankins

b. 1924 in Union County, TN - d. 1990
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Branded Wherever I Go" (1961), "The Rising Sun" (1961), "Ten Thousand Times" (1963), "Empty Tomorrows" (1964)
founding member of the Esco Hankins String Band
founding member of Esco Hankins and Jackie, "Oh, So Afraid" (1961), "Lies and Alibis" (1963), "Mother Left Me Her Bible" (1963)

Jimmy Hart

b. 1944 in Memphis, TN
rock singer
founding member of The Gentrys (1963-66, 1969-74), "Keep on Dancing" (#4 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "Brown Paper Bag" (1965), "Why Should I Cry?" (1969), "Love You All My Life" (1971)
songwriter
professional wrestler under the name 'Mouth of the South'
see The Gentrys on Wikipedia

Mary Ann Kennedy

b. 19?? in Milwaukee, WI
country singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, keyboards, drums
"Paso Fino" (2002), "I Wish I Had a Horse" (2002), "Barn Cat" (2002), "Blue Heeler" (2002), "The Trail Less Traveled" (2002), "Born to Ride" (2005), "Hayin' Time" (2005), "Horsin' Around" (2005), "Cleanin' Stalls" (2005), "Spirit Horse" (2005), "The Rhythm of the Ride" (2008), "Hoofprints on My Heart" (2008)
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)
session musician with Martina McBride, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Art Garfunkel, Diamond Rio, Kathy Mattea, Emmylou Harris, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Lee Greenwood's "Ring on 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); Crystal Gayle's "Me Against the Night" (#4c 1985)
see Mary Ann Kennedy

Country Joe McDonald

b. 1942 in Washington, D.C. (grew up in El Monte, CA)
folk/country singer
instrument: guitar
"Save the Whales" (1975), "Breakfast for Two" (1975), "Lonely on the Road" (1976), "Love is a Fire" (1976)
founding member and lead singer of Country Joe and the Fish (1965-71), "Fixin'-to-Die Rag" (#32 1967), "Maria" (1967), "Not So Sweet, Martha Lorraine" (1967), "Rock and Roll Soul" (1967), "Masked Marauder" (1969)
Country Joe and the Fish performed at Woodstock
founding member and leader of the All Star Band (1972-73), "Sweet Marie" (1972)
songwriter
served in the Navy (1959-61)
political activist; environmentalist
see Country Joe's Place
see Country Joe and the Fish

Franck Pourcel

b. 1915 in Marseilles, France - d. 12 Nov 2000 in Paris, France
pop/jazz/rock musician, instrument: violin
founding member of the Frank Pourcel Orchestra, "Beautiful Obsession" (1966), "Any Old Time of the Day" (1966), "If Only I Had Time" (1968)
founding member of The French Fiddlers, "Only You" (#9 1959, One-Hit Wonder)
songwriter, co-wrote Little Peggy March's "I Will Follow Him" (#1 1963)
see Frank Pourcel on Space Age Pop

Earl Richards (Henry Earl Sinks)

b. 1940 near Littlefield, TX
country singer
"The House of Blue Lights" (#39c 1969), "Margie, Who's Watching the Baby?" (#26c 1973), "The Sun is Shining (on Everybody But Me)" (#58c 1973), "You Drove Her Right into My Arms" (1971), "I Do My Playing at Home" (1972)
recorded as Earl Sinks, "Superstitious" (1961), "Little Susie Parker" (1961), "Raining on My Side of Town" (1963), "Language of Love" (1965)
recorded as Earl Henry, "My Suzanne" (1958)
with Tommy Allsup's band
with The Crickets (1959-60, after Buddy Holly died)

Steve Ripley (Paul Steve Ripley)

b. 1950 (maybe Jan 7) in Tulsa, OK
country/rock singer
instruments: guitar, drums
founding member and lead singer of The Tractors, "Baby Likes to Rock it" (#11c 1994), "Tryin' to Get to New Orleans" (#50c 1994), "Santa Claus Boogie" (#91, #41c 1994), "The Last Time" (#75c 1997), "I Wouldn't Tell You No Lie" (#72c 1999)
session guitarist with Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and others
music producer
guitar designer
see The Tractors

January 2

Harold Bradley (Harold Ray Bradley)

b. 1926 in Nashville, TN
country/western swing musician, instruments: guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo
"Maria Elena" (1963), "Little Rosa" (1966), "As Time Goes By" (1966)
with The Texas Playboys (1965-68), "I'll See You to the Door" (1965), "Footsteps to Nowhere" (1966), "Born to Love You" (1968)
session guitarist on Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock" (#6 1957); Johnny Horton's "Battle of New Orleans" (#1, #1c 1959), "Honky-Tonk Man" (#96, #9c 1956, #11c 1962); Roy Orbison's "Only the Lonely" (#2 1960); Patsy Cline's "Crazy" (#9, #1c 1961); Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John" (#1, #1c 1961); Eddy Arnold's "Make the World Go Away" (#1c 1965); Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me" (#7, #1c 1958), Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry" (#1 1960), Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet" (#1 1963); Roger Miller's "King of the Road" (#4 #1c 1965); Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter" (#83, #1c 1970); The Everly Brothers' "Ebony Eyes" (#8 1961); and with Joan Baez, Buddy Holly, Marty Robbins, Conway Twitty, and others
played electric bass on Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (#14 1960)
invented a guitar-playing style called 'tic-tac' in which the bass notes are muted
served in the Navy (1943-46)
brother of Owen Bradley
see The Texas Playboys

Chick Churchill (Michael George Churchill)

b. 1946 in North Wales
rock/R&B musician, instruments: keyboards, piano, organ, synthesizers
founding member of Ten Years After (1967-74, 1988-89), "I Can't Keep from Crying" (1967), "Losing the Dogs" (1967), "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl" (1969), "I'd Love to Change the World" (#40 1970, One-Hit Wonder)
Ten Years After performed at Woodstock (1969)
see Ten Years After

Nick Fatool

b. 1915 in Milbury, MA - d. 26 Sep 2000 in Los Angeles, CA
swing/Dixieland jazz musician, instrument: drums
with The Benny Goodman Sextet and Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (1937-40), "When My Baby Smiles at Me" (1938), "How High the Moon" (#6 1940), "Good Enough to Keep" (1940), "Wholly Cats" (1940)
with The Artie Shaw Band (1940- ), "Frenesi" (#1 1940), "Stardust" (#2 1941), "Dancing in the Dark" (#9 1941)
session drummer with Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Alvino Rey, Bing Crosby, Harry James, and others
pro golfer
see Benny Goodman

Dick Feller (Richard Dean Feller)

b. 1943 in Bronaugh, MO
novelty/country singer
instrument: guitar
"Biff, the Friendly Purple Bear" (#22c 1973, he wrote), "Making the Best of a Bad Situation" (#11c 1974, he wrote), "She's Taken a Gentle Lover" (1974), "The Credit Card Song" (#10 1974, he wrote), "Cry for Lori" (1974), "Uncle Hiram and the Homemade Beer" (#49c 1975, he wrote)
session guitarist with Skeeter Davis, Mel Tillis, and others
songwriter, wrote Johnny Cash's "Any Old Wind That Blows" (#3c 1972); Jerry Reed's "Lord, Mr. Ford" (#68, #1c 1973), "East Bound and Down" (#2c 1977); John Denver's "Some Days are Diamonds (Some Days are Stone)" (#38, #10c 1981)

Chris Hartman (Chris D. Hartman)

b. 1978 in Alberta, Canada
country musician, instruments: keyboards, piano, acoustic guitar
founding member of Emerson Drive (1995-Mar2003), * "I Should Be Sleeping" (#35, #4c 2002), "Fall into Me" (#34, #3c 2002), "Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You)" (#23c 2003)
see Emerson Drive

John Barlow Jarvis

b. 1954 in Pasadena, CA
country/rock/pop musician, instrument: piano
"Perfect Rain" (1989), "Sunday Evening" (1989)
with the Rod Stewart Band (1974- ), "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" (#1 1976), "You're in My Heart" (#4 1977)
session pianist on Vince Gill's "When Love Finds You" (#3c 1994); and with Ringo Starr, Diana Ross, Art Garfunkel, Faith Hill, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and others
songwriter, wrote Vince Gill's "I Still Believe in You" (#1c 1988); Steve Wariner's "Small-Town Girl" (#1c 1987); The Judds' "Love Can Build a Bridge" (#1c 1990); Waylon Jennings' "Working Without a Net" (#7c 1986); Conway Twitty's "Julia" (#2c 1987)

Julius La Rosa

b. 1930 in Brooklyn, NY
pop singer
"Anywhere I Wander" (#4 1953), "This is Heaven" (#21 1953), "My Lady Loves to Dance" (#21 1953), "Three Coins in a Fountain" (#21 1954), "My Heart's on a Fast Express" (1954), "Roseanne" (1954), "Domani (Tomorrow)" (#13 1955), "Every Time That I Kiss Carrie" (1955), "Lipstick and Candy and Rubber-Sole Shoes" (1956), "Get Me to the Church on Time" (1956), "Since When (is it a Sin)?" (1957), "Just Forever" (1957), "Gonna Build a Mountain" (1964)
actor
served in the Navy

Christine Lavin

b. 1952 in NY
folk/novelty singer
instrument: guitar
"Blind-Dating Fun" (1991), "Bald-Headed Men" (1993), "The Dakota" (1994), "Roses from the Wrong Man" (2000), "Sensitive New Age Guys" (2001)
songwriter
see Christine Lavin

Roger Miller (Roger Dean Miller aka 'King of the Road')

b. 1936 in Fort Worth, TX (grew up in Erick, OK) – d. 25 Oct 1992 (throat cancer)
country/novelty/pop singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle, drums
"Burma Shave" (1961), "Dang Me" (#7, #1c 1964, he wrote), "Lou's Got the Flu" (1964), "When Two Worlds Collide" (#6c 1964, he co-wrote), * "Chug-a-lug" (#9, #3c 1964, he wrote), "Lock, Stock, and Teardrops" (#26c 1964, he wrote), "King of the Road" (#4 #1c 1965, he wrote), "Engine Engine No. 9" (#7, #2c 1965, he wrote), * "Atta Boy, Girl" (1965), "Kansas City Star" (#31, #7c 1965, he wrote), * "England Swings" (#8, #3c 1966, he wrote), "Husbands and Wives" (#26, #5c 1966, he wrote), * "You Can't Roller-skate in a Buffalo Herd" (#40, #35c 1966, he wrote), "Walkin' in the Sunshine" (#37 1967, he wrote), "Old Toy Trains" (1967), "What I'd Give (to Be the Wind)" (1968), "Little Green Apples" (#39, #6c 1968), "Vance" (#15c 1968), "Tomorrow Night in Baltimore" (#11c 1972), "Open Up Your Heart" (#14c 1973, he co-wrote), "I Love a Rodeo" (#57c 1975, he wrote)
duet with Willie Nelson, "Old Friends" (#19c 1982, he wrote)
session musician with Faron Young, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Alan Jackson's "Tall, Tall Trees" (#1c 1995)
served in the Army
see Roger Miller
quote by Roger Miller: "Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet."

Arthur Prysock

b. 1929 in Spartanburg, SC - d. 7 Jun 1997 in Bermuda (aneurysm)
jazz/blues singer (baritone)
"I Didn't Sleep a Wink Last Night" (1952), "There Goes the Mailman" (1957), "The Very Thought of You" (1960), "It's Too Late Baby, it's Too Late" (1965), "A Working Man's Prayer" (1968), "If I Were Young Again" (1969), "How Do I Tell Her?" (1969), "The Girl I Never Kissed" (1970), "When Love Was New" (1976), "You Can Do it" (1977)
lead singer with the Buddy Johnson Band (1944-51), "They All Say I'm the Biggest Fool" (1944), "I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone" (1946), "Jet" (1951), "I'm in Your Power" (1951), "At Last" (1951), "My Aching Heart" (1951)
backup singer with Count Basie, and others
brother of sax player, Red Prysock

January 3

Maxine Andrews (Maxene Angelyn Andrews)

b. 1916 in Minneapolis, MN – d.21 Oct 1995 in Hyannis, MA (heart attack)
pop singer
founding member of The Andrews Sisters, "Lullaby to a Jitterbug" (#10 1938), "Ferry Boat Serenade" (#1 1940), "The Shrine of St. Cecilia" (#3 1941), "Six Jerks in a Jeep" (1942), "Here Comes the Navy" (#17 1942), "Pennsylvania Polka" (#17 1942), "Three Little Sisters" (#8 1942), "Shoo Shoo Baby" (#1 1944), "The Blond Sailor" (#8 1945), "Rum and Coca-Cola" (#1 1945), "Near You" (#2 1947), "I Can Dream, Can't I?" (#1 1949), "(I Love You) A Bushel and a Peck" (#17 1950), "I Wanna Be Loved" (#1 1950), "My Mom" (1951), "That's the Chance You Take" (1952), "My Midnight Prison" (#1963), "Three Little Fishes" (1973)
The Andrews Sisters with Bing Crosby, "Pistol Packin' Mama" (#2, #1c 1943), "Don't Fence Me in" (#1 1944), "Along the Navajo Trail" (#2 1945)
The Andrews Sisters with Ernest Tubb, "I'm Bitin' My Fingernails and Thinking of You" (#2c 1949)
md. to her manager, Lou Levy
see The Andrews Sisters

Billy 'Butterfly' Bowen

b. 1909 in Birmingham, AL - d. 27 Sep 1982
R&B singer
with The Ink Spots (Oct 1944- , replaced Deek Watson), "The Gypsy" (#1 1946), "To Each His Own" (#1 1946), "Too Much" (1958), "Don't Knock the Rock" (1958)
The Ink Spots with Ella Fitzgerald, "I'm Making Believe" (#1 1944), "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (#5 1945)

Renato Carosone

b. 1920 in Naples, Italy - 20 May 2001 in Rome, Italy
pop musician, instrument: piano
"Mama Rosa" (1956), "Que Sera, Sera" (1956), "My Luciana" (1956), "Torero" (#18 1957, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote)
songwriter
artist

Ray Goins (Ray Elwood Owens)

b. 1936 in Bramwell, WV
bluegrass singer
instruments: banjo, bass fiddle, guitar
with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, "Don't Forget Me" (1950), "Nobody Cares" (1952), "My Brown-Eyed Darling" (1953), "A New Set of Rules" (1954), "No Curb Service" (1954), "Windy Mountain" (1962), "What Can I Tell My Heart?" (1962), "Lost in This World Without You" (1962), "Little Glass of Wine" (1962), "Mountain Flower" (1962), "Coal Dust Blues" (1962)
founding member of The Goins Brothers (1969-97), "Pistol Packin' Mama" (1995), "Cherokee Lady" (1995)
with Windy Mountain, "Let Those Brown Eyes Smile at Me" (2000), "I'll Never Change My Mind" (2000), "Windy Mountains" (2000), "The Church in the Wildwood" (2000)

Rusty Golden (William Lee Golden, Jr.)

b. 1959 in Brewton, AL
country singer
instruments: keyboards, drums
founding member and keyboardist of The Goldens (1987-91), "Put Us Together Again" (#55c 1988), "Sorry, Girls" (#63c 1988, he wrote), "Rhythm of the River" (1990, he co-wrote), "Take Me Back (to the Country)" (1990), "Keep the Faith" (#67c 1991)
session musician with Dallas County Line, Larry Gatlin, and others
songwriter
son of William Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys

John Paul Jones (John Baldwin)

b. 1946 in Kent, England
rock musician, instruments: bass, keyboards, mandolin, autoharp, cello, organ
"A Foggy Day in Vietnam" (1964), "Bass 'n' Drums" (1998, he wrote), "The Smile of Your Shadow" (1999, he wrote), "Snake Eyes" (1999, he wrote)
bass and keyboard player with Led Zeppelin (1968-80), "Whole Lotta Love" (#4 1969), "Ramble on" (1969), "Communication Breakdown" (1969), "Stairway to Heaven" (#15 1971), "Black Dog" (#15 1971), "The Song Remains the Same" (1973), "Custard Pie" (1975), "All My Love" (1979), "Fool in the Rain" (#21 1979)
duet with Jimmy Page and Albert Lee, "One Long Kiss" (1984)
session musician on Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" (#1 1966); and with Herman's Hermits, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Madeline Bell, and others
songwriter
arranger
see Led Zeppelin

Sparky Matejka (Mark Matejka)

b. 19?? in Houston, TX
country/jazz singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
with the Charlie Daniels Band (199?-2003)
with The Kinleys
founding member of Hot Apple Pie (2003-06), "Hillbillies" (#26c 2005), "We're Making Up" (#54c 2005), "Slowin' Down the Fall" (2005), "Should've Seen Her Leavin' Comin'" (2005), "All Together Now" (2005), "Easy Does it" (#50c 2006)
with Lynyrd Skynyrd (2006- )
see Lynyrd Skynyrd
see The Charlie Daniels Band

Larry McNeely (Larry Paul McNeely)

b. 1948 in Lafayette, IN
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: banjo, guitar, piano, harmonica
with Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys (196?-70, 1985-92), "Six More Days" (1961), "Freight Train Blues" (#45c 1965)
with Glen Campbell's band (1970-74, replaced John Hartford), "Honey, Come Back" (#19, #2c 1970), "It's Only Make Believe" (#10, #3c 1970), "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" (#31, #7c 1971), "Oklahoma Sunday Morning" (#15c 1971), "Manhattan, Kansas" (#6c 1972)
sessionist with The Carpenters, Roger Miller, and others
songwriter

Carl McVoy

b. 1931 - d. 3 Jan 1992 in Jackson, MS
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Daydreamin'" (1958), "Rainin' in My Heart" (1961), "Your Magic Love" (1961), "It's a Crime" (1962)
cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis

Julie Miller

b. 1956 in Waxahachie, TX
country singer
"Emily's Eyes" (1992), "Ride the Wind to Me" (1999), "I Still Cry" (1999), "Broken Things" (1999)
duets with Buddy Miller, "Orphans of God" (1994), "Forever Has Come to an End" (2001), "You Make My Heart Beat Too Fast" (2001), "Holding up the Sky" (2001), "Out in the Rain" (2004), "Love Snuck Up" (2004)
md. to singer/musician Buddy Miller
see Buddy and Julie Miller

Nikki Nelson

b. 1969 in San Diego, CA (grew up in Topaz City, NV)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Too Little, Too Much" (#62c 1997)
lead singer with Highway 101 (1991-96, replaced Paulette Carlson), "Wherever You Are" (1991), "Restless Kind" (1991), "Baby, I'm Missing You" (#22c 1992), "You Baby You" (#67c 1993), "She Don't Have the Heart to Love You" (1996)
see Highway 101

Van Dyke Parks

b. 1943 in Hattiesburg, MS
folk/rock singer
instruments: keyboards, piano, accordion
"Come to the Sunshine" (1966), "The Eagle and Me" (1970)
session musician on The Byrds, "Mr. Tambourine Man" (#1 1965), "Turn! Turn! Turn!" (#1 1965); and with The Beach Boys, Sheryl Crow, The Everly Brother, and others
songwriter
arranger; music producer
actor; author

Stephen Stills (Stephen Arthur Stills)

b. 1945 in Dallas, TX
folk/rock singer
instruments: drums, keyboards, guitar, bass, tambourine, organ, piano
"Old Times, Good Times" (1970, he wrote), "Go Back Home" (1970, he wrote), "Change Partners" (1971, he wrote), "Got it Made" (1989)
founding member and guitarist with Buffalo Springfield (1966-68), "For What it's Worth (Stop, Hey, What's That Sound)" (#7 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "Bluebird" (1967, he wrote), "Rock and Roll Woman" (1967, he co-wrote), "Merry-Go-Round" (1968), "In the Hour of Not Quite Rain" (1968), "Carefree Country Day" (1968), "On the Way Home" (1968), "Expecting to Fly" (1968)
founding member of Crosby, Stills and Nash (1968-69), "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" (#21 1968, he wrote), "Helplessly Hoping" (1969), "Guinevere" (1969), "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)
founding member of Manassas, "Both of Us (Bound to Lose)" (1972), "Hide it So Deep" (1972), "It Doesn't Matter" (1972, he co-wrote), "Bound to Fall" (1972)
on some of Manassas' songs he played lead guitar, bass and organ by overdubbing
performed at Woodstock
songwriter

Gene Summers

b. 1939 in Dallas, TX
rock/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Juke Box Memories" (1962), "Big Blue Diamond" (1964), "My Yearbook" (1965), "My Picture" (1966), "Cloudy Day" (1966), "Goodbye, Priscilla" (1977), "Be-Bop-a-Lulu" (1979)
founding member of Gene Summers and his Rebels (1957-), "Gotta Lotta That" (1958), "School of Rock 'n' Roll" (1958), "Straight Skirt" (1958), "Twixteen" (1959)
with The Billy Smith Combo, "Tough" (1963)
md. to Deanna Trentham (1961- )
had a heart transplant in 1992
see Gene Summers on The Rockabilly Hall of Fame

January 4

Don Adams

b. 1941 in OH
country singer
instrument: guitar
"You Introduced Me to the Blues" (1964), "Kill Me With Kindness" (1964), "Heartaches Morning, Noon and Night" (1965), "Painting Pictures" (1966), "Two of the Usual" (#64c 1967), "Why I Still Love You" (1967), "I've Already Stayed Too Long" (#34 1974), "That's Love" (#52c 1974, he wrote)
songwriter

Jimmy Arnold (James F. Arnold)

b. 1932 in Toronto, Canada – d. 15 Jun 2004 in Sacramento, CA (lung cancer)
pop singer (tenor)
founding member of The Four Lads (1950-77), "Moments to Remember" (#2 1955), "Standing on the Corner" (#3 1956), "No, Not Much" (#2 1956), * "The Bus Stop Song" (#17 1956), "Who Needs You" (#9 1957), "Winter Snow" (1962), "Not That I Care" (1962), "Cornflower Blue" (1963)
with Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads, "Cry" (#1 1951), "The Little White Cloud That Cried" (#2 1952)

Deana Carter (Deana Kay Carter)

b. 1966 in Nashville, TN
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Strawberry Wine" (#65, #1c 1996, CMA single of the year 1997), "Count Me in" (#5c 1997, she co-wrote), "We Danced Anyway" (#72, #1c 1997), "Did I Shave My Legs for This?" (#85, #25c 1997, she co-wrote), "How Do I Get There?" (#85, #1c 1997, she co-wrote), "Absence of the Heart" (#83, #16c 1998, she co-wrote), "There's No Limit" (#14c 2003, she co-wrote), "I'm Just a Girl" (#35c 2003)
songwriter
daughter of Fred Carter, Jr.
md. to Chris DeCroce (1995-2001)
see Deana Carter

Arthur Conley

b. 1946 in McIntosh, GA (grew up in Atlanta, GA) – d. 17 Nov 2003 in the Netherlands (cancer)
soul singer
"Sweet Soul Music" (#2 1967, he co-wrote), "Let's Go Steady Again" (1967), "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (#31 1967), "Funky Street" (#14 1968), "Burning Fire" (1968), "Nobody's Fault But Mine" (1970), "I'm So Glad You're Here" (1971)
songwriter
see Arthur Conley on soulwalking

Everett Dirksen (Everett McKinley Dirksen)

b. 1896 in Perkin, IL - d. 7 Sep 1969
pop singer
"Gallant Men" (#29, #58c 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "Man is Not Alone" (1967), "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (1967)
served in the Army during WWI
U.S. Congressman and Senator from IL; civil rights activist in the 60's

Kathy Forester

b. 1955 in Fort Oglethorpe, GA
country/Christian singer
founding member of The Forester Sisters (1982- ), "That's What You Do (When You're in Love)" (#10c 1985), "I Fell in Love Again Last Night" (#1c 1985), "Just in Case" (#1c 1986), "Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes" (#1c 1986), "Lonely Alone" (#2c 1986), "Too Many Rivers" (#5c 1987), "(I'd Choose) You Again" (#1c 1987), "Lyin' in His Arms" (#5c 1988), "Letter Home" (#9c 1988), "Love Will" (#7c 1989), "Men" (#8c 1991), "More Than I Am" (1996)
duet with The Bellamy Brothers, "Too Much is Not Enough" (#1c 1986)
high school/middle school choral director

Bobby Jones

b. 1934 in Greenville, SC
rock/rockabilly musician, instrument: bass
with Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps (1957-58, replaced Jack Neal), "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)
songwriter
see Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps

Patty Loveless (Patricia Lee Ramey)

b. 1957 in Pikesville, KY
country/rock/honky-tonk singer
instrument: guitar
"Lonely Days, Lonely Nights" (#46c 1985), "If My Heart Had Windows" (#10c 1988), "A Little Bit in Love" (#2c 1988), "The Lonely Side of Love" (#1c 1988), "Don't Toss Us Away" (#5c 1989), * "Timber, I'm Falling in Love" (#1c 1989), "Chains" (#1c 1990), "I'm That Kind of Girl" (#5c 1991), * "Nobody Loves You Like I Do" (1991), "Blame it on Your Heart" (#1c 1993), "You Will" (#6 1993), "Nothin' But the Wheel" (#20c 1993), "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye?" (#3c 1994), "Here I Am" (#4c 1994), "You Don't Even Know Who I Am" (#5c 1995), * "Lonely Too Long" (#1c 1996), "You Can Feel Bad (if it Makes You Feel Better)" (#1c 1996), "She Drew a Broken Heart" (#4c 1997), "Long Stretch of Lonesome" (1997), "The Trouble With the Truth" (#15c 1997), "To Have You Back Again" (#12c 1998), "That's the Kind of Mood I'm in" (#13c 2000), "The Richest Fool Alive" (2001), "On Your Way Home" (#29c 2003), "Lovin' All Night" (#18c 2003)
duets with Travis Tritt, * "Out of Control Raging Fire" (2001), * "I Know You're Married (But I Love You Still)" (2001)
duet with George Jones, "You Don't Seem to Miss Me" (#14c 1998)
duets with Vince Gill, "When I Call Your Name" (#2c 1990), "My Kind of Woman, My Kind of Man" (#27c 1999)
duet with Jon Randall, "Someone I Used to Know" (2002), "Are You Teasing Me?" (2003)
songwriter
distant cousin of Loretta Lynn
md. to Emory Gordy, Jr. (1989- )
see Patty Loveless

Jay Dee Maness

b. 1945 in Loma Linda, CA
country/rock musician, instrument: pedal steel guitar
with the International Submarine Band (1967-68), "Luxury Liner" (1968), "Miller's Cave" (1968)
founding member and steel guitarist with the Desert Rose Band (1985-90), "Once More" (1987), "Ashes of Love" (#26c 1987), "He's Back and I'm Blue" (#1c 1987), "Love Reunited" (#6c 1987), "One Step Forward" (#2c 1987), "I Still Believe in You" (#1c 1988), "Summer Wind" (#2c 1988), "She Don't Love Nobody" (#3c 1989), "Hello, Trouble" (#11c 1989), "Start All Over Again" (#6c 1990), "In Another Lifetime" (#13c 1990), "Story of Love" (#10c 1990)
songwriter
see Jay Dee Maness

Lorene Mann

b. 1937 in Huntland, TN
country singer
"So I Could Be Your Friend" (1964), "He Gave Me That, Too" (1964), "One of Them" (1965), "Stranger at the Funeral" (1965), "Don't Put Your Hands on Me" (#47c 1967, she wrote), "Have You Ever Wanted To?" (#50c 1967, she wrote)
duets with Justin Tubb, "Hurry, Mr. Peters" (#23c 1965, reply to "Yes Mr. Peters"), "We've Gone Too Far Again" (#44c 1966), "Apron Tree" (1970), "Skip Song" (1970)
duets with Archie Campbell, "Warm and Tender Love" (#57c 1968), "The Dark End of the Street" (#24c 1968), "Tell it Like it is" (#31c 1968), "If That's the Only Way" (1968)
songwriter

Gary Zekley

b. 1943 - d. 19 Jun 1996
pop singer
"Other Towns, Other Girls" (1963, he wrote), "When I Go to Sleep" (1963, he wrote), "Vagabond" (1963), "Yellow Balloon" (#25 1967, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote)
after the hit, a group was formed also called Yellow Balloon, "Stained-Glass Window" (1967, he co-wrote), "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" (1967, he co-wrote), "Follow the Sunshine" (1967), "Baby Baby, it's You" (1967, he co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote The Grass Roots' "I'd Wait a Million Years" (#15 1969), "Sooner or Later" (#9 1971)
music producer
see Gary Zekley on Spectropop

January 5

Johnny Adams (Lathan John Adams aka 'the Tan Canary')

b. 1932 in New Orleans, LA – d. 14 Sep 1998 in Baton Rouge, LA (cancer)
blues/country/gospel singer
instrument: guitar
"I Won't Cry" (1959), "Teach Me to Forget" (1960), "A Losing Battle" (1962), "Release Me" (#82 1968), "Reconsider Me" (#28 1969, One-Hit Wonder), "I Can't Be All Bad" (1969), "Body and Fender Man" (1988)
see Johnny Adams on Fuller Up

Lenny Dee (Leonard G. DeStoppelaire)

b. 1923 in Chicago, IL - d. 12 Feb 2006
jazz/swing musician, instruments: Hammond organ, accordion
"Punxutawny Boogie" (1955), "Plantation Boogie" (#19 1955, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Tara Lynn" (1957), "One of Those Songs" (1966)
songwriter
served in the Army during WWII
see Lenny Dee

Iris DeMent (Iris Luella DeMent)

b. 1961 near Paragould, AR (grew up in CA)
folk/country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Our Town" (1992), "Let the Mystery Be" (1992), "Easy's Gettin' Harder Every Day" (1994), "Letter to Mom" (1996)
duets with Delbert McClinton, "The Way I Should" (1996), "There's a Wall in Washington" (1999)
duet with Emmylou Harris, "Wildwood Flower" (1998)
duets with John Prine, "(We're Not) the Jet Set" (1999), "Let's Invite Them Over" (1999), "In Spite of Ourselves" (1999, he wrote), "We Could" (1999)
songwriter
md. to Elmer McCall (1991- ); md. to singer/songwriter, Greg Brown (2002- )

Athol Guy

b. 1940 in Melbourne, Australia
folk singer
instrument: double bass
founding member of The Seekers (1965-68, 1994- ), * "I'll Never Find Another You" (#4 1965), * "A World of Our Own" (#19 1965), "Georgy Girl" (#2 1967), "Chase a Rainbow (Follow Your Dreams)" (1967)

Wilbert Harrison

b. 1929 in Charlotte, NC - d. 26 Oct 1994 in Spencer, NC (stroke)
pop/R&B/soul singer
instruments: piano, guitar, drums, harmonica
"The Ways of Woman" (1954), "My Love is True" (1957), "Kansas City" (#1 1959), "Gonna Tell You a Story" (1959), "Goodbye, Kansas City" (1960), "Drafted" (1961), "Kansas City Twist" (1961), "After Graduation" (1962, he wrote), "New York World's Fair" (1964), "No One's Love But Yours" (1967), "Let's Work Together" (#32 1970), "My Heart is Yours" (1970)
founding member of Wilbert Harrison and the Roamers, "Women and Whiskey" (1955)
songwriter

Larry Lee

b. 1947 in Springfield, MO
country/rock singer
instruments: drums, percussions, acoustic guitar, keyboards
founding member of Ozark Mountain Daredevils (1971-79), "If You Want to Get to Heaven" (#14c 1974), "It Probably Always Will" (1974), "Kansas, You Fooler" (1974), "Jackie Blue" (#3c 1975, he co-wrote), "If I Only Knew" (1975), "Homemade Wine" (1976), "You Made it Right" (#84c 1976), "Giving it All to the Wind" (1977), "River to the Sun" (1978)
songwriter
served in the military during the Vietnam War
see The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Big Bill Lister (William E. Lister)

b. 1923 in Kennedy, TX (grew up in Brady, TX)
country singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"A Plane to Arkansas" (1949), "Help Wanted" (1951), "Lovin' Country-Style" (1951), "A Nickel for a Dozen Roses" (1951), "Every Tear I Cry" (1953)
session musician with Hank Williams, and others
songwriter
md. to Lila Mayfield (1941- )
he is 6' 7 1/2" tall

George Malone

b. 1940 in Newark, NJ
doo-wop/rock singer (tenor)
founding member and second tenor of The Monotones (1955-62, and reunions), "(Who Wrote) the Book of Love" (#5 1958, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (1958), "Tom Foolery" (1958), "Reading the Book of Love" (1960, reply to "The Book of Love"), "Daddy's Home, But Mama's Gone" (1960, reply to "Daddy's Home"), "Book of Dance" (1962)
see The Monotones on Wikipedia

Grady Thomas

b. 1940 in Sumter, SC or Newark, NJ - d. 5 Jul 2005 in New Brunswick, NJ
doo-wop/soul singer
founding member of The Parliaments, "You're Cute" (1962), "That Was My Girl" (1966), "I Can Feel the Ice Melting" (1967), "Look at What I Almost Missed" (1968), "A New Day Begins" (1969) (he was not on "I Wanna Testify")
with Funkadelic
see The Parliaments on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Verlon Thomas

b. 1954 in Ardmore OK
country singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
with Guy Clark's band, "Boats to Build" (1992), "How'd You Get This Number?" (1992), "Randall Knife" (1995), "Forever, For Always, For Certain" (1999), "Indian Head Penny" (1999)
session musician
songwriter

January 6

Judy Bailey

b. 1955 in Winchester, KY
country singer
"Slow Country Dancin'" (#56c 1981), "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Worse)" (1981), "Lonely Woman" (1982), "The Best Bedroom in Town" (#54c 1983), "I'm Guilty of Loving You" (1983), "Tender Lovin' Lies" (#72c 1983), "Trying Hard Not to Be Easy" (1983)
duet with Moe Bandy, "Following the Feeling" (#10c 1981)
songwriter

Syd Barrett (Roger Keith Barrett)

b. 1946 in Cambridge, England - d. 7 Jul 2006 in Cambridge, England (complications of diabetes)
rock/pop singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"Golden Hair" (1970, he co-wrote), "Effervescing Elephant" (1970, he wrote), "I Never Lied to You" (1970, he wrote)
founding member, lead singer and lead guitarist of Pink Floyd (1964-Apr 68, left because his repeated LSD use caused mental instability), "Arnold Layne" (1967, he wrote), "See Emily Play" (1967, he wrote), "It Would Be So Nice" (1968), "Julia Dream" (1968), "Remember a Day" (1968), "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" (1968), "Pigs on the Wing" (1977)
songwriter
painter
he may have suffered from schizophrenia
see Pink Floyd

Autry Inman (Robert Autry Inman)

b. 1929 in Florence, AL - d. 6 Sep 1988 in Los Angeles, CA
country/rockabilly singer
instruments: guitar, string bass
"That's All Right" (#4c 1953, he wrote), "Remember the Night" (1958), "Mary Nell" (1958), "Let's Take the Long Way Home" (1961), "The Volunteer" (#22 1963, he wrote), "Unlucky Am I" (1963), "My Past" (1964), "Ballad of Two Brothers" (#14c 1968)
session musician
songwriter
comedian

Bobby Lord

b. 1934 in Sanford, FL
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Without Your Love" (#10c 1956), "Everybody's Rockin' But Me" (1956), "Swamp Fox" (1959), "When the Snow Falls" (1960), "Before I Lose My Mind" (1960), "My Heart Tells Me So" (1961), "Shopping Center" (1963), "Life Can Have Meaning" (#21c 1964), "Cash on the Barrelhead" (1966), "Losers Like Me" (1966), "Live Your Life Out Loud" (#44c 1968), "Yesterday's Letters" (#40c 1969), "You and Me Against the World" (#15c 1970), "Rainbow Girl" (#28c 1970), "Wake Me Up Early in the Morning" (#21c 1970), "Goodbye Jukebox" (#75c 1971)
songwriter
see Billy Lord on Hillbilly-Music dawt com

Earl Scruggs (Earl Eugene Scruggs)

b. 1924 in Flint Hill or Flintville, NC
bluegrass/country/folk singer
instrument: 5-string banjo
"Nashville Skyline Rag" (#74c 1970), "Tall Texas Woman" (1976), "Morning After Kind of Man" (1979), "Lindsey" (1982), "Roller coaster" (1983), "Pedal to the Metal" (1984)
with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1945-48), "Kentucky Waltz" (#3c 1946), "Footprints in the Snow" (#5c 1946), "Blue Moon Over Kentucky" (1947), "My Rose of Old Kentucky" (1948), "Sweetheart, You Done Me Wrong" (#11c 1948)
founding member of Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys (1949-69), "Cabin on the Hill" (#9c 1959), "Crying My Heart Out Over You" (#21c 1960), "Go Home" (#10c 1961), "Ballad of Jed Clampett" (#44, #1c 1963), "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl" (#8c 1963), "You Are My Flower" (#12c 1964), "Petticoat Junction" (#14c 1964), "California Uptight Band" (#20c 1967)
founding member of The Earl Scruggs Revue (1970- ), "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)
duet with Tom T. Hall, "There Ain't No Country Music on This Jukebox" (#77c 1982)
songwriter
md. to Ann Louise Cirtain (1946- )
see Flatts and Scruggs
see The Blue Grass Boys

Nino Tempo (Antonino Le Tempio)

b. 1935 in Niagara Falls, NY
rock singer
instrument: tenor-sax
"Loonie 'Bout Junie" (1958), "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" (1959), "Boys Town" (1967)
recorded as Tony Shepperd, "Blue-Eyed Baby" (1959)
duets with April Stevens, "Deep Purple" (#1 1963), "I've Been Carrying a Torch for You So Long That I Burned a Great Big Hole in My Heart" (1963), "Whispering" (#11 1963), "Honeysuckle Rose" (1964), "I-45" (1964), "Tomorrow is Soon a Memory" (1965), "All Strung Out" (#26 1966), "Yesterday I Heard the Rain" (1969)
session sax player on Bobby Darin's "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" (#5 1961); and with others
songwriter
music producer
actor
brother of April Stevens
see Nino and April

Doris Troy (Doris Higginson aka 'Mama Soul')

b. 1937 in the Bronx, NY – d. 16 Feb 2004 in Las Vegas, NV (emphysema)
soul/pop singer
"Just One Look" (#10 1963, One-Hit Wonder, she co-wrote), "He Don't Belong to Me" (1965), "Face up to the Truth" (1967, he wrote), "I've Got to Be Strong" (1970, she co-wrote), "Ain't That Cute" (1970)
with The Halos (gospel group)
backup singer on Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album; and with The Drifters, Cissy Houston, The Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, and others
Elton John (Reginald Dwight) was in her backup band in 1965
songwriter under the name Doris Payne (Payne was her grandmother's surname), wrote Dee Clark's "How about That?" (#33 1960)
actress
see Doris Troy

Jett Williams (Antha Belle Jett, then Catherine Yvonne Stone, then Cathy Louise Deupree)

b. 1953 in Montgomery AL
country singer
instrument: guitar
backed by her father's old band The Drifting Cowboys (including original members Jerry Rivers and Don Helms), "A Million Teardrops" (1995), "That Reminds Me of Hank" (1995), "There's a Tear in My Beer" (1999), "A Girl Who Knows Too Much" (1999), "A Dozen Red Roses" (1999), "If I Didn't Love You" (1999), "The Star" (1999), "Bye Bye, Love" (1999), "A Soft Place to Fall" (2004), "Eight Roses" (2007)
songwriter
md. to Keith Adkinson
daughter of Hank Williams (born 5 days after he died), Hank and his mother planned to raise her; his mother got custody but died two years later; she was adopted and didn't know who her father was until she was older

Kim Wilson

b. 1951 in Detroit, MI (grew up in Goleta, CA)
blues singer
instrument: harmonica
"Teach Me (How to Love You)" (1994), "Blues, Leave Me Alone" (1994), "Everything I Do is Wrong" (1997), "Things Ain't Right" (1997), "Five Long Years" (1997)
founding member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds (1974- ), "Marked Deck" (1979), "Walkin' to My Baby" (1979), "Things I Forgot to Do" (1979), "Runnin' Shoes" (1980), "How Do You Spell Love?" (1982), "Tuff Enuff" (1986), "Wrap it Up" (1986), "True Love" (1986)
session musician
see The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Paul Wilson (Paul David Wilson)

b. 1935 in Chicago, IL – d. 6 May 1988
soul singer (baritone)
founding member of The Flamingos (1952-64), "A Kiss from Your Lips" (1956), "Jerri Lee" (1957), "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" (#52 1958), "I Only Have Eyes for You" (#11 1959), "At the Prom" (1959), "Time Was" (#45 1959), "Mio Amore" (#74 1959), "Nobody Loves Me Like You" (#30 1960), "Your Other Love" (#54 1960), "You, Me, and the Sea" (1960), "My Memories of You" (1961), "I Know Better" (1963)
cousin of Johnny Carter

January 7

Richie Allen (Richard Allen Podolor aka Dickie Podolor)

b. 1936/40 in Los Angeles, CA
pop/rock musician, instrument: guitar
"I Love You, Girl" (1958), "Sunday Picnic" (1962), "Room 304" (1962), "A Touch of Blue" (1962), "Undercurrent" (1962), "Stranger From Durango" (#90 1963), "Butterscotch" (1963)
founding member of The Ghouls (1964), "Little Old Lady From Transylvania" (1964), "Be True to Your Ghoul" (1964), "Coffin Nails" (1964), "Weird Wolf" (1964)
session musician on Bonnie Guitar's "Dark Moon" (#6, #14c 1957); Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat" (#4 1959, he co-wrote), "Let There Be Drums" (#7 1961, he co-wrote); The Hondells' "Little Honda" (#9 1964); and others
songwriter
music producer

Lefty Baker (Eustace Britchforth)

b. 1939/42 in Roanoke, VA - d. 11 Aug 1971 in CA (liver disease)
folk/rock singer
instruments: lead guitar, banjo
with Spanky and Our Gang (1967-69), "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" (#9 1967), "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)
see Spanky and Our Gang

Marshall Chapman

b. 1949 in Spartanburg, SC
country/rock/pop singer
instruments: guitar
"Somewhere South of Macon" (#100c 1977, he co-wrote), "Love Slave" (1996), "Leaving Loachapoka" (1996), "Can't Run From Yourself" (2006)
songwriter, wrote Sawyer Brown's "Betty's Bein' Bad" (#5c 1986); Johnny Lee's "Rode Hard and Put up Wet" (#2 1981); Mindy McCready's "All I Want is Everything" (#57c 1999)
music producer
author
see Marshall Chapman

Tony Conigliaro (Anthony Richard Conigliaro)

b. 1945 in Revere, MA - d. 24 Feb 1990 in Salem, MA
pop singer
"Playing the Field" (1964), "Why Don't They Understand?" (1964), "Please Play Our Song" (1964), "Little Red Scooter" (1965), "When You Take More Than You Give" (1966)
baseball player, outfielder for the Boston Red Sox

Brian Gowan

b. 1969 (grew up in Temple, TX)
country singer
"Who's Countin'?" (2001), "Choctaw People" (2003, he wrote)
founding member of Blake and Brian (1995-99), "Another Perfect Day" (#45c 1997), "There is No End" (1997), "The Wish" (#62c 1998), "Amnesia" (#68c 1998)
sessionist with Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, and others
songwriter

Jack Greene (Jack Henry Green aka 'The Jolly Giant')

b. 1930 in Maryville, TN
country singer
instrument: drums, guitar
"Ever Since My Baby Went Away" (#37c 1965), * "There Goes My Everything" (#65, #1c 1966, CMA single of the year 1967), "The Hardest Easy Thing" (1966), "Wanting You, But Never Having You" (1966), "All the Time" (#1 1967), "What Locks the Door" (#2c 1967), "You Are My Treasure" (#1c 1968), "Love Takes Care of Me" (#4c 1968), "Statue of a Fool" (#1c 1969), "Back in the Arms of Love" (#4c 1969), "Until My Dreams Come True" (#1c 1969), "There's a Whole Lot About a Woman (a Man Don't Know)" (#13c 1971), "I Need Somebody Bad" (#11c 1973), "Yours for the Taking" (#28c 1980)
duets with Jeannie Seely, "I Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You" (#2 1970), "Much Obliged" (#15c 1972), "It's Time to Cross That Bridge" (#13c 1974)
with Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours (1962-64), "A House of Sorrow" (1962), "Thanks a Lot" (#3c 1964), "Waltz Across Texas" (#34c 1965)
served in the military (1951-53)
songwriter
see The Texas Troubadours on Hillbilly-Music dawt dom

Michael Harter (James Michael Harter aka J. Michael Harter)

b. 1979 in Tempe, AZ
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"If You Never Loved Me" (2002), "Hard Call to Make" (#45c 2002), "Everything in Arizona" (2002), "On My Way Home" (2002), "Somewhere in California" (2002)
founding member of Seven
founding member of The Harters, "Gettin' Out of Dodge" (2008)
songwriter
brother of Scott Harter and Lezlie (Harter) James

Rod Hicks (Roderick Hicks)

b. 1941 in Detroit, MI
blues/rock singer
instruments: bass, cello, drums
with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1969), "Walking by Myself" (1969), "Losing Hand" (1969), "Love March" (1969)
see The Paul Butterfield Blues Band on Wikipedia

Bruce Innes

b. 1943 in Calgary, Canada
pop singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Original Caste (1968- ), "One Tin Soldier" (#34 1969), "Mr. Monday" (#119 1970), "Nothing Can Touch Me" (#114 1970), "Leaving it All Behind" (1970), "Ain't That Tellin' You People" (#117 1970), "Come Together" (1971, he wrote), "When Love is Near" (1972), "Butte, Montana" (1974)
songwriter
md. to singer, Dixie Lee Stone (19??-80)
see The Original Caste

Kenny Loggins (Kenneth Clarke Loggins)

b. 1948 in Everett, WA
rock singer
instrument: guitar
"I Believe in Love" (#66 1977), "I'm Alright" (#7 1980), "Heart to Heart" (#15 1983), * "Footloose" (#1 1984), "Danger Zone" (#2 1986), "Meet Me Half Way" (#11 1987), "Nobody's Fool" (#8 1988), "The Real Thing" (#5 1992), "If You Believe" (#9 1992), "For the First Time" (#1 1997)
founding member of Loggins and Messina (1971-77, and reunions), "Back to Georgia" (1971), "Your Mama Don't Dance" (#4 1972), "Long-Tail Cat" (1972), "Didn't I Know You When?" (1973), "Keep Me in Mind" (1976), "Oh, Lonesome Me" (#92c 1976)
with The Electric Prunes, "Get Me to the World on Time" (#27 1967), "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" (#11 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "Everybody Knows You're Not in Love" (1967), "The Great Banana Hoax" (1967), "Wind-Up Toys" (1967)
duet with Stevie Nicks, "Whenever I Call You 'Friend'" (#5 1978)
duet with Michael McDonald, "This is it" (#11 1979)
duet with Steve Perry, "Don't Fight it" (#17 1982)
songwriter, wrote Anne Murray's "A Love Song" (#7, #10c 1973); co-wrote The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" (#1 1979)
music producer
see Kenny Loggins
see The Electric Prunes

David Lee Murphy

b. 1959 in Herrin, IL
country singer
instruments: guitar
"Just Once" (#36c 1994), "Party Crowd" (#6c 1994), "Dust on the Bottle" (#1c 1995, he wrote), "Breakfast in Birmingham" (#51c 1996), "Every Time I Get Around You" (#2c 1996), "Genuine Redneck" (1996), "The Road You Leave Behind" (#5c 1996), "All Lit up in Love" (#25c 1997), "Just Don't Wait Around Til She's Leavin'" (#37c 1998), "Loco" (#5c 2004), "Tryin' to Get There" (2004, he co-wrote), "Ghost in the Jukebox" (2004)
songwriter
music producer
see David Lee Murphy

Jeff Newman

b. 1942 in Arkansas City, KS - d. 7 Apr 2004 (plane crash)
country/bluegrass/rock musician, instrument: steel guitar
"If I Didn't Care" (1999), "Nighttrain" (1999)
duets with Mike Auldridge, "Summer Thunder" (1978), "When I Dream" (1978)
session musician with Alex Chilton, James Dickenson, Jim and Jesse, Ferlin Husky
he was attempting to land a small plane when it crashed

Emilio Pericoli

b. 1928 in Italy
pop singer
"Al Di La" (#6 1962, One-Hit Wonder), "Volare" (1963), "Arrivederci Roma" (1963), "My Heart Reminds Me" (1963)

Paul Revere (Paul Revere Dick)

b. 1938 in Boise, ID
rock singer
instruments: organ, keyboards, piano
founding member and leader (but not lead singer) of Paul Revere and the Raiders (1960-75), "Unfinished Fifth" (1960), "Like, Long Hair" (#38 1961), "Leatherneck" (1962), "Just Like Me" (#11 1965), "Kicks" (#4 1966), "Hungry" (#5 1966), "Good Thing" (#5 1966), "Ups and Downs" (#22 1967), "I Had a Dream" (#20 1967), "Him or Me, What's it Gonna Be" (#7 1967), "I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone" (#20 1967), "Don't Take it So Hard" (#27 1968), "Too Much Talk" (#18 1968), "Mister Sun, Mister Moon" (#18 1969), "Let Me" (#20 1969), "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)" (#1 1971), "Powder Blue Mercedes Queen" (#54 1971), "Birds of a Feather" (#23 1971), "Country Wine" (1972)
see Paul Revere and the Raiders

John Rich

b. 1974 in Amarillo, TX
country/rock singer
instrument: bass
"I Pray for You" (#53c 2000, he co-wrote), "Forever Loving You" (#46c 2001, he co-wrote)
with Lonestar (1995-98), "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, he co-wrote), "You Walked in" (#93, #12c 1997), "Everything's Changed" (#95, #2c 1998), "Say When" (#13c 1998)
founding member of Big and Rich (1998- ), "Wild West Show" (#85, #21c 2004), * "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" (#56, #11c 2004), "Holy Water" (#74, #15c 2005), "Big Time" (#20c 2005, he co-wrote), "Comin' to Your City" (#72, #21c 2005), "8th of November" (#94, #18c 2006), "Lost in This Moment" (#60, #18c 2007)
songwriter, co-wrote Gretchen Wilson's "Here for the Party" (#39, #3c 2004); Jason Aldean's "Amarillo Sky" (#59, #4c 2005), "Hicktown" (#68, #10c 2005)
see Big and Rich
see Lonestar

Kathy Valentine (Kathryn Valentine)

b. 1959 in Austin, TX
pop/rock singer
instruments: bass, guitar
"Light Years" (2005), "Somewhere to Nowhere" (2005), "Until Then" (2005)
with 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, she co-wrote)
songwriter

Jim West (James West)

b. 1941 in Sundown, TX
pop singer
lead singer of The Innocents (1958-64), "Honest I Do" (#28 1960), "Gee Whiz" (#28 1961)
The Innocents backing Kathy Young, "A Thousand Stars" (#3 1960), "Happy Birthday Blues" (#30 1961), "Magic is the Night" (1961), "Just as Though You Were Here" (1961), "I'll Hang My Letters Out to Dry" (1961), "Send Her Away" (1962), "Dream Awhile" (1962)
with Gary Lewis and the Playboys
see The Innocents
see Gary Lewis and the Playboys

Danny Williams

b. 1942 in South Africa - d. 6 Dec 2005 (lung cancer)
pop singer
"It Might As Well Be Spring" (1962), "Jeannie" (1962), "White on White" (#9 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Dancing Easy" (#30 1977)
father of actor, Anthony Barclay
see Danny Williams

Leona Williams (Leona Belle Helton)

b. 1943 in Vienna, MO
country singer
instruments: upright bass, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, drums
"Broadminded" (1968), "I Want More of This" (1968), "I Narrowed This Triangle (Down to Two)" (1969), "Once More" (#66c 1969), "Yes Ma'am (He Found Me in a Honky-Tonk)" (1970), "Country Girl with Hot Pants on" (#52c 1971), "The Baby Song" (#92c 1979), "Always Late With Your Kisses" (#84c 1981), "Don't Sing Me No Songs about Texas" (2004, she co-wrote), "Things I Almost Had with You" (2004), "I've Called to Say I Love (One More Time)" (2004), "It's Tearing This Old Heart Out of Me" (2005), "I Barely Am Getting By" (2005)
duets with Merle Haggard, "The Bull and the Beaver" (#8c 1978, she co-wrote), "Let's Pretend We're Not Married Tonight" (1983, she co-wrote), "We're Strangers Again" (#42c 1983, she co-wrote)
backup singer in Merle Haggard's band (1975-84), "Always Wanting You" (#1c 1975), "Movin' on" (#1c 1975), "The Roots of My Raising" (#1c 1976), "Cherokee Maiden" (#1c 1976), "Ramblin' Fever" (#2c 1977), "If We're Not Back in Love by Monday" (#2c 1977), "I'm Always on a Mountain When I Fall" (#2c 1978), "My Own Kind of Hat" (#4c 1979), "Red Bandana" (#4c 1979), "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" (#1c 1980), "My Favorite Memory" (#1c 1981), "Big City" (#1c 1982), "(Going) Where the Lonely Go" (#1c 1982), "You Take Me for Granted" (#1c 1983, she co-wrote), "That's the Way Love Goes" (#1c 1984), "Someday When Things Are Good" (#1c 1984, she co-wrote), "Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room" (#1c 1984), and others
with Loretta Lynn's band (1966)
songwriter
md. 1st to drummer, Ron Williams (1959- ); md. 2nd to singer, Merle Haggard (1978-84); md. 3rd to songwriter, Dave Kirby (1985-2004)
see Leona Williams

Vernon Wray (Vernon Aubrey Wray)

b. 1924 in Dunn, NC (grew up in AZ) - d. 1979 (shot himself)
rock/rockabilly musician, instrument: guitar
recorded as Ray Vernon, "I'll Take Tomorrow (Today)" (1957), "Terry (You're Askin' Too Much)" (1957), "Window Shopping" (1958), "Gotta Go Get My Baby" (1964), "I Couldn't Keep From Crying" (1964)
with Link Wray and the Raymen, "Rumble" (#16 1958), "Rawhide" (#23 1959), "Ain't That Lovin' You, Babe?" (1960), "Right Turn" (1960), "Danger, One-Way Love Affair" (1961), "Big City after Dark" (1962), "Dance Contest" (1962), "The Black Widow" (1963), "Jack the Ripper" (#64 1963), "My Beth" (1963), "Steel Trap" (1963), "Ace of Spades" (1965), "Juke Box Mama" (1971), "Crowbar" (1971), "Don't" (1979), "Switchblade" (1979)
see Link Wray

Eldee Young (Eldee Devon Young)

b. 1936 in Chicago, IL
jazz/R&B/pop singer
instruments: upright bass, cello, guitar
with The Ramsey Lewis Trio (1956-65, 1983-), "Carmen" (1956), "Tracy Blues" (1958), "Consider the Source" (1959), "Thanks for the Memory" (1962), "Memphis in June" (1962), "Barefoot Sunday Blues" (1963), "Egg Nog" (1965), "The 'In' Crowd" (#5 1965), "Hang on, Sloopy" (#11 1965)
founding member of The Young-Holt Trio (1965-67), "Wack, Wack" (#10 1966)
founding member of Young-Holt Unlimited (1968-74), "Soulful Strut" (#3 1968), "Got to Get My Baby Back Home" (1970)
session musician with Dinah Washington, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Turner, and others

January 8

Little Anthony (Jerome Anthony Gourdine)

b. 1940/41 in Brooklyn, NY
R&B/soul/doo-wop singer (falsetto)
"It Just Ain't Fair" (1961)
founding member of Little Anthony and the Imperials (1958-61, 1963-75), * "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
actor
md. to Judy Fouseca (1961-63, 1967-74)

Shirley Bassey (Shirley Veronica Bassey)

b. 1937 in Cardiff, Wales
pop singer
"Blues in the Night (My Mama Done Told Me)" (1957), "Every Time We Say Goodbye" (1961), "Let's Face the Music and Dance" (1962), "The Song is You" (1963), "Goldfinger" (#8 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "I Could Have Danced All Night" (1965), "A Time for Us" (1968), "Doesn't Anybody Miss Me?" (1969), "Something" (#55 1970), "Diamonds are Forever" (#57 1972), "Never, Never, Never" (#48 1973), "Moonraker" (1979), "History Repeating" (1998)
md. to Kenneth Hume (1961-65); md. to Sergio Novak (1968-77)

David Bowie (David Robert Jones aka Ziggy Stardust)

b. 1947 in Brixton, England - d. January 10, 2016
rock/soul singer
"Can't Help Thinking About Me" (1966), "Did You Ever Have a Dream?" (1967), "Love You Till Tuesday" (1967), "Space Oddity" (#15 1969), "Fame" (#1 1975), "Golden Years" (#10 1975), "Let's Dance" (#1 1983), "China Girl" (#10 1983), "Modern Love" (#14 1983), "Blue Jean" (#8 1984), "Never Let Me Down" (1987)
duet with Mick Jagger, "Dancing in the Street" (#7 1985)
session musician with Lulu, Ron Wood, The Who, Tina Turner, and others
songwriter
music producer; arranger; sound engineer
actor
md. 2nd to model, Iman Abdulmajid (1992)
see David Bowie

Joel 'Taz' DiGregorio

b. 19?? in Worcester, MA or Southbridge, MA
country/rock singer
instrument: keyboards
"This Ain't No Rag, it's a Flag" (2001)
with the Charlie Daniels Band (1971- ), "Uneasy Rider" (#9, #67c 1973), "Long-Haired Country Boy" (#56 1974, #27c 1983), "The South's Gonna Do it Again" (#29 1974), "Texas" (#91, #36c 1975), "Wichita Jail" (#22c 1976), "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (#3, #1c 1979, he co-wrote, CMA single of the year 1979), "Behind Your Eyes" (#87c 1979), Mississippi" (#10c 1979), "In America" (#11, #13c 1980, he co-wrote), "Carolina I Remember You" (#44c 1980, he co-wrote), "Sweet Home Alabama" (#52, #94c 1981), "Still in Saigon" (#22 1982), "We Had it All One Time" (#59c 1982), "American Farmer" (#54c 1985, he co-wrote), "Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues" (#10c 1988, he co-wrote), "Cowboy Hat in Dallas" (#36c 1989, he co-wrote), "Simple Man" (#12c 1989, he co-wrote)
with Paul Chaplan and the Emeralds, "Shortnin' Bread" (1959)
songwriter
see The Charlie Daniels Band

Jimmy Elledge

b. 1942/43 in Los Angeles, CA or Nashville, TN
country/pop singer
instrument: piano
"Send Me a Letter" (1961), "Funny How Time Slips Away" (#22 1962, One-Hit Wonder), "Can't You See it in My Eyes?" (1962), "I Had to Run Away" (1963), "Dream of the Year" (1964), "World of Lavender Lace" (1965), "Time is a Thief" (1966), "Florence Jean" (1968), "No One Ever Lost More" (1968), "Lady Lover" (1975)

Gil Grand (Gilles Lagrandeur

b. 1968 in Ontario, Canada
country singer
"Famous First Words" (#73c 1998), "Let's Start Livin'" (#55c 1998, he co-wrote), "I Already Fell" (#70c 1999, he co-wrote), "Spilled Perfume" (1999), "There She Goes" (2001, he co-wrote), "Cry a Little" (2002, he co-wrote), "Sometimes She Cries" (2004, he co-wrote), "These Wheels Won't Roll" (2005, he co-wrote), "Honky-Tonk Cool" (2006, he co-wrote), "Good Days, Bad Days" (2007)
songwriter

Marcus Hutson

b. 1943 in St. Louis, MO
R&B singer
founding member of The Whispers (1964- ), "It's Rainin', it's Pourin'" (1964), "Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong" (#50 1970), "A Mother for My Children" (#92 1974), "Make it with You" (#94 1977), "And the Beat Goes on" (#19 1980), "Lady" (#28 1980), "It's a Love Thing" (#28 1981), "I Can Make it Better" (1981), "Tonight" (#84 1983), "Rock Steady" (#7 1987), "Innocent" (#55 1990), "My Heart, Your Heart" (1990), "Make Sweet Love to Me" (1995), "For the Cool in You" (1997), "As Soon As I Get Home" (1997)
see The Whispers

Lee Jackson (Keith Lee Jackson)

b. 1943 in England
rock/jazz singer
instruments: bass, guitar
founding member of The Nice (1967- , and reunions), "Azrael (Angel of Death)" (1967, he co-wrote), "Little Arabella" (1968, he co-wrote), "Diary of an Empty Day" (1969, he co-wrote), "Hang on to a Dream" (1969), "Country Pie" (1969)
founding member of Jackson Heights (1970-73)
founding member of Refugee (1974- )
songwriter
see The Nice

Edward Joseph Julian

b. 1918 in MA - d. 30 Oct 1997
swing/pop musician, instrument: drums
with Les Brown and His Band of Renown (1939-41)
with the Alvino Rey Orchestra (1941-42), "Deep in the Heart of Texas" (#1 1942), "Strip Polka" (#6 1942)
with Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra (1941-42, 1946-52), "My Devotion" (#5 1942), "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" (#1 1946), "Ballerina" (#1 1947), "The Stars Will Remember" (#8 1947), "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" (#2 1947), "You Do" (#5 1947), "Cool Water" (#9, #7c 1948), "Someday" (#1 1949), * "Riders in the Sky" (#1 1949), "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" (#1 1949), "Sound Off" (#3 1951), and others
served in the Army during WWII (1943-45)
md. to singer, Ruth Wetmer (1953-97, his death)
see Vaughn Monroe

Robby Kreiger (Robert Alan Kreiger)

b. 1946 in Los Angeles, CA
rock/blues musician, instrument: guitar
"The Crystal Ship" (1983, he co-wrote), "Underwater Fall" (1983, he wrote)
founding member of The Doors (1965-73), "Light My Fire" (#1 1967, he wrote), "Crawling King Snakes" (1967), "When the Music's Over" (1967), "People Are Strange" (#12 1967), "Hello, I Love You" (#1 1968), "The Unknown Soldier" (#39 1968), "Touch Me" (#3 1969, he wrote), "Love Her Madly" (#11 1971), "Riders of the Storm" (#14 1971)
The Doors name came from a line in a William Blake poem – "If the door of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it truly is, infinite."
songwriter
see The Doors

Christy Lane (Eleanor Johnston)

b. 1940 in Peoria, IL
country/gospel singer
"Janie Took My Place" (1967), "Promise Me Anything" (1969), "By the Way" (1976), "Trying to Forget About You" (#52c 1977), "Let Me Down Easy" (#7c 1977), "I'm Gonna Love You Anyway" (#10c 1978), "Penny Arcade" (#7c 1978), "I Just Can't Stay Married to You" (#5c 1979), "Simple Little Words" (#10c 1979), "Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind" (1979), "One Day at a Time" (#1c 1980), "Sweet Sexy Eyes" (#8c 1980), "Ask Me to Dance" (1980), "I Have a Dream" (#17c 1981), "Cheatin' is Still on My Mind" (1981), "Just a Mile From Nowhere" (1981), "Fragile, Handle With Care" (1982), "Lies on Your Lips" (#22c 1982), "I've Come Back (to Say I Love You One More Time)" (1983)
songwriter
dance teacher; author
md. to Lee Stoller (1960- )
see Christy Lane on Wikipedia

Chris Marion

b. 1962 in VA
country/gospel/rock singer
instrument: keyboards
founding member of Western Flyer (1992-97), "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)
with Little River Band (200?- )
sessionist with Garth Brooks, Doug Stone, and others
songwriter
see Little River Band
see Western Flyer on Wikipedia

Tift Merritt

b. 1975 in Houston, TX (grew up in Bynum, NC)
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
backed by her band The Carbines, "Bramble Rose" (2002), "Virginia, No One Can Warn You" (2002), "Diamond Shoes" (2002), "Stray Paper" (2004), "Shadow in the Way" (2004), "Good-Hearted Man" (#59c 2005, she wrote)
duets with Two Dollar Pistols, "If Only You Were Mine" (1999), "Just Someone I Used to Know" (1999)
songwriter
see Tift Merritt

Luther Perkins (Luther Monroe Perkins)

b. 1928 in Memphis, TN (grew up in MS) – d. 5 Aug 1968 in Nashville, TN (house fire)
country/rockabilly musician, instrument: lead guitar
founding member of Johnny Cash's backup band, The Tennessee Three (1954-68), "I Walk the Line" (#17, #1c 1956), "Folsom Prison Blues" (#4c 1956), "There You Go" (#1c 1957), "The Ways of a Woman in Love" (#24, #2c 1958), "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (#14, #1c 1958), "Guess Things Happen That Way" (#11, #1c 1958), "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" (#32, #1c 1959), "Get Rhythm" (#1c 1959), "I Got Stripes" (#43, #4c 1959), "Ring of Fire" (#17, #1c 1963), "Great Matador" (#2c 1963), "Bad News" (#3c 1964), "Understand Your Man" (#35, #1c 1964), "Orange Blossom Special" (#80, #3c 1965), "One on the Right is on the Left" (#46, #2c 1966), "Folsom Prison Blues" (#32, #1c 1968), "Rosanna's Going Wild" (#91, #2c 1968), and others
The Tennessee Three were also known as The Tennessee Two and a Friend
session guitarist with Floyd Cramer, and others
the house fires was likely started when he fell asleep on the couch while smoking

John Peterson

b. 1945 in San Francisco, CA
pop/rock/folk singer
instruments: drums, percussions
with The Sparklers
founding member of The Beau Brummels (1964-66, and reunions), "Laugh Laugh" (#15 1965), * "Just a Little" (#8 1965), "You Tell Me Why" (1965), "Sad Little Girl" (1965)
with Harpers Bizarre (1966-69), "The 59th Street Bridge Song" (#13 1967, he co-wrote), "Come to the Sunshine" (1967), "Anything Goes" (#43 1968)
songwriter
see The Beau Brummels
see Harpers Bizarre on Wikipedia

Karen Poole (Karen Ann Poole)

b. 1971 in Essex, England
rock singer
founding member of Alisha's Attic (1996-2001), "Indestructible" (1997), "Air We Breathe" (1997), "The Incidentals" (1998), "Push it All Aside" (2001), "That Other Girl" (2001)
songwriter
older sister of Shelly Poole; daughter of musician, Brian Poole

Elvis Presley (Elvis Aron Presley aka 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll')

b. 1935 in Tupelo, MS – d. 16 Aug 1977 (heart failure brought on by prescription drug abuse)
country/rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby?" (#15 1964), "Heartbreak Hotel" (#1, #1c 1956, he co-wrote), "Don't Be Cruel" (#1, #1c 1956), "Hound Dog" (#1, 1c 1956), "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" (#1c 1956), * "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" (#1, #1c 1956), * "Love Me Tender" (#1, #3c 1956), * "Old Shep" (#47 1956), "Too Much" (#1, #3c 1957), "All Shook Up" (#1, #1c 1957), "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" (#1, #1c 1957), "Jailhouse Rock" (#1, #1c 1957), * "Loving You" (#20, #15c 1957), * "True Love" (1957), "I Beg of You" (#8, #4c 1958), "Don't" (#1, #2c 1958), "Hard-Headed Woman" (#1, #2c 1958), "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" (#3c 1958), "Stuck on You" (#1, #27c 1960), * "It's Now or Never" (#1 1960), * "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (#1, #22c 1960), "Make Me Know it" (1960), "Surrender" (#1 1961), * "Good Luck Charm" (#1 1962), "Moonlight Swim" (1961), "(Marie's the Name of) His Latest Flame" (#4 1961), "Follow That Dream" (#15 1962), * "That's Someone You Never Forget" (1962), "Return to Sender" (#2 1962), * "Can't Help Falling in Love" (#2 1962), "(You're the) Devil in Disguise" (#3 1963), "She's Not You" (#5 1962), "Kissin' Cousins" (1964), "Crying in the Chapel" (#3 1965), * "Love Letters" (#19 1966), "If Every Day Was Like Christmas" (#2 1967), "Long-Legged Girl (with the Short Dress on)" (1967), "A Little Less Conversation" (1968), "Almost in Love" (1968), "Suspicious Minds" (#1 1969), "The Wonder of You" (#9, #37c 1970), * "Just Pretend" (1970), "Kentucky Rain" (#16, #31c 1970), "How the Web Was Woven" (1971), * "Angel" (1971), "Burning Love" (#2 1972), "Moody Blue" (#31, #1c 1977), "Pledging My Love" (#1c 1977), "She Thinks I Still Care" (#31, #1c 1977), * "He'll Have to Go" (1977), "Way Down" (#1c 1977), "My Way" (#2c 1978), "Guitar Man" (#28, #1c 1981)
duet with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, "Walk That Lonesome Valley" (1956)
songwriter
music producer; actor
served in the Army (1958-60)
md. to Priscilla Beaulieu (1967-73)
he later added a second 'a' to his middle name to conform to common spelling

Terry Sylvester

b. 1947 in Liverpool, England
rock singer
instrument: guitar
with The Hollies (1969-78, replaced Graham Nash), "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (1969), "Reflections of a Long Time Past" (1969), "Long Dark Road" (1971), "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (#2 1972), "The Air That I Breathe" (#6 1974)
with Swinging Blue Jeans (1964-67), * "Hippy Hippy Shake" (#24 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Rumors, Gossip, Words Untrue" (1966), "Don't Go Out in the Rain" (1967)
with The Escorts, "On a Day Like Today" (1967), "All We Need (is Another Chance)" (1973), "I'm So Glad I Found You" (1973), "Within Without" (1974)
songwriter
son of jazz trombonist, James Sylvester
see The Hollies
see The Swinging Blue Jeans

Holly Tashian (Holly Paige Kimball)

b. 1946 in Manhattan, NY (grew up in Westport, CT)
folk/bluegrass/country singer
instruments: rhythm guitar, fiddle, bass
founding member of Barry and Holly (1970- ), "Trust in Me" (1989, she co-wrote), "Look Both Ways" (1989, she co-wrote), "The Memories Remain" (1993), "Highway 86" (1993, she co-wrote), "Heart Full of Memories" (1993, she co-wrote), "The Love You Give" (1997, she co-wrote), "Two Ways to Fall" (1997, she co-wrote), "Wild Wind" (1997, she co-wrote), "A Man's Best Friend is His Automobile" (2002, she co-wrote), "These Little Things" (2002, she co-wrote)
sessionist with Delia Bell, Nanci Griffith, and others
songwriter
md. to Barry Tashian (1972- )
see Barry and Holly Tashian

January 9

Joan Baez (Joan Chandos Baez)

b. 1941 in Staten Island, NY
folk/pop/rock/country singer (with a three-octave range)
instruments: guitar, piano
"Birmingham Sunday" (1964), "Children of Darkness" (1967), "Turquoise" (1967), "All the Pretty Little Horses" (1968), "One Too Many Mornings" (1968), "Love is Just a Four-Letter Word" (1968), "Hickory Wind" (1969), "Sweet Sir Galahad" (1970, she wrote), "A Song for David" (1970, she wrote), * "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (#3 1971), "Three Horses" (1971, she wrote), "When Time is Stolen" (1971, she wrote), * "Help Me Make it Through the Night" (1971), * "Heaven Help Us All" (1971), "Love Song to a Stranger" (1972, she wrote), "In the Quiet Morning" (1972), "Windrose" (1973, she wrote), "Diamonds and Rust" (#35 1975, she wrote), "Winds of the Old Days" (1975, she wrote), "Still Waters at Night" (1976, she wrote), "Gulf Winds" (1976, she wrote), "Miracles" (1977, she wrote), "Honest Lullaby" (1979, she wrote for her son), "Song at the End of the Movie" (1979), "Recently" (1987, she wrote), * "Let it Be" (1988), "I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger" (1988), "Speaking of Dreams" (1989, she wrote), "I'm with You" (1992, she wrote), "Don't Make Promises" (1995), "Crack in the Mirror" (1997, about abuse), "If I Wrote You" (1997)
duet with Dar Williams, "You're Aging Well" (1995)
performed at Woodstock
she sang at Lou Rawls' funeral
songwriter
actress
human rights activist
md. to David Harris (1968-73); older sister of singer, Mimi Farina
quote by Joan Baez: "You may not know it, but at the far end of despair, there is a white clearing where one is almost happy."
see Joan Baez

Jimmy Boyd

b. 1939/40 in McComb, MS
pop/country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" (#1, #7c 1952, youngest performer to have a #1 hit), "Truck Driver's Boogie" (1952), "Little Dog" (1956), "Crazy Mixed-up Blues" (1956), "Rockin' Down the Mississippi" (1956), "I Wanna Go Steady" (1956), "Gonna Take My Baby on a Hayride" (1957), "Don't Tempt Me" (1958), "Cream Puff" (1959), "Dusty" (1960), "I Would Never Do That" (1967)
duets with Gayla Peevey, "Kitty in the Basket" (1954), "I'm So Glad (I'm a Little Boy and You're a Little Girl)" (1954)
toured with the USO
actor
md. to actress, Yvonne Craig (1960-62)
see Jimmy Boyd on Wikipedia

Steven Brown

b. b. 1941 in New York, NY - d. 20 Jan 1989
doo-wop singer (tenor)
founding member of The Charts (1956-66, and reunions), "Deserie" (1957), "Dance, Girl" (1957), "All Because of Love" (1958), "You're the Reason (I'm in Love)" (1958), "You Keep Dancing with Me" (1963)
founding member of Cleveland Still's Dubs (1986- ), "Teddy Bear" (1986)
see The Charts
see The Dubs on R&B Notebooks

Billy Cowsill (William Joseph Cowsill, Jr.)

b. 1948 in Newport, RI - d. 17 Feb 2006 in Canada (emphysema, Cushing Syndrome, and other problems)
pop/country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"I Wish I Could Say the Same About You" (1970), "When Everybody's Here" (1971, he wrote), "Take the Gun" (1971)
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)
with Blue Shadows
duet with Murray McLaughlan, "Where the Sweet Waters Flow" (1996, he wrote)
backup singer with Steve Pineo, Cindy Church, Colin James, and others
songwriter
see The Cowsills

Jimmy Day (aka 'Mr. Country Soul')

b. 1934 in Tuscaloosa, AL - d. 22 Jan 1999
country/honky-tonk/western swing musician, instrument: pedal steel guitar
"Blue Wind" (1955), "Steelin' the Blues" (1961), "Too Much of You" (1970)
with Ray Price's Cherokee Cowboys (1956-62), "Crazy Arms" (#27, #1c 1956), "I've Got a New Heartache" (#1c 1956), "My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You" (#63, #1c 1957), "Faded Love" (#3c 1957), "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)
session musician on Charlie Walker's "Pick Me up on Your Way Down" (#2c 1958); Webb Pierce's "That Heart Belongs to Me" (#1c 1952); and with Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, George Jones, and others
helped create the 'Blue Darlin'' guitar

Big Al Downing

b. 1940 in Centralia, OK (grew up in Lenapah, OK) - d. 4 Jul 2005 in MA (leukemia)
country/rockabilly/blues/soul singer
instrument: piano
"If I Had Our Love to Live Over" (1961), "The Story of My Life" (1962), "I'll Be Holdin' on" (#85 1974), "Mr. Jones" (#20c 1978, he wrote), "Midnight Lace" (#59c 1979, he wrote), "Countin' Highway Signs" (1979), "The Story Behind the Story" (#33c 1980, he wrote), "Bring it on Home" (#20c 1980, he co-wrote), "I'll Be Loving You" (#48c 1982, he co-wrote), "We Can Only Say Goodbye" (1983), "It Takes Love" (#38c 1983, he co-wrote), "The Best of Families" (#45c 1984), "There'll Never Be a Better Night for Bein' Wrong" (#76c 1984), "Just One Night Won't Do" (#67c 1987), "I Guess by Now" (#82c 1989, he wrote)
founding member of The Poe-Kats, "Miss Lucy" (1958), "Just Around the Corner" (1958)
The Poe-Kats backing Wanda Jackson, "Let's Have a Party" (#37 1960)
duets with Little Esther Phillips, "You'll Never Miss the Water (Till the Well Runs Dry)" (#73 1963), "If You Want it (I've Got it)" (#129 1963)
session musician with Fats Domino, Johnny Mathis, Dottie West, Lou Rawls, The Drifters, and others
songwriter, wrote Fats Domino's "Mary, Oh Mary" (#127 1964); Tom Jones' "Touch Me (I'll Be Your Fool Once More)" (#4c 1983)
brother of singer/songwriter, Don Downing

Scott Engel (Noel Scott Engel)

b. 1943/44 in Hamilton, OH
pop/rock singer
instrument: electric bass
"Steady as a Rock" (1957), "The Livin' End" (1958), "Paper Doll" (1958), "I Don't Wanna Know" (1959)
recorded as Scott Walker, "I Don't Want to Hear it Anymore" (1968), "You're All Around Me" (1968), "Lights of Cincinnati" (1969)
founding member and lead singer of The Walker Brothers (1964-67, 1976-78), "Love Her" (1965), "Make it Easy on Yourself" (#16 1965), "Seventh Dawn" (1965), "Saddest Night in the World" (1966), "I Only Came to Dance with You" (1966), "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" (#13 1966), "No Sad Song for Me" (1966), "No Regrets" (1976)
songwriter
see The Walker Brothers on Wikipedia

Cassie Gaines

b. 1948 - d. 20 Oct 1977 in MS (plane crash)
rock/gospel singer
backup singer with Lynyrd Skynyrd (1975-77), "Saturday Night Special" (#27 1975), "Double Trouble" (#80 1976), "Give Me Back My Bullets" (1976), "What's Your Name?" (#13 1977), "You've Got the Right" (1978)
sister of Steve Gaines; they were both killed in the same plane crash as Ronnie Van Zandt
see Lynyrd Skynyrd

Crystal Gayle (Brenda Gail Webb)

b. 1951 in Paintsville, KY (grew up in Wabash, IN)
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"I Cried (the Blue Right Out of My Eyes)" (#23c 1970, #40c 1978), "Wrong Road Again" (#6c 1975), "This is My Year for Mexico" (#21c 1975), "I Want to Lose Me in You" (1975), "Somebody Loves You" (#8c 1976), "I'll Get Over You" (#1c 1976), "You Never Miss a Real Good Thing (Till He Says Goodbye)" (#1c 1977), "I'll Do it All Over Again" (#2c 1977), "Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (#2, #1c 1977), "Ready for the Times to Get Better" (#52, #1c 1978), "Talkin' in Your Sleep" (#18, #1c 1978), "Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For?" (#1c 1979), "When I Dream" (#84, #3c 1979), "Your Kisses Will" (#7c 1979), "Half the Way" (#15, #2c 1979), "It's Like We Never Said Goodbye" (#63, #1c 1980), "If You Ever Change Your Mind" (#1c 1980), "Too Many Lovers" (#1c 1981), "The Woman in Me (Needs the Man in You)" (#75, #3c 1981), "You Never Gave up on Me" (#5c 1982), "Baby, What about You?" (#83, #1c 1983), "Till I Gain Control Again" (#1c 1983), "Our Love is on the Faultline" (#1c 1983), "Turning Away" (#1c 1984), "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" (#2c 1984), "The Sound of Goodbye" (#84, #1c 1984), "Me Against the Night" (#4c 1985), "Cry" (#1c 1986), "Straight to the Heart" (#1c 1987), "Only Love Can Save Me Now" (#11c 1988)
duet with Eddie Rabbitt, "You and I" (#7, #1c 1982)
duets with Gary Morris, "Makin' up for Lost Time (The Dallas Lovers Song)" (#1c 1987), "Another World" (#4c 1987)
younger sister of Loretta Lynn; cousin of Patty Loveless; md. to Bill Gatzimos
see Crystal Gayle

Charlie Harris (Charles Pervis Harris)

b. 1916 in Alexandria, VA (grew up in Baltimore, MD) - d. 9 Sep 2003 in Baltimore, MD (cancer)
jazz musician, instrument: string bass
with the Lionel Hampton Band (1941-49)
with Nat King Cole's band (1951-64), "Unforgettable" (#12 1951), "Too Young" (#1 1951), "Somewhere Along the Way" (#8 1952), "Pretend" (#2 1953), "Answer Me, My Love" (#6 1954), "A Blossom Fell" (#2 1955), "Night Lights" (#11 1956), "Looking Back" (#5 1958), "Time and the River" (#30 1960), "Ramblin' Rose" (#2 1962), "Dear Lonely Hearts" (#13 1962), "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" (#6 1963), "That Sunday, That Summer" (#12 1963), "I Don't Want to See Tomorrow" (#34 1964)
session musician with Dizzy Gillespie, and others

Roy Head

b. 1943 in Three Rivers, TX
country/rock/soul singer
instrument: guitar
"To Make a Big Man Cry" (#95 1966), "You're (Almost) Tuff" (1966), "Turn Out the Lights" (1968), "Trying to Reach My Goal" (1970), "The Most Wanted Woman in Town" (#19c 1975), "Lady Luck and Mother Nature" (1976), "The Door I Used to Close" (#28c 1976), "Julianne" (#79c 1977), "Take Your Time" (1977), "Come to Me" (#16c 1978), "Now You See 'em, Now You Don't" (#19c 1978), "Tonight's the Night (it's Gonna Be Alright)" (#28c 1978), "The Fire of Two Old Flames" (#65c 1980), "Your Next One and Only" (1982), "Where Did He Go Right?" (#79c 1983)
with his band, The Traits, "Walking All Day" (1961), "Treat Her Right" (#2 1965), "Just a Little Bit" (#39 1965), "Apple of My Eye" (#32 1966), "Angel with a Broken Wing" (1976)
songwriter
see Roy Head and the Traits

Lance Hoppen

b. 1954 in Long Island, NY
country/rock singer
instrument: bass
with Orleans, "Let There Be Music" (1975), "Reach" (1976), "Grown-up Children" (1986), "Speed of Love" (1986), "You're Mine" (#59c 1986), "Compared to What?" (1990), "Back to Your Arms" (1994), "I'm on Your Side" (1996), "In My Dreams" (1996, he wrote)
Orleans backing Steve Wariner, "You Can Dream of Me" (#1c 1986)
session musician with Baillie and the Boys, Suzy Bogguss, Billy Joe Royal, and others
songwriter
music producer
brother of Larry Hoppen

Frank Hovington (Franklin Hovington)

b. 1919 in Reading, PA - d. 21 Jun 1982 in Felton, DE
blues/country singer
instruments: ukulele, guitar, banjo
"Gone with the Wind" (1975), "90 Going North" (1975), "Mean Old Frisco" (1975)
session musician with Billy Stewart, Stewart Dixon, Ernest Ewin, and others
see the Frank Hovington discography

Dick Jurgens (Richard Henry Jurgens)

b. 1910 in Sacramento, CA
jazz/swing/pop musician, instrument: trumpet
founding member of Dick Jurgens and His Orchestra, "You're Slightly Terrific" (1934, he co-wrote), "It's a Hundred to One You're in Love With Me" (1939, he co-wrote), "In an Old Dutch Garden (By an Old Dutch Mill)" (1940), "A Million Dreams Ago" (1940, he co-wrote), "The Bells of San Raquel" (1941), "Happy in Love" (1942), "One Dozen Roses" (#1 1942, he co-wrote), "(Oh Why, Oh Why, Did I Ever Leave) Wyoming" (#4c 1947)
songwriter
served in the Marines during WWII (1942-45)

Kenny 'Wally' Kelley (Kenneth Kelley)

b. 1943 in Jersey City, NJ
soul/pop/doo-wop singer (bass)
founding member of The Manhattans (1962-90), "What Should I Do?" (1962), "For the Very First Time" (1964), "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" (1964), "Follow Your Heart" (1965), "Alone on New Years Eve" (1966), "We Were Made As One" (1967, re-recorded 1985), "Til You Come Back to Me" (1968), "If My Heart Could Speak" (1970), "There's No Me Without You" (1972), "A Million to One" (1972), "The Other Side of Me" (1974), "Nursery Rhymes" (1975), "Don't Take Your Love from Me" (#37 1975), "Kiss and Say Goodbye" (#1 1976), "We Never Dance to a Love Song" (1977), "There's No Good in Goodbye" (1978), "Here Comes That Hurt Again" (1979), "(You Are My) Shining Star" (#5 1980), "Forever by Your Side" (1983), "You Send Me" (1985), "Just a Matter of Time" (1989)
The Manhattans and Regina Belle, "Where Did We Go Wrong?" (1986)
songwriter
served in the military

Billy Leach (William Leech)

b. 1911 in Pittsburgh, PA - d. 11 Nov 1997 (complications of open heart surgery)
blues/pop/novelty singer
instrument: guitar
"Song of the Barefoot Mailman" (#16 1954, he wrote), "Lil's Grill" (1954)
with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, "Speak Low" (1944)
with Art Kassels and His Kassels in the Air, "Thrill of a Lifetime" (1937), "Silhouetted in the Moonlight" (1938)
songwriter
DJ
served in the Navy during WWII
he was an alcoholic but spent his last 46 years sober

Domenico Modugno

b. 1928 in Italy – d. 6 Aug 1994 in Italy (heart attack)
pop singer
"Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)" (#1 1958, One-Hit Wonder)
songwriter
actor
see Domenico Mudugno on Wikipedia

Jimmy Page (James Patrick Page)

b. 1944/45 in Middlesex, England
rock/blues musician, instruments: electric guitar, bass, harmonica, dulcimer
"The Only One" (1988, he co-wrote), "Emerald Eyes" (1988, he wrote)
off and on with the Yardbirds (1966-68), "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" (#30 1966)
founding member and lead guitarist with Led Zeppelin (1968-80), "Whole Lotta Love" (#4 1969), "Ramble on" (1969), "Black Dog" (#15 1971, he co-wrote), "Communication Breakdown" (1969), "Stairway to Heaven" (#15 1971), "The Song Remains the Same" (1973), "Custard Pie" (1975), "All My Love" (1979), "Fool in the Rain" (#21 1979)
founding member of Cloverdale-Page (1992-94), "Waiting on You" (1993, he co-wrote), "Pride and Joy" (1993, he co-wrote), "Over Now" (1993, he co-wrote)
with The Black Crowes, "Nobody's Fault But Mine" (2000, he co-wrote), "The Shape of Things to Come" (2000)
with The Honeydrippers, "Rockin' at Midnight" (#25 1985), "Sea of Love" (#3 1985)
duet with John Paul Jones and John Bonham, "Lonely Weekend" (2000), "Flashing Lights" (2000, he co-wrote)
duet with John Paul Jones and Albert Lee, "One Long Kiss" (1984)
session musician on The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" (#7 1964); Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual" (#10 1965); and with The Tremeloes, Herman's Hermits, The Rolling Stones, and others
songwriter
see Led Zeppelin
see The Yardbirds

Bucky Pizzarelli (John Paul Pizzarelli)

b. 1926 in Paterson, NJ
jazz/pop/swing musician, instrument: 7-string electric guitar
"Night Rider" (1961), "Red River" (1961), "Somebody Loves Me" (1993), Summerset" (1993)
with Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra (1943, 1946-51), "Let's Get Lost" (#1 1943), "When the Lights Go on Again (All Over the World)" (#1 1943), "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" (#1 1946), "Ballerina" (#1 1947), "The Stars Will Remember" (#8 1947), "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" (#2 1947), "You Do" (#5 1947), "Cool Water" (#9, #7c 1948), "Someday" (#1 1949), * "Riders in the Sky" (#1 1949), "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" (#1 1949), "Sound Off" (#3 1951)
duet with George Barnes, "Slow Street" (1971)
session musician on The Walter Wanderley Trio's "Summer Samba (So Nice)" (#26 1966); and with Benny Goodman, Rosemary Clooney, Roberta Flack, and others
served in the military
see Vaughn Monroe

Billy Sanford

b. 1940 in Natchitoches, LA
western swing musician, instruments: guitar, electric guitar, mandolin
with The Texas Playboys (1967-68), "Born to Love You" (1968)
session musician with Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, Trisha Yearwood, Don Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dave Loggins, Wanda Jackson, The Monkees, and others
songwriter
see The Texas Playboys

Nick Santo (Nick Santamaria)

b. 1941/43
doo-wop/rock singer
founding member and lead singer of The Capris (1958-59, 1961-62, 1982- ), "My Promise to You" (1959), "There's a Moon Out Tonight" (#3 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "Some People Think" (1961), "Girl in My Dreams" (#92 1961), "Limbo" (#99 1962), "From the Vine Came the Grape" (1963), "Morse Code Love" (1982), "There's a Moon Out Again" (1982)
songwriter
retired police officer
served in the Army (1959-60)
see The Capris

Dick Yount (Richard Yount)

b. 1943/45 in Santa Cruz, CA
rock/pop/folk singer
instruments: guitar, bass, drums
founding member of Harpers Bizarre (1963-69), "The 59th Street Bridge Song" (#13 1967, he co-wrote), "Come to the Sunshine" (1967), "Anything Goes" (#43 1968)
with The Couriers
with The Tikis, "Stop-Look-Listen" (1965), "Cream in My Coffee" (1965), "If I've Been Dreaming" (1965), "Little Miss Love Light" (1966)
songwriter
see Harpers Bizarre on Wikipedia

January 10

Eddie Clearwater (Edward Harrinton aka 'The Chief')

b. 1935 in Macon, GA
blues/rock/country singer
instrument: guitar
"Hillbilly Blues" (1958), "Dancin' Time" (1960), "Twist Like This" (1961), "Hey, Bernadine" (1961), "True Love" (1974), "I Came up the Hard Way" (1977), "2x9" (1979)
guitarist with Eddy Bell and the Bel-Aires, "Wear My Class Ring on a Ribbon" (1958), "A Few More Days" (1959)
session musician
see Eddy Clearwater

Curly Ray Cline

b. 1923 in Baisden, WV - d. 19 Aug 1997 in Rockhouse, KY
bluegrass/folk/country/novelty singer
instrument: fiddle
founding member of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers (1938-49)
with The Clinch Mountain Boys (1963-93), "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 Hills of Roan County" (1967), "Hemlock and Primrose" (1967), "Highway Ambush" (1969), "I'll Just Go Away" (1969), "Katy Daley" (1971), "Bright Morning Star" (1972), "Death is Only a Dream" (1972), "Step Out in the Sunshine" (1972), "Those Two Blue Eyes" (1972), "How Far to Little Rock?" (1973), "Traveling the Highway Home" (1977), "Amazing Grace" (1977), "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" (1977), "Mama Don't Allow" (1992), "Legend of the Rebel Soldier" (1992), "White Dove" (1992)
The Clinch Mountain Boys were also known as The Stanley Brothers
songwriter

Shawn Colvin

b. 1958 in Vermilion, SD (grew up in Carbondale, IL)
folk/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Diamond in the Rough" (1990), "Steady on" (1990), "Round of Blues" (1992), "I Don't Know Why" (1993), "Sunny Came Home" (#7 1997), "Never Saw Blue Like That" (1999), "Whole New You" (2001)
backup singer on Mary Chapin Carpenter's "The Hard Way" (#11c 1993); and with Suzanne Vega, Lisa Loeb, Bruce Hornsby, Richard Thompson, and others
songwriter
actress
see Shawn Colvin

Jim Croce

b. 1943 in Philadelphia, PA – d. 20 Sep 1973 in Natchitoches, LA (plane crash after a concert)
rock/folk/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"You Don't Mess Around with Jim" (#8 1972), "Operator (That's Not the Way it Feels)" (#17 1972), "New York's Not My Home" (1972), "Photographs and Memories" (1972, he wrote), "Time in a Bottle" (#1 1973, he wrote), "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" (#1 1973), "It Doesn't Have to Be That Way" (#64 1973), "Salon and Saloon" (1973), "I Got a Name" (#10 1973), "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues" (#32 1973), "Alabama Rain" (1973), "One Less Set of Footsteps" (#37 1973), "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" (#9, #68c 1974, he wrote), "Thursday" (1974), "Mississippi Lady" (1974), "Searchin'" (#63 1986)
songwriter
md. to Ingrid Jacobsen (1966- )
see Jim Croce

Nicole Davidson

b. 198? in Hiram, GA
country singer
"Kinda Sorta Maybe" (2001, she co-wrote), "Did He Mention My Name?" (2001), "Back to You" (2001)
songwriter

Aynsley Dunbar

b. 1946 in Liverpool, England
rock musician, instruments: drums, percussions
with Journey (1974-78), "Wheel in the Sky" (#57 1978)
with Jefferson Starship (1979-82), "Jane" (#14 1979), "Find Your Way Back" (#29 1979), "Be My Lady" (#28 1982)
with Jeff Beck (1967)
founding member of Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (1967-70), "Tuesday's Blues" (1969), "Til Your Lovin' Makes Me Blue" (1969), "Unheard" (1969)
with The Mothers of Invention (1970-73), "Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue" (1970), "Tuna Fish Promenade" (1971), "Dental Hygiene Dilemma" (1971), "Magdalena" (1972, about abuse)
with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers (1966- ), "Key to Love" (1966), "Broken Wing" (1968), "Nature's Disappearing" (1970)
with World Classic Rockers
with Whitesnake (1985-87), "Is This Love?" (#2 1987), "Still of the Night" (#79 1987), "Here I Go Again" (#1 1987), "Crying in the Rain" (1987), "Give Me All Your Love" (#48 1988)
session musician
music producer
see World Classic Rockers
see Aynsley Dunbar
see John Mayall
see Whitesnake
see The Mothers of Invention on Wikipedia

Leon Estelle (aka 'Mr. Blues')

b. 1929 in Kansas City, KS
blues musician, instrument: guitar
with The Starlighters, "Hot Licks" (1960), "Creepin'" (1960)

Donald Fagen (Donald Jay Fagen)

b. 1948 in Passaic, NJ
rock/jazz/country singer
instruments: keyboards, harmonica, organ, synthesizer
"I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year)" (#26 1982, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Walk between Raindrops" (1982), "New Frontier" (#70 1983, he wrote), "Tomorrow's Girls" (1993, he wrote), "Springtime" (1993, he wrote), "Snowbound" (1993, he wrote), "Morph the Cat" (2006, he wrote), "What I Do" (2006, he wrote)
founding member of Steely Dan (1972-81, and reunions), "My Old School" (#63 1973), "Do it Again" (#6 1973), "Reelin' in the Years" (#11 1973), "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" (#4 1974), "Pretzel Logic" (#57 1974), "Black Friday" (#37 1975), "Green Earrings" (1976), "Josie" (#26 1978), "Peg" (#11 1978), "Hey, Nineteen" (#10 1981), "Time Out of Mind" (#22 1981)
songwriter
see Steely Dan
see Donald Fagen

Jack Halloran

b. 1916 in Rock Rapids, IA - 24 Jan 1997 (stroke)
pop singer
founding member of The Jack Halloran Singers, "Mary's Little Boy Child" (1957), "Liberty Tree" (1957), "I Like So Many Things" (1961), "Great Big Universe" (1961)
backup singer for Ray Charles, Pat Boone, Bing Crosby, Rusty Draper, and others
choral director; arranger
songwriter

Ronnie Hawkins (aka 'The Hawk')

b. 1935 in Huntsville, AL (grew up in Fayetteville, AR)
rockabilly/rock/folk singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Cross-ties" (1958), "The Ballad of Caryl Chessman" (1960), "Mister and Mississippi" (1960), "Clara" (1960), "There's a Screw Loose" (1963), "Home From the Forest" (1968), "Hey, Bo Diddley" (1969), "Down in the Alley" (1970), "One More Night" (1970), "Patricia" (1971), "Cora Mae" (1972)
founding member and leader of The Hawks (1959-64), "Mary Lou" (#26 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Forty Days (to Come Back Home)" (#45 1959), "Lonely Hours" (1960)
actor
see Ronnie Hawks

Bob Lang (Robert Lang)

b. 1946 in Manchester, England
rock musician, instrument: bass
founding member of Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders (1963-65), "Come Dance With Me" (1964), "Game of Love" (#1 1965), "Just a Little Bit Too Late" (#45 1965)
founding member of The Mindbenders (1965-68), "A Groovy Kind of Love" (#2 1966), "Ashes to Ashes" (#44 1966), "Uncle Joe the Ice Cream Man" (1968)
with Racing Cars, "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" (1977), "Standing in the Rain" (1977), "Second Best" (1978), "Waiting for Someone" (1978)

Lee Mallory (William George Mallory)

b. 1945 in Berkeley, CA - 21 Mar 2005 (liver cancer)
folk/rock singer
instrument: 12-string guitar
"That's the Way it's Going to Be" (#86 1966), "No Other Love" (2002), "Take My Hand" (2002), "Many are the Times" (2003), "Endless Circle" (2003), "Song for Sharon" (2003), "Wild Windy Weather" (2003), "Some Sunny Day" (2003, he wrote)
founding member of Millennium (1968), "To Claudia on Thursday" (1968), "5 a.m." (1968), "There is Nothing More to Say" (1968, he co-wrote)
with Saggitarius
session musician on Tommy Roe's "Hooray for Hazel" (#6 1966); and with The Association, and others
songwriter

Giselle MacKenzie

b. 1927 in Manitoba, Canada - d. 5 Sep 2003 (colon cancer)
pop singer
instrument: violin
"Friend of the Family" (1953), "I Didn't Want to Love You" (1953), "Ridin' to Tennessee" (1953), "Hard to Get" (#5 1955), "Boston Fancy" (1955), "Mister Telephone" (1956), "Dance if You Want to Dance" (1956), "It's Delightful to Be Married" (1956), "The Star You Wished Upon Last Night" (1956), "The Waltz That Broke My Heart" (1957), "You Dream of Me (and I'll Dream of You)" (1960)
actress
became a U.S. citizen in 1955

Scott McKenzie (Philip Blondheim)

b. 1939 in Jacksonville, FL (grew up in VA and NC)
pop singer
"San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" (#4 1967), "Like an Old-Time Movie" (#24 1967), "Celeste" (1967), "Stained-Glass Morning" (1970), "Ride, Ride, Ride" (1970)
founding member of The Smoothies
founding member of The Journeymen (1961-64)
songwriter, co-wrote The Beach Boys' "Kokomo" (#1 1988)

Scott Meeks (Scott Wayne Meeks)

b. 1973 in Minot, ND
country singer
instrument: guitar
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)

Johnnie Ray (John Alvin Ray aka 'The Prince of Wails')

b. 1927 in The Dalles, OR – d. 24 Feb 1990 (liver failure)
R&B/pop singer
instrument: piano
"Tell the Lady I Said Goodbye" (1951), "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" (#4 1952), "Somebody Stole My Gal" (1953), "To Every Girl, to Every Boy (the Meaning of Love)" (1954), "The Only Girl I'll Ever Love" (1955), "Just Walkin' in the Rain" (#2 1956), "Cool Water" (1959), "Scotch and Soda" (1962)
with Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads, "Cry" (#1 1951), "The Little White Cloud That Cried" (#2 1952, he wrote)
session musician
songwriter
actor
native American; he was deaf in one ear

Frank Reina

b. 1941
doo-wop/rock singer
founding member and second tenor of The Capris (1958-59, 1961- ), "My Promise to You" (1959), "There's a Moon Out Tonight" (#3 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "Some People Think" (1961), "Girl in My Dreams" (#92 1961), "Limbo" (#99 1962), "From the Vine Came the Grape" (1963), "Morse Code Love" (1982), "There's a Moon Out Again" (1982)
see The Capris

Vernay Reindollar (Vernay Numsen Reindollar III)

b. 1962
country/rock/swing musician, instruments: string bass, electric bass, upright bass
with The Danny Frazier Band (2005), "Matters of the Heart" (2005), "Hard World to Love in" (2005), "Hell to Pay" (2005), "That's What You Do" (2005), "Love Don't Get No Better Than This" (2005)
with Rusty Bladen's band (1996- )
session bassist

Rod Stewart (Roderick David Stewart III)

b. 1945 in London, England (of Scottish descent)
rock/pop singer
instruments: banjo, harp
"Gasoline Alley" (1970), "Maggie Mae" (#1 1971), "You Wear it Well" (#13 1972), "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" (#1 1976), "You're in My Heart" (#4 1977), "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (#1 1978), "Passion" (#5 1980), "Infatuation" (#6 1984), "Love Touch" (#6 1986), "Forever Young" (#12 1988), "My Heart Can't Tell You No" (#4 1988), "Crazy about Her" (#11 1989), "Downtown Train" (#3 1990), "Rhythm of My Heart" (#5 1991), "Broken Arrow" (#20 1992), "Have I Told You Lately (That I Love You)?" (#5 1993), "Never Give Up on a Dream" (2000)
lead singer of The Jeff Beck Group (1968-69)
with The Small Faces (1969-75)
duet with Ronald Isley, "This Old Heart of Mine" (#10 1990)
he performed for a record-breaking 4.2 million people 31 Dec 1994 in Rio de Janeiro
songwriter
music producer
quote by Rod Stewart: "I'm a rock star because I couldn't be a soccer star."
see The Small Faces

January 11

Chuck Barksdale (Charles Barksdale)

b. 1935 in Chicago, IL
rock/R&B singer (bass)
founding member of The Dells (1952- ), "Oh What a Nite" (#4 1956), "There is" (#20 1967), "Stay in My Corner" (#10 1968), "Always Together" (#18 1968), "Oh, What a Night" (#10 1969, remake), "Love is Blue" (#22 1969), "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" (#30 1971)
The Dells backing Barbara Lewis, "Hello, Stranger" (#3 1963)
backup for Dinah Washington (1961-62)
see The Dells

Don Cherry

b. 1924 in Wichita Falls, TX
pop singer
"Here in My Arms" (1950), "Thinking of You" (#4 1951), "Powder Blue" (1951), "Vanity" (#17 1951), "For Now and Always" (1953), "The Second Star to the Right" (1953), "Band of Gold" (#4 1956), "Ghost Town" (#22 1956), "Namely You" (1956), "Summer School Blues" (1959), "Still Waters" (1961), "More I Cannot Do" (1965), "I Know Love" (1966), "No Hearts and Flowers" (1967), "Take a Message to Mary" (#71c 1968), "Whippoorwill" (1969)
with the Victor Young Orchestra
served in the Army Air Corps (1942-45)
pro-golfer
known for his explosive temper

Clarence Clemmons

b. 1942 in Norfolk, VA
rock singer
instrument: tenor sax
"Jump-Start My Heart" (1983), "Heartache #99" (1983), "It's Alright with Me Girl" (1985, he co-wrote), "I Wanna Be Your Hero" (1985, he co-wrote), "Christina" (1985), "Cross the Line" (1985, he co-wrote)
with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band (1973-89), "Born to Run" (#23 1975), "Hungry Heart" (#5 1980), "Fade Away" (#20 1980), "Born in the USA" (#9 1984), "Dancing in the Dark" (#2 1984), "Glory Days" (#5 1985), "My Hometown" (#6 1985), "War" (#8 1987), "Brilliant Disguise" (#5 1987), and others
duet with Jackson Browne, "You're a Friend of Mine" (#18 1985)
session musician with Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison, Ricky Skaggs, and others
songwriter
actor
see Clarence Clemmons

Tommy Duncan (Thomas Elmer Duncan)

b. 1911 near Whitney, TX – d. 24 Jul 1967 in San Diego, CA (heart attack after a show)
country/western swing singer
instruments: piano, guitar
founding member of Tommy Duncan and His Western All Stars, "Walkin' in the Shadow of the Blues" (1954), "Crazy Mixed-up Kid" (1956), "Sending Your Pictures Back" (1956), "Gamblin' Polka Dot Blues" (#8c 1959), "Sick, Sober and Sorry" (1959), "Mississippi River Blues" (1959), "Wrong Road Home Blues" (1959), "My Sweet Wildflower" (1959), "Frankie Jean" (1960), "I Brought it on Myself" (1966)
founding member and lead singer with The Texas Playboys (1935-48, 1960-62), "Spanish Two-Step" (1935), "San Antonio Rose" (1938), "Maiden's Prayer" (1938), "Time Changes Everything" (1940), "Ida Red" (1940), "Take Me Back to Tulsa" (1941), "Cherokee Maiden" (1942), "Home in San Antone" (1943), "You're From Texas" (#2c 1944), "We Might as Well Forget it" (#2c 1944), "New San Antonio Rose" (#3c 1944), "Texas Two-Step" (1945), "Smoke on the Water" (#1c 1945), "Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima" (#1c 1945), "Hang Your Head in Shame" (#3c 1945), "Texas Playboy Rag" (#2c 1945), "You Don't Care What Happens to Me" (#5c 1945), "Nobody's Darling But Mine" (1945), "Silver Dew on the Bluegrass Tonight" (#1c 1945), "White Cross in Okinawa" (#1c 1946), "New Spanish Two-Step" (#1c 1946, he co-wrote), "Stay a Little Longer" (#2c 1946, he co-wrote), "Can't Get Enough of Texas" (1947), "Sugar Moon" (#1c 1947), "Bubbles in My Beer" (#4c 1948, he co-wrote), "Keeper of My Heart" (#8c 1948), "Heart to Heart Talk" (#5c 1960)
served in the military during WWII
songwriter
see The Texas Playboys

Denny Greene (Frederick Dennis Greene)

b. 1949 in NY
rock/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)
Sha Na Na performed at Woodstock
actor; college professor
see Sha Na Na

Slim Harpo (James Isaac Moore)

b. 1924 in Lobdell, LA - d. 31 Jan 1970 in London, England (heart attack)
blues singer
instruments: harmonica, guitar
"I Got Love if You Want it" (1957), "Rainin' in My Heart" (#34 1961), "I Love the Life I'm Livin'" (1964), "Baby, Scratch My Back" (#16 1966), "Mailbox Blues" (1968), "That's Why I Love You" (1969), "Mutual Friend" (1970)
truck driver
see Slim Harpo

Goldie Hill (Angolda Voncile Hill)

b. 1933 in Coy City, TX - d. 24 Feb 2005/6 in Nashville, TN (cancer)
country singer
"I Let the Stars Get in My Eyes" (#1c 1953, she co-wrote, reply to Slim Willet's "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes"), "Waiting for a Letter" (1953), "I'm Beginning to Feel Mistreated" (1956), "Cleanin' House" (1957), "Missing Lovin', Missing Livin', Missing You" (1960), "Twice As Blue" (1960), "Many Lies Ago" (1962), "Three's a Crowd" (1964), "Lovable Fool" (#73c 1968)
duets with Justin Tubb, "Looking Back to See" (#4c 1954), "Sure Fire Kisses" (#11c 1955)
duet with Red Sovine, "Are You Mine?" (#15c 1955)
md. to singer, Carl Smith (1957- ); sister of Tommy and Ken Hill
see Goldie Hill on Wikipedia

Betty Hall Jones (Betty Hall Bigby)

b. 1911 in Topeka, KS (grew up in CA)
blues/soul/jazz singer
instruments: piano, organ
"I Never Miss the Sunshine (I'm So Used to the Rain)" (1950), "That's a Man for You" (1950)
session musician with Alton Redd, and others
md. to Mr. Hall (1926-36); md. to Jasper Jones

Naomi Judd (Diana Ellen Judd)

b. 1946 in Ashland, KY
country singer
founding member of The Judds (duo with daughter, Wynonna), "Mama, He's Crazy" (#1c 1984), * "Why Not Me?" (#1c 1984, CMA single of the year 1984), "Girls Night Out" (#1c 1985), "Love is Alive" (#1c 1985), "Dream Chaser" (1985), "Have Mercy" (#1c 1985), * "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" (#1c 1986), "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" (#1c 1986), "Cry Myself to Sleep" (#1c 1987), "I Know Where I'm Going" (#1c 1987), "Maybe Your Baby's Got the Blues" (#1c 1987), "Old Pictures" (1987), "Give a Little Love" (#2c 1988), "Turn it Loose" (#1c 1988), "Young Love (Strong Love)" (#1c 1988), "Cadillac Red" (1988), "Let Me Tell You About Love" (#1c 1989), "Change of Heart" (#1c 1989, she wrote), "Love Can Build a Bridge" (#5c 1990), "Calling in the Wind" (1990), "Are the Roses Not Blooming?" (1990), "Guardian Angels" (#16c 1990), "John Deere Tractor" (#32, #29c 1991)
actress
author; registered nurse
md. to Michael Ciminella (1964-72), md. to Larry Strickland (1989- )
mother of singer, Wynonna Judd and actress, Ashley Judd
see The Judds

Robert Earl Keen (Robert Earl Keen, Jr.)

b. 1956 in Houston, TX
folk/bluegrass/country/rock singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"Song for Kathy" (1984, he wrote), "Swervin' in My Lane" (1984, he co-wrote), "The Front Porch Song" (1984, he wo-wrote), "I Would Change My Life" (1988, he co-wrote), "Who'll Be Looking Out for Me?" (1988, he wrote), "Leavin' Tennessee" (1989, he wrote), "The Five Pound Bass" (1989, he wrote), "The Road Goes on Forever" (1989, he wrote), "Corpus Cristi Bay" (1993, he wrote), "Jesse with the Long Hair Hanging Down" (1993, he wrote), "Paint the Town Beige" (1993, he wrote), "Amarillo Highway" (1993), "Runnin' with the Night" (1997, he wrote), "Shades of Gray" (1997, he wrote), "New Life in Old Mexico" (1998, he wrote), "I'll Be Here for You" (1998, he wrote), "That Buckin' Song" (1998, he wrote), "Wild Wind" (2001, he wrote), "Gravitational Forces" (2001, he wrote), "Furnace Fan" (2003, he wrote), "All I Have is Today" (2003, he wrote), "Farm-Fresh Onions" (2003, he wrote), "Floppy Shoes" (2003, he wrote), "Let the Music Play" (2003, he co-wrote), "What I Really Mean" (2005, he wrote), "Ride" (2005, he co-wrote)
songwriter
rancher
see Robert Earl Keen

Ed McCurdy (Edward Potts McCurdy)

b. 1919 in Willow Hill, PA – d. 23 Mar 2000 in Canada (congestive heart failure)
country/folk singer
"Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" (1950, he wrote, official theme song of the Peace Corps), "A Persian Kitty" (1950), "The Lonely Ohio" (1956), "I Road an Old Paint" (1956), "The Miracle of Wheat" (1956), "Back Bay Hill" (1956)
songwriter, wrote Josh White, Jr.'s "Kings Highways" (official theme song of VISTA)
actor
see Ed McCurdy on Wikipedia

Jody Payne (James L. Payne)

b. 1936 in Garrard County, KY
country singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
"There's a Crazy Man" (#65c 1981)
with Willie Nelson's band (1974- )
with Merle Haggard's band
served in the Army (1958-60)
md. to singer, Sammi Smith

Jannie Pought

b. 1944 in NY - d. Sep 1980 in NJ (stabbed to death by a stranger)
R&B/pop singer
founding member of The Bobbettes (1956-80), "Mr. Lee (#6 1957, One-Hit Wonder, she co-wrote), "I Shot Mr. Lee" (#52 1960, she co-wrote), "Have Mercy, Baby" (1960), "I Don't Like it Like That" (#72 1962, reply to Chris Kenner's "I Like it Like That")
The Bobbettes sang backup on Johnny Thunder's "Loop De Loop" (#4 1963), and others
songwriter
sister of Emma Pought
see The Bobbettes

Bill Reed

b. 1936 in Toronto, Canada – d. 22 Oct 2004 in Port St. Lucie, FL (cancer)
pop singer (bass)
founding member of The Diamonds (1953-59), "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" (#12 1956), "The Church Bells May Ring" (#14 1956), "Little Darlin'" (#2 1957), "Words of Love" (#13 1957), "Silhouettes" (#10 1957), "The Stroll" (#4 1958), "Kathy-O" (#16 1958), "Walking Along" (#29 1958)
see The Diamonds

January 12

Keith Anderson

b. 1968 in Miami, OK
country singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"Three Chord Country and American Rock and Roll" (2005, he co-wrote), "Pickin' Wildflowers" (#64, #8c 2005, he co-wrote), "Every Time I Hear Your Name" (#64, #7c 2006, he co-wrote), "Sunday Morning in America" (#28c 2007)
songwriter, co-wrote Big and Rich's "Lost in This Moment" (#1c 2007)

Long John Baldry (John William Baldry)

b. 1941 in Derbyshire, England - d. 21 Jul 2005 in Vancouver, Canada (chest infection)
blues/rock/folk singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
"Let the Heartaches Begin" (1967), "Bring My Baby Back to Me" (1967), "Let Him Go (and Let Me Love You)" (1967), "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie-Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll" (1971), "You Can't Judge a Book" (1972), "Seventh Son" (1972)
founding member of Long John Baldry and His Hoochie Coochie Men
founding member of Bluesology (1966-68), "Cuckoo" (1967)
duets with Kathi MacDonald, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (1979), "Ain't That Peculiar?" (1986)
session musician with Blues Incorporated, Rod Stewart, Ginger Baker, Elton John, Mick Jagger, and others
voice actor
his nickname referred to him being 6'7"

Ruth Brown (Ruth Alston Weston aka 'Miss Rhythm')

b. 1928 (maybe Jan 30) in Portsmouth, VA - d. 11/17 Nov 2006 in Henderson, NV (complications of a stroke and heart attack)
R&B/blues/jazz/rock singer
"Teardrops in My Eyes" (1949), "Am I Making the Same Mistake?" (1950), "5-10-15 Hours" (1952), "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" (#23 1953), "The Tears Come Tumbling Down" (1953), "Oh, What a Dream" (1954), "Lucky Lips" (#25 1957), "This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'" (#24 1958), "I Don't Know" (#64 1959), "I Burned Your Letter" (1960)
duet with Clyde McPhatter, "Love Has Joined Us Together" (1955)
actress
md. to trumpeter, Jimmy Brown
see Ruth Brown

Claudia Church

b. 1962 in Lenoir, NC
country singer
"What's the Matter with You, Baby?" (#41c 1999), "Home in My Heart (North Carolina)" (#63c 1999), "It's All Your Fault" (1999), "This Man I Love" (1999), "Small-Town Girl" (1999), "Lost in a Feeling" (1999)
songwriter
model
md. to singer/songwriter, Rodney Crowell (1998- )

Jim Gold

b. 1947
rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Gallery, * "(It's So) Nice to Be With You" (#1 1972, he wrote), "I Believe in Music" (#22 1972), "Big City Miss Ruth Ann" (#23 1972), "Love Every Little Thing About You" (1973)
songwriter

William Lee Golden

b. 1939 near Brewton, AL
country/gospel/pop singer (baritone)
instrument: guitar
"Love is the Only Way Out" (#53c 1986), "You Can't Take it With You" (#72c 1986), "Music for My Soul" (1986)
with the Oak Ridge Boys (1965-87, 1996- ), "I'm Almost Home" (1969), "I'm on the Right Road Now" (1969), "Talk about the Good Times" (1970), "Family Reunion" (#83c 1976), "Ya'll Come Back Saloon" (#3c 1977), "Emmylou" (1977), "You're the One" (#2c 1977), "I'll Be True to You" (#1 1978), "Cryin' Again" (#3c 1978), "Come on in" (#3c 1978), "Sail Away" (#2c 1979), "Tryin' to Love Two Women" (#1c 1980), "Heart of Mine" (#105, #3c 1980), "Beautiful You" (#3c 1980), "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" (#1c 1980), "Elvira" (#5, #1c 1981, CMA single of the year 1981), "Fancy Free" (#104 #1c 1981), "I Wish You Could Have Turned My Head (and Left My Heart Alone)" (#2c 1982), "Bobbie Sue" (#12, #1c 1982), "Thank God for Kids" (#3c 1982), "American Made" (#72, #1c 1983), "Love Song" (#1c 1983), "I Guess it Never Hurts to Hurt Sometime" (#1c 1983), "Every Day" (#1c 1984), "Make My Life with You" (#1c 1984), "Little Things" (#1c 1985), "Touch a Hand (Make a Friend)" (#1c 1985), "You Made a Rock Out of a Rolling Stone" (#24c 1986), "It Takes a Little Rain (to Make Love Grow) (#1c 1987), "This Crazy Love" (#1c 1987), "Whatever it Takes" (#1c 1987)
the Oak Ridge Boys sang backup on Paul Simon's "Slip Slidin' Away" (#5 1978)
The Carter Family and the Oak Ridge Boys, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Soup" (#57c 1973)
he was temporarily replaced in the Oak Ridge Boys by his son after a heart attack in Aug 2004
he sometimes performed with his sons in The Goldens
songwriter
md. to Brenda Kaye Hall (1990- )
see The Oak Ridge Boys

Larry Hoppen

b. 1951 in Long Island, NY
rock singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
"One of the Lucky Ones" (1996), "No Reply" (1996), "Pretending to Care" (1996)
founding member of Orleans (1972- ), "Let There Be Music" (1975), "Reach" (1976), "Grown-up Children" (1986), "Speed of Love" (1986), "You're Mine" (#59c 1986), "Compared to What?" (1990), "Back to Your Arms" (1994), "I'm on Your Side" (1996), "In My Dreams" (1996, he wrote)
Orleans backing Steve Wariner, "You Can Dream of Me" (#1c 1986)
session musician with Robbie Dupree, Lulu, and others
songwriter
music producer
brother of Lance Hoppen

LaWanda Lindsey

b. 1953 in Tampa, FL (grew up in Savannah, GA)
country singer
"Beggars Can't Be Choosers" (1968), "Partly Bill" (#48c 1969), "Hello Out There" (#28c 1974), "Walk Right Back" (#76c 1977), "I'm a Woman in Love" (#85c 1978)
duets with Kenny Vernon, "Eye to Eye" (#58c 1969), "Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries" (#27c 1970), "Let's Think about Where We're Going" (#51c 1970), "Puzzles of My Mind" (1970), "The Crawdad Song" (#42c 1971)
songwriter
md. to Bill Smith, Jr.

Ray Price (Ray Noble Price aka 'The Cherokee Cowboy')

b. 1926 near Perryville, TX (grew up in Dallas, TX)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Your Wedding Corsage" (1949), "Jealous Lies" (1949), "If You're Ever Lonely Darling" (1951), "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" (#4c 1952), "Talk to Your Heart" (#3c 1952)
backed by his band The Cherokee Cowboys (1953- ), "Release Me" (#6c 1954), "I'll Be There (if You Ever Want Me)" (#2c 1954, he co-wrote), "If You Don't, Somebody Else Will" (#8c 1954), "Crazy Arms" (#27, #1c 1956), "Wasted Words" (#4c 1956), "I've Got a New Heartache" (#2c 1956), "My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You" (#63, #1c 1957), "Faded Love" (#3c 1957), "City Lights" (#71, #1c 1958), "Invitation to the Blues" (#3c 1958), "Under Your Spell Again" (#5c 1959), "The Same Old Me" (#1c 1959), "Heartaches by the Number" (#2c 1959), "One More Time" (#2c 1960), "Heart Over Mind" (#5c 1961), "Soft Rain" (#3c 1961, he wrote), "Whose Heart Are You Breaking Now?" (1962), "Big Shoes" (#22c 1962), "Make the World go Away" (#100, #2c 1963), "Burning Memories" (#2c 1964), "Please Talk to My Heart" (#7c 1964), "The Other Woman" (#2c 1965), "Touch My Heart" (#3c 1966), "I'm Still Not Over You" (#6c 1967), "She Wears My Ring" (#6c 1968), "For the Good Times" (#11, #1c 1970), "Grazin' in Greener Pastures" (1970), "I Won't Mention it Again" (#42, #1c 1971), "I'd Rather Be Sorry" (#70, #2c 1971), "The Lonesomest Lonesome" (#2c 1972), "She's Got to Be a Saint" (#93, #1c 1973), "(You're the) Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" (#82, #1c 1973), "Like Old Times Again" (#4c 1975), "Roses and Love Songs" (#3c 1975), "That's All She Wrote" (#34c 1976), "To Make a Long Story Short" (#41c 1976), "There's Always Me" (#30c 1977), "Different Kind of Flower" (#28c 1977), "The Only Way to Say Good Morning" (#18c 1979), "Misty Morning Rain" (#43c 1979), "Feet" (#19c 1979), "It Don't Hurt Me Half as Bad" (#6c 1981), "Somewhere in Texas" (#55c 1982)
duets with Willie Nelson, "Faded Love" (#3c 1980), "Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me" (#11c 1981)
duets with Willie Nelson and Roger Miller, "Old Friends" (#19c 1982)
songwriter
served in the Marines (1942-46)

Tex Ritter (Woodward Maurice Ritter)

b. 1905/07 near Murvaul, TX (grew up near Beaumont, TX) – d. 2 Jan 1974 in Nashville, TN (heart attack while bailing a band member out of jail)
country singer
instrument: guitar
backed by his band The Texans, "There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder" (#21, #2c 1944), "I'm Wastin' My Tears on You" (#11, #1c 1944), "You Two-Timed Me Once Too Often" (#1c 1945), "You Will Have to Pay" (#1c 1946), "Christmas Carols By the Old Corral" (#2c 1946), "When You Leave Don't Slam the Door" (#3c 1946), "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" (#3c 1946), "I Learned My Lesson Too Late" (1947), "Rye Whiskey" (#9c 1948), "Deck of Cards" (#10c 1948), "Daddy's Last Letter" (#6c 1950), "Bad Brahma Bull" (1951), "There Shall Be Showers of Blessings" (1952), "The Marshal's Daughter" (1953), "The Wayward Wind" (#28c 1956), "Jealous Heart" (#2c 1958), "Conversation with a Gun" (1960), "I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven" (#20, #5c 1961), "Just Beyond the Moon" (#13c 1967), "The Americans (A Canadian's Opinion)" (#35c 1973)
songwriter
cowboy actor with his horse, White Flash
father of actor, John Ritter; md. to Dorothy Fay Southworth (1941-1974, his death)
see Tex Ritter

Cynthia Robinson

b. 1946 in Sacramento, CA
R&B/rock/pop singer
instrument: trumpet
founding member of Sly and the Family Stone (1966-75), "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), "If You Want Me to Stay" (#12 1973), "Thankful 'n' Thoughtful" (1973)
Sly and the Family Stone performed at Woodstock
songwriter
see Sly and the Family Stone

Felipe Rose

b. 1954/55 in New York, NY
pop/disco singer
"Trail of Tears" (2002), "We're Still Here" (2002)
founding member of Village People (1977- , Indian character), "Macho Man" (#25 1978), * "Y.M.C.A." (#2 1978), "Hot Cop" (1978), "In the Navy" (#3 1979), "Go West" (1979), "Can't Stop the Music" (1980), "Do You Wanna Spend the Night?" (1981), "5 O'Clock in the Morning" (1981), "Sex Over the Phone" (1985)
contrary to the group's image, he was the only member who was gay
songwriter
dancer; actor
humanitarian
his mother is Puerto Rican, his father is Native American (Lakota Sioux)
see Village People

Ricky Van Shelton

b. 1952 in Danville, VA (grew up in Grit, VA)
country/Christian singer
instrument: guitar
"Crime of Passion" (#7c 1987), "Somebody Lied" (#1c 1987), "Life Turned Her That Way" (#1c 1987), "I'll Leave This World Loving You" (#1c 1988), "From a Jack to a King" (#59, #1c 1988), "Don't We All Have the Right?" (#1c 1988), "Living Proof" (#1c 1989), "I've Cried My Last Tear for You" (#1c 1990), * "I Meant Every Word He Said" (#2c 1990), "Statue of a Fool" (#2c 1990), "Finally" (#1c 1990), * "You Would Do the Same for Me" (1990), "Life's Little Ups and Downs" (#4c 1991), "I Am a Simple Man" (#1c 1991), "Keep it Between the Lines" (#1c 1992), "Back Roads" (#2c 1992), "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" (#26c 1992), "Wild Man" (#5c 1993), "Heartache As Big As Texas" (1993), "Where Was I?" (#26c 1994)
duet with Dolly Parton, "Rockin' Years" (#1c 1991)
songwriter
actor; author; construction worker
md. to Bettye (1986- )
see Ricky Van Shelton

Lew Williams

b. 1934 in Chillicothe, TX (grew up in Dallas, TX)
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Please Don't Tell a Lie about Me" (1954, he wrote), "I'll Play Your Game" (1956), "Don't Mention My Name" (1956), "Cat Talk" (1956, he wrote), "Centipede" (1956, he wrote)
recorded as Vik Wayne, "The Girl I Saw on the Bandstand" (1958, he wrote), "I Saw You Crying in the Show" (1958, he wrote)
songwriter
served in National Guard

Glenn Yarbrough

b. 1930 in Milwaukee, WI
folk singer (tenor)
instrument: guitar
"Rain Drops" (1964), "Baby, the Rain Must Fall" (#12 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "I've Been to Town" (1965), "It's Gonna Be Fine" (1965), "Half a World Away" (1965), "I Hate to See the Sun Go Down" (1965), "Summer Sunshine" (1965), "The Lonely Things" (1966), "I'll Remember You" (1967), "Until it's Time for You to Go" (1967), "Times Gone By" (1968)
founding member and lead singer of The Limeliters (1959-63, and reunions), "A Dollar Down" (1961), "When Twice the Moon Has Come and Gone" (1961), "Red Roses and White Wine" (1961), "Just an Honest Mistake" (1961), "Western Wind" (1961), "Consider it Done" (1963)
see Glenn Yarbrough
see The Limeliters

January 13

Trace Adkins (Tracy Darrell Adkins)

b. 1962 Springhill, LA (grew up in Sarepta, LA)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Every Light in the House is on" (#78, #3c 1996), "There's a Girl in Texas" (#20c 1996, he co-wrote), "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing" (#1c 1997), "I Left Something Turned on at Home" (#2c 1997), "The Rest of Mine" (#70, #4c 1997, he co-wrote), "Lonely Won't Leave Me Alone" (#11c 1998), "Wayfaring Stranger" (#27c 1998), "More" (#65, #10c 1999), "Don't Lie" (#27c 2000), "I'm Gonna Love You Anyway" (#36c 2000), "Chrome" (2001), "I'm Tryin'" (#44, #6c 2001), * "Help Me Understand" (#80, #17c 2002), "Then They Do" (#52, #9c 2003), "Rough and Ready" (#75, #13c 2004), "Hot Mama" (#51, #5c 2004), "Songs about Me" (#59, #2c 2005), "Arlington" (#102, #16c 2005), "Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk" (#30, #2c 2005), "Swing" (#76, #20c 2006), "Ladies Love Country Boys" (#61, #1c 2006), "I Wanna Feel Something" (#25c 2007)
songwriter
shot in the heart by his second wife in 1994 but survived
md. 3rd to Rhonda Forlaw (1997- ), he proposed on stage in 1996
see Trace Adkins

Cornelius Bumpus

b. 1946 in Santa Cruz, CA - d. 3 Feb 2004 (heart attack)
country/rock/blues singer
instruments: alto sax, keyboards, organ
"You Got That Right" (1999), "Tricycle" (1999), "Known Facts" (2000), "Chain Lightning" (2000), "Meganita" (2000, he wrote), "Takin' it to the Streets" (2000), "As it Was" (2003), "Brass Ring" (2003)
with The Doobie Brothers (1979-83, 1987, and reunions), "What a Fool Believes" (#1 1979), "Minute by Minute" (#14 1979), "Real Love" (#5 1980)
with Steely Dan (1993-2004)
session musician with Bobby Freeman, Etta James, Lacy J. Dalton, and others
songwriter
see Cornelius Bumpus
see Steely Dan
see The Doobie Brothers

Jenny Lou Carson (Virgina Lucille Overstake)

b. 1915 in Decatur, IL - d. 16 Dec 1978 in Torrance, CA
country singer
"The Crossroad Where We Said Goodbye" (1947), "Tell Him I'm Blue" (1949)
founding member of Three Little Maids (1932-33)
songwriter, wrote Tex Ritter's "You Two-Timed Me Once Too Often" (#1c 1945), "Jealous Heart" (#2c 1945); Eddy Arnold's "Don't Rob Another Man's Castle" (#1 1949), "Chained to a Memory" (#3c 1946), "The Echo of Your Footsteps" (#2c 1949); Hank Snow's "Marriage Vow" (#10c 1949)
co-wrote Joan Weber's "Let Me Go, Lover" (#1 1954, #1c for Hank Snow in 1955); Spade Cooley's "A Pair of Broken Hearts" (#8c 1945)
sister of Eva and Evelyn Overstake; sister-in-law of Red Foley

Ezra Cline

b. 1907 in Balsden, WV - d. 11 Jul 1984
bluegrass/country musician, instrument: bass fiddle
founding member of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers (1938- ), "Don't Forget Me" (1950), "Nobody Cares" (1952), "My Brown-Eyed Darling" (1953), "A New Set of Rules" (1954), "No Curb Service" (1954), "Windy Mountain" (1962), "What Can I Tell My Heart?" (1962), "Lost in This World Without You" (1962), "Little Glass of Wine" (1962), "Mountain Flower" (1962), "Coal Dust Blues" (1962)
session musician with Bobby Osborne, and others
cousin of Curly Ray and Charlie Cline

Carl Dobkins, Jr.

b. 1941 in Cincinnati, OH
rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"That's Why I'm Asking" (1958), "Take Hold of My Hand" (1958), * "My Heart is an Open Book" (#3 1959), * "My Pledge to You" (1959), "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" (#67 1959, he wrote), "Lucky Devil" (#25 1959), "Exclusively Yours" (#62 1960), "Pretty Little Girl in the Yellow Dress" (1961), "Ask Me No Questions" (1962), "If Teardrops Were Diamonds" (1964), "His Loss is My Gain" (1965)
songwriter
served in the Army
see Carl Dobkins, Jr. on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame

Brad Hawkins

b. 1974 in Dallas, TX (grew up in Summerville, SC)
country singer
instruments: cello, guitar
backed by his band Del Rio, "I'm the One (Your Daddy Warned You About)" (1997), "We Lose" (#68c 1997), "Somehow She Knows" (1998), "Get Away" (1998)
actor
see Hawk Country

Bobby Lester (Robert Lester Dallas aka 'Squirrel')

b. 1930 in Louisville, KY - d. 15 Oct 1980 (lung cancer)
R&B/doo-wop singer (tenor)
founding member and lead singer of The Moonglows (1951-58, 1972), "I Just Can't Tell You No Lie" (1952), "I Knew from the Start" (1957), "Soda Pop" (1958), "You've Chosen Me" (1972)
duets with Harvey Fuqua (as by The Moonlighters/Moonglows), "So All Alone" (1954), "A Hug and a Kiss" (1954)
founding member and lead singer of Bobby Lester's Moonglows (1970-72)
songwriter
see The Moonglows on Wikipedia

Stefan Marks

b. 1967
rock/novelty singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
founding member of The Four Postmen (1992- ), "Mailman Song" (1993), "31 Cents" (1993), "It's All about Me" (1997), "Four Years of High School Spanish" (1997), "The Chainsaw Juggler" (2001), "The Three Postmen" (2004), "No One Thinks the Way I Do" (2004)
actor; comedian; playwright
see The Four Postmen

Shayne Morrison

b. 1966 in Athens, TX
country singer
instrument: bass
founding member of Perfect Stranger (1986- ), "Ridin' the Rodeo" (1994), "You Have the Right to Remain Silent" (#61, #4c 1995), "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" (#52c 1995), "Even the Jukebox Can't Forget" (1995), "Remember the Ride" (#56c 1996), "Fire When Ready" (#62c 1997), "A Little Bit More of Your Love" (#66c 1999)
md. to Julie Davis
see Perfect Stranger on Wikipedia

Fred White

b. 1955
pop/rock musician, instrument: drums
with Earth, Wind and Fire (1975- ), "That's the Way of the World" (#12 1975), "Shining Star" (#1 1975), "Sing a Song" (#5 1975), "Getaway" (#12 1976), "You Can't Hide Love" (1976), "Serpentine Fire" (#13 1977), "Got to Get You into My Life" (#9 1978), "September" (#8 1978), "After the Love Has Gone" (#2 1979), "Let Me Talk" (#44 1980), "Let's Groove (Tonight)" (#3 1981), "Fall in Love with Me" (#17 1983), "System of Survival" (#60 1987), "Sunday Morning" (#53 1993)
session musician with Donny Hathaway, and others
younger brother of Maurice White
see Earth, Wind and Fire

Rual Yarbrough (Rual Holt Yarbrough)

b. 1930 in Lawrence County, AL
country/bluegrass musician, instrument: banjo
founding member of The Dixie Gentlemen aka The Blue Ridge Mountain Boys (1956-68)
with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1969-70), "I Haven't Seen Mary in Years" (1969), "Walk Softly on My Heart" (1969), "Sweet Mary and the Miles in Between" (1969)
session musician with Hank Williams, Jr., Mac Davis, and others
barber
see The Blue Grass Boys

January 14

Lee Bell

b. 1946 in Houston, TX
soul singer
with Archie Bell and the Drells (1969-79, replaced Billy Butler), "There's Gonna Be a Showdown" (#21 1969), "Dancing to Your Music" (1970), "Don't Let the Music Slip Away" (1970), "I Could Dance All Night" (1975), "Everybody Have a Good Time" (1977)
choreographer
brother of Archie Bell
see The Drells on soulwalking

T-Bone Burnett (Joseph Henry Burnett)

b. 1948 in St. Louis, MO (grew up in Fort Worth, TX)
blues/R&B/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Driving Wheel" (1980), "I Wish You Could Have Seen Her Dance" (1982), "When the Night Falls" (1983), "Dance, Dance, Dance" (1987), "The Wild Truth" (1987), "I Can Explain Everything" (1992), "Any Time at All" (1992), "Seven Times Hotter Than Fire" (2006, he wrote), "Fear Country" (2006, he wrote), "Blinded by the Darkness" (2006, he wrote)
session guitarist with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and others
songwriter
music producer
see T-Bone Burnett

Clarence Carter

b. 1936 in Montgomery, AL
soul singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
"Road of Love" (1967), "Looking for a Fox" (1967), "Slip Away" (#6 1968), "Too Weak to Fight" (#13 1969), "Making Love (at the Dark End of the Street)" (1969), "Patches" (#4 1970), "Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love" (1971), "Warning" (1974), "Heart Full of Song" (1976), "If I Were Yours" (1981)
songwriter
arranger
md. to singer, Candi Staton
he has been blind since childhood

Ryan Delahoussaye (Ryan Paul Delahoussaye)

b. 1976 in Houston, TX
rock singer
instruments: violin, electric violin, viola, mandolin, keyboards
founding member of Blue October (1995- ), "Black Orchid" (1998), "Tomorrow" (1998), "The 21st" (1998), "Independently Happy" (2000), "The Answer" (2000), "Amnesia" (2000), "Balance Beam" (2000), "Razorblade" (2003), "A Quiet Mind" (2003), * "Into the Ocean" (#53 2006), "Hate Me" (#31 2006), "She's My Ride Home" (2006), "What if We Could" (2006), "Everlasting Friend" (2006), "X Amount of Words" (2006)

Johnny Grande (John A. Grande)

b. 1930 in South Philadelphia, PA - d. 3 Jun 2006 in Clarkesville, TN (cancer)
rock/country/R&B/rockabilly musician, instruments: piano, accordion
accordion player with Four Aces of Western Swing (1948-49, sat in when Al Constantine was absent)
founding member of Bill Haley and His Saddlemen (1949-52), "Deal Me a Hand" (1950), "Ten-Gallon Stetson" (1950), "Why Do I Cry Over You?" (1950), "I'm Gonna Dry Every Tear with a Kiss" (1950), "Rocket 88" (1951), "Down Deep in My Heart" (1951), "Dance with a Dolly (With a Hole in Her Stockin')" (1952)
in mid-1952 The Saddlemen became The Comets
founding member and pianist of Bill Haley and His Comets (1952-63), "Rock the Joint" (1952, 1957), "Crazy, Man, Crazy" (#12 1953, first rock 'n' roll record to place on the pop charts), "Dim, Dim the Lights" (#11 1954), * "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock" (#1 1955, #39 1974), "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (#7 1954), "Razzle Dazzle" (#15 1955), "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie" (#23 1955), "See You Later, Alligator" (#6 1956), "Rudy's Rock" (#34 1956), "The Saints' Rock 'n' Roll" (#18 1956), "Rockin' Rita" (1957), "Mary, Mary Lou" (1957), "B-B-Betty" (1958), "Skinny Minnie" (#22 1958), "My Kind of Woman" (1961), "What Can I Say after I Say I'm Sorry?" (1963)
several Comets recording as The Lifeguards, "Everybody Out of the Pool" (1959)
several Comets recording as The Kingsmen, "Weekend" (#35 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "The Cat Walk" (1958)
session musician with Sally Starr, and others
in 1987 he and several other Comets members reunited to tour and record
see The Rockabilly Hall of Fame
see The Comets

Tim Harris

b. 1948 in London, England
soul/pop musician, instrument: drums
founding member of The Foundations (1967-70), * "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), "A Walk Through the Trees" (1969)
see The Foundations on Wikipedia

Jesse Hunter

b. 1959 in TN
country singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica
"Long-Legged Hannah (From Butte, Montana)" (#42c 1994, he wrote), "Born Ready" (#56c 1994), "By the Way She's Lookin'" (#65c 1994, he co-wrote), "L.A. Freeway" (1994), "Long Steady Rain" (1994), "We Discovered Fire" (1994)
songwriter

Smitty Irvin

b. 1930 - d. 24 Mar 2003
country/bluegrass singer
instrument: banjo
founding member of The Virginians (1960-65)
with The Texas Wildcats
duets with Buck Ryan, "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (and Loud, Loud Music)" (1965), "Trouble among the Heifers" (1965), "Fingers and Toes" (1965)

Hubert Johnson

b. 1941 - d. 11 Jul 1981 (shot himself)
R&B singer (bass)
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)
cousin of Jackie Wilson
see The Contours

Jack Jones (John Allan Jones)

b. 1938 in Los Angeles, CA
pop/jazz singer
"Lollipops and Roses" (#66 1962), "Dreamin' All the Time" (1962), "Poetry" (1962), "Wives and Lovers" (#14 1963), "Dear Heart" (#30 1964), "First Night of the Full Moon" (#59 1964), "The Race is on" (#15 1965), "Love Bug" (#71 1965), "Just Yesterday" (#73 1965), "Seein' the Right Love Go Wrong" (#46 1965), "The Impossible Dream" (#35 1966), "A Day in the Life of a Fool" (#62 1966), "Open for Business As Usual" (1967), "Mathilde" (1969), "I Didn't Count on Love" (1970)
actor
md. to actress, Jill St. John
see Jack Jones

Linda Jones

b. 1944 in Newark, NJ - d. 14 Mar 1972 in NY (complications of diabetes)
R&B/gospel singer
"You Hit Me Like TNT" (1965), "Hypnotized" (#21 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "What Can I Do (Without You)?" (1968), "Can You Blame Me?" (1970), "Stay with Me Forever" (1971), "For Your Precious Love" (1972), "Not on the Outside" (1972)
songwriter
collapsed backstage at the Apollo and died shortly after
see Linda Jones on soulwalking

Roger McLachlan

b. 19??
rock musician, instrument: bass
founding member of The Little River Band (1975-76, 1998-99), "It's a Long Way There" (#28 1976)
with Loose Change (1989- )
session musician with Graham Goble, and others
see Little River Band

Maury Muehleisen (Maurice Muehleisen)

b. 1949 in Trenton, NJ - d. 20 Sep 1973 in Natchitoches, LA (plane crash)
rock/pop singer
instruments: lead guitar, piano
"Mister Bainbridge" (1970, he wrote), "Free to Love You" (1970, he wrote), "A Song I Heard" (1970, he wrote)
backup for Jim Croce (1972-74), "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" (#8 1972), "Operator (That's Not the Way it Feels)" (#17 1972), "Time in a Bottle" (#1 1973), "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" (#1 1973), "I Got a Name" (#10 1973), "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues" (#32 1973), "One Less Set of Footsteps" (#37 1973), "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" (#9, #68c 1974), and others
songwriter
died in the same plane crash as Jim Croce
see Maury Muehleisen

Joe Muranyi

b. 1928 in Martin's Ferry, OH
Dixieland jazz/folk singer
instruments: clarinet, soprano sax
founding member of The Village Stompers (1963-67), "Washington Square" (#2 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "From Russia with Love" (#81 1964), "Fiddler on the Roof" (#97 1964)
with the Red Onion Jazz Band (1952-54)
with The Louis Armstrong All Stars (1967-71)
session musician with Danny Barker, Roy Eldridge, Lionel Hampton, and others
music producer
served in the Air Force

Billie Jo Spears (Billie Jean Spears)

b. 1937 in Beaumont, TX
country/pop singer
"Mr. Walker, it's All Over" (#80, #4c 1969), "Marty Gray" (#17c 1970), "L.A. Turnaround" (1973), * "Blanket on the Ground" (#78, #1c 1975), "Silver Wings and Golden Rings" (#20c 1975), "What I've Got in Mind (Ain't Mine)" (#5c 1976), "Misty Blue" (#5c 1976), "If You Want Me" (#8c 1977), "She's Out There Dancin' Alone" (1977), "'57 Chevrolet" (#16c 1978), "The Last Rose of Summer" (1978), "Love Ain't Gonna Wait for Us" (#24c 1979), "Rainy Days and Stormy Nights" (#21c 1980), "Standing Tall" (#15c 1980), "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad" (#13c 1981), "Midnight Blue" (#39c 1983)
songwriter
see Billie Joe Spears on Wikipedia

Al Terry (Allison Joseph Theriot)

b. in Kaplan, LA - d. 1985
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"I Wonder if I Can Lose the Blues This Way" (1953), "I Nearly Made a Fool of My Heart" (1953), "Good Deal, Lucille" (#8c 1954, he co-wrote), "House of Glass" (1954), "Let's Postpone Our Wedding" (1955), "Promise Made, Promise Broken" (1955), "Goodbye, Mister Sunshine" (1955), "Roughneck Blues" (1956), "Because I'm Yours (But You're Not Mine)" (1958), "Watch Dog" (#28c 1960), "Miss Me, Miss Mary Ann" (1961)
duets with Wilma Lee Cooper, "Not Anymore" (1956), "It's Just As Well" (1958)
DJ

Allen Toussaint

b. 1938 in New Orleans, LA
R&B/rock singer
instrument: piano
"Go Back Home" (1965), "Gotta Travel on" (1968), "Pickles" (1970), "Working in the Coal Mine" (1971, he wrote)
recorded as Al Tousan, "Whirlaway" (1958), "Back Home in Indiana" (1960), "Twenty Years Later" (1962)
with The Young Ones, "Sawdust Floor" (1965), "Two Cents" (1965)
with The Stokes, "Fat Cat" (1965), "Banana Split" (1965), "Crystal Ball" (1966)
songwriter, wrote Glen Campbell's "Southern Nights" (#1, #1c 1977), Ernie K-Doe's "Mother-in-Law" (#1 1961)
music producer; arranger
see Allen Toussaint on Wikipedia

Caterina Valente

b. 1931 in Paris, France
pop singer
"The Breeze and I (Andalucia)" (#8 1955, One-Hit Wonder), "If Hearts Could Talk" (1956), "Where?" (1959)
she has recorded in twelve languages
md. to juggler, Erik van Aro (1952- ); md. to pianist, Roy Budd (1972-79)
see Caterina Valente on Wikipedia

Billy Walker (Billy Marvin Walker aka 'The Tall Texan')

b. 1929 in Ralls, TX - d. 21 May 2006 in AL (auto accident)
country/Christian singer
instrument: guitar
"You Didn't Try and I Didn't Care" (1949), "I Ain't Got No Roses" (1951), "Fifteen Hugs Past Midnight" (1951), "You Can't Talk Me Out of it" (1952), "Kissing You" (1954), "Thank You for Calling" (#8c 1954), "I've Got Leavin' on My Mind" (1956), "On My Mind Again" (#12c 1957), "Where My Baby Goes (She Goes with Me)" (1958), "Storm Within My Heart" (1959), "I Wish You Love" (#19c 1960), "Charlie's Shoes" (#1c 1962), "Willie the Weeper" (#5c 1962, he co-wrote), "Heart, Be Careful" (#21c 1963, he co-wrote), * "Circumstances" (#7c 1964), "Cross the Brazos at Waco" (#2c 1964), "If it Pleases You" (#16c 1965), "A Million and One" (#2c 1966), "Close to Linda" (1966), "I Taught Her Everything She Knows" (#11c 1968), "One Inch Off the Ground" (1968), "Sundown Mary" (#18c 1968), "Ramona" (#8c 1968), "From the Bottle to the Bottom" (#20c 1969), "When a Man Loves a Woman (the Way That I Love You)" (#3c 1970), "Curtains on the Window" (1970), "I'm Gonna Keep on Lovin' You" (#3 1971), "She Goes Walking Through My Mind" (#3c 1971), "Gone (Our Endless Love)" (#24c 1972), "My Mind Hangs on to You" (#34c 1973), "Too Many Memories" (#96c 1973), "How Far Our Love Goes" (#74c 1974), "Word Games" (#10c 1975), "I Can't Say No if She Keeps Saying Yes" (1975), * "Love You All to Pieces" (#67c 1976), "Don't Stop in My World (If You Don't Mean to Stay)" (#19c 1976), "Broken Pieces of Love" (1978), "Rainbows and Roses" (1979), "A Little Bit Short on Love (a Little Bit Long on Tears)" (#70c 1979, he wrote), "One Away From One Too Many" (#93c 1983), "Wild Texas Rose" (1988, he co-wrote), "Jesse" (1988), "Unplug the Jukebox" (1995)
duets with Barbara Fairchild, "If We Take Our Time" (1980), "Let Me Be the One" (#74c 1980)
duet with Jeanette Hicks, "Let's Make Memories Tonight" (1955)
songwriter
actor
his wife, Bettie, and two band members were killed in the same accident he was
see Billy Walker

Lamar Williams

b. 1949 in Gulfport, MS - d. 21 Jan 1983 in Los Angeles, CA (lung cancer)
rock/blues/country musician, instrument: electric bass
with the Allman Brothers Band (1973-76, replaced Berry Oakley), "Ramblin' Man" (#2 1973), "Jessica" (1973)
founding member of Sea Level (1976-80)
served in the Army (1968-70), he opposed the Vietnam War but was drafted
his lung cancer was likely caused by exposure to Agent Orange
md. to Marian Belina (1974- )
see The Allman Brothers

January 15

Sonny Bivins (Edward Bivens aka 'Dip')

b. 1942 in Jersey City, NJ or Macon, GA
pop/doo-wop singer (tenor/baritone)
founding member of The Manhattans (1962- ), "What Should I Do?" (1962), "For the Very First Time" (1964), "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" (1964), "Follow Your Heart" (1965, he wrote), "Alone on New Years Eve" (1966), "We Were Made As One" (1967, re-recorded 1985, he co-wrote), "Til You Come Back to Me" (1968), "If My Heart Could Speak" (1970), "There's No Me Without You" (1972, he wrote), "A Million to One" (1972), "The Other Side of Me" (1974), "Nursery Rhymes" (1975), "Don't Take Your Love from Me" (#37 1975), "Kiss and Say Goodbye" (#1 1976), "We Never Dance to a Love Song" (1977, he co-wrote), "There's No Good in Goodbye" (1978), "Here Comes That Hurt Again" (1979), "(You Are My) Shining Star" (#5 1980), "Forever by Your Side" (1983), "You Send Me" (1985), "Just a Matter of Time" (1989)
The Manhattans and Regina Belle, "Where Did We Go Wrong?" (1986)
songwriter
served in the Air Force
served in the military

Thelma Carpenter

b. 1922 in Brooklyn, NY - d. 14 May 1997 in Manhattan, NY (heart attack)
pop/jazz/swing sinter
"All of My Life" (1950), "My Heart Feels it, Too" (1961), "I Ought to Know" (1961), "Yes, I'm Lonesome Tonight" (#55 1961, reply to Elvis Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight?"), "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" (1962)
backed by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, "Do Nothin' til You Hear from Me" (1951)
backed by Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra (1938-39), "This is the Moment" (1939)
with Count Basie and His Orchestra (1943- ), "Call Me Darling (Call Me Sweetheart, Call Me Dear)" (1944)
actress

Ben Cauley

b. 1947
soul/R&B singer
instrument: trumpet
founding member of The Bar-Kays (1966-67, 1968- ), "Give Everybody Some" (#76 1967), "Memphis Sunshine" (1972), "Too Hot to Stop" (#74 1977), "I'll Dance" (1978), "Today is the Day" (#60 1980), "Hit and Run" (#101 1981)
The Bar-Kays were Otis Redding's backup band (1967)
session musician with Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, and others
songwriter
arranger
he was the only survivor of the plane crash that killed Otis Redding and several other band members

Earl Hooker (Earl Zebedee Hooker)

b. 1929/30 near Clarksdale, MS – d. 21 Apr 1970 in Chicago, IL (tuberculosis)
blues singer
instruments: slide guitar, keyboards, drums
"Sweet Angel" (1953), "Race Track" (1953), "Frog Hop" (1957), "Blues in D Natural" (1960), "Swear to Tell the Truth" (1961), "How Long Can This Go on?" (1962), "Tanya" (1962), "Win the Dance" (1963), "That Man" (1963), "Wild Moments" (1965), "You Took All My Love" (1969), "Sweet Black Angel" (1969), "Anna Lee" (1969), "I Feel Good" (1970), "Crosscut Saw" (1970), "Sweet Home Chicago" (1970)
session musician with Muddy Waters, Ricky Allen, Led Zeppelin, and others
songwriter
cousin of John Lee Hooker

Kurt Howell

b. 1958 in Winterhaven, FL
country singer
instrument: keyboards, drums
founding member of Burnin' Daylight (1996- ), "Love Worth Fighting For" (#49c 1996, he co-wrote), "Say Yes" (#37c 1997), "Live to Love Again" (#58c 1997, he co-wrote), "Some Hearts Get all the Breaks" (1997), "The Only Way I Know" (1997)
with Southern Pacific (1986-91), "A Girl Like Emmylou" (#17c 1986), "Don't Let Go of My Heart" (#26c 1987, he co-wrote), "Midnight Highway" (#14c 1988, he co-wrote), "New Shade of Blue" (#2c 1988), "Bail Out" (1988), "Wheels on the Line" (1988), "Honey, I Dare You" (#5c 1989), "Any Way the Wind Blows" (#4c 1990), "Side Saddle" (1990), "Reckless Heart" (#32c 1990), "I Go to Pieces" (#31c 1990)
Southern Pacific and Carlene Carter, "Time's Up" (#26c 1989)
with Crystal Gayle's band
session musician
songwriter
see Burnin' Daylight on Wikipedia
see Southern Pacific on Wikipedia

Joan Johnson (Joan Marie Johnson)

b. 1945, New Orleans, LA
pop singer
founding member of The Dixie Cups (1964-66), * "Chapel of Love" (#1 1964), * "You Should Have Seen the Way He Looked at Me" (#39 1964), * "People Say" (#12 1964), "Iko Iko" (#20 1965), "Little Bell" (#51 1965)
cousin of Barbara and Rosa Hawkins

David Lynn Jones

b. 1950 in Bexar, AR
country/rock singer
instruments: guitar, bass, keyboards, drums
"Home of My Heart" (1980, he wrote), "Bonnie Jean (Little Sister)" (#10c 1987, he wrote), "The Rogue" (#36c 1988, he wrote), "Walkin' Through the Fire" (1989, he wrote), "Ain't No Easy Roads" (1989, he wrote), "We Were All a Lot Older Then" (1989, he wrote), "Her Love Don't Lie" (1992)
duet with Waylon Jennings, "High-Ridin' Heroes" (#14c 1988, he wrote)
session musician
songwriter, wrote Willie Nelson's "Living in the Promised Land" (#1c 1986), Randy Corner's "Heart, Don't Fail Me Now" (#33c 1976)
see David Lynn Jones on CMT.com

Yvonne King (Yvonne Driggs)

b. 1920
swing/jazz/pop singer
"Shenanigans" (1937), "Nighty Night" (1941), "If it's True" (1941), "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" (1941), "Feed the Eagle" (1941)
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 pianist, Buddy Cole; md. to Mr. Burch
see The King Sisters

Gene Krupa

b. 1909 in Chicago, IL - d. 16 Oct 1973 in Yonkers, NY (leukemia)
jazz/swing musician, instrument: drums
leader of Gene Krupa and His Orchestra, "Whisper while We Dance" (1939), "You Danced with Dynamite" (1940), "These Things You Left Me" (1941), "All Those Wonderful Years" (#21 1941), "Me and My Melinda" (1942), "Tomorrow is Forever" (1946), "Aren't You Kind of Glad We Did?" (1946), "Old Devil Moon" (#21 1947), "It Might Have Been a Different Story" (1947), "Lemon Drop" (1949), "Bop Boogie" (1949), "Swingin' Doors" (1950), "Handful of Keys" (1950), "Meadowland" (1961)
with the Benny Goodman Band (1934-38), "Sing, Sing, Sing" (1935), "Afraid to Dream" (1937), "When My Baby Smiles at Me" (1938)
songwriter
see Benny Goodman
see Gene Krupa

Joe Penny (Joseph L. Pennington)

b. 1928 in Plant City, FL
country/rockabilly/western swing/gospel singer
instrument: guitar
"Bip a Little, Bop a Lot" (1958), "Frosty Window Pane" (#41c 1962, he wrote)
duet with Jean Shepard, "Don't Fall in Love With a Married Man" (1954)
with Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys (1947-48), "Move it on Over" (#4c 1947), "Honky-Tonkin'" (#14c 1948)
session musician with Lefty Frizzell, and others
songwriter
served in the Navy (1949- )
see The Drifting Cowboys

Pete Kuykendall (aka Pete Roberts)

b. 1938
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: banjo, string bass, fiddle
"Irish Washerwoman" (1989)
with The Country Gentlemen (1957-59, replaced Bill Emerson), "Backwoods Blues" (1958)
duet with Don Bryant, "Jenny Lynn" (1989)
duet with Smiley Hobbs and Mike Seeger, "Rosewood Casket" (1989)
songwriter
see Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen

Ray Simpson (Raymund Simpson)

b. 1952 in the Bronx, NY
pop/disco singer
backup, then lead singer of Village People (1979-82, 1987- , cop character), "In the Navy" (#3 1979), "Go West" (1979), "Can't Stop the Music" (1980), "Do You Wanna Spend the Night?" (1981), "5 O'Clock in the Morning" (1981)
songwriter
contrary to the group's image, only Felipe Rose was actually gay
see Village People

Ronnie Van Zant (Ronald Wayne Van Zant)

b. 1948 in Jacksonville, FL - d. 20 Oct 1977 in McCombe, MS (plane crash)
country/rock singer
founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd (1965-77), "Sweet Home Alabama" (#8 1971, he co-wrote), "Tuesday's Gone" (1973, he co-wrote), "Freebird" (#19 1974, he co-wrote), "Saturday Night Special" (#27 1975, he co-wrote), "Double Trouble" (#80 1976, he co-wrote), "Give Me Back My Bullets" (1976, he co-wrote), "What's Your Name?" (#13 1977), "You've Got the Right" (1978)
songwriter
md. to Judy Seymour (1972- ); brother of Donnie and Johnny Van Zant
see Lynyrd Skynyrd

January 16

Bob Bogle (Robert Lenard Bogle)

b. 1937
rock musician, instruments: lead guitar, bass
founding member of The Ventures (1959- ), "Cookies and Coke" (1959), * "Walk Don't Run" (#2 1960), "Perfidia" (#15 1961), "Lullaby of the Leaves" (#69 1961), "Yellow Jacket" (1962), "Journey to the Stars" (1963), "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" (#35 1964), "Walk Don't Run '64" (#8 1964), "Diamond Head" (#70 1965), "Pedal Pusher" (1965), "Kickstand" (1967), "Endless Dream" (1967), "Mirrors and Shadows" (1967), "Flights of Fantasy" (1968), "Hawaii Five-o" (#4 1969), "Kern County Line" (1970), "Changing Times" (1970), "Wipe Out" (1991)
The Ventures became the first performers to have two different versions of the same song in the top 10 when "Walk Don't Run '64" reached #8 in 1964
songwriter
see The Ventures

Bill Burkette

b. 1943
pop singer (baritone)
founding member and lead singer of The Vogues (1964-75), "You're the One" (#4 1965), "Five O'Clock World" (#4 1965), "Golden Locket" (1965), "The Land of Milk and Honey" (#29 1966), "Magic Town" (#21 1966), "Don't Blame the Rain" (1966), "Turn Around, Look at Me" (#7 1968), "My Special Angel" (#7 1968), "Till" (#27 1968), "No, Not Much" (#34 1969)
see The Vogues

Tom Crain

b. 1951 in Nashville, TN
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
with The Charlie Daniels Band (1975-89), "Texas" (#91, #36c 1976), "Wichita Jail" (#22c 1976), "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (#3, #1c 1979, #60c 1998, he co-wrote, CMA single of the year 1979), "Behind Your Eyes" (#87c 1979), Mississippi" (#10c 1979), "In America" (#11, #13c 1980, he co-wrote), "Long-Haired Country Boy" (#56 1974, #27c 1983), "Carolina I Remember You" (#44c 1980, he co-wrote), "Sweet Home Alabama" (#52, #94c 1981), "Still in Saigon" (#22 1982), "We Had it All One Time" (#59c 1982), "American Farmer" (#54c 1985, he co-wrote), "Still Hurtin' Me" (#33c 1985), "Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye" (#8c 1986), "Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues" (#10c 1988, he co-wrote), "Cowboy Hat in Dallas" (#36c 1989, he co-wrote), "Simple Man" (#12c 1989)
founding member of The Crosstown Allstars
session musician
songwriter
see The Charlie Daniels Band

Mac Curtis (Wesley Erwin Curtis, Jr.)

b. 1939 in Fort Worth, TX (grew up near Olney, TX)
rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"If I Had Me a Woman" (1956), "The Low Road" (1956), "Just So You Call Me" (1956), "That Ain't Nothin' But Right" (1956), "Say So" (1957), "Little Miss Linda" (1958, he co-wrote), "Missy Ann" (1958), "Come Back, Baby" (1960), "Lie and Get By" (1963), "Ties That Bind" (1967), "The Sunshine Man" (#54c 1968), "Happiness Lives in This House" (#63c 1969), "Honey, Don't" (#43c 1970), "Early in the Morning" (#35c 1970), "I'd Run a Mile" (1971), "She Knows All the Good Ways to Be Bad" (1975, he co-wrote), "Blue Jean Heart" (1957), "Keep Doin' What You're Doin' Now" (1975, he wrote), "Asphalt Cowboy, Parking Lot Lover" (1975), "Party Line" (1975), "Good Rockin' Tomorrow" (1975, he co-wrote), "Nine Times Out of Ten" (1975), "(You Can Always) Turn to Me" (1975, he wrote), "More Love Where That Came From" (1978, he co-wrote), "Making it Right" (1981, he co-wrote), "Old Rock 'n' Rollers Like Me" (1998, he wrote), "Mesmerized" (1998, he wrote)
songwriter
DJ; actor
served in the Army (1957-60)
see Mac Curtis on Rockabilly Hall of Fame

Gabe Flemings (Gabriel Flemings)

b. 1943
soul/rock musician, instruments: trumpet, piano
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

Billy Francis (William Francis)

b. 1942 in Mobile, AL or Los Angeles, CA
country/rock singer
instrument: keyboards
founding member of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show (1968- ), Sylvia's Mother" (#1 1972), "The Cover of Rolling Stone" (#6 1972), "Four Years Older Than Me" (1972), "Carry Me, Carrie" (1973), "Only Sixteen" (#6 1976), "A Little Bit More" (#11 1976), "If Not You" (#55 1976), "Sharing the Night Together" (#6, #50c 1978), "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" (#6 1979), "All the Time in the World" (#54 1979), "Better Love Next Time" (#12 1980), "Sexy Eyes" (#5 1980), "Years from Now" (#51 1980), "Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk" (#25 1982), "Chained to Your Memory" (1982)
with The Chocolate Papers

Craig Kemp (Gregory Kempinski)

b. 1946 in Chicago, IL
pop/rock/soul musician, instruments: keyboards, organ
founding member of The New Colony Six (1964-66, left after the first album), "I Confess" (#71 1965), "At the River's Edge" (1966)
founding member of The Raymond John Michael Band (aka RJM) (1969-71)
songwriter
cousin of Walter Kemp

Roy Lanham (Roy Howard Lanham)

b. 1923 in Corbin, KY - d. 14 Feb 1991 in Camarillo, CA
country/jazz/swing musician, instruments: lead guitar, rhythm guitar
"Klondike" (1958), "Altitude" (1958), "Carnival in Paris" (1961, he wrote)
with Sons of the Pioneers (1961-77, replaced Karl Farr), "San Antonio Rose" (1968), "I'll Hold You in My Heart" (1968), "Pretty Painted Ladies" (1976)
The Sons of the Pioneers and Rex Allen, Jr., "Can You Hear Those Pioneers?" (#17c 1976)
with The Whippoorwills, "Air Mail Special" (1959), "Slipped Disc" (1959), "Mellow Mood" (1959, he wrote)
session guitarist with Tex Atchison, Gene Austin, Hank Penny, The Delmore Brothers, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Johnny Horton, Dorsey Burnette, Johnny Burnette, Jim Reeves, Bonnie Guitar, others
songwriter
see The Sons of the Pioneers on CMT.com
see The Sons of the Pioneers

Barbara Lynn (Barbara Lynn Ozen aka Bobbie Lynn)

b. 1942 in Beaumont, TX
soul singer
instrument: guitar
"You'll Lose a Good Thing" (#8 1962, One-Hit Wonder, she wrote), "Second-Fiddle Girl" (1962), "You're Gonna Need Me" (#65 1962), "(I Cried at) Laura's Wedding" (#68 1963), "Dedicate the Blues to Me" (1963), "Let Her Knock Herself Out" (1964), "Keep on Pushing Your Luck" (1965), "You Left the Water Running" (#110 1966), "Until I'm Free" (1966), "This is the Thanks I Get" (#65 1967), "You're Gonna See a Lot More (of My Leaving)" (1968), "Until Then I'll Suffer" (1971), "Give Him His Freedom" (1975)
songwriter
see Barbara Lynn on Wikipedia

Joe McMichael

b. 1916 in Minneapolis, MN - d. 12 Feb 1944
pop/jazz/swing singer (tenor)
founding member of The Merry Macs (1930-44), "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)
brother of Ted and Judd McMichael
served in WWII
see The Merry Macs on Singers.com

Ronnie Milsap

b. 1943/46 in Robbinsville, NC
country/pop/rock singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards, piano, violin
"Mister Mailman" (1968), "The Girl Who Waits on Tables" (#11c 1973), "(All Together Now) Let's Fall Apart" (#10c 1973), * "Pure Love" (#1c 1974), * "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends" (#95, #1c 1974), "I'd Be a Legend in My Time" (#1c 1975), "A Rose by Any Other Name" (#77c 1975), * "Daydreams about Night Things" (#1c 1975), "What Goes on When the Sun Goes Down" (#1c 1976), "(I'm a) Stand by My Woman Man" (#1c 1976), "Too Late to Worry, Too Blue to Cry" (#6c 1975), "Let Me Be Your Pillow" (#1c 1977), * "What a Difference You've Made in My Life" (#80, #1c 1977), "It Was Almost Like a Song" (#16, #1c 1977), * "Back on My Mind Again" (#2c 1978), "Only One Love in My Life" (#63, #1c 1978), "Let's Take the Long Way Around the World" (#1c 1978), "Nobody Likes Sad Songs" (#1c 1979), "Smoky Mountain Rain" (#24, #1c 1980), * "Why Don't You Spend the Night?" (#1c 1980), "My Heart" (#1c 1980), "Cowboys and Clowns" (#1c 1980), "Am I Losing You?" (#1c 1981), "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me" (#5, #1c 1981), "I Wouldn't Have Missed it for the World" (#20, #1c 1981), "Silent Night (After the Fight)" (#1c 1981), "Any Day Now" (#14, #1c 1982), "He's Got You" (#59, #1c 1982), "Carolina Dreams" (#27, #1c 1982), "Inside" (#1c 1982), "Don't You Know How Much I Love You?" (#45, #1c 1983), "Show Her" (#1c 1984), "Still Losing You" (#1c 1984), "She Loves My Car" (#84, #1c 1984), "Prisoner of the Highway" (#6c 1984), * "Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night)" (#1c 1985), * "She Keeps the Home Fires Burning" (#1c 1985), "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" (#1c 1986), "In Love" (#1c 1986), "How Do I Turn You On?" (#1c 1986), "Snap Your Fingers" (#1c 1987), "Where Do the Nights Go?" (#1c 1988), "Don't You Ever Get Tired (of Hurtin' Me)?" (#1c 1988), "A Woman in Love" (#1c 1989), "Stranger Things Have Happened" (#2c 1990), "All is Fair in Love and War" (#11c 1991), "Old Habits Are Hard to Break" (1991), "Turn That Radio on" (#4c 1992)
duet with Kenny Rogers, "Make No Mistake, She's Mine" (#1c 1987)
duet with Mike Reid, "Old Folks" (#2c 1988)
session musician with Elvis Presley, and others
songwriter
md. to Joyce Reeves (1965- )
he was born blind but never let that stop him from doing what he wanted
see Ronnie Milsap

Buddy Moss (Eugene Moss)

b. 1906/14 in Jewel, GA - d. 19 Oct 1984 in Atlanta, GA
blues singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica
"Daddy Don't Care" (1933), "Some Lonesome Day" (1934), "Insane Blues" (1934), "V-8 Ford" (1941), "Hard Road Blues" (1966), "Every Day Seems Like Sunday" (1966, he wrote), "I've Got to Keep to the Highway" (1966), "Comin' Back" (1966), "How I Feel Today" (1966), "When I'm Dead and Gone" (1973)
with The Georgia Browns
songwriter
served time in prison for the murder of his wife (1935-41)

George Nelson

b. 1926 in Baltimore, MD – d. 1959 (asthma)
R&B singer (baritone)
founding member of The Orioles (1948-52), "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)
he was injured in the accident that killed Tommy Gaither in 1950
see The Orioles on Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks

Corky Owens (Kenneth Owens)

b. 1959 in Santa Fe, NM
country musician, instrument: pedal steel guitar
with Gene Watson's Farewell Party Band (1991- )
with Bobby Cargill's Dos Rios Band, "At the Bottom of a Bottle" (2006), "A Part of Me" (2006), "Ordinary Man" (2006), "Some Have to Lose" (2006), "Bad Luck" (2006)
session musician

Ray Phillips (Raymond John Phillips)

b. 1939/44 in Cardiff, South Wales
rock/country singer
instrument: keyboards
founding member of The Nashville Teens (1962-73, 1980- ), "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

Wayne Pittman

b. 1947
pop/soul musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of The O'Kaysions (1961-69, and reunions), "Hey, Girl" (1964), "Shout" (1964), "(I'm a) Girl Watcher" (#5 1968, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Deal Me in" (1968), "Dedicated to the One I Love" (1968), "Colors" (1969)
songwriter

Jim Stafford (James Wayne Stafford)

b. 1944 in Eloise, FL
novelty/country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, banjo, harmonica, keyboards
"Swamp Witch" (#39 1973), "Spiders and Snakes" (#3, #66c 1973, he co-wrote), "My Girl Bill" (#12, #64c 1974, he wrote), "Wildwood Weed" (#7, #57c 1974), "Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne" (#24 1975), "I Got Stoned and I Missed it" (#37 1975), "Little Bits and Pieces" (#67c 1984)
songwriter
comedian; actor
md. to singer, Bobbie Gentry (1975-80)

Billy Strange

b. 1930 in Long Beach, CA
rock/folk/country musician, instrument: lead guitar
"Say You're Mine, Porcupine" (1956), "It Wasn't Much of a Town" (1956), "Trains and Boats and Planes" (1965), "Allentown Jail" (1966), "Strange Country" (1966), "If I Were Free" (1966), "Yours is a World I Can't Live in" (1967), "Track Walkin'" (1968, he wrote), "Five-Card Stud" (1968), "Stranger in Town" (1968)
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)
founding member of The Buddies, "Wanda on Her Honda" (1965), "Skateboard, U.S.A." (1965), "Sidewalk Surfin' Scene" (1965), "Ski Jump" (1965), "Ski City U.S.A." (1965), "Mean Little Monza" (1965), "Sickle Riders Rule" (1965), "Yamaha" (1965), "Little BSA" (1965), "Speedway" (1965)
session musician
songwriter, co-wrote The Champs' "Limbo Rock" (#40 1962)
arranger
see Billy Strange

George Wooten

b. 1940 in La Grange, NC
doo-wop/R&B/pop singer
founding member of The Corsairs (1961- ), "Smokey Places" (#12 1962, One-Hit Wonder), "I'll Take You Home" (#68 1962), "Dancing Shadows" (1962), "At the Stroke of Midnight" (1962)
founding member of The Wooten Brothers, "Tell Me" (1990), "Nothing is Stronger Than True Love" (1993, he co-wrote), "Save the Best for Last" (1993)
songwriter
cousin of Jay, Moses and James Uzzell

January 17

Walter Bailes (Walter Butler Bailes)

b. 1920 in Kanawha County, WV - d. 27 Nov 2000 in Sevierville, TN (heart failure)
country/gospel singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Bailes Brothers, "Search for a Soldier's Grave" (1945), "We're Living in the Last Days Now" (1947, he wrote), "The Drunkard's Grave" (1948, he co-wrote), "I Want to Be Loved (But Only by You)" (1948, he co-wrote), "I Guess I'll Go on Dreaming" (1948, he co-wrote), "Whiskey is the Devil (in Liquid Form)" (1948, he co-wrote), "You'll Always Be the Only One" (1949, he co-wrote), "Daniel Prayed" (1951), "The Future Holds Nothing" (1952)
songwriter
see The Bailes Brothers on CMT.com

Cassius Clay (Cassius Marcellus Clay aka 'The Greatest')

b. 1942 in Louisville, KY
"I Am the Greatest" (1963), "Stand by Me" (1963, a version of Ben E. King's well-known song)
heavyweight boxing champion; poet
he took the name Muhammad Ali after a religious conversion

Steve Earle (Stephen Fain Earle)

b. 1955 in Fort Monroe, VA (grew up in Schertz, TX)
country/rock/folk/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, harmonica
"Nothin' But You" (#70c 1983), "Hillbilly Highway" (#37c 1986), "Guitar Town" (#20, #7c 1986, he wrote), "Someday" (#28c 1986, he wrote), "Goodbye's All We Got Left" (#8c 1987, he wrote), "I Ain't Ever Satisfied" (#26 1987, he wrote), "Sweet Little '66" (#37c 1987), "San Antonio Girl" (1987), "Nowhere Road" (#20c 1987, he co-wrote), "Copperhead Road" (#10 1988, he wrote), "Back to the Wall" (#20 1988), "Six Days on the Road" (#29c 1988), "The Other Kind" (#37 1990, he wrote), "Northern Winds" (1995), "Feel Alright" (1996, he wrote), "Hurtin' Me, Hurtin' You" (1996, he wrote), "Fort Worth Blues" (1997, he wrote as a tribute to Townes Van Zandt), "Texas Eagle" (1999, he wrote), "You're Forever Blue" (1999, he wrote), "The Mountain" (1999, he wrote), "Carrie Brown" (1999, he wrote), "Lonelier Than This" (2000, he wrote), "Until the Day I Die" (2000, he wrote), "I Remember You" (2002, he wrote), "Ashes to Ashes" (2002, he wrote), "I Thought You Should Know" (2004), "OxyContin Blues" (2007, he wrote), "Sparkle and Shine" (2007, he wrote)
duet with Alison Moorer, "Days Aren't Long Enough" (2007, he co-wrote)
songwriter, wrote Johnny Lee's "When You Fall in Love" (#14c 1982); Travis Tritt's "Sometimes She Forgets" (#7c 1995)
actor; author
political activist
md. to Alison Moorer (2005- )
see Steve Earle

Cliff Givens (Clifton Givens)

b. 1918 in Newark, NJ - d. 6 Jun 1989
R&B singer (bass)
instrument: cello
with The Ink Spots (1944-45, replaced Hoppy Jones)
The Ink Spots with Ella Fitzgerald, "I'm Making Believe" (#1 1944), "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (#5 1945)
bass singer with The Dominoes (1953-60, replaced David McNeil), "The Bells" (1953), "Ringing in a Brand New Year" (1953), "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" (1953), "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" (1954), "The Handwriting on the Wall" (1954), "Give Me You" (1955), "Bobby Sox Baby" (1956), "Treasure of Love" (#16 1956), "St. Therese of the Roses" (#27 1956), "Without Love (There is Nothing)" (#19 1957), "Deep Purple" (#20 1957), "Star Dust" (#12 1957)
see The Dominoes

Marcel 'Tex' Grimsley (Ennis Marcel Grimsley)

b. 1917 in Shreveport, LA - d. 2 Oct 2002
country musician, instrument: fiddle
founding member of Uncle Tex and the Texas Showboys
with The New Red River Ramblers
duets with Faron Young, "Walking the Dog" (1990, he co-wrote), "Teardrops" (1990)
session musician with Webb Pierce, The Bailes Brothers, The Tennessee Mountain Boys, Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, and others
songwriter, wrote Webb Pierce's "I'm Walkin' the Dog" (#3c 1953)
fiddle maker

Billy Harper

b. 1943 in Houston, TX
jazz singer
instruments: tenor-sax, flute
"Call of the Wild and Peaceful Heart" (1975), "Croquet Ballet" (1975), "The Awakening" (1979), "Dance in the Question" (1989), "Light Within" (1993), "I Do Believe" (1994), "Time and Time Again" (1998), "Speak to Me of Love, Speak to Me of Truth" (1998), "Credence" (2000), "Soul of an Angel" (2000)
with Blakey's Messengers (1968-70)
sessionist with Gil Evans, James Clay, Fred Smith, and others
songwriter

William Hart

b. 1945 in Washington, D.C.
R&B/pop singer
founding member of The Delfonics (1965- ), "He Don't Really Love You" (1966), "La La Means I Love You" (#4 1968), "I'm Sorry" (#42 1968), "Break Your Promise" (#35 1968), "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)" (#35 1969, he wrote), "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)?" (#10 1970), "Trying to Make a Fool of Me" (#40 1970), "Over and Over" (#58 1971), "Walk Right Up to the Sun" (#81 1971), "I Don't Want to Make You Wait" (#91 1973), "Lying to Myself" (1974)
songwriter
brother of Wilbert Hart
see The Delfonics on Wikipedia

Sheila Hutchinson

b. 1953 in Chicago, IL
soul/disco singer
founding member of The Emotions (1967- ), "I Can't Stand No More Heartaches" (1967), "Brush Fire" (1968), "So I Can Love You" (#39 1969, she wrote), "The Best Part of a Love Affair" (1969), "Show Me How" (1970), "Blind Alley" (1970), "I Never Could Be Happy" (1972), "There Are More Questions Than Answers" (1974), "Any Way You Look at it" (1974), "Shouting Our Love" (1976), "Don't Ask My Neighbors" (#44 1977), "Best of My Love" (#1 1977), "Time is Passing By" (1978), "Ain't No Doubt about it" (1978), "Laid Back" (1979), "Now That I Know" (1981)
songwriter
sister of Jeanette and Wanda Hutchinson

Eartha Kitt (Eartha Mae Keith)

b. 1927 in North, SC
pop singer
"Monotonous" (1952), "Santa Baby" (1953), "Let's Do it (Let's Fall in Love)" (1953), "Lilac Wine (Dance Me a Song)" (1953), "Under the Bridges of Paris" (1953), "Mountain High, Valley Low" (1953), "Mink Schmink" (1954), "The Day the Circus Left Town" (1955), "Strangers in the Starlight" (1955), "Dinner for One Please, James" (1955), "Thursday's Child" (1956), "Proceed With Caution" (1957), "Friendless Blues" (1958), "Just an Old-Fashioned Girl" (1958), "I'd Rather Be Burnt as a Witch" (1959), "All I Want is All There is and Then Some" (1962), "Wonderful Illusion" (1964), "Guess Who I Saw Today?" (1965)
actress
md. to Bill McDonald (1960-65)
see Eartha Kitt

Lolita (Ditta Zuza Einzinger)

b. 1931 in Austria
pop singer
"Sailor (Your Home is the Sea)" (#5 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "Cowboy Jimmy Joe" (#94 1961), "Theme from 'A Summer Place'" (1961)
songwriter

Grady Martin (Thomas Grady Martin)

b. 1929 in Chapel Hill, TN - d. 3 Dec 2001 in Lewisburg, TN (congestive heart failure)
country/western swing/rockabilly singer
instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, six-string electric bass, fiddle
"The Missouri Waltz" (1962), "Red River Valley" (1962), "I Wanna Be Around" (1964), "El Paso" (1965), "Last Letter" (1967)
with Willie Nelson's band (1980-94), "On the Road Again" (#20, #1c 1980), "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" (#44, #1c 1980), "Funny How Time Slips Away" (1980), "Night Life" (#20c 1980), "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" (#1c 1981), "Always on My Mind" (#5, #1c 1982), "Let it Be Me" (#40, #2c 1982), "The Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning" (#2c 1983), "City of New Orleans" (#1c 1985), "Forgiving You Was Easy" (#1c 1985), "Living in the Promised Land" (#1c 1986), "Nothing I Can Do about it Now" (#1c 1989)
with The Arkansas Cotton Pickers
founding member of The Slewfoot Five, "I've Got a Letter" (1953)
The Slewfoot Five and Burl Ives, "Wild Side of Life" (#6c 1952)
The Slewfoot Five and Bing Crosby, "Till the End of the World" (#10c 1952)
session musician on Red Foley's "Chattanoogie Shoeshine Boy" (#1, #1c 1950); Merle Haggard's "That's the Way Love Goes" (#1c 1984); Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter" (#83, #1c 1970); Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman" (#1 1964, #89c 1990); Marty Robbins' "El Paso" (#1, #1c 1959); Johnny Horton's "Honky-Tonk Man" (#96, #9c 1956, #11c 1962); "Lefty Frizzell's "Saginaw, Michigan" (#85, #1c 1963); Jeanne Pruett's "Satin Sheets" (#28, #1c 1973); Sammi Smith's "Help Me Make it Through the Night" (#8, #1c 1970); Patsy Cline's "Crazy" (#9, #1c 1961); and with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Buddy Holly, Joan Baez, Charlie McCoy, and others
see Grady Martin

Hal Miller (Harold Miller)

b. 1931 in Brooklyn, NY
doo-wop/pop singer
founding member and lead singer of The Rays (1955- ), "Tippety Top" (1956), "My Steady Girl" (1957), "Silhouettes" (#3 1957, One-Hit Wonder), "How Long Must I Wait?" (1957), "Rendezvous" (1958), "Souvenirs of Summertime" (1958), "Mediterranean Moon" (1959), "Bright Brown Eyes" (1962), "Sad Saturday" (1964), "I Still Care" (1964)
with The Toppers

Chris Montez (Christopher Michael Montanez or Ezekiel Christopher Montanez)

b. 1943 in Los Angeles, CA (grew up in Hawthorne, CA)
pop/rock singer
instruments: guitar, bass, piano
* "Let's Dance" (#4 1962), "All You Had to Do (Was Tell Me)" (1962), "Some Kinda Fun" (#43 1962), "My Baby Loves to Dance" (1963), "(It's Not) Puppy Love" (1964), "Call Me" (#22 1966), "The More I See You" (#16 1966), "There Will Never Be Another You" (#33 1966), "Time after Time" (#36 1966), "Because of You" (#71 1967), "The Face I Love" (1968)
songwriter
see Chris Montez

Kid Rock (Robert James 'Bob' Ritchie)

b. 1971 in Romeo, MI
rock/country singer
"Cowboy" (#10 1999), "Wasting Time" (#35 2000), "Only God Knows Why" (#5 2000), "Forever" (#18 2001), "Jackson, Mississippi" (#14 2004), "Single Father" (#50c 2004), "Cowboy (live)" (#1 2006), "So Hott" (#1 2007)
duet with Sheryl Crow, "Picture" (#4, #21c 2002)
duet with Bob Seger, "Real Mean Bottle" (#34 2006)
duet with Jerry Lee Lewis, "Honky-Tonk Women" (#26 2006)
songwriter
see Kid Rock

Mick Taylor (Michael Kevin Taylor)

b. 1948 in Hertfordshire, England
rock singer
instruments: slide guitar, pedal steel guitar
"Leather Jacket" (1979, he wrote)
with The Rolling Stones (1969-74, replaced Brian Jones), "Honky-Tonk Women" (#1 1969), "Moonlight Mile" (1971), "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?" (1971), "Brown Sugar" (#1 1971), "Tumbling Dice" (#7 1972), "Angie" (#1 1973)
with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers (1966-69), "Key to Love" (1966), "Broken Wing" (1968)
session musician with Bob Dylan, and others
songwriter
see John Mayall
see The Rolling Stones on Wikipedia

Domenic Troiano (Michele Antonio Troiano)

b. 1948 in Modugno, Italy (grew up in Toronto, Canada) - d. 25 May 2005 (prostate cancer)
rock/blues musician, instrument: guitar
with The Guess Who (1974), "Clap for the Wolfman" (#6 1974), "Star Baby" (#39 1974), "Dancin' Fool" (#28 1975, he co-wrote)
session musician with Ronnie Hawkins, Joe Cocker, and others
songwriter
see Domenic Troiano
see The Guess Who on Wikipedia

Amanda Wilkinson

b. 1982 in Ontario, Canada
country singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
"Fast Car" (2007), "Papa, Come Quick" (2007), "I Wish it Would Rain" (2007)
founding member of The Wilkinsons, "26 Cents" (#3c 1998), "Fly (the Angel Song)" (#15c 1998), "Then There's You" (1998), "Boy, Oh Boy" (#50c 1999, she co-wrote), "Jimmy's Got a Girlfriend" (#34c 2000), "The Only Rose" (#50c 2000), "I Wanna Be That Girl" (#51c 2001), "Tough Luck" (2001), "Occasionally Crazy" (2005), "Inside the Lines" (2005)
duet with Tyler Wilkinson, "Home" (2007, she co-wrote)
songwriter
sister of Tyler Wilkinson, daughter of Steve Wilkinson

Paul Young (Paul Anthony Young)

b. 1956 in Bedfordshire, England
pop/rock/soul singer
instruments: guitar, bass
"Come Back and Stay" (#45 1984), "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" (#14 1985), "Every Time You Go Away" (#1 1985), "Oh, Girl" (#8 1990), "What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted?" (#22 1992)
lead singer with Kat Kool and the Kool Kats
founding member of Q-Tips (1979-81)
md. to model, Stacey Smith

January 18

Mark Collie (George Mark Collie)

b. 1956 in Waynesboro, TN
country/rockabilly/honky-tonk singer
instrument: piano, guitar
"There Goes My Dream" (1985), "Something with a Ring to it" (#54c 1990, he co-wrote), "Let Her Go" (#18c 1991, he wrote), "Even the Man in the Moon is Crying" (#5c 1992, he co-wrote), "Born to Love You" (#6c 1993, he co-wrote), "Something's Gonna Change Her Mind" (#24 1993, he co-wrote), "It is No Secret" (#53c 1994, he co-wrote), "Hard-Lovin' Woman" (#13c 1994, he co-wrote), "Three Words, Two Hearts, One Night" (#25c 1995, he co-wrote), "Lipstick Don't Lie" (1996)
songwriter, wrote Alabama's "Small Stuff" (#24c 2000)
actor
md. to Anne (1982- )
he is diabetic and helps raise funds for research

Bobby Edwards (Robert Edward Moncrief or Virgil Burgan)

b. 1926 in Anniston, AL
country/pop singer
"Trouble and Blues" (1960), "You're the Reason" (#11, #4c 1961, Pop One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "I'm a Fool for Loving You" (1961), "What's the Reason?" (#71 1962), "I've Lost Everything But the Memories" (1962), "Don't Pretend" (#23c 1963, he co-wrote), "Here's My Heart" (1963), "Within Your Arms" (1965)
songwriter

Bobby Goldsboro

b. 1941 in Marianna, FL
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, ukulele
"The Runaround" (1963), "See the Funny Little Clown" (#9, #3c 1964, he wrote), "Whenever He Holds You" (#39, #13c 1964, he wrote), "Roses are Red" (1964), "Little Things" (#13c 1965, he wrote), "It's Too Late" (#23 1966, he wrote), "No Fun at the Fair" (1966), * "Honey" (#1 1968), "Autumn of My Life" (#19, #2c 1968, he wrote), "Muddy Mississippi Line" (#15c 1969, he wrote), "Letter to Emily" (1969), "Watching Scotty Grow" (#7c 1970), "Can You Feel it?" (#8 1970, he wrote), "Come Back Home" (#15 1971, he wrote), "Butterfly for Bucky" (#7, #22c 1976, he wrote), "Goodbye, Marie" (#17c 1981), "Love Ain't Never Hurt Nobody" (#19c 1981, he wrote)
with Roy Orbison's touring band
songwriter, wrote Vikki Carr's "With Pen in Hand" (#6c 1969)
music publisher; children's book author
see Bobby Goldsboro

Paul Gunther

b. 1915 in Kansas City, KS - d. 1996
jazz musician, instrument: drums
session musician on Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown's "Slow Down" (1985), "Deep, Deep Water" (1985); and with Jay McShann, Al Casey, and others

Linda Parker (Genevieve Muenich aka Jeanne Janes aka the 'Sunbonnet Girl')

b. 1912 in Covington, KY (grew up in Gary, IN) - d. 12 Aug 1935 (appendicitis)
country singer
with The Cumberland Ridge Runners, "I'll Be All Smiles Tonight" (1933), "Lonesome Valley Sally" (1934), "My Ozark Mountain Home" (1934)
md. to Mr. Janes
see The Cumberland Ridge Runners on Hillbilly-Music dawt com

Hargus 'Pig' Robbins (Hargus Melvin Robbins)

b. 1938 in Spring City, TN
western swing singer
instruments: keyboards, piano
"Fidgety" (1962), "Rip Tide" (1963), "Tequila Float" (1968), "She Never Knew Me" (1977), "Another Lonely Night Ahead" (1977), "Alley Cat" (1978), "It Was Almost Like a Song" (1978), "Patchwork" (1979), "Unbreakable Hearts" (#92c 1979), "Chunky People" (#83c 1979)
with The Texas Playboys (1965-67), "I'll See You to the Door" (1965), "Footsteps to Nowhere" (1966)
founding member of The Nashville Superpickers, "New York Cowboy" (#83c 1981)
session musician, on George Jones' "White Lightning" (#73, #1c 1959), Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors" (#15, #1c 1973); and with Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, Willy Nelson, Gary Stewart, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Ray Charles, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, and others
songwriter
was blind from a childhood accident
see The Texas Playboys

David Ruffin (David Eli Ruffin)

b. 1941 in Whynot, MS – d. 1 Jun 1991 in Philadelphia, PA (cocaine overdose)
soul/pop singer (baritone)
instrument: drums
"Knock You Out" (1962), "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" (#9 1969), "Don't Stop Loving Me" (1971), "A Little More Trust" (1972), "Me and Rock 'n' Roll (Are Here to Stay)" (1974), "Walk Away from Love" (#9 1975), "Love Can Be Hazardous to Your Health" (1975), "Everything's Coming up Love" (#49 1976), "You're My Peace of Mind" (1978), "Let Your Love Rain Down on Me" (1979), "Morning Sun Sure Looks Blue" (1979), "Slow Dance" (1980), "I Couldn't Believe it" (1987), "One More for the Lonely Hearts Club" (1988)
lead singer of The Temptations (1964-1968, 1982, replaced Al Bryant), "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (#11 1964), "It's Growing" (1965), "Since I Lost My Baby" (#17 1965), "My Girl" (#1 1965, reply to Mary Wells' "My Guy"), "What Love Has Joined Together" (1965), "Beauty is Only Skin Deep" (#3 1966), "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (#13 1966), "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (#8 1967), "All I Need" (#8 1967), "You're My Everything" (#6 1967), "I Wish it Would Rain" (#4 1968)
duets with Eddie Kendricks, "I Couldn't Believe" (1987), "Don't Know Why You're Dreamin'" (1987)
duets with Jimmy Ruffin, "The Things We Have to Do" (1971), "Steppin' on a Dream" (1971)
younger brother of Jimmy Ruffin; cousin of Melvin Franklin
Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder sang at his funeral
see The Temptations

Ray Sims

b. 1921 in Wichita, KS
jazz/pop musician, instrument: trombone
with The Dave Pell Octet (1953-54), "Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee" (1953), "Better Luck Next Time" (1953), "A Ship Without a Sail" (1954), "Why Do You Suppose?" (1954)
session musician with Harry James, Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee, and others
see Dave Pell

Don Thompson (Donald Winston Thompson)

b. 1940 in British Columbia, Canada
jazz musician, instruments: bass, piano, percussions, vibes
founding member of The Don Thompson Quartet, "Cheese Blintzes" (1960), "Days Gone By" (1979, he wrote), "Beautiful Friendship" (1984), "You Are the Song" (2005, he wrote), "April Snow" (2005, he wrote), "Another Rainy Day" (2005, he wrote), "Sunday Morning" (2005, he wrote), "Hot Chocolate" (2005, he wrote)
with The John Handy Quintet (1965-67)
with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass (1969-93)
duets with Ed Bickert, "What is This Thing Called Love?" (1979), "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" (1979)
session musician with Paul Desmond, Mel Torme, and others
songwriter
music producer; arranger

January 19

Desi Arnez, Jr. (Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV)

b. 1953 in Los Angeles, CA
pop singer
instrument: drums
founding member of Dino, Desi and Billy (1964-70), "I'm a Fool" (#17 1965), "If You're Thinkin' What I'm Thinkin'" (1966), "I Hope She's There Tonight" (1966), "Not the Lovin' Kind" (#25 1966), "Two in the Afternoon" (1967)
founding member of Ricci, Desi and Billy
actor
md. to actress Linda Purl (1980-81); md. to Amy Barghell (1989- )
son of actress, Lucille Ball and musician, Desi Arnez

Dewey Bunnell

b. 1951 in Yorkshire, England
folk/rock singer
instruments: guitar
founding member of America (1970- ), "A Horse with No Name" (#1 1972, he wrote), "I Need You" (#9 1972), "Ventura Highway" (#8 1972, he wrote), "Don't Cross the River" (#35 1973), "Tin Man" (#4 1974, he wrote), "Lonely People" (#5 1975), "Sister Golden Hair" (#1 1975), "Daisy Jane" (#20 1975), "Today's the Day" (#23 1976), "California Dreamin'" (#56 1979), "You Can Do Magic" (#8 1982), "The Border" (#33 1983, he wrote)
songwriter
see America

Sonny Caldwell

b. 1943
doo-wop singer (tenor)
founding member of Ronnie and the Hi-Lites, "I Wish That We Were Married" (#16 1962, One-Hit Wonder), "Be Kind" (#120 1962), "Send My Love (Special Delivery)" (1962), "A Slow Dance" (#116 1963), "High School Romance" (1963)
computer programmer
see Ronnie and the Hi-Lites on Wikipedia

Dennis Crouch

b. 1967 in MO (grew up in Strawberry, AR)
country/western swing/bluegrass musician, instruments: upright bass, electric guitar
with the Nashville Bluegrass Band (2002- ), "There's a Better Way" (2004), "Garfield's Blackberry Blossom" (2004), "The Luckiest Man Alive" (2004)
founding member of The Time Jumpers, "Somewhere Down the Road" (2002), "Love Me All the Way" (2002), "Closing Credits" (2007), "Give Me a Pinto Pal" (2007), "My Weakness is Too Strong" (2007), "Route 66" (2007)
session musician with Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Randy Travis, and others
mail carrier
see The Time Jumpers
see The Nashville Bluegrass Band on CMT.com

Stephanie Davis

b. 1958 in Bridger, MT
country/jazz singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle
"It's All in the Heart" (#72c 1993, she wrote), "Talking to the Moon" (1993), "Wolves" (1996, she wrote), "Prairie Lullaby" (1996, she wrote), "Give a Little Bit Back" (1996, she wrote), "I'm Pullin' Through" (1996), "Takin' a Chance on Love" (1996), "There's a Springtime Feelin' in My Heart" (1996), "Somethin' 'Bout Montana" (2004, she wrote), "Crocus in the Snow" (2004, she wrote)
songwriter
cowboy poet
see Stephanie Davis

Rod Evans

b. 1945/47 in Edinburgh, Scotland
rock/pop singer
founding member and lead singer of Deep Purple (1968-69), "Hush" (#4 1968), "Kentucky Woman" (1968)
founding member and lead singer of Captain Beyond (1972- ), "Dancing Madly Backwards (on a Sea of Air)" (1972, he co-wrote), "Raging River of Fear" (1972, he wrote), "Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)" (1972, he wrote)
songwriter
see Captain Beyond
see Deep Purple on classic bands.com
see Deep Purple

Phil Everly (Philip Everly)

b. 1939 in Chicago, IL or Brownie, KY
pop/rock/country singer
instrument: guitar
"Sweet Grass County" (1973), "New Old Song" (1975), "Words in Your Eyes" (1975), "I Just Don't Feel Like Dancing" (1979), "You Broke it" (1979), "Dare to Dream Again" (#63c 1981, he wrote), "Sweet Southern Love" (#52c 1981, he co-wrote), "One-Way Love" (1983), "Who's Gonna Keep Me Warm?" (#37c 1983)
founding member of The Everly Brothers, * "Bye Bye, Love" (#2, #1c 1957), * "Wake up, Little Susie" (#1, #1c 1957), * "Bird Dog" (#1, #1c 1958), * "All I Have to Do is Dream" (#1, #1c 1958), * "Devoted to You" (#10, #7c 1958), "This Little Girl of Mine" (#26, #4c 1958), * "Problems" (#2, #17c 1958), * "Take a Message to Mary" (#16 1959), * "Til I Kissed You" (#4, #8c 1959, he co-wrote), * "Let it Be Me" (#7 1960), * "Cathy's Clown" (#1 1960, he co-wrote), * "Be-Bop-a-Lula" (1960), "So Sad (to Watch Good Love Go Bad)" (#7 1960), * "When Will I Be Loved?" (#8 1960, he co-wrote), * "Ebony Eyes" (#8, #25c 1961), "Don't Blame Me" (#20 1961), * "Walk Right Back" (#7 1961), * "Crying in the Rain" (#6 1962), "That's Old-Fashioned (That's the Way Love Should Be)" (#9 1962), "Gone, Gone, Gone" (#31 1964)
songwriter
md. to Janet Ertel
he was a pallbearer at Buddy Holly's funeral

Streamline Ewing (John Richard Ewing)

b. 1917 in Topeka, KS - d. 1 Feb 2002 in Pasadena, CA
jazz/blues musician, instrument: trombone
founding member of John Ewing and the Streamliners, "Tavern in the Town" (1958), "Caroline" (1958)
with Teddy Buckner's band (1956-198?), "Midnight in Moscow" (1962)
with the Black and White New Orleans Jazz Band (1984- )
with the Johnny Otis Band, "Swinging the Blues" (2002), "Sophisticated Lady" (2002)
session musician with Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, and others

Shelley Fabares (Michelle Ann Marie Fabares)

b. 1944 in Santa Monica, CA
pop singer
"Where's it Gonna Get Me?" (1960), "Johnny Angel" (#1 1962), "Johnny Loves Me" (#21 1962), "Telephone (Won't You Ring)?" (1962), "Ronnie, Call Me When You Get a Chance" (1963), "I Left a Note to Say Goodbye" (1963), "I Know You'll Be There" (1964), "Football Season's Over" (1964), "Pretty Please" (1965)
actress
niece of Nanette Fabray
md. to music producer, Lou Adler (1964- ); md. to actor, Mike Ferrell (1984- )

Russ Hamilton (Ronald Hulme)

b. 1932/34 in Liverpool, England
pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Rainbow" (#4 1957, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "We Will Make Love" (1957), "I Still Belong to You" (1957, he wrote), "My Mother's Eyes" (1958, he wrote), "Dreaming of You" (1959), "Wedding Ring" (#20 1960, he wrote), "Things No Money Can Buy" (1960), "The Lonesome Cowboy" (1961), "Take a Chance on Me" (1962)
songwriter
see Russ Hamilton

Janis Joplin (Janis Lyn Joplin aka 'Pearl')

b. 1943 in Port Arthur, TX – d. 4 Oct 1970 in Los Angeles, CA (accidental heroin overdose)
rock/blues/folk singer
instrument: guitar
lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company (1966-68), "Bye Bye, Baby" (1968), "Pieces of My Heart" (#12 1968, One-Hit Wonder)
founding member of her Kozmic Blues Band (1969), "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)" (1969), "To Love Somebody" (1969)
founding member of her Full Tilt Boogie Band (1970), "(Lord Won't You Buy Me a) Mercedes Benz" (1971, she co-wrote), "Me and Bobby McGee" (#1 1971), "A Woman Left Lonely" (1971)
performed at Woodstock
songwriter

Laurie London (Lawrence London)

b. 1944 in London, England
pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Handed Down" (1957), "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" (#1 1958, he was only fourteen, One-Hit Wonder), "Three O'Clock" (1958), "Pretty-Eyed Baby" (1959), "Darling Sue" (1961), "I'm Afraid" (1960)
see Laurie London on Wikipedia

Bob McFadden (Robert McFadden)

b. 1923 in East Liverpool, OH - d. 7 Jan 2000 in Delray Beach, FL
pop singer
"Children Cross the Bridge" (1959)
duets with Rod McKuen, "The Beat Generation" (1959), "The Mummy" (#39 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "The Beverly Hills Telephone Directory Cha-Cha-Cha" (1959)
voiceover actor
served in the Navy during WWII
see Bob McFadden

Dolly Parton (Dolly Rebecca Parton)

b. 1946 in Locust Ridge, TN
country/pop/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
"I Wasted My Tears" (1965), "Dumb Blonde" (#24 1967), "I'm Not Worth the Tears" (1968), "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy" (#45c 1969), * "Wings of a Dove" (1970), "New Mule Skinner Blues" (#3c 1970), "Joshua" (#108, #1c 1970, she wrote), "Coat of Many Colors" (#4c 1971, she wrote), "Touch Your Woman" (#6c 1972), "Jolene" (#60, #1c 1973, she wrote), "Love is Like a Butterfly" (#105, #1c 1974, she wrote), "I Will Always Love You" (#1c 1974, she wrote), "The Bargain Store" (#1c 1975, she wrote), "The Seeker" (#105, #2c 1975, she wrote), "All I Can Do" (#3c 1976, she wrote), "Here You Come Again" (#3, #1c 1977), "Two Doors Down" (#19, #1c 1978, she wrote), "Heartbreaker" (#37, #1c 1978), * "It's All Wrong But it's All Right" (#1c 1978), "I Really Got the Feeling" (#25, #1c 1979), "Baby I'm Burning" (#25, #1c 1979), "You're the Only One" (#59, #1c 1979), "Starting Over Again" (#36, #1c 1980), "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" (#1c 1980), "Nine to Five" (#1, #1c 1981, she wrote), "But You Know I Love You" (#41, #1c 1981), "I Will Always Love You" (re-recorded #53, #1c 1982, she wrote), "Hard-Candy Christmas" (#8c 1982), "Potential New Boyfriend" (#20c 1983), "Save the Last Dance for Me" (#45, #3c 1984), "Tennessee Homesick Blues" (#1c 1984, she wrote), "Don't Call it Love" (#3c 1985), "Think about Love" (#1c 1986), "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That?" (#1c 1989), "White Limozeen" (#29c 1990, she co-wrote), "Yellow Roses" (#1c 1989, she wrote), "Silver and Gold" (#15c 1991), "Don't Let Me Cross Over" (1996), "Peace Train" (#4c 1997)
duet with Bill Phillips, "Put it Off Until Tomorrow" (#6c 1966)
duets with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream" (#1, #1c 1983), "Real Love" (#91, #1c 1985), "Love is Strange" (#21c 1990)
duets with Porter Wagoner, "The Last Thing on My Mind" (#7c 1967), "Holding on to Nothing" (#7c 1968), "We'll Get Ahead Someday" (#5c 1968), "Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark" (#51c 1968, she wrote), "Just Someone I Used to Know" (#5c 1969), "Lost Forever in Your Kiss" (#9c 1972, she wrote), "If Teardrops Were Pennies" (#3c 1973), "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" (#1c 1974, she co-wrote), "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" (#5c 1975, she wrote), "Making Plans" (#2c 1980)
duet with Vince Gill, "I Will Always Love You" (#15c 1995, she wrote)
duet with Brad Paisley, * "When I Get Where I'm Going" (#39, #1c 2005)
duet with Ricky Van Shelton, "Rockin' Years" (#1c 1991)
duet with Willie Nelson, "Everything is Beautiful (in its Own Way)" (#102, #7c 1982, she wrote)
duet with Sonya Isaacs, "Healing Hands" (2000), "The Angels Rejoiced" (2003)
founding member of Trio, "Telling Me Lies" (#3c 1987), "To Know Him is to Love Him" (#1c 1987), "Those Memories of You" (#5c 1987), "Wildflowers" (#6c 1988, she wrote), "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" (1999)
duet with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, * "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know (About Him) (1993), "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" (#68c 1993), * "Wings of a Dove" (1993)
songwriter
actress
philanthropist
md. to Carl Dean (1966- ); sister of Stella and Randy Parton
see Dolly Parton

Mark Pearson

b. 1946 in MN
folk/pop singer (tenor, baritone)
instruments: 6-string guitar, 12-string guitar, tenor banjo, 5-string banjo, piano
"When I Was Young (and This Old Guitar Was New)" (1999), "Because You Cared" (1999), "On a New Day" (1999), "Let Love Go Forward" (1999), "Believing I'm Enough" (2005), "Who We Are Together" (2005), "The Missing Peace" (2005)
with The Brothers Four (1969-71, replaced Mike Kirkland; 1989- , replaced Bob Hayworth)
songwriter
see The Brothers Four
see Mark Pearson

Stu Phillips

b. 1933 near Montreal, Canada
country/Christian singer
instrument: guitar
"Kathy, Keep Playing" (1965), "Bracero" (#39c 1966), "That's Why I Still Love You" (1966), "Vin Rose" (#21c 1967, he co-wrote), "Juanita Jones" (#13c 1967), "A Castle, a Cabin" (1967), "Hell's Angels on Wheels" (1967), "The Champlain and Saint Lawrence Line" (1968, he wrote), "The Horse Trader" (1968), "White Stallion Legend" (1968), "That Completely Destroys My Plans" (1968), "Secret of the Summer Wind" (1969), "We Have This Moment Today" (1976), "Come Let Me Hold You for Real" (1993), "Only God" (1998)
songwriter
became a U.S. citizen 1998

Bobby Starr (Robert Ferguson)

b. 1937 in Baltimore, MD
soul/pop singer
"Please Give Me a Chance" (1959)
lead singer of The Intruders (1970-72, replaced Sam Brown), "When We Get Married" (#45 1970), "(Win, Place or Show) She's a Winner" (1971), "Do You Remember Yesterday?" (1971), "Memories Are Here to Stay" (1972)
see The Intruders on soulwalking

Benny Strickler

b. 1917 - d. 1946 in Fayetteville, AR (tuberculosis)
western swing/Dixieland jazz singer
instrument: trumpet
"Kansas City Stomp" (1942)
with The Texas Playboys (1941-42), "Take Me Back to Tulsa" (1941), "Cherokee Maiden" (1941), "You're from Texas" (1942)
session musician with Joe Venuti, and others
see The Texas Playboys

Oscar Sullivan (Rollin Sullivan)

b. 1919 in Edmonton, KY
country singer
instrument: electric mandolin
founding member of Lonzo and Oscar (1944-1985), "Old Buttermilk Sky" (1947), "Cornbread, 'Lasses, and Sassafras Tea" (1947, he co-wrote), "I'm My Own Grandpa" (#5c 1948), "Poppin' Bubble Gum" (1948), "Tickle the Tom Cat's Tail" (1949, he co-wrote), "Wild Oats" (1954), "Gotta Find Julie" (1959), "I Lost an Angel" (1960), "Hills of East Tennessee" (1960), "Country Music Time" (#26c 1961), "Can't Pitch Woo (in an Igloo)" (1961), "No One Can Teach You" (1966), "Traces of Life" (#29c 1974)
session musician on Eddy Arnold's "That's How Much I Love You" (#2c 1946), "Chained to a Memory" (#3c 1946), "It's a Sin" (#1c 1947), "What is Life Without Love?" (#1c 1947)
comedian
brother of John Sullivan

Milt Trenier (Milton Trenier)

b. 1930 in Mobile, AL
swing/rock/R&B singer
"Time Out for Tears" (1959)
founding member of The Treniers (1950- ), "Go! Go! Go!" (1951), "It Rocks! it Rolls! it Swings!" (1952), "Long Distance Blues" (1952), "Rockin' on Saturday Night" (1952), "Rockin' is Our Bizness" (1953), "Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)" (1954), "Rubbing Noses in the Midnight Sun" (1958)
songwriter
younger brother of Claude, Cliff and Buddy Trenier

Charlie Waller

b. 1935 in Joinerville, TX (grew up in LA) - d. 18 Aug 2004 in Gordonville, VA (heart attack)
country/bluegrass singer
instrument: guitar
founding member and lead of The Country Gentlemen (1957- ), "Backwoods Blues" (1958), "Darling Alalee" (1960), "Helen" (1960), "Letter to Tom" (1960), "Drifting Too Far" (1960), "Remembrance of You" (1961), "Midnight Moon" (1963), "I'd Like to Come Back As a Song" (1963), "Copper Kettle" (1963), "Bringing Mary Home" (#43c 1965), "Going to the Races" (1969), "Yesterday" (1971), "The Girl Behind the Bar" (1972), "Secret of the Waterfall" (1972), "Silence or Tears" (1974), "In My Younger Days" (1976), "The Great Beyond" (1978), "This Morning at Nine" (1980), "Two Little Boys" (1980), "I've Gone Back to Being Me" (1981), "Night Ridin'" (1981), "Lonely Dancer" (1988), "Honey, Don't" (1989), "Cold Wind Blowing" (1990), "Nashville Jail" (1990), "Working on a Road" (1991), "Somewhere in Kansas" (1992), "Mountains and Memories" (1995), "Wild Rose" (1995), "Free As the Wind" (1997), "Ages and Ages Ago" (1997), "Sunrise" (1998), "Many a Mile" (2003), "Katy Dear" (2003), "Blackberry Blossom" (2004), "Shotgun Rider" (2006), "Golden Wedding Bands" (2006)
see Charlie Waller

January 20

Ray Anthony (Raymond Antonini)

b. 1922 in Bentleyville, PA (grew up in Cleveland, OH)
pop/swing/jazz musician, instrument: trumpet
founding member and leader of The Ray Anthony Orchestra, "Can Anyone Explain, No No No" (#5 1950), "Harbor Lights" (#4 1950), "Little Peach From East Orange" (1950), "Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)" (#9 1950), "Sentimental Me" (#7 1950), "I Wonder What Became of Sally" (1951), "Scatterbrain" (1952), "Dragnet Theme" (#2 1953), "For Dancers Only" (1953), "Moonlight Serenade" (1953), "Marilyn" (1953), "The Bunny Hop" (top ten 1954, he wrote), Peter Gunn Theme (#8 1959), "The Bunny Hop Rock" (1959), "Tres Chic" (1960)
with the Glenn Miller Orchestra (1940-41), "In the Mood" (#1 1940), "Careless" (#1 1940), "Fools Rush in" (#1 1940), "Imagination" (#1 1940), "When You Wish Upon a Star" (#1 1940), "Shake Down the Stars" (#4 1940), "Yesterthoughts" (#14 1940), "Chattanooga Choo Choo" (#1 1941), "You and I" (#1 1941)
with Jimmy Dorsey's band (1941)
songwriter
actor
served in the Navy during WWII (1942-46)
md. to actress, Mamie Van Doren (1955-61)
see The Glenn Miller Orchestra
see Ray Anthony on Wikipedia

George Burns (Nathan Birnbaum)

b. 1896 in New York City, NY - d. 9 Mar 1996 in Beverly Hills, CA
country/pop singer
"I Wish I Was Eighteen Again" (#15c 1980), "Forgive Her a Little (and Love Her a Lot)" (1980), "Willie, Won't You Sing a Song With Me" (#66c 1981), "Here's to My Friends" (1996)
comedian, actor; author
md. 1st to Hannah Siegal; md. 2nd to Gracie Allen (1926-64, her death)

Rick Evans

b. 1943 in Lincoln, NE
folk/rock musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of Zager and Evans (1968-74), "Listen to the Raindrops" (1968), "In the Year 2525" (#1 1969, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "In My House" (1969), "Less Than Tomorrow" (1969), "The Plastic Park" (1970)
with The Eccentrics (1962-65), "Share Me" (1964, he wrote), "Nighttime Noontime" (1965, he wrote)
songwriter
music producer
see Zager and Evans

Earl Grant

b. 1931/33 in Oklahoma City, OK – d. 11 Jun 1970 in Lordsburg, NM (auto accident)
pop/jazz singer
instruments: Hammond organ, piano, trumpet
"The End" (#7 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Evening Rain" (1959), "Last Night (I Went Out of My Mind)" (1959), "Swingin' Gently" (1961), "Beyond the Reef" (1961), "Sweet Sixteen Bars" (1962), "Just One More Time" (1964), "Green Eyes" (1968)
actor
served in the Army
see Earl Grant on Wikipedia

George Grantham

b. 1947 in Cordell, OK
country/rock singer
instrument: drums
founding member of Poco (1968-1977, and reunions), "A Good Feelin' to Know" (1972), "Keep on Tryin'" (1975), "Rose of Cimarron" (1976)
with the Flying Burrito Brothers (1991-2004), "Eye of the Hurricane" (1994), "Heart Highway" (1994), "Jukebox Saturday Night" (1994)
had a stroke on stage in 2004
see Poco

Eva Jessye

b. 1985 in Coffeyville, KS - d. 21 Feb 1992 in Ann Arbor, MI
gospel singer
founding member and leader of The Eva Jessye Singers (aka The Dixie Jubilee Singers)
songwriter
choral director
poet

Preston Lane

b. 1936/39in Statonsburg, NC - d. 27 Oct 2006 in Newark, NJ
doo-wop/pop singer (bass)
founding member of The Fiestas (1958-60, 1962- ), "So Fine" (#11 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Last Night I Dreamed" (1959), "It Don't Make No Sense" (1960), "Broken Heart" (#81 1962), "Sometimes Storm" (1975), "ESP" (1978), "One More Chance" (1978), "Thanks for the Sweet Memories" (1978)

Arleen Lanzotti

b. 1944 in Belleville, NJ
pop singer
founding member of The Delicates (1959-60), "Black and White Thunderbird" (1959, she co-wrote), "My First Date" (1959), "Too Young to Date" (1960)
songwriter
see The Delicates

Lem Lubin (Howard Lubin)

b. 1944 in Middlesex, England
folk/pop/rock singer
instruments: guitar
with Unit 4 + 2 (1964- ), * "Concrete and Clay" (#28 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "You've Never Been in Love Like This Before" (#95 1965), "Baby, Never Say Goodbye" (1966)
with Christie, "Iron Horse" (1972)
see Unit 4 + 2 on Wikipedia

Edwin McCain

b. 1970 in Greenville, SC
rock/folk/soul singer
instruments: guitar, Hammond organ
"Solitude" (#72 1995, he wrote), "Sorry to a Friend" (1995, he wrote), "Grind Me in the Gears" (1997), * "I'll Be" (#5 1998), "I Could Not Ask for More" (#37 1999), "Hearts Fall" (2001, he wrote), "Far From Over" (2001, he wrote), "Wild at Heart" (2004, he wrote), "Couldn't Love You More" (2004, he co-wrote)
duet with Maia Sharp, "Hold Out a Hand" (2005, he co-wrote)
songwriter

John Michael Montgomery

b. 1965 in Danville, KY
country singer
instrument: guitar
* "Life's a Dance" (#4c 1992), "Nickels and Dimes and Love" (1992), * "I Love the Way You Love Me" (#60, #1c 1992), * "Dream on, Texas Ladies" (1992), "I Swear" (#42 #1c 1994, CMA single of the year 1994), "Full-Time Love" (1994), "Rope the Moon" (#115, #4c 1994), "She Don't Need a Band to Dance" (1994), "If You've Got Love" (#1c 1994), "Be My Baby Tonight" (#73, #1c 1994), * "I Can Love You Like That" (#1c 1995), * "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)" (#1c 1995), "No Man's Land" (#112, #3c 1995), * "High School Heart" (1995), * "Friends" (#104, #2c 1996), "Ain't Got Nothing on Us" (#15c 1996), "Cowboy Love" (#4c 1996), "How Was I to Know?" (#2c 1996), "Angel in My Eyes" (#4c 1997), "I Miss You a Little" (#6c 1997, he co-wrote), "Cover You in Kisses" (#91, #3c 1998), "This One's Gonna Leave a Mark" (1998), "Hold on to Me" (#33, #4c 1999), "Home to You" (#45, #2c 1999), * "The Little Girl" (#35, #1c 2000), * "Til Nothing Comes between Us" (#113, #19c 2002), "Four-Wheel Drive" (#52c 2003), "December 1943" (2003), "Letters from Home" (#24, #2c 2004)
lead singer with Young Country
songwriter
md. to Crystal White (1996- ); younger brother of Eddie Montgomery
see John Michael Montgomery

Willie Powell (William Powell)

b. 1942 in Canton, OH - d. 26 May 1977 in Canton, OH (cancer)
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)

Eric Stewart (Eric Michael Stewart)

b. 1945 in Manchester, England
rock singer
instrument: guitar
"The Ritual" (1982), "Make the Pieces Fit" (1982), "All My Love Following You" (1982), "Doris the Florist (the Bouquet That Nobody Caught)" (1982)
founding member of Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders (1963-65), "Come Dance With Me" (1964), "Game of Love" (#1 1965), "Just a Little Bit Too Late" (#45 1965)
founding member and lead singer of The Mindbenders (1965-68), "A Groovy Kind of Love" (#2 1966), "Ashes to Ashes" (#44 1966), "Uncle Joe the Ice Cream Man" (1968)
founding member of 10cc, "I'm Not in Love" (#2 1975), "Life is a Minestrone" (#7 1975), "The Things We Do for Love" (#5 1977)
songwriter
see Eric Stewart
see 10cc

Ron Townson (Ronald L. Townson)

b. 1933/41 in St. Louis, MO – d. 2 Aug 2001 in Las Vegas, NV (renal failure)
R&B/pop singer
founding member of The Fifth Dimension (1965-98), "I'll Be Lovin' You Forever" (1966), "Paper Cup" (1967), "Go Where You Wanna Go" (#16 1967), "Up, up and Away" (#7 1967), "Stoned Soul Picnic" (#3 1968), "Sweet Blindness" (#13 1968), "California Soul" (#25 1969), "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine in" (#1 1969), "Wedding Bell Blues" (#1 1969), "Blowing Away" (#21 1970), "A Love Like Ours" (1970), "One Less Bell to Answer" (#2 1970), "Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes" (#19 1971), "Never, My Love" (#12 1971), "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All" (#8 1972), "If I Could Reach You" (#10 1972), "Everything's Been Changed" (1973), "Lean on Me Always" (1974), "Speaking with My Heart" (1975), "You Are the Reason (I Feel Like Dancing)" (1978)
with The Intervals (1958-62), "Side Street" (1958), "Wish I Could Change My Mind" (1962)

Slim Whitman (Otis Dewey Whitman, Jr.)

b. 1924 in Tampa, FL
country/falsetto/pop/gospel singer (with a range of over 3 octaves), yodeler
instrument: guitar
"Indian Love Call" (#9, #2c 1952), "Keep it a Secret" (#3c 1952), "Love Song of the Waterfall" (#10c 1952), "North Wind" (#8c 1953), "There's a Rainbow in Every Teardrop" (1953, he wrote), "Song of the Old Waterwheel" (1953), "Rose Marie" (#22, #4c 1954), "Secret Love" (#2c 1954), "Cattle Call" (#11c 1955), "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (1955), "Smoke Signals" (1956), "At the End of Nowhere" (1958), "Twilla Lee" (1960), "The Bells That Broke My Heart" (#30c 1961), "Just Call Me Lonesome" (1961), "In a Hundred Years" (1961), "Yesterday's Love" (1961), "It Sure Looks Lonesome Outside" (1961), "Valley of Tears" (1962), "Broken Down Merry-Go-Round" (1963), "More Than Yesterday" (#8c 1965), "I Remember You" (#49c 1966), "The Twelfth of Never" (#17c 1966), "You Bring Out the Best in Me" (1967), "How Could I Not Love You?" (1968), "Guess Who" (#7c 1970), "Tomorrow Never Comes" (#27c 1970), "Come Take My Hand" (1970), "Something Beautiful (to Remember)" (#6c 1971), "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" (#21c 1971), "When" (#15c 1980), "I Remember You" (#44c 1981, new version)
first country singer to play at the London Palladium
songwriter
served in the Navy (1943-46)
see Slim Whitman on Wikipedia

January 21

Keith Barbour

b. 1941 in New York City, NY
rock/pop singer
"Echo Park" (#40 1969, One-Hit Wonder), "If Only I Could Touch You" (1969), "The Wind is the Color of Lace" (1969), "Alicia" (1969)
songwriter
md. to actress, Deidre Hall (1971-78)

Mac Davis (Scott Davis or Morris Davis)

b. 1942 in Lubbock, Texas
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica
"Let Him Try" (1962), "Lookin' at Linda" (1963), * "I'll Paint You a Song" (#68c 1970), "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me" (#1, #26c 1972), * "Words Don't Come Easy" (1972), * "I Believe in Music" (1972), * "Everything a Man Could Ever Need" (1973), * "Good Friends and Fireplaces" (1973), * "The Sweetest Song" (1973), * "One Hell of a Woman" (#11 1974), * "Stop and Smell the Roses" (#9, #40c 1974), * "The Jimmy Brown Song" (1975), "Rock and Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)" (#29, #15c 1975), "Forever Lovers" (#76, #17c 1976), "It's Hard to Be Humble" (#10c 1980, he wrote), "Let's Keep it That Way" (#10c 1980), "Hot Texas Night" (1980), "Texas in My Rear View Mirror" (#51, #9c 1980), "Hooked on Music" (#2c 1981), "You're My Bestest Friend" (#5c 1982), * "I Feel the Country Calling Me" (#34c 1985), "I Never Made Love (Till I Made Love with You)" (#10c 1985)
songwriter, wrote Bobby Goldsboro's "Watching Scotty Grow" (#1c 1970); co-wrote Dolly Parton's "White Limozeen" (#29c 1990)
actor
md. 1st to Sarah Barg (1971-76); md. 2nd to Fran Cook
see Mac Davis on Wikipedia

Dux DeJohn (Dux DeGiovanni)

b. 1933
pop/novelty singer
founding member of The DeJohn Sisters, "The Angel Passed By" (1953, she co-wrote), "Juke Box Polka" (1954), "All Present But One" (1954), "(My Baby Don't Love Me) No More" (#6 1955, she co-wrote, One-Hit Wonder), "Straighten Up and Fly Right" (1958), "Wrong Guy" (1958, she co-wrote), "Wedding Postponed" (1958)
songwriter

Snooks Eaglin (Fird Eaglin, Jr.)

b. 1936 in New Orleans, LA
blues/folk/R&B singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
"This Mean Old World" (1958), "Six Thousand Miles from Nowhere" (1958), "Don't You Lie to Me" (1960), "Every Day Blues" (1960), "Long Gone" (1962), "The Mailman Passed (and Didn't Leave No News)" (1962), "Down by the Riverside" (1964), "Went Out Walkin'" (1964)
recorded as Ford Eaglin, "Yours Truly" (1960), "That Certain Door" (1960), "If I Could" (1961), "I've Been Walking" (1962), "Nothing Sweet As You" (1962)
session musician with The Wild Magnolias, and others
songwriter
glaucoma left him blind before age two
see Snooks Eaglin on Wikipedia

Richie Havens (Richard Pierce Havens, Jr.)

b. 1941 in Brooklyn, NY
folk/rock/jazz singer
instrument: guitar
"Just Like a Woman" (1967), "Three-Day Eternity" (1968, he wrote), "Motherless Child" (1969), "I've Got to Get to Know Myself" (1972), "Daughter of the Night" (1976), "Two Hearts in Perfect Time" (1980)
performed at Woodstock
actor; sculptor
environmentalist
see Richie Havens

Charlie Hayward (Charles Hayward)

b. 19?? in Tuscaloosa, AL
country/rock musician, instrument: bass
with the Charlie Daniels Band, "Uneasy Rider" (#9, #67c 1973), "The South's Gonna Do it Again" (#29 1974), "Texas" (#91, #36c 1976), "Wichita Jail" (#22c 1976), "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (#3, #1c 1979, #60c 1998, CMA single of the year 1979), "Behind Your Eyes" (#87c 1979), Mississippi" (#10c 1979), "In America" (#11, #13c 1980, he co-wrote), "Long-Haired Country Boy" (#56 1974, #27c 1983), "Carolina I Remember You" (#44c 1980, he co-wrote), "Sweet Home Alabama" (#52, #94c 1981), "Still in Saigon" (#22 1982), "We Had it All One Time" (#59c 1982), "American Farmer" (#54c 1985, he co-wrote), "Still Hurtin' Me" (#33c 1985), "Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye" (#8c 1986), "Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues" (#10c 1988, he co-wrote), "Cowboy Hat in Dallas" (#36c 1989, he co-wrote), "Simple Man" (#12c 1989, he co-wrote)
session musician
songwriter
see The Charlie Daniels Band

Benny Hill (Alfred 'Alfie' Hawthorn Hill)

b. 1924 in England - d. 19 Apr 1992 in England (coronary thrombosis)
novelty/pop singer
"The Piccolo Song" (1961), "Transistor Radio" (1961), "Gather in the Mushrooms" (1961), "Harvest of Love" (1963, he wrote), "Ernie (the Fastest Milkman in the West)" (1971)
comedian; actor

Jimmy Ibbotson

b. 1947 in Philadelphia, PA
country/rock singer
instruments: guitar, bass, keyboards, accordion, drums
with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1970-76, 1982-2004), "Mr. Bojangles" (#9 1971), "Sunny Side of the Mountain" (1971), "(All I Have to Do is) Dream" (#79c 1975), "Shot Full of Love" (#9c 1983), "Dance Little Jean" (#9c 1983, he co-wrote), "I Love Only You" (#3c 1984), "Long Hard Road (Sharecropper Dreams)" (#1c 1984), "High Horse" (#2c 1984, he co-wrote), "Modern-Day Romance" (#1c 1985), "Home Again in My Heart" (#3c 1985), "Partners, Brothers and Friends" (#6c 1986), "Stand a Little Rain" (#5c 1986), "Fire in the Sky" (#7c 1987), "Baby's Got a Hold on Me" (#2c 1987), "Oh, What a Love" (#5c 1987), "Fishin' in the Dark" (#1c 1987), "I've Been Lookin'" (#2c 1988), "Working Man (Nowhere to Go)" (#4c 1988), "Down That Road Tonight" (#6c 1989), "Turn of the Century" (#27c 1989), "When it's Gone" (#10c 1989), "Mary Danced With Soldiers" (1989), "The Rest of the Dream" (1990), "You Made Life Good Again" (#60c 1990), "One Good Love" (#74c 1992), "Colorado Christmas" (#93c 1997), "Bang, Bang, Bang" (#52c 1999)
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and John Denver, "And So it Goes" (#14c 1989)
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Roseanne Cash and John Hiatt, "One Step Over the Line" (#63c 1990)
songwriter
see The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Louie Innis (Louis Innis)

b. 1919 in Seymour, IN
country/rockabilly singer
"Chattanooga Boogie" (1949), "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (Round Her Neck)" (1949), "Jug Band Boogie" (1949), "Who'll Give Me Kisses?" (1953), "There's a Red Hot Fire" (1954), "I Got a Round-Trip Ticket" (1954), "Jealous-Hearted Woman" (1955)
songwriter, co-wrote Bonnie Lou's "Daddy-O" (#14 1955)

Tom Rozum

b. 1951
country/bluegrass/western swing singer
instrument: mandolin
"One Sweet Hello" (1998), "Walk Downtown" (1998), "Sweet Sally Brown" (1998)
with The Kathy Kallick Band
with Laurie Lewis' band
duets with Laurie Lewis, "The Oak and the Laurel" (1995), "Teardrops Falling in the Snow" (1995), "Sleepy Eyes" (1995), "Cold Frosty Morning" (1999), "The Snowy Road" (1999)
session musician with Charles Sawtelle, Erica Wheeler, Flying South, and others
music producer
see Tom Rozum

Edwin Starr (Charles Edwin Hatcher)

b. 1942 in Nashville, TN (grew up in Cleveland, OH) - d. 2 Apr 2003 in England
soul/doo-wop singer
"Agent Double-O Soul" (#21 1965, he co-wrote), "S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight)" (#48 1966, he co-wrote), "Headline News" (1966), "My Weakness is You" (1968), "Twenty-Five Miles" (#6 1969, he co-wrote), "War" (#1 1970), "Who's Right or Wrong?" (1974), "Lonely Rainy Days in San Diego" (1974), "Happy Radio" (1979)
songwriter, co-wrote Shades of Blue's "Oh, How Happy" (#12 1966), "Lonely Summer" (#72 1966)
served in the Army (1960-63)
brother of singers, Roger and Willie Hatcher
see Edwin Starr

Frank Virtue

b. (maybe Jan 29) 1927 in Philadelphia, PA
pop/rock musician, instruments: double bass, guitar
founding member of The Virtues, "Rollin' and Rockin'" (1956), "Toodle-Oo Kangaroo" (1956), "I Think You're Lying" (1957), "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" (#5 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Flippin'" (1960), "Pony Walk" (1960), "Blues in the Cellar" (1961), "Jersey Bounce" (1962)
music producer; arranger
served in the Navy (1945-46)

Wolfman Jack (Robert Weston 'Bob' Smith)

b. 1938/39 in Brooklyn, NY – d. 1 Jul 1995 in Belvedere, NC (heart attack)
legendary oldies D.J.
see Wolfman Jack

January 22

Sam Cooke (Samuel Cook aka Dale Cook)

b. 1931 in Clarksdale, MS (grew up in Chicago, IL – d. 11 Dec 1964 in Los Angeles, CA (shot by a motel manager, ruled justifiable homicide)
R&B/gospel/pop/rock singer
"You Send Me" (#1 1957), "Stealing Kisses" (1958), "Chain Gang" (#2 1960), "If You Were the Only Girl" (1960), "Wonderful World" (#12 1960), "Cupid" (#17 1961), "Havin' a Party" (#17 1962), "Twistin' the Night Away" (#9 1962, he wrote), "Bring it on Home to Me" (#13 1962), "Nothing Can Change This Love" (#12 1962), "Another Saturday Night" (#10 1963), "Frankie and Johnny" (#14 1963), "Little Red Rooster" (#11 1963), "Send Me Some Lovin'" (#13 1963), "Good Times" (#11 1964), "Cousin of Mine" (1964), "Sugar Dumpling" (1965), "Shake" (#7 1965)
lead singer of The Soul Stirrers (1950-56, gospel group), "End of My Journey" (1951)
songwriter

Bill Emerson (William Hundley Emerson)

b. 1938 in Washington, D.C.
country/bluegrass/rockabilly singer (baritone)
instruments: guitar, 5-string banjo
"Do Yourself a Favor, Billy" (1957), "The Woodchuck" (1958), "When it Rains, it Pours" (1964), "True Blue" (1990), "Grey Ghost" (1996)
founding member of The Country Gentlemen (1957-61, 1970- ), "Backwoods Blues" (1958), "Darling Alalee" (1960), "Helen" (1960), "Letter to Tom" (1960), "Drifting Too Far" (1960), "Remembrance of You" (1961), "Yesterday" (1971), "The Girl Behind the Bar" (1972), "Secret of the Waterfall" (1972), "Silence or Tears" (1974), "In My Younger Days" (1976), "The Great Beyond" (1978), "This Morning at Nine" (1980), "Two Little Boys" (1980), "I've Gone Back to Being Me" (1981), "Night Ridin'" (1981), "Lonely Dancer" (1988), "Honey, Don't" (1989), "Cold Wind Blowing" (1990), "Nashville Jail" (1990), "Working on a Road" (1991), "Somewhere in Kansas" (1992), "Mountains and Memories" (1995), "Wild Rose" (1995), "Free As the Wind" (1997), "Ages and Ages Ago" (1997), "Sunrise" (1998), "Katy Dear" (2003), "Many a Mile" (2003), "Blackberry Blossom" (2004), "Shotgun Rider" (2006), "Golden Wedding Bands" (2006)
served in the Navy
see Charlie Waller
see Bill Emerson

Bennie Fields

b. 1941 in Kermit, WV
bluegrass singer
instrument: guitar
founding member and lead singer with The Fields Brothers (1968- ), "The Outlaw" (1972), "Is There a Love Left for Me?" (1972)
songwriter
brother of Clancy Fields

Teddy Gentry (Teddy Wayne Gentry)

b. 1952 in Fort Wayne or Fort Payne, AL
country singer
instrument: bass
founding member of Alabama (1977- ), "My Home's in Alabama" (#17c 1980), "Tennessee River" (#1c 1980), "Why Lady Why?" (#1c 1980, he co-wrote), "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, he co-wrote), "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, he co-wrote), "Why Lady Why?" (#1c 1998), "Feels So Right" (#1c 1998), "How Do You Fall in Love?" (#82, #2c 1998, he co-wrote), "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)
cousin of Randy Owen and Jeff Cook; md. to Linda
see Alabama

Kelley Green (John Kelley Green)

b. 1968 in Little Rock, AR
country/rock singer
instruments: electric bass, acoustic bass
founding member and bassist of Great Divide (1992- ), "Rather Have Nothin'" (1995), "Pour Me a Vacation" (#59c 1998), "Never Could" (#74c 1998), "Yesterday Road" (1999), "Ain't about to Fall" (2000), "Lost in the Night" (2002), "If Not for You" (2002), "Just Another Day" (2005), "Love and Gasoline" (2005), "Spanning Time" (2006)
md. to Melissa Hunter (1997- )

Micki Harris (Addie Harris)

b. 1940 in Passiac, NJ – d. 10 Jun 1982 (heart attack)
R&B/pop singer
founding member of The Shirelles (1958-68), "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

Jimmy Herring

b. 1962 in Fayetteville, NC
country/rock/blues/jazz musician, instrument: lead guitar
with the Allman Brothers Band (2000)
with Widespread Panic (2006- )
with Jazz is Dead (1998-99)
with Phil Lesh and Friends (2000-2003), "Again and Again" (2002, he co-wrote), "Patchwork Quilt" (2002)
founding member of The Aquarium Rescue Unit (1989-96)
session guitarist with Vassar Clements, Derek Trucks, and others
md. to Carolyn Coughenour (1987- )
see The Allman Brothers
see Jimmy Herring

Dickie McBride

b. 1914 in New Baden, TX - d. 1971
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Our Daily Bread" (1956), "Silent Partner" (1956)
with Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers
founding member of Dickie McBride and the Village Boys (1939-43), "Tulsa Twist" (1941), "Tell Me Dear (Don't You Care)?" (1941), "I'll Miss You When I'm Gone" (1941)
session musician
songwriter
md. to Laura Lee Owen (1946-71, his death)
see Cliff Bruner and the Texas Wanderers on Wikipedia

Regina Nicks

b. 1965 in Houston, TX (grew up near Lufkin, TX)
country singer
founding member of Regina Regina (duo with Regina Leigh), "More Than I Wanted to Know" (#53c 1997), "Right Plan, Wrong Man" (1997), "Ticket Out of Kansas" (1997), "Before I Knew About You" (1997)
md. to Jeff Nicks

J. P. Pennington (James Preston Pennington)

b. 1949 in Berea, KY
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Whatever it Takes" (#45c 1991), "You Gotta Get Serious" (#72c 1991)
founding member and lead of Exile (1963-89), "Kiss You All Over" (#1 1978), "You Thrill Me" (#40 1979), "The High Cost of Leaving" (#27c 1983, he co-wrote), "Woke up in Love" (#1c 1984, he wrote), "I Don't Want to Be a Memory" (#1c 1984, he co-wrote), "Give Me One More Chance" (#1c 1984, he co-wrote), "Crazy for Your Love" (#1c 1985, he co-wrote), "She's a Miracle" (#1c 1985, he co-wrote), "Hang on to Your Heart" (#1c 1985, he co-wrote), "I Could Get Used to You" (#1c 1986, he co-wrote), "It'll Be Me" (#1c 1986, he co-wrote), "She's Too Good to Be True" (#1c 1987, he co-wrote), "I Can't Get Close Enough" (#1c 1987, he co-wrote), "Just One Kiss" (#9c 1988, he co-wrote)
songwriter

Steve Perry (Stephen Ray Perry)

b. 1949 in Hanford, CA
rock singer
instruments: bass, drums, mandolin
"Oh, Sherrie" (#3 1984, he co-wrote), "Foolish Heart" (#18 1984, he co-wrote), "She's Mine" (#21 1984, he co-wrote), "You Better Wait" (#29 1994)
duet with Kenny Loggins, "Don't Fight it" (#17 1982)
lead singer of Journey (1977-87, 1991, 1995-98), "Wheel in the Sky" (#57 1978), "Any Way You Want it" (#23 1980), "Who's Crying Now?" (#4 1981, he co-wrote), "Don't Stop Believin'" (#9 1981), "Open Arms" (#2 1982, he co-wrote), "Still They Ride" (#19 1982), "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" (#8 1983), "Faithfully" (#12 1983), "Only the Young" (#9 1985), "Be Good to Yourself" (#9 1986), "I'll Be Alright Without You" (#14 1987), "When You Love a Woman" (#12 1997, he co-wrote)
songwriter

January 23

Harley Allen

b. 1956 (grew up in Dayton, OH)
country/bluegrass singer
"Another River I'd Cross" (1996), "Old Love Dreamin'" (1996), "Out of My Hands" (1996), "Boy, She Did" (1996), "Son of a Mountain Man" (2001), "It's Just Me" (2001), "Another Good Reason (Not to Drink)" (2001, he co-wrote)
with The Soggy Bottom Boys, "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" (#35c 2002) (this was a fictional band used in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou)
with The Allen Brothers
duet with Dierks Bentley, "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" (2003)
songwriter, wrote John Michael Montgomery's "The Little Girl" (#35, #1c 2000); Blake Shelton's "When Somebody Knows You That Well" (#37c 2004)
co-wrote Dierks Bentley's "My Last Name" (#102, #17c 2003); Gary Allan's "Tough Little Boys" (#32, #1c 2004); Joe Nichol's "I'll Wait for You" (#71, #7c 2006), "If Nobody Believed in You" (#68, #10c 2004); Darryl Worley's "Awful Beautiful Life" (#1c 2005); Blake Shelton's "The Baby" (#28, #1c 2002); Alan Jackson's "Between the Devil and Me" (#2c 1997), "Everything I Love" (#9c 1996); Jeff Bates' "Rainbow Man" (#44c 2003)
son of singer, Red Allen

Ernest Barrier

b. 1925 in Hardin County, TN - d. 3 Feb 1994
bluegrass musician, instruments: 5-string banjo, mandolin
founding member of The Barrier Brothers, "Blue Ridge Mountain Home" (1957), "Wild Card Breakdown" (1957), "Your Love is Like the Flowers" (1957), "First Whippoorwill" (1958), "Breaking in a Brand New Pair of Shoes" (1962)
brother of Herman and Henry Ray Barrier

Herman Barrier

b. 1920 in Hardin County, TN - d. 5 Sep 1988
bluegrass musician, instruments: string bass, fiddle
founding member of The Barrier Brothers, "Blue Ridge Mountain Home" (1957), "Wild Card Breakdown" (1957), "Your Love is Like the Flowers" (1957), "First Whippoorwill" (1958), "Breaking in a Brand New Pair of Shoes" (1962)
brother of Henry Ray and Ernest Barrier

Eugene Church

b. 1938 in St. Louis, MO - d. 1993 in Los Angeles, CA
rock/doo-wop/gospel singer
"Miami" (#67 1959), "I Ain't Goin' for That" (1959), "Geneva" (1962), "Dollar Bill" (1967)
founding member of Eugene Church and the Fellows, "Pretty Girls Everywhere" (#36 1959, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "For the Rest of My Life" (1959)
duets with Jesse Belvin as The Cliques, "The Girl of My Dreams" (1956), "I Wanna Know Why" (1956), "Open Your Heart" (1957), "Little Darling" (1958)
songwriter
see Eugene Church

Bill Cunningham

b. 1950 in Memphis, TN
pop/soul singer
instruments: bass, upright bass, cello, piano, keyboards
founding member of The Box Tops (1966-69, 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
brother of B. B. Cunningham, Jr.
see The Box Tops

Joe Dowell

b. 1940 in Bloomington, IN
pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Wooden Heart" (#1, #1c 1961), "No Secrets" (1961), "Little Bo Peep" (1961), "The Bridge of Love" (1961), "The Sound of Sadness" (1961), "The Thorn on the Rose" (1962), "Little Red Rented Rowboat" (#23 1962), "Our School Days" (1963), "If I Could Find Out What is Wrong" (1966), "Indian Summer Days" (1966), "Songs of Questions" (2002), "Symphony of Dawn" (2002)
songwriter

Ken Errair

b. 1928 in Detroit, MI - d. 14 Jun 1968 (plane crash)
pop singer
instruments: trumpet, bass
with The Four Freshmen (1953-56, replaced Hal Kratzsch), "It Happened Once Before" (#29 1953), "Baltimore Oriole" (1953), "Mood Indigo" (#24 1954), "Graduation Day" (#27 1956)
md. to actress, Jane Withers
see The Four Freshmen

Sam George (Samuel George, Jr.)

b. 1942 – d. 17 Mar 1982 (stabbed during a domestic dispute)
soul/rock singer
instrument: drums
founding member and lead singer of The Capitols (1962-63, 1966-69), "Dog and Cat" (1963), "Cool Jerk" (#7 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Hello, Stranger" (1966), "Zig Zaggin'" (1966), "Take a Chance on Me, Baby" (1967), "Cool Pearl" (1967), "Ain't That Terrible?" (1968), "I Thought She Loved Me" (1969)
see The Capitols on Wikipedia

Scott Harter (William Prescott Harter)

b. 1984 in Tempe, AZ
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Seven
founding member of The Harters, "Gettin' Out of Dodge" (2008)
brother of Michael Harter and Lezlie (Harter) James

Lead Belly (Huddie William Ledbetter)

b. 1888 (maybe Jan 20) near Mooringsport, LA - d. 6 Dec 1949 in New York, NY (Lou Gehrig's disease)
folk/blues singer
instruments: 12-string guitar, mandolin, piano, harmonica, violin, accordion
"Rock Island Line" (1937, he wrote), "The Bourgeois Blues" (1938, he wrote), "Gallows Pole" (1939), "Sail On, Little Girl, Sail on" (1940), "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" (1944), "Easy Rider (See See Rider)" (1944), "Julie Ann Johnson" (1944), "Western Plain" (1944), "In New Orleans (House of the Rising Sun)" (1948), "They Hung Him on a Cross" (1948), "Pretty Flowers in My Back Yard" (1948), "Good Morning Blues" (1948, he wrote), "Birmingham Jail" (1948), "My Lindy Lou" (1948)
songwriter
he spent many years in prison for murder and other crimes
md. to Martha Promise (1935- )

Polly Lewis

b. 1937 in GA
bluegrass/gospel singer
founding member of The Lewis Family, "Just One Rose Will Do" (1960), "Dust on the Bible" (1963), "Seeking a Far Off Home" (1964), "I Like the Old-Time Way" (1965), "Lonesome Valley" (1970), "Put Your Hand in the Hand" (1971), "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" (1975), "Precious Memories" (1978), "Slippers with Wings" (1980), "Uncloudy Day" (1981), "Just Like Angels in the Sky" (1984), "Green Pastures" (1986), "On the Wings of a Dove" (1988), "Looking Through the Windows of Heaven" (1990), "You are My Sunshine" (1996), "God's Gonna Getcha for That" (1998), "Angels Gathering Flowers" (2004), "Those Good Old Country Sundays" (2006)
md. 1st to Elzie Williamson (19??-84); md. 2nd to Leon Copsey (1991- )
see The Lewis Family

Anita Pointer

b. 1948 in Oakland, CA
R&B/country singer
"Overnight Success" (1987), "More Than a Memory" (1987)
duet with Earl Thomas Conley, "Too Many Times" (#2c 1986)
founding member of The Pointer Sisters (1973- ), "Yes, We Can" (#11 1973), "Love in Them There Hills" (1974), "Fairytale" (#13, #37c 1974, she co-wrote), "Fire" (#2 1978), "He's So Shy" (#3 1980), "Slow Hand" (#2 1981), "American Music" (#16 1982), "Automatic" (#5 1984), "I'm So Excited" (#9 1984), "Jump (For My Love)" (#3 1984), "Neutron Dance" (#6 1984), "Dare Me" (#11 1985)
songwriter
artist

Tiran Porter

b. 1948 in Los Angeles, CA
country/rock/jazz singer
instruments: bass, guitar
with The Doobie Brothers (1972-81, 1987-92), "China Grove" (#15 1973), "Black Water" (#1 1975), "Takin' it to the Streets" (#13 1976), "What a Fool Believes" (#1 1979), "Real Love" (#5 1980)
songwriter
see The Doobie Brothers

Johnny Russell (John Bright Russell)

b. 1940 in Moorehead, MS (grew up in Fresno, CA) – d. 3 Jul 2001 in Nashville, TN (complications of diabetes)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Catfish John" (#12c 1973), "Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer" (#4c 1973, he co-wrote), "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" (#14c 1974), "She's in Love with a Rodeo Man" (#39c 1974), "She Burnt the Little Upside Tavern Down" (#38c 1974), "That's How My Baby Builds a Fire" (#23c 1975), "Hello, I Love You" (#13c 1975), "You'll Be Back (Every Night in My Dreams)" (#24c 1978), "How Deep in Love Am I?" (#29c 1979), "Here's to the Horses" (#49c 1981)
duets with Little David Wilkins, "Butterbeans" (1987), "You Can't Go Back" (2005)
songwriter, wrote Jim Reeves' "He'll Have to Go" (#2, #1c 1960); The Doors' "Hello, I Love You" (#1 1968); Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner's "Making Plans" (#2c 1980); co-wrote George Strait's "Let's Fall to Pieces Together" (#1c 1984)
comedian
md. to Sheila Williams Allen (1991- ); md. to Beverly Heckel (1977- )
his pallbearers were Billy Walker, Porter Wagoner, Jack Greene, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jim Ed Brown, Brad Paisley, and Garth Brooks

Robin Zander

b. 1953 in Beloit, Wisconsin (grew up in Loves Park, IL)
folk/rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar, piano
"Time Will Let You Know" (1993)
with Cheap Trick (1974- ), "I Want You to Want Me" (#7 1979), "Dream Police" (1979), "I Can't Take it" (1983, he wrote), "Don't Be Cruel" (#4 1988), "The Flame" (#1 1988), "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" (#12 1990)
duet with Ann Wilson, "Surrender to Me" (#6 1988)
songwriter

January 24

Cary Banks (Cary C. Banks)

b. 1950
country/rock singer
instruments: keyboards, guitar, bass
with The Maines Brothers Band (1983- , and occasionally before that), "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)
sessionist with Bo Diddley, Janie Fricke, Carl Perkins, and others
songwriter
father of drummer, Cody Banks
see The Maines Brothers Band

Curtis Burch (aka Dr. Dobro)

b. 1945 in Montgomery, AL
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, dobro
"Roses in the Snow" (2004), "Blue Kentucky Girl" (2004)
founding member of New Grass Revival (1971-81), "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)
see New Grass Revival on Wikipedia

Yvonne Bushnell

b. 1945
R&B singer
with The Jaynetts, * "Sally Go 'Round the Roses" (#2 1963), "Keep an Eye on Her" (1963), "There's No Love at All" (1964), "Cry Behind the Daisies" (1964), "Who Stole the Cookie?" (1965)
the same group also recorded as The Hearts, "Dear Abby" (1963)

Zeke Carey (Ezekiel Carey)

b. 1933 in Bluefield, VA – d. 24 Dec 2001 in Washington, DC (heart attack)
soul singer (tenor)
founding member of The Flamingos (1952-56, 1958-2001), "I'm Yours" (1954), "A Kiss from Your Lips" (1956), "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" (#52 1958), "I Only Have Eyes for You" (#11 1959), "At the Prom" (1959), "Time Was" (#45 1959), "Mio Amore" (#74 1959), "Nobody Loves Me Like You" (#30 1960), "Your Other Love" (#54 1960), "You, Me, and the Sea" (1960), "My Memories of You" (1961), "I Know Better" (1963), "Call Her on the Phone" (1965)
served in the military (1956-58)
cousin of Jake Carey

Neil Diamond (Neil Leslie Diamond)

b. 1941 in Brooklyn, NY
pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Cherry, Cherry" (#6 1966), "I'll Come Running" (1966), "Solitary Man" (#55 1966), "I Got the Feelin' (Oh No, No)" (#16 1966), * "Thank the Lord for the Night Time" (#13 1967), * "You Got to Me" (#18 1967), "Kentucky Woman" (#22 1967), "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (#10 1967), "Sweet Caroline" (#4 1969), * "Shilo" (#24 1970), "Cracklin' Rosie" (#1 1970), "Song Sung Blue" (#1 1972), "Cherry, Cherry (live)" (#31 1973), "If You Know What I Mean" (#11 1976), "Forever in Blue Jeans" (#20, #70c 1979, he co-wrote), "Love on the Rocks" (#2 1981), "America" (#8 1981), "Hello Again" (#6 1981), "Yesterday's Songs" (#11 1982), "Heartlight" (#5 1982), "Headed for the Future" (#53 1986)
duet with Barbara Streisand, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (#1, #70c 1978)
songwriter, wrote The Monkees' "I'm a Believer" (#1 1966), "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You" (#2 1967)
md. 1st to Jaye Posner (1963-69); md. 2nd to Marcia Murphey (1969-95)
see Diamondville

Jimmy Forrest (James Robert Forrest, Jr.)

b. 1920 in St. Louis, MO – d. 26 Aug 1980 in Grand Rapids, MI
jazz/R&B musician, instrument: tenor sax
"Bolo Blues" (1951), "Londonderry Air" (1955), "Night Flight" (1959), "Most Much" (1961), "Matilda" (1961), "Annie Laurie" (1961)
with Andy Kirk's band (1942-48)
with Duke Ellington's band (1949- )
session musician with Count Basie, and others
bandleader
md. to Betty Tardy
see Jimmy Forrest on Wikipedia

Dave Getz (David Getz)

b. 1940 (grew up in Brooklyn, NY)
rock musician, instrument: drums
with Big Brother and the Holding Company (1966-68, 1970-72), "Bye Bye, Baby" (1968), "Pieces of My Heart" (#12 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "Combination of the Two" (1968), "Last Band on Side One" (1971), "Black Widow Spider" (1971)
songwriter
artist
md. to singer/actress, Joan Payne

Becky Hobbs (Rebecca Ann Hobbs)

b. 1950 in Bartlesville, OK
country/honky-tonk singer
instruments: piano, accordion, guitar
"Whatcha Gonna Do about it?" (1974), "Paradise is in Your Mind" (1974), "No Friends Like Old Friends" (1975), "You Complicated My Life" (1975), "All That I Am" (1977), "Love Enough" (1977), "I Can't Say Goodbye to You" (#44c 1979, she wrote), "Oklahoma Heart" (#46c 1984, she co-wrote), "Jones on the Jukebox" (#31c 1988, she co-wrote), "They Always Look Better When They're Leavin'" (#43c 1988, she wrote), "Do You Feel the Same Way, Too?" (#39c 1989, she wrote), "Pale Moon" (1994), "The Boots I Came to Town in" (1994), "I Don't Dance with Strangers" (1994), "Yesterday Tonight" (1994), "Dance All Our Troubles Away" (1998), "Trust the Night" (1998), "Runnin' on Dreams" (1998), "Honky-Tonk Saturday Night" (1999), "Woman Gettin' Older" (2004), "What Are You Doin' in My Dreams?" (2004), "Hottest Ex in Texas" (2006)
duet with Moe Bandy, "Let's Get Over Them Together" (#10c 1983)
session pianist with Jerry Lee Lewis, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Alabama's "Angels among Us" (#28c 1995), Conway Twitty's "I Want to Know You Before We Make Love" (#2c 1978)
md. to guitarist/songwriter, Duane Sciaqua (1996- )
see Becky Hobbs

Joe Isaacs

b. 1947 in Big Hill, KY
bluegrass/gospel singer
instruments: banjo, guitar
"Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone?" (1996), "Brush Arbor" (1996), "No Letter in the Mail" (2003), "We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds" (2003), "There Goes My Everything" (2003)
founding member of The Isaacs (1988-99, and reunions), "Carry Me" (1994), "Peace Like a River" (1994), "The Master's Bouquet" (1996), "The Lowest Valley" (1996), "In God's Hand" (1997), "Bridges That You've Burned" (1997), "Promise from on High" (1998), "Increase My Faith" (1998), "Wayfaring Stranger" (1999), "He Never Failed Me" (1999), "Closer to My Journey" (2005, he wrote), "The Beautiful River of Life" (2005), "Sea of Galilee" (2005, he wrote)
with The Greenbriar Boys
duets with Ralph Stanley, "Step Off on That Beautiful Shore" (1995), "Cast the First Stone" (1995, he wrote)
songwriter
father of Sonya Isaacs
see The Isaacs on CMT.com

Doug Kershaw (Douglas James Kershaw aka 'The Ragin' Cajun'')

b. 1936 in Tiel Ridge, LA
country/Cajun singer
instrument: fiddle
"Rita, Put Your Shoes Back on" (1969), "Sweet Joli Blon" (1969, he wrote), "Diggy Diggy Lo" (#70c 1970), "Spanish Moss" (1970), "Swamp Rat" (1970), "The Sooner I Go" (1971), "Hardly Anymore" (1971), "The Best Years of My Life" (1973), "I Just Remember Just Enough" (1974), "Lady Ann" (1974), "Pamela Marie" (1976), "It Takes All Day to Get Over the Night" (#76c 1976, he wrote), "Black Rose" (1977), "Louisiana Blues" (1977), "Hello, Woman" (#29c 1981, he wrote), "Queen of My Double-Wide Trailer" (1993), "Colinda" (2001)
founding member of Rusty and Doug (1950-64), "So Lovely Baby" (#14c 1955), "Your Crazy Crazy Heart" (1956), "Love Me to Pieces" (#14c 1957), "Hey Sheriff" (#22c 1958), "Hey, Mae" (1958), "Louisiana Man" (#10c 1961, he wrote), "Cleopatra" (1964)
duet with Hank Williams, Jr., "Cajun Baby" (#52c 1988)
songwriter
served in the Army (1958-61)
md. to Pamela Marie Eson (1975- ); brother of Rusty Kershaw

Gene Metcalf (Thomas Metcalf)

b. 1924 - d. 24 Jan 2004 in Wichita, KS (shot during a robbery)
blues singer
instrument: drums
session musician

Aaron Neville (Aaron Joseph Neville)

b. 1941 in New Orleans, LA
soul/R&B/jazz singer
instrument: percussions
"Even Though (Reality)" (1961), "How Many Times?" (1962), "How Could I Help But Love You?" (1963), "Tell it Like it is" (#2 1966), "She Took You for a Ride" (#92 1967), "Mojo Hannah" (1972), "Going Home" (1973), "Been So Wrong" (1976), "The Greatest Love" (1977), "I Love Her, Too" (1980), "House on a Hill" (1991), "Everybody Plays the Fool" (#8 1991), "Don't Take Away My Heaven" (#56 1993), "I Owe You One" (1993), "Lady in Blue" (1993), "I'll Love You Anyway" (1994), "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You (The Rain Song)" (#99 1995), "Every Day of My Life" (1995), "Some Days Are Made for Rain" (1995), "In Your Eyes" (1995), "I Can't Imagine" (1996), "Say What's in My Heart" (1997), "Just to Be with You" (1997), "Sweet Amelia" (1997), "Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue" (1997), "Let it Be" (2000), "Ave Maria" (2003), "Saving Grace" (2003), "In the Still of the Night" (2003)
founding member of The Neville Brothers (1976- ), "Louisiana Woman" (1978), "Dance Your Blues Away" (1979), "Fire on the Bayou" (1981), "Fever" (1984), "Forever for Tonight" (1987), "Wildflower" (1987), "Yellow Moon" (1989), "Fire and Brimstone" (1989), "Fallin' Rain" (1990), "River of Life" (1990), "In the Still of the Night" (1990), "Fly Like an Eagle" (1992), "I Can See it in Your Eyes" (1992), "Midnight Rider" (1992), "Let the Good Times Roll" (1994), "Whatever You Do" (1996), "Saved by the Grace of Your Love" (1996), "Utterly Beloved" (1999), "A Little Piece of Heaven" (1999), "Give Me a Reason" (1999), "Walkin' in the Shadow of Life" (2004), "Your Life (Fallen Soldiers)" (2004), "Brothers" (2005), "Warhorse" (2007)
The Neville Brothers and Jimmy Buffett, "Middle of the Night" (1983), "Money Back Guarantee" (1983), "Homemade Music" (1988), "Love and Luck" (1988)
duets with Linda Ronstadt, "Don't Know Much" (#2 1989), "All My Life" (#11 1990)
duet with Tammy Wynette, "All I Am to You" (1994)
duet with Trisha Yearwood, "I Fall to Pieces" (#72c 1994)
duet with Anne Murray, "That's What My Love is For" (1996)
duet with Willie Nelson, "Stardust" (2001)
songwriter
brother of Art Neville; father of Ivan Neville
see The Neville Brothers

Keech Rainwater (Randy Keech Rainwater)

b. 1963 in Plano, TX
country musician, instrument: drums
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)
with Canyon, "In the Middle of the Night" (#54c 1988), "I Guess I Just Missed You" (1988), "Right Track, Wrong Train" (#44 1989), "Hot Nights" (#40c 1989)
see Lonestar

Jack Scott Giovanni Dominico Scafone Jr.)

b. 1936 in Ontario, Canada (grew up near Detroit, MI)
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Two-Timin' Woman" (1957), "Leroy" (#11 1958, he wrote), "My True Love" (#3 1958, he wrote), "Goodbye, Baby" (#8 1959, he wrote), "Baby She's Gone" (1960), "Burning Bridges" (#3 1960), "Patsy" (1960), "It Only Happened Yesterday" (1960), "What in the World's Come Over You?" (#5 1960, he wrote), "Indiana Waltz" (1960), "Steps One and Two" (1961), "I Can't Hold Your Letter (in My Arms)" (1962), "All I See is Blue" (1963), "I Knew You First" (1964), "Tall Tales" (1965), "Before the Bird Flies" (1966), "I Keep Changin' My Mind" (1967), "I Hope, I Think, I Wish" (1966), "Looking for Linda" (1966), "Mary, Marry Me" (1971), "As You Take a Walk Through My Mind" (1974), "You're Just Gettin' Better" (#92c 1974)
songwriter

Ray Stevens (Harold Ray Ragsdale)

b. 1939 in Clarksdale, GA
country/novelty singer
instruments: piano, drums
"Five More Steps" (1957), "Silver Bracelet" (1957), "Love Goes on Forever" (1958), "High School Yearbook" (1959), "Ahab the Arab" (#5 1962), "Jeremiah Peabody's Poly-Unsaturated Quick-Dissolving Fast-Acting Pleasant-Tasting Green and Purple Pills" (#35 1962), "Harry the Hairy Ape" (#17 1963), "Make a Few Memories" (1966), "Mary, My Secretary" (1967), "Mr. Businessman" (#28 1968), "Gitarzan" (#8 1969), * "Along Came Jones" (#27 1969), "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" (#81, #55c 1969), "Everything is Beautiful" (#1, #39c 1970, he wrote), "Turn Your Radio on" (#63, #17c 1972), "Nashville" (#37c 1973), "The Streak" (#1, #3c 1974, he wrote), "Misty" (#14, #3c 1975), "You Are So Beautiful" (#16c 1976), "Honky-Tonk Waltz" (#27c 1976), "Indian Love Call" (#68, #38c 1975), "Shriner's Convention" (#7c 1980, he wrote), "One More Last Chance" (#33c 1981), "Country Boy, Country Club Girl" (1982), "Mississippi Squirrel Revival" (#20c 1984), * "The Pirate Song" (1985), * "The Haircut Song" (#45c 1985, he co-wrote), * "Kiss a Pig" (1985), * "Vacation Bible School" (1985), * "Makin' the Best of a Bad Situation" (1986), * "The Camping Trip" (1986), * "People's Court" (#10c 1986), * "Dudley Dorite" (1986), "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex?" (#41c 1987), "Osama Yo' Mama" (#48c 2001, he co-wrote), * "Front Row Seat to Hear Old Johnny Sing"
session musician
songwriter
music producer
comedian; actor
see Ray Stevens

Glenn Worf

b. 1954 in Dayton, OH (grew up in Madison, WI)
country musician, instrument: bass
with The Bluebloods
session musician on Clay Walker's "If I Could Make a Living" (#1c 1994), "This Woman and This Man" (#1c 1995); Ronna Reeves' "The More I Learn (the Less I Understand about Love)" (#49c 1992); and with Brooks and Dunn, Tim Rushlow, Faith Hill, Sara Evans, Aaron Neville, Marty Robbins, Bob Seger, Mark Knopfler, and others
see Glenn Worf

Nigel Alan Zett

b. 19??
rock/country singer
instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer
with The Alliance Band, * "What I Knew Then" (2002, he wrote), "All I Want" (2002, he wrote), "Halfway Home" (2002, he wrote), "Undercover" (2002, he wrote)
songwriter
md. to singer, Cindy Zett

January 25

Dyan Birch

b. 1949
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, she wrote)
songwriter
see Kokomo

Ronnie Brandon

b. 1946 in Greenville, OH
rock/pop musician, instruments: keyboards, organ
founding member 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)
see The McCoys on Wikipedia

Mike Burch

b. 1966
country/rock singer
instruments: drums, percussions
with River Road, "I Broke it, I'll Fix it" (#48c 1997), "Nickajack" (#37c 1997), "Wishful Thinkin'" (1997), "As if You Didn't Know" (1997), "Somebody Will" (#51c 1998), "Breathless" (#41c 2000)
session musician with Ty Herndon, Jimmy Buffett, Mason Dixon, and others
see River Road on Wikipedia

Dick Campbell (Richard S. Campbell)

b. 1944 in Boston, MA - d. 25 Apr 2002 (complications from a lung transplant)
folk/rock singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, keyboards
"Debbie Darling" (1962, he wrote), "Aphrodite's Child" (1965, he wrote), "You've Got to Be Kidding" (1965, he wrote), "Where Were You?" (1965, he wrote), "Ask Me if I Care" (1965, he wrote), "Love Knows Only You" (1971, he co-wrote)
duets with Gary Usher, "(Friend)Ships" (1971, he co-wrote), "Everything Turns Out Right" (1971, he co-wrote)
session musician with Gary Usher, and others
songwriter
music producer

Rusty Draper (Farrell H. Draper)

b. 1920/25 in Kirksville, MO – d. 28 Mar 2003 in Bellevue, WA (pneumonia)
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
"How Could You (Blue Eyes)?" (1952), "Texarkana Baby" (1953), "Gambler's Guitar" (#6, #6c 1953), "Native Dancer" (#23 1953), "Seventeen" (#18 1955), "The Shifting Whispering Sands" (#3 1955), "Are You Satisfied?" (#11 1956), "Rock and Roll Ruby" (1956), "Held for Questioning" (#50 1956), "In the Middle of the House" (#20 1956), "Tiger Lily" (#88 1957), "Freight Train" (#6 1957), "Don't Forget Your Shoes" (1959), "Luck of the Irish" (1960), "Please Help Me I'm Falling" (#54 1960), "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" (#91 1961), "Mule Skinner Blues" (1962), "Night Life" (#57 1963), "Lady of the House" (1964), "It Should Be Easier Now" (1964), "Memory Lane" (1967), "California Sunshine" (#70c 1968), "Make Believe I'm Him" (1968), "Buffalo Nickel" (#58c 1968), "Two Little Boys" (#73c 1970), "Walking on New Grass" (1974), "Harbor Lights" (#87c 1979)
songwriter
actor
md. to Marcia Wilsey
his nickname came from his red hair
see Rusty Draper on Wikipedia

Sleepy John Estes

b. 1899 near Ripley, TN - d. 5 Jun 1977 in Brownsville, TN (stroke)
blues singer
instrument: guitar
"The Girl I Love, She Got Long Curly Hair" (1929), "Chickasaw Special" (1929), "Little Sarah" (1930), "Street Car Blues" (1930), "Someday Baby Blues" (1935), "Need More Blues" (1937), "Floating Bridge" (1937), "Every Time My Heart Beats" (1941), "Working Man Blues" (1956), "Jailhouse Blues" (1960), "I'd Been Well Warned" (1962), "Broke and Hungry" (1964), "Vernita" (1964), "I Stayed Away Too Long" (1966), ".38 Pistol" (1969)
see Sleepy John Estes on Wikipedia

Philip Healy (Philip M. Healy)

b. 1963 - d. 18 Jul 2004 in Milford, DE (auto accident)
rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Knobs (1993-2004), "Watch, Worry and Wait" (1996, he wrote), "Camouflage Cream" (1996, he wrote), "Insomnia" (1996, he wrote), "Circuit Rider" (1999), "Blue Frames You" (1999)
songwriter
he was driving drunk when he crashed into another car, killing a state trooper as well as himself

Etta James (Jamesetta Hawkins)

b. 1938 in Los Angeles, CA
pop/R&B singer
"Hey, Henry" (1955), "All I Could Do Was Cry" (#33 1960), "Trust in Me" (#30 1961), "Don't Cry, Baby" (#39 1961), "Stop the Wedding" (#34 1962), "Would it Make Any Difference to You?" (1962), "Pushover" (#25 1963), "Two Sides to Every Story" (1963), "Tell Mama" (#23 1967), "Security" (#35 1968), "Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing" (1970), "Feeling Uneasy" (1974), "A Piece of My Heart" (1978)

China Kantner (China Wing Kantner)

b. 1971 in San Francisco, CA
rock singer
backups singer on Paul Kantner's "Declaration of Independence" (1983); and with Jefferson Starship, and others
songwriter
actress
daughter of guitarist, Paul Kantner and singer, Grace Slick

Sally Starr (Sally Beller/Belair)

b. 1923 in Kansas City, MO
country/novelty singer
"Toy Shop in the Town" (1958), "ABC Rock" (1959), "Rockin' Horse Cowgirl" (1959), "Rocky the Rockin' Rabbit" (1960), "Sing a Song of Happiness" (1960)
children's TV show host; actress; the first top-rated female DJ
humanitarian
md. to Jesse Rogers

Edmund Sylvers (Edmund Theodore Sylvers)

b. 1957 - d. 11 Mar 2004 in Richmond, VA (lung cancer)
R&B/soul singer
instrument: percussions
founding member The Sylvers (1971-79), "Fool's Paradise" (1972), "Wish That I Could Talk to You" (#77 1972), "Stay Away from Me" (1973), "Through the Love in My Heart" (1973), "Boogie Fever" (#1 1976), "Cotton Candy" (#57 1976), "Hot Line" (#5 1976), "High School Dance" (#17 1977), "Any Way You Want Me" (1977), "Mahogany (Do You Know)?" (1979)
songwriter
session musician
music producer
see The Sylvers on soulwalking

Speedy West (Wesley Webb West)

b. 1924 in Springfield, MO – d. 15 Nov 2003 in OK
country musician, instrument: pedal steel guitar
"Stainless Steel" (1951), "Hubcap Roll" (1951), "Roadside Rag" (1951), "Rippling Waters" (1962), "Lazy Summer Evening" (1962), "Reflections from the Moon" (1962)
duets with Jimmy Bryant (as The Flaming Guitars), "Speedin' West" (1953), "Jammin' with Jimmy" (1954), "Stratosphere Boogie" (1954), "Steelin' Moonlight" (1955), "Sand Canyon Swing" (1956)
duets with Cliffie Stone, "Steel Strike" (1950), "Popcorn Song" (1955)
session musician on Tennessee Ernie Ford and Kay Starr's "I'll Never Be Free" (#3 1950); Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Mule Train" (#1c 1949), "The Cry of the Wild Goose" (#15, #2c 1950), "Shotgun Boogie" (#1c 1951), "Ballad of Davy Crockett" (#5, #4c 1955); George Morgan's "Candy Kisses" (#1c 1949); Skeets McDonald's "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" (#1c 1952); Loretta Lynn's "I'm a Honky-Tonk Girl" (#14c 1960); and with with Spade Cooley, Cliffie Stone, Doye O'Dell, Sheb Wooley, Wade Ray, Hank Thompson, Johnny Bond, Terry Fell, Frankie Laine, Merrill Moore, Jo Stafford, Jean Shepard, Moon Mullican, Bing Crosby, Johnny Horton, Hank Penny, and others
songwriter
a 1981 stroke left him unable to play the guitar
actor

Bobby Wood

b. 1941
country/rock/pop singer
instruments: piano, organ, keyboards
"If I'm a Fool for Lovin' You" (1964), "That's All I Need to Know" (#46c 1964), "I'd Do it Again" (1964), "What Am I Gonna Tell Myself?" (1965)
session musician on Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" (#1 1969); and with George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks, Wilson Pickett, Ronnie Milsap, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dusty Springfield, Emmylou Harris, and others
songwriter, wrote Billy 'Crash' Craddock's "Still Thinkin' 'Bout You" (#4c 1975); Merle Haggard's "Better Love Next Time" (#4c 1989); LeAnne Rimes' "Commitment" (#4c 1998)
co-wrote Crystal Gayle's "Half the Way" (#15, #2c 1979); Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood's "In Another's Eyes" (#2c 1997)
music producer

Jimmy Wyble (James Otis Wyble)

b. 1922 in Port Arthur, TX
western swing/jazz musician, instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
with The Texas Playboys (1944-45), "New San Antonio Rose" (remake, top twenty, #3c 1944), "Smoke on the Water" (#1c 1945), "Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima" (#1c 1945), "Roly Poly" (1945), "Nobody's Darling But Mine" (1945), "Texas Two-Step" (1945)
founding member and lead of The Jimmy Wyble Quintet (1953- ), "All the Things You Are" (1953), "Hopscotch" (1953)
with The Red Norvo Quintet (1956-65), "Scorpion's Nest" (1957), "Spider's Web" (1957), "About a Quarter to Nine" (1962), "One Minute to One" (1962)
session musician with Barney Kessel, Spade Cooley, Jimmy Goodman, Tony Rizzi, and others
songwriter
author
served in the Army (1942-1946)
see The Texas Playboys

January 26

David Briggs

b. 1951 in Melbourne, Australia
rock, instrument: guitar
lead guitarist with Little River Band (1976-81, replaced Ric Formosa), "Help is on the Way" (#14 1977), "Reminiscing" (#3 1978), "Happy Anniversary" (#16 1978, he wrote), "Lady" (#10 1979), "Cool Change" (#10 1979), "Lonesome Loser" (#6 1979, he wrote), "The Night Owls" (#6 1981), "Take it Easy on Me" (#10 1981)
with Area Code 615 (1970), "Stone Fox Chase" (1970)
session musician
songwriter
see Little River Band

Page Cavanaugh

b. 1922 in Cherokee, KS
jazz/swing singer
instruments: piano, keyboards
founding member of The Page Cavanaugh Trio, "The Three Bears" (1946), "All of Me" (1946), "Daisies Won't Tell" (1948), "I Would Do Anything for You" (1948), "Bianca" (1948), "Except for Loving You" (1950), "This Time the Dream's on Me" (1950), "The Way You Look Tonight" (1955), "Yesterdays" (1967), "The Love of My Life" (1989), "That Sunday" (1989), "Whatever Became of Me?" (1989)
The Page Cavanaugh Trio backing Frank Sinatra, "That's How Much I Love You" (#10 1947), "I Got a Gal I Love" (1947)
The Page Cavanaugh Trio backing Mel Torme, "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" (1947)
founding member of The Page 7
with the Ernie Williamson Band (1938-39)
songwriter
served in the Army during WWII

Claude Gray (Claude N. Gray aka 'the tall Texan')

b. 1932 near Henderson, TX
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Letter Overdue" (1959), "Best Part of Me" (1959), "The Family Bible" (#10c 1960), "Crying in the Night" (1960), "I'll Just Have a Cup of Coffee (Then I'll Go)" (#84, #4c 1961), "My Ears Should Burn (When Fools Are Talked About)" (#3c 1961), "Daddy Stopped in" (#20c 1962), "Let's End it Before it Begins" (#26c 1962), "Knock Again True Love" (#18c 1963), "I Never Had the One I Wanted" (#9c 1967, he co-wrote), "How Fast Them Trucks Can Go" (#12c 1967), "Woman, Ease My Mind" (#58c 1973), "Sweet Caroline" (#77c 1986)
duet with Norma Jean, "Let's Go All the Way" (#68c 1982)
songwriter
served 4 years in the Navy (1950-54)
he is 6'5"

Doc Hopkins (Doctor Howard Hopkins)

b. 1900 in Wallins Creek, KY - d. 3 Jan 1988
country/folk singer
instruments: banjo, guitar
"Fate of the Battleship Maine" (1941), "Wreck of Old 31" (1941), "Wreck between New Hope and Gethsemane" (1941)
founding member of Doc Hopkins and His Country Boys, "Born to the Saddle" (1944), "Bury Me Out on the Prairie" (1944), "Give My Love to Nell" (1944), "Letter Edged in Black" (1944), "Going to Little Creek" (1944), "I'll Give to You a Paper of Pins" (1944), "Little Girl Dressed in Blue" (1944), "Ship That Never Returned" (1944), "You're a Flower Blooming in the Wildwood" (1944)
with The Cumberland Ridge Runners, "I'll Be All Smiles Tonight" (1933), "Lonesome Valley Sally" (1934), "My Ozark Mountain Home" (1934)
served in the Marines during WWI
md. to Mary Locke
supposedly 'Doctor' was his real first name
see The Cumberland Ridge Runners on Hillbilly-Music dawt com
see Doc Hopkins on Hillbilly-Music dawt com

Andy Hummel

b. 1951 in Memphis, TN
rock/pop singer
instrument: bass
founding member of Big Star (1971-74), "In the Street" (1972), "Thirteen" (1972), "Don't Lie to Me" (1972), "Watch the Sunrise" (1972), "September Girls" (1974), "Back of a Car" (1974, he co-wrote), "Way Out West" (1974, he wrote), "Daisy Glaze" (1974)
songwriter
mechanical engineer
Harley Davidson enthusiast
see Big Star on Wikipedia

Deon Jackson

b. 1946 in Ann Arbor, MI
soul singer
instruments: clarinet, drums
"You Said You Loved Me" (1963, he wrote), "Love Makes the World Go Round" (#11 1966, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Love Takes a Long Time Growing" (1966), "Hard-to-Get Thing Called Love" (1966), "On a Sunny Day" (1967), "I Can't Go on" (1968), "I'll Always Love You" (1969)
songwriter

Marshall Leib (Marshall Philip Leibovitz)

b. 1939 in Los Angeles, CA - d. Mar 2002 in Northridge, CA (heart attack)
pop/rock singer
instruments: guitar, chimes
with The Moondogs
with The Teddy Bears, "To Know Him is to Love Him" (#1 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "I Don't Need You Anymore" (#91 1958)
with The Hollywood Argyles, "Alley-oop" (#1 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "Gun Totin' Critter Called Jack" (1960), "Long-Hair, Unsquare Dude Called Jack" (1965)
songwriter
music producer
hot rod enthusiast
see The Teddy Bears on Wikipedia

Ted Lundy (Teddy Joe Lundy)

b. 1937 in Galax, VA - d. 23 Jun 1980 (suicide)
bluegrass/folk musician, instruments: banjo, guitar
"Reuben" (1966), "Sally Ann" (1977)
founding member of The Southern Mountain Boys (1961-80), "It Rained a Mist" (1973), "Goodbye, Liza Jane" (1973), "Margie" (1973), "The Old Swinging Bridge" (1973), "I've Never Been So Lonesome" (1975), "Worried Mind" (1978), "Picture on the Wall" (1978), "Mary at the Home Place" (1978)
session musician with Rome Johnson, Alex Campbell, and others

Michael Martin

b. 1983
country/Christian singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Marshall Dyllon (2000-01), "Closer to Heaven" (2000), "Live it Up" (#37c 2000), "You" (#47c 2001), "She Ain't Gonna Cry" (#44c 2001)
brother of Paul Martin
see Marshall Dyllon on Wikipedia

James O'Gwynn

b. 1928 in Winchester, MS (grew up near Hattiesburg, MS)
country singer
"Talk to Me, Oh Lonesome Heart" (#16c 1958, he wrote), "Blue Memories" (#28c 1958, he co-wrote), "Were You Ever a Stranger?" (1959), "How Can I Think of Tomorrow?" (#13c 1959, he co-wrote), "You're Too Easy to Remember" (1960, he co-wrote), "House of Blue Lovers" (#21c 1961, he co-wrote), "My Name is Mud" (#7c 1962), "I Fell and Broke My Heart" (1962), "Eleven Years Ago" (1966), "Bubbling Over" (1966), "I Know You Don't Lie" (1969, he wrote), "If You Don't Believe I Love You" (1977), "I Can't Hold a Candle to Your Old Flame" (2001)
songwriter

Dave Rowland

b. 1942 in Sanger, CA
country/rock singer
instruments: trumpet, piano, guitar, bass, drums
founding member of Wild Oates
founding member and lead singer of Dave and Sugar (1975- ), "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), "Fool by Your Side" (#6c 1981)
songwriter
actor
served in the Army
md. to Terri Jo Allen (1985- )

Merrilee Rush

b. 1948 (maybe 26 Jan) in Seattle, WA
pop singer
instrument: piano
"Sunshine and Roses" (1968), "That Kind of Woman" (1968), "Reach Out" (1969), "It's Worth it All" (1970), "Child of Mine" (1971), "Could it Be Love I Found Tonight?" (1977), "Rainstorm" (1978)
founding member of Merrilee Rush and the Turnabouts (1965- ), "Angel of the Morning" (#7 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "Reap What You Sow" (1968)
md. to singer/songwriter, Billy Mac
she raised Old English Sheepdogs
see Merrilee Rush

Huey 'Piano' Smith

b. 1934 in New Orleans, LA
R&B musician, instrument: piano
founding member of The Clowns (1957- ), "Don't You Just Know it?" (#9 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Sassy Sara" (1961), "Behind the Wheel" (1961), "Pop-Eye" (1962), "Quiet as it's Kept" (1963), "I'll Never Forget" (1967), "The Whatcha Call 'em" (1970)
The Clowns backing Frankie Ford, "Sea Cruise" (#14 1959, he wrote)
session musician with Little Richard, Lloyd Price, and others
songwriter
comedian
see Huey 'Piano' Smith

January 27

Bobby 'Blue' Bland (Robert Calvin Bland)

b. 1930 in Rosemark, TN
blues/soul/country singer
"Letter From a Trench in Korea" (1952), "Army Blues" (1953), "You or None" (1955), "Woke Up Screaming" (1955), "Little Boy Blue" (1958), "I'll Take Care of You" (1959), "Don't Cry No More" (1961), "Turn on Your Love Light" (#28 1962), "That's the Way Love is" (#33 1963), "Call on Me" (#22 1963), "You're Worth it All" (1963), "Ain't Nothing You Can Do" (#20 1964), "If I Hadn't Called You Back" (1964), "These Hands (Small But Mighty)" (1964), "I'm Too Far Gone (to Turn Around)" (1965), "Building a Fire With Rain" (1966), "Getting Used to the Blues" (1967), "Chain of Love" (#60 1969), "I've Just Got to Forget About You" (1970), "I Don't Want Another Mountain to Climb" (1973), "Who's Foolin' Who" (1976), "Love to See You Smile" (1978), "As Soon as the Weather Breaks" (1980), "Members Only" (1985), "Kiss Me to the Music" (1989), "Take Off Your Shoes" (1989)
founding member of The Beale Streeters (1952), "I.O.U. Blues" (1952), "My Song" (1952)
songwriter
arranger
served in the army (1952-54)
see Bobby Bland on Wikipedia

Joe Callahan (Walter Tommie Callahan)

b. 1910 in Laurel, NC - d. 10 Sep 1971 in Asheville, NC
bluegrass/country singer, yodeler
instruments: guitar, string bass
founding member of The Callahan Brothers (1933-52), "She's My Curly-Headed Baby" (1934), "Little Poplar Log-House on the Hill" (1934), "Gonna Quit My Rowdy Ways" (1934), "The House of the Rising Sun" (1935), "She's Always on My Mind" (1937), "Lonesome Freight Train Blues" (1939), "My Blue-Eyed Jane" (1939), "Sad Memories" (1942), "Just One Year" (1948), "Cowboy Jack" (1948), "Blue Letters" (1952), "I Have Shifted Gears" (1952)
session musician with Marty Robbins, and others
comedian
photographer
older brother of Bill Callahan
see The Callahan Brothers on CMT.com

Lee Carroll

b. 1953 in Glasgow, KY
country/rock musician, instrument: keyboards
with Exile (1985- , replaced Marlon Hargis), "Crazy for Your Love" (#1c 1985), "She's a Miracle" (#1c 1985), "Hang on to Your Heart" (#1c 1985), "I Could Get Used to You" (#1c 1986), "It'll Be Me" (#1c 1986), "She's Too Good to Be True" (#1c 1987), "I Can't Get Close Enough" (#1c 1987), "Just One Kiss" (#9c 1988), "Keep it in the Middle of the Road" (#17c 1990), "Nobody's Talking" (#2c 1990), "Yet" (#7c 1990)
session musician with The Judds, and others

George Chambers

b. 1944 in MS
R&B/rock/pop singer
instrument: bass
"These Things You'll Never Know" (1966), "The Ribbon" (1966), "Flood of Tears" (1966)
founding member of The Chambers Brothers (1954- ), "Love Me Like the Rain" (1967), "Falling in Love" (1967), "Time Has Come Today" (#11 1968), "I Can't Turn You Loose" (#37 1968), "To Love Somebody" (1969), "Have a Little Faith" (1969)

Kevin Denney

b. 1976 in Monticello, KY
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Upside Down" (2000), "Running Away" (2000), "That's Just Jessie" (#76, #16c 2002, he co-wrote), "Daddy Was a Navy Man" (2002), "We Rhyme" (2002), "It Don't Matter" (2002, he wrote), "Cadillac Tears" (#30c 2003), "It'll Go Away" (#43c 2003, he co-wrote), "A Year at a Time" (#44c 2003)
songwriter
see Kevin Denney on About.com

Buddy Emmons (Buddy Gene Emmons)

b. 1937 in Mishawaka, IN
country/western swing singer
instruments: pedal steel guitar, bass, lap steel guitar, piano
"Cold-Rolled Steel" (1956), "There Will Never Be Another You" (1963), "Any Time" (1963), "Top Heavy" (1975, he co-wrote), "Wild Mountain Thyme" (1976), * "Deep in the Heart of Texas" (1976)
with Ray Price's Cherokee Cowboys (1963-67), "Make the World go Away" (#100, #2c 1963), "Burning Memories" (#2c 1964)
with Little Jimmy Dickens' Country Boys (1955-56), "Country Boy Bounce" (1956), "Raisin' the Dickens" (1956), "Buddy's Boogie" (1957)
with Roger Miller's band (1969-73), "Tomorrow Night in Baltimore" (#11c 1972)
with The Swing Shift Band, "(Turn Me Loose and) Let Me Swing" (#76c 1988), "I'm Getting Nowhere (at Getting Over You)" (1988), "Blue of a Kind" (1988), "My Weakness is Too Strong" (1988), "Triple Play" (1988, he wrote), "Someone Out in Dallas (Has Your Number)" (1988), "(My Life's Like a) Dusty Road" (1988), "One Minute With You" (1988)
with The Everly Brothers (1988-2001)
founding member of The Nashville Superpickers, "New York Cowboy" (#83c 1981)
session musician with Arlo Guthrie, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Faron Young, Linda Ronstadt, and others
songwriter
guitar maker
see Buddy Emmons

Kim Gardner

b. 1948 in London, England – d. 24 Oct 2001 in Los Angeles, CA (cancer)
rock/jazz musician, instrument: bass
with Creation (1967-68)
with Badger (1974- ), "Don't Pull the Trigger" (1974), "A Dream of You" (1974)
founding member of The Birds (originally called The Thunderbirds) (1964-65), "Leaving Here" (1965), "No Good Without You, Baby" (1965)
founding member of Ashton, Gardner and Dyke (1968-72), "Hymn to Everyone" (1971)
session musician with Bully Burnette, Bo Didley, Eric Clapton, and others
owner of the Cat and Fiddle Restaurant and Pub in Los Angeles, CA
painter
see Kim Gardner

Elmore James (Elmore Brooks aka 'the King of the Slide Guitar')

b. 1918 in Richland, MS – d. 23 May 1963 in Chicago, IL (heart attack)
blues/rock musician, instrument: slide guitar
"Dust My Broom" (1951), "Strange Kinda Feelin'" (1953), "I Believe My Time Ain't Long" (1955), "Done Something Wrong" (1960), "The Sky is Crying" (1960), "One Way Out" (1960), "Stranger Blues" (1962), "Take Me Where You Go" (1966)
served in the Navy during WWII

Billy Larkin

b. 1950 in Huntland, TN
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Leave it Up to Me" (#22c 1975, he co-wrote), "When You Left" (1975), "The Devil in Mrs. Jones" (#23c 1975, he co-wrote), "No Reason Why" (1975), "Kiss and Say Goodbye" (#36c 1976), "20/20 Hindsight" (#35c 1981), "Longing for the High" (#24c 1981), "Julie Ann" (2006), "Nothing Left to Say" (2006)
songwriter

Tracy Lawrence (Tracy Lee Lawrence)

b. 1968 in Atlanta, TX (grew up in Foreman, AR)
country/honky-tonk singer
instrument: guitar
"Sticks and Stones" (#1c 1992), "Alibis" (#72, #1c 1993), "Can't Break it to My Heart" (#1c 1993, he co-wrote), "My Second Home" (#1c 1993, he co-wrote), "I See it Now" (#84, #2c 1994), "If the Good Die Young" (#1c 1994), "As Any Fool Can See" (#2c 1995), "Texas Tornado" (#1c 1995), "If You Loved Me" (#4 1996), "If the World Had a Front Porch" (#1c 1996, he co-wrote), "Time Marches on" (#1c 1996), "Stars Over Texas" (#2c 1996, he co-wrote), "Is That a Tear?" (#2c 1997), "How a Cowgirl Says Goodbye" (#4c 1997, he co-wrote), "Lonely" (#18c 2000), "Lessons Learned" (#40, #3c 2000, he co-wrote), "What a Memory" (#53c 2001), "Paint Me a Birmingham" (#42, #4c 2004), "It's All How You Look at it" (#36c 2004), "Sawdust on Her Halo" (#46c 2004), "Used to the Pain" (#35c 2005), "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" (#61, #1c 2006)
songwriter
see Tracy Lawrence

Frankie Marvin (Frank James Marvin)

b. 1904 (maybe Jan 19) in Butler, OK (then Indian Territory) - d. Jan 1985
country singer, yodeler
instrument: steel guitar
"Walkin' Down the Railroad Tracks" (1928, he wrote), "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" (1929), "The Two-Gun Cowboy" (1929, he wrote), "My Lulu" (1929), "It's Funny When You Feel This Way" (1929), "Mississippi Moonshine" (1929), "The Girl I Left Behind" (1930), "Our Old Family Album" (1930), "Over at the Old Barn Dance" (1930), "Mountain Boy" (1931), "Wabash Moon" (1931), "The Cowboy's Sweetheart" (1931), "Sheriff's Sale" (1933), "One Thousand Miles Away from Home" (1933)
session musician with Gene Autry, and others
songwriter
cowboy actor

Nick Mason (Nicholas Berkeley Mason)

b. 1944/45 in Birmingham, England
rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Pink Floyd (1964-94), "Arnold Layne" (1967), "See Emily Play" (1967), "It Would Be So Nice" (1968), "Julia Dream" (1968), "Remember a Day" (1968), "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" (1968), "Pigs on the Wing" (1977), "Another Brick in the Wall" (#1 1980)
duets with Richard Fenn, "A Lie for a Lie" (1985, he co-wrote), "Zip Code" (1985, he co-wrote), "Black Ice" (1985, he co-wrote)
songwriter
race car driver
see Pink Floyd

Rudi Maugeri

b. 1931 in Toronto, Canada – d. 7 May 2004 in Toronto, Canada
pop singer (baritone)
founding member of The Crew-Cuts (1952-64, 1977- ), "Crazy 'Bout You, Baby" (1954, he co-wrote), "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)
songwriter
see The Crew-Cuts on Wikipedia

David Seville (Ross Bagdasarian)

b. 1919 in Fresno, CA – d. 16 Jan 1972 in Los Angeles, CA (heart attack)
novelty singer
instrument: piano
recorded as Ross Bagdasarian, "Cecilia" (1963), "Scalawags and Sinners" (1963), "Naval Maneuver" (1965), "Red Wine" (1967), "When I Look in Your Eyes" (1968), "Spanish Pizza" (1969), "You Better Open Your Eyes" (1969), "You've Got Me on a Merry-Go-Round" (1969)
recorded as David Seville, "Carousel in Rome" (1956), "Pretty Dark Eyes" (1957)
his voice as all The Chipmunks, "The Trouble with Harry" (#44 1956), "Witch Doctor" (#1 1958), "The Chipmunk Song" (#1 1958, #39 1961, #40 1962, he wrote), "Almost Good" (1958), "Alvin Twist" (#3 1959, he wrote), "Alvin's Orchestra" (#33 1960), "Christmas, Don't Be Late" (#39 1961), "I Wish I Could Speak French" (1962), "Apple Picker" (1967)
The Chipmunks and Billy Ray Cyrus, "Achy Breaky Heart" (#71c 1992)
songwriter, co-wrote Rosemary Clooney's "Come on-a My House" (#1 1951)
actor; comedian
see David Seville and the Chipmunks

Joe Shelton (Joe Attlesey)

b. 1911 in Reilly Springs, TX - d. 26 Dec 1980
country/honky-tonk singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
"Matchbox Blues" (1935)
founding member of The Shelton Brothers, "Sweet Evalina" (1935), "At the Shelby County Fair" (1935), "Story of Seven Roses" (1937), "Goodness Gracious Gracie" (1937), "Someday, Baby" (1938), "Those Dusty Roads" (1938), "Meet Me Somewhere in Your Dreams" (1938), "Parking Meter Blues" (1939), "Doggone Crazy Blues" (1940), "I'll Be Seein' You in Dallas, Alice" (1940), "Tell Me with Your Blue Eyes" (1940), "I'm Driftin' and Shiftin' My Gears" (1941)
The Shelton Brothers were backup for Jimmie Davis
songwriter

Nedra Talley (Nedra Talley Ross)

b. 1946 in New York, NY
rock/R&B singer
founding member 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)
cousin of Ronnie (Bennett) Spector and Estelle Bennett
see The Ronettes on The History of Rock 'n' Roll

Bruce Tate

b. 1937 in Dallas, TX - d. 20 Jun 1973 in Los Angeles, CA
doo-wop/rock/pop singer (baritone)
founding member of The Penguins (1954-56, and reunions), "Hey, Senorita" (1954), "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" (#8 1955, One-Hit Wonder), "Kiss a Fool Goodbye" (1955)
see The Penguins on Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks

Cheryl White

b. 1955 in Wichita Falls, TX
country singer
instrument: bass
founding member of The Whites (1971- ), "Send Me the Pillow You Dream on" (#66c 1981), "You Put the Blue in Me" (#10c 1982), "Hangin' Around" (#9c 1983), "(I Wonder Who's) Holdin' My Baby Tonight" (#9c 1983), "When the New Wears Off Our Love" (#25c 1983), "Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling" (#10c 1984), "If it Ain't Love (Let's Leave it Alone)" (#12c 1985), "Pins and Needles" (#10c 1985), "Forever You" (#14c 1985), "Hometown Gossip" (#27c 1985), "Love Won't Wait" (#36c 1986), "You Wouldn't Be My First Mistake" (1986), "It Should Have Been Easy" (#30c 1987), "She's Written All Over Your Face" (1987), "Another Soldier Down" (1988)
daughter of Buck White; sister of Sharon (White) Skaggs; md. to David Warren

Kate Wolf (Kathryn Louise Allen)

b. 1942 in San Francisco, CA – d. 10 Dec 1986 (leukemia)
folk/country/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Looking Back at You" (1979, she wrote), "Across the Great Divide" (1981, she wrote), "Here in California" (1981, she wrote), "Slender Thread" (1985, she wrote)
backed by her Wildwood Flower Band, "Back Roads" (1976, she wrote), "Emma Rose" (1976, she wrote), "Lines on the Paper" (1977, she wrote), "Picture Puzzle" (1977, she wrote)
songwriter
md. to Saul Wolf (1963-69), md. to Terry Fowler (1982- )
see Kate Wolf

Richard Young

b. 1955 in Edmonton, KY or Glasgow, KY
country/rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
founding member of Kentucky Headhunters (1985- ), "Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine" (#25c 1989), "Oh, Lonesome Me" (#8c 1990), "Rock 'n' Roll Angel" (#23c 1990), "With Body and Soul" (#56c 1991), "Honky-Tonk Walkin'" (#54c 1992), "Singin' the Blues" (#70c 1997), "Too Much to Lose" (#66c 2000)
the Kentucky Headhunters and Johnnie Johnson, "That'll Work" (1993), "I Know You Can" (1993), "Derby Day Special" (1993)
songwriter
brother of Fred Young; cousin of Greg Martin
see The Kentucky Headhunters

January 28

Rick Allen

b. 1946 in Little Rock, AR
pop/soul singer
instruments: organ, keyboards, bass
with The Box Tops (1968-69, replaced John Evans after "Cry Like a Baby"), "Choo Choo Train" (#26 1968), "The Door You Closed to Me" (1968), "Fields of Clover" (1968), * "Soul Deep" (#18 1969)
with The Gentrys (after their hit)
see Gentrys on Wikipedia
see The Box Tops

Eddie Bayers

b. 1949 in Pautaxant River, MD
country musician, instrument: drums, piano
with The Notorious Cherry Bombs (2002- ), "Making Memories of Us" (2004), "Forever Someday" (2004), Let it Roll, Let it Ride" (2004), "If I Ever Break Your Heart" (2004)
founding member of The Players, "Don't Try This at Home" (2004, he co-wrote)
session drummer with George Strait, Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Chesney, Bob Seger, Alabama, Uncle Kracker, John Conlee, Michael Martin Murphy, and others
songwriter
see The Notorious Cherry Bombs

Barbi Benton (Barbara Klein)

b. 1950 in New York, NY (grew up in Sacramento, CA)
country singer
instrument: piano
"Brass Buckles" (#5c 1975), "He Used to Sing to Me" (1975), "Riding on a Rainbow" (1976), "Something New" (1976), "Ain't That Just the Way" (1978), "Close Your Eyes" (1978), "One Step from Your Arms" (1978)
duet with Mickey Gilley, "Roll You Like a Wheel" (#32c 1975)
songwriter
actress; model; interior decorator
md. to George Gradow (1979- )
see Barbi Benton

Acker Bilk (Bernard Stanley Bilk)

b. 1929 in Somerset, England
jazz musician, instrument: clarinet
"Acker's Away" (1960), "Only You (and You Alone)" (1962), "Stranger on the Shore" (#1 1962, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Above the Stars" (1962), "Soft Sands" (1962), "Babette" (1973), "Della" (1973), "Aria" (1976)
songwriter

Greg Cook

b. 1965 in Vian, OK
country singer (baritone/bass)
instruments: bass, trombone, sax
founding member of Ricochet (1993- ), "What Do I Know?" (#5c 1996), "Daddy's Money" (#1c 1996), "Love is Stronger Than Pride" (#9c 1996), "The Truth is, I Lied" (1996), "Don't Forget to Feed the Jukebox (While I'm Gone)" (1997), "The Girl Formerly Known As Mine" (1997), "Ease My Troubled Mind" (#20c 1997), "He Left a Lot to Be Desired" (#18c 1997), "Blink of an Eye" (#39c 1997), "Connected at the Heart" (#44c 1998), "Seven Bridges Road" (#48c 2000), "Do I Love You Enough?" (#45c 2000), "She's Gone" (#48c 2000), "Freedom isn't Free" (2001, he wrote)
songwriter
see Ricochet

Marty Fried

b. 1944 in Neptune, NJ
rock/folk musician, instrument: drums
founding member and lead singer of The Cyrkle (1966-68), "Red Rubber Ball" (#2 1966), "Turn Down Day" (#16 1966), "Please Don't Ever Leave Me" (#59 1966), "I Wish You Could Be Here" (#70 1967), "Turn of the Century" (1967)
attorney
served in the Coast Guard
see The Cyrkle on ClassicBands.com

Brian Keenan (Brian E. Keenan)

b. 1944/45 in New York, NY - d. Oct 1985 (heart attack)
soul/rock/pop musician, instrument: drums
with Manfred Mann (1963)
with The Chambers Brothers (1965-72), "Love Me Like the Rain" (1967), "Falling in Love" (1967), "Time Has Come Today" (#11 1968), "I Can't Turn You Loose" (#37 1968), "To Love Somebody" (1969), "Have a Little Faith" (1969)
see Manfred Mann on www.classicbands.com

Corky Laing (Laurence Gordon Laing)

b. 1948 in Montreal, Canada
rock musician, instrument: drums
"See Me Through" (1977), "Somebody Told Me" (1977)
founding member of Mountain (1969-72), "Mississippi Queen" (1970), "Nantucket Sleigh Ride" (1971)
Mountain performed at Woodstock
founding member of West, Bruce and Laing, "Why Dontcha?" (1972, he co-wrote), "While You Sleep" (1972, he co-wrote), "Backfire" (1973, he co-wrote), "Shifting Sand" (1973, he co-wrote), "November Song" (1973, he co-wrote)
songwriter

Sarah McLachlan (Sarah Ann McLachlan)

b. 1968 in Nova Scotia, Canada
folk/rock singer
instruments: piano, guitar
"Into the Fire" (#4 1991), "Possession" (#4 1993), "Good Enough" (#77 1994), "Building a Mystery" (#13 1997), "Adia" (#3 1998), "Angel" (#4 1999), "I Will Remember You" (#14 1999), "Fallen" (#41 2003), "World on Fire" (2004), "River" (#71 2006)
sessionist with Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Nicks, and others
songwriter
philanthropist
md. to drummer, Ashwin Sood (1997- )
see Sarah McLachlan

Bill Phillips (William Clarence Phillips)

b. 1936 in Canton, NC
country singer
instrument: guitar
"There's a Change in Me" (1958), "Walk with Me Baby" (1961), "I Can Stand it (As Long as She Can)" (#22c 1964), "The Company You Keep" (#8c 1966), "The Words I'm Gonna Have to Eat" (#10c 1967), "Let's Walk Away Strangers" (1967), "Love's Dead-End" (#25c 1968, he co-wrote), "Little Boy Sad" (#10c 1969), "I've Got a Wonderful Future Behind Me" (1970), "It's Only Over Now and Then" (#91c 1973), "You're Gonna Make a Cheater Out of Me" (#89c 1979)
duet with Mel Tillis, "Sawmill" (#27 1959)
duet with Dolly Parton, "Put if Off Until Tomorrow" (#6c 1966)
songwriter, wrote Webb Pierce's "Falling Back to You" (#10c 1958)
actor

Sam Phillips (Leslie Ann Phillips)

b. 1962 in Glendale, CA
folk/rock/Christian singer
instrument: guitar
recorded as Leslie Phillips, "Hourglass" (1983, she wrote), "Dancing with Danger" (1984, she wrote), "Black and White in a Grey World" (1985, she wrote), "The More I Know You" (1985, she wrote), "Answers Don't Come Easy" (1987), "No One But You" (1987, she wrote)
"I Don't Know How to Say Goodbye to You" (1988, she wrote), "Holding on to the Earth" (#22 1989), "Tripping Over Gravity" (1991, she wrote), "Private Storm" (1991, she wrote), "Fighting with Fire" (1994, she wrote), "Circle of Fire" (1994, she wrote), "Plastic is Forever" (1996, she wrote), "Your Hands" (1996, she wrote), "Where Are You Taking Me?" (1996, she wrote), "Say What You Mean" (2001, she co-wrote), "Taking Pictures" (2001, she wrote), "One Day Late" (2004, she wrote), "Reflecting Light" (2004, she wrote)
backup singer with Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill, and others
songwriter
actress
md. to T-Bone Burnett

Robert Wyatt (Robert Wyatt-Ellidge)

b. 1945 in Bristol, England
rock/jazz singer
instruments: drums, keyboards
"A Last Straw" (1974, he wrote), "I'm a Believer" (1974), "Sonia" (1977), "The Wind of Change" (1984), "The Sight of the Wind" (1997, he co-wrote), "Just a Bit" (2003, he wrote), "Raining in My Heart" (2003)
founding member of Soft Machine (1966-71), "Love Makes Sweet Music" (1968), "Joy of a Toy" (1968), "Why Are We Sleeping?" (1968)
founding member of The Wilde Flowers
songwriter
arranger
md. to Alfreda Benge
he was paralyzed from the waist down in 1973 as a result of falling of a third story window while drunk
quote by Robert Wyatt: "In theory, I'd like to work in a group. But the group I'd like to work in, all the musicians in them are long since dead."
see Robert Wyatt
see Soft Machine

Harlow Wilcox

b. 1943 in Norman, OK – d. 26 Aug 2002
country/novelty musician, instrument: guitar
with Harlow Wilcox and the Oakies, "Groovy Grubworm" (#30, #42c 1969, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Moose Trot" (1969), "Cripple Cricket" (1970), "That's Why I'm Walkin'" (1972), "Old Romeo" (1972)
session musician
songwriter

January 29

Chuck Blasko

b. 1943
pop singer (tenor)
founding member and second tenor of The Vogues (1964- ), "You're the One" (#4 1965), "Five O'Clock World" (#4 1965), "Golden Locket" (1965), "The Land of Milk and Honey" (#29 1966), "Magic Town" (#21 1966), "Don't Blame the Rain" (1966), "Turn Around Look at Me" (#7 1968), "My Special Angel" (#7 1968), "Till" (#27 1968), "No, Not Much" (#34 1969)
see The Vogues

Randy Fuller

b. 1944 in Hobbs, NM
rockabilly/pop singer
instrument: bass
"It's Love, Come What May" (1966), "Wolfman" (1966)
with The Bobby Fuller Four (1962-66), * "I Fought the Law" (#9 1965), "Little Annie Lou" (1965), "Never to Be Forgotten" (1965, he co-wrote), * "Love's Made a Fool of You" (#26 1966), "Don't Ever Let Me Know" (1966)
with The Randy Fuller Four (1966, after his brother's death), "The Things You Do" (1966), "Now She's Gone" (1966)
with The New Buffalo Springfield (1969-70)
session musician
songwriter
brother of Bobby Fuller

James Jamerson (James Lee Jamerson, Jr.)

b. 1936 in Charleston, SC - d. 2 Aug 1983 in Los Angeles, CA (cirrhosis of the liver complicated by pneumonia and heart failure)
soul/jazz/blues/pop musician, instrument: upright bass
with The San Remo Golden Strings (group of session musicians), "Hungry for Love" (#27 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "I'm Satisfied" (#89 1965), "Joy Road" (1967), "Lonely One" (1967)
The San Remo Golden Strings backing Edwin Starr, "Agent Double-O Soul" (#21 1965)
session musician on John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom" (#60 1962); The Capitols' "Cool Jerk" (#7 1966); Jackie Wilson's "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" (#6 1967), "Show and Tell" (#1 1973); The Sylvers' "Boogie Fever" (#1 1975); Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.'s "You Don't Have to Be a Star (to Be in My Show)" (#1 1976); and with The Platters, Marvin Gaye, and others
md. to Annie Wells
see The San Remo Golden Strings

Bill Kirchen

b. 1948 in Ann Arbor, MI
rockabilly/western swing/country/rock singer, whistler
instruments: guitar, banjo, trombone
"Tombstone Every Mile" (1994), "Have Love, Will Travel" (1996), "I Heard the Highway" (1996), "Big Hat, No Cattle" (1999), "Dream World" (1999), "Tied to the Wheel" (2001), "Tryin' to Turn Her Memory Off" (2001), "Get a Little Goner" (2006), "Truth Be Told" (2006), "If it's Really Got to Be This Way" (2006)
founding member of Too Much Fun (1986- )
with The Moonlighters, "Midnight in Memphis" (1977), "Lady of Light" (1977), "Home in San Antone" (1977)
founding member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen (1967-76), "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)
songwriter
see Commander Cody

Gene 'Tagg' Lambert (Eugene Lambert)

b. 1943 in Eckman, WV - d. 9 Jun 1981 in Turkey, TX (shot himself)
western swing singer
instrument: electric guitar
with The Texas Playboys (1962-69), "I'll See You to the Door" (1965), "Footsteps to Nowhere" (1966), "Born to Love You" (1968), "It's a Good World" (1969)
see The Texas Playboys

Bettye LaVette (Betty Haskins)

b. 1946 in Muskegon, MI (grew up in Detroit, MI)
soul/rock/country singer
"My Man, He's a Lovin' Man" (1962), "You Killed the Love" (1963), "Only Your Love Can Save Me" (1965), "Tears in Vain" (1966), "Ticket to the Moon" (1969), "Games People Play" (1970), "Stormy" (1971), "Your Turn to Cry" (1973), "Doin' the Best I Can" (1978), "Right in the Middle (of Falling in Love)" (1980), "Before I Even Knew Your Name" (1980), "Our Own Love Song" (2000), "Serves Him Right" (2003), "Only Time Will Tell" (2005), "Just Say So" (2005)
duets with Hank Ballard, "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go" (1970), "Hello, Sunshine" (1970)

Irlene Mandrell (Ellen Irlene Mandrell)

b. 1956/57 in Corpus Christi, TX or Houston or CA
country singer
instruments: drums, autoharp, vibes
model; actress; comedian
race car driver
spokesperson for the National Wild Turkey Federation's 'Women in the Outdoors' program
organizer of a shoot that raises money for seriously ill children; humanitarian
sister of Barbara and Louise Mandrell
md. to Ric Boyer; md. to Rob Pincus (1994- )

Lloyd Perryman (Lloyd Wilson Perryman)

b. 1917 in Ruth, AR – d. 31 May 1977
country singer (tenor)
instrument: rhythm guitar
with The Beverly Hill Billies, "When the Bloom is on the Sage" (1930)
with Sons of the Pioneers (1936-44, 1946-77), "Let Me Keep My Memories" (1943), "No One to Cry to" (#6c 1946), "Home in Oklahoma" (1946), "Baby Doll" (#5c 1947), "Teardrops in My Heart" (#4c 1947, #7c 1948), "Cool Water" (#4c 1947, #7c 1948), "The Everlasting Hills of Oklahoma" (1947), "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (#11c 1948), "Room Full of Roses" (#26, #10c 1949), "The Timber Trail" (1949), "Santa Fe, New Mexico" (1949), "Wagons West" (1950), "Little White Cross" (1950), "Echoes from the Hills" (1951), "If You Would Only Be Mine" (1954), "The Tennessee Rock and Roll" (1955), "A Fiddle, a Rifle, an Axe and a Bible" (1958), "Blue Shadows on the Trail" (1959), "Riders in the Sky" (1959), "San Antonio Rose" (1968), "I'll Hold You in My Heart" (1968), "Pretty Painted Ladies" (1976)
The Sons of the Pioneers and Rex Allen, Jr., "Can You Hear Those Pioneers?" (#17c 1976)
the Sons of the Pioneers backing Roy Rogers, "Blue Shadows on the Trail" (#6c 1948), "That Palomino Pal of Mine" (1949), "Stampede" (#8c 1950)
see The Sons of the Pioneers on CMT.com
see The Sons of the Pioneers
served in the Army in WWII (1944-46)

Ivo Robic

b. 1923 in Croatia - d. 9 Mar 2000
"Morgen (Tomorrow)" (#13 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Muli-Song" (1960), "Endless" (1960), "Ein Ganzes Leben Lang (I Can't Stop Loving You)" (1962)
songwriter, wrote Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night" (#1 1966)

Bobby Scott (Robert William Scott)

b. 1937 in the Bronx, NY - d. 5 Nov 1990 in Mt. Pleasant, NY (lung cancer)
jazz/R&B singer
instruments: piano, vibraphone, accordion, bass, cello, clarinet
"Chain Gang" (#13 1956, One-Hit Wonder), "Roses in the Rain" (1960)
founding member of Bobby Scott and His Trio, "Nature Boy" (1989), "That Sunday, That Summer" (1989)
session musician with Gene Krupa, Quincy Jones, Paul Simon, and others
songwriter
music producer, arranger
see Bobby Scott

Don Shirley (Don Walbridge Shirley)

b. 1927 in Kingston, Jamaica
jazz/pop musician, instrument: piano
"Walkin' by the River" (1956), "The Lonesome Road" (1961), "Drown in My Own Tears" (#100 1962), "If I Had a Hammer" (1964)
founding member of The Don Shirley Trio, "Water Boy" (#40 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "This Nearly Was Mine" (1961), "Freedom" (1961, he wrote)
songwriter
arranger

Patsy Sledd (Patricia Randolph)

b. 1944 in Falcon, MO
country singer
instruments: piano, guitar, dobro, autoharp
"Nothing Can Stop Me Loving You" (#68c 1972), "Don't Fight the Feeling" (1973), "Yours Sincerely" (1973), "We Gotta Lotta Love" (1973), "Chip Chip" (#33c 1974), "Stayin' Home Woman" (1974), "The Cowboy and the Lady" (#90c 1976), "Don't Stay if You Don't Love Me" (#79c 1987)
songwriter

Al Stricklin (Alton Meeks Stricklin)

b. 1908 in Antioch, TX - d. 15 Oct 1986 in Cleburne, TX
western swing/jazz musician, instrument: piano
with The Texans, "Green Grass of Texas" (1961)
with The Rio Grande Serenaders
with The Texas Playboys (1935-42, and reunions), "San Antonio Rose" (1938), "Maiden's Prayer" (1938), "New San Antonio Rose" (#11c 1940), "Time Changes Everything" (1940), "Ida Red" (1940), "Take Me Back to Tulsa" (1941), "Cherokee Maiden" (1942), "You're from Texas" (1942)
with Bob Wills Original Playboys
session musician with The High Flyers, and others
see The Texas Playboys

Johnny Wakely

b. 1944 in Hollywood, CA - d. 22 Dec 2001 (liver cancer)
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"She Touched My Life" (1979), "Last Hour on Death Row" (1979)
sessionist with Glen Campbell, Bobbie Gentry, and others
son of Jimmy Wakely

January 30

Marty Balin (Martyn Jerel Buchwald)

b. 1942 in Cincinnati, OH (grew up in San Francisco, CA)
rock/pop/folk singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"You Made Me Fall" (1962), "Hearts" (#8 1981), "Atlanta Lady (Something About You I Love)" (#27 1981), "Lydia" (1981), "Will You Forever?" (1983), "What Love is" (#63 1983)
founding member of Jefferson Airplane (1965-70, and reunions), "It's No Secret" (1966, he wrote), "Bringing Me Down" (1966), "Somebody to Love" (#5 1967), "White Rabbit" (#8 1967), "Today" (1967, he wrote), "Watch Her Ride" (1967), "Volunteers" (#65 1969, he wrote)
Jefferson Airplane performed at Woodstock
with Jefferson Starship (1975-78), "Miracles" (#3 1975), "With Your Love" (#12 1976), "Don't Let it Rain" (1976), "Runaway" (#12 1978), "Count on Me" (#8 1978)
with the KBC Band (1984- )
with The Town Criers (1964-65)
with The Gateway Singers, "Ridin' Home" (1959)
songwriter
painter, sculptor, dancer
md. to Karen Deal
see Jefferson Airplane

Tammy Cochran

b. 1972 in Austinburg, OH
country singer
If You Can" (#41c 2000), "So What" (#51c 2000), "Angels in Waiting" (#73, #9c 2001, she co-wrote about her two brothers who died of cystic fibrosis), * "I Cry" (#18c 2001), "Life Happened" (#20c 2002), "Love Won't Let Me" (#31c 2002), "Nobody's Home" (2007, she wrote), "Chemistry" (2007), "As Soon As I'm Over You" (2007), "The Ride of Your Life" (2007)
songwriter

Melvin Endsley

b. 1934 near Heber Springs, AR - d. 16 Aug 2004 in Drasco, AR
country singer
instrument: guitar
"I Like Your Kind of Love" (1957, he wrote), "Lonely All Over Again" (1957, he wrote), "I'd Just Be Fool Enough (to Fall)" (1958, he wrote), "Can I Say Something?" (1959, he wrote), "You Make it Sound So Easy" (1960, he wrote), "The Search" (1960), "Started Out a Walkin'" (1961), "To Have My Baby Back" (1965)
songwriter, wrote Marty Robbins' "Singin' the Blues" (#1c 1956, also #1 1956 for Guy Mitchell); Stonewall Jackson's "Why I'm Walkin'" (#6c 1960)
he was in a wheel chair because of having polio at age three

Horst Jankowski (aka Jacob)

b. 1936 in Berlin, Germany - d. 29 Jun 1998 in Bonn, Germany (lung cancer)
jazz/pop musician, instrument: piano
"A Walk in the Black Forest" (#12 1965, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" (1966), "Canadian Sunset" (1966), "And We Got Love" (1967), "Preacher Man's Daughter" (1970), "A Dance to Summer" (1970)
orchestra leader
songwriter
see Horst Jankowski on Space Age Pop

Norma Jean (Norma Jean Beasler aka Pretty Miss Norma Jean)

b. 1938 near Wellston, OK
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Let's Go All the Way" (#11c 1964), "I'm a Walking Advertisement (For the Blue)" (#32c 1964), "Put Your Arms Around Her" (#25c 1964), "Go Cat Go" (#8c 1964), "I Cried All the Way to the Bank" (#21c 1965), "I Wouldn't Buy a Used Car from Him" (#8 1965), "You're Drivin' Me Out of My Mind" (#41c 1965), "Then Go Home to Her" (#48c 1965), "The Shirt" (#28c 1966), "Pursuing Happiness" (#28c 1966), "Don't Let the Doorknob Hit You" (#24c 1966), "Heaven Help the Working Girl" (#18c 1967), "Your Alibi Called Today" (1967), "You Changed Everything About Me But My Name" (#35c 1968), "Dusty Road" (#44c 1969), "The Kind of Needin' I Need" (#42c 1971)
duet with Claude Gray, "Let's Go All the Way" (#68c 1982)
with Liz Anderson and Bobby Bare, "The Game of Triangles" (#5c 1966)
md. 1st to Jody Taylor (1967- ); md. 2nd to country musician, George Riddle; md. 3rd to Al Martin
see Pretty Miss Norma Jean

Rome Johnson

b. 1916 in Winchester, KY - d. 3 Jan 1993
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Look to the Sea" (1949), "Foolish Me for Loving You" (1949, he wrote), "Truck Driver Blues" (1957), "Wild Desire" (1957)
with Sons of the Pioneers (1977-80, replaced Lloyd Perryman)
songwriter
md. 1st to Imogene Walton (1937-70)
see The Sons of the Pioneers on CMT.com
see The Sons of the Pioneers

Doug Kahan (aka Flash Kahan)

b. 1956 in Detroit, MI
country/rock singer
instruments: bass, piano, guitar
with The Gibson/Miller Band (1994- ), "Red, White and Blue Collar" (#59c 1994), "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys" (#49c 1994), "All Because of You" (1994), "Sudden Stop" (1994)
with Tilt
founding member of DC Drive
session musician with Paul Thorn, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Trick Pony's "On a Night Like This" (#47, #4c 2001)
see The Gibson/Miller Band on WikipediA

William King (William A. King)

b. 1949 in AL or FL
soul/R&B musician, instrument: trumpet
founding member of The Commodores (1968- ), "Machine Gun" (#22 1974), "Slippery When Wet" (#19 1975), "Sweet Love" (#5 1976), "Just to Be Close to You" (#7 1976), "Brick House" (#5 1977, he co-wrote), "Fancy Dancer" (#39 1977), "Easy" (#4 1977), * "Three Times a Lady" (#1 1978), "Still" (#1 1979), "Sail on" (#4 1979), "Heroes" (#54 1980), "Lady" (#8 1981, he co-wrote), "Oh No" (#4 1981), "Night Shift" (#3 1985)
songwriter
dancer; choreographer
see The Commodores

Marty Lott (Jerry Lottis aka 'The Phantom')

b. 1938 in Pritchard, AL (grew up in Leaksville, MS) - d. 4 Sep 1983 in Vernal, MS
rockabilly/country singer
"Love Me" (1960, he wrote), "Whisper Your Love" (1960)
songwriter
served in the Navy (1956-58)
severe injuries in an auto accident in 1966 ended his career

Steve Marriott

b. 1947 in London, England – d. 20 Apr 1991 in England (house fire)
rock singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica
"Late Night Lady" (1975, he wrote), "Early Evening Light" (1975, he wrote), "I Won't Let You Down" (1991, he co-wrote)
lead of Small Faces (1965-69), "I Can't Dance With You" (1966), "Itchycoo Park" (#16 1967, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Tin Soldier" (#73 1967), "I'm Only Dreaming" (1967), "Lazy Sunday" (1968)
founding member of Humble Pie (1969-75), "Natural Born Boogie" (1969), "I'll Go Alone" (1969)
songwriter
actor
the house fire started after he fell asleep with a lighted cigarette while intoxicated
see The Small Faces

Billy Mitchell (William Joseph Mitchell, Jr.)

b. 1931 in Washington, DC – d. 2002 in Washington, DC (colon cancer and stroke)
pop/R&B singer (tenor)
"Verna Lee" (1951), "Someday You'll Be Sorry" (1952), "Short Skirts" (1961)
lead singer of The Clovers (1954-61), "I've Got My Eyes on You" (1954), "In the Morning Time" (1955), "Love, Love, Love" (#30 1956), * "Love Potion #9" (#23 1959), "Wrapped up in a Dream" (1961)
worked in a hospital stock room after he left music

Jeanne Pruett (Norma Jean Bowman)

b. 1937 in Pell City, AL
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Count Me Out" (1963, she wrote), "Sing Me a Song I Can Cry By" (1963), "Love Me" (#34c 1972, she wrote), "I'm Your Woman" (#8c 1973), "Satin Sheets" (#28, #1c 1973), "You Don't Need to Move a Mountain" (#15c 1974), "Welcome to the Sunshine (Sweet Baby Jane)" (#22c 1974), "A Poor Man's Woman" (#24c 1975), "I'm Livin' a Lie" (#30 1977), "Back to Back" (#6c 1980, she co-wrote), "It's Too Late" (#9c 1980), "Temporarily Yours" (#5c 1980)
songwriter
md. to guitarist, Jack Pruett
see Jeanne Pruett on Wikipedia

Jackie Ross

b. 1946 in St. Louis, MO
soul singer
"Hard Times" (1962), "Selfish One" (#11 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "I've Got the Skill" (1964), "(I Wanna Hear it) from You" (1964), "Take Me for a Little While" (1965), "Keep Your Chin Up" (1967)

Norma Tanega

b. 1939 in Vallejo, CA
folk/pop singer
instrument: guitar, drums
"Walking My Cat Named Dog" (#22 1966, One-Hit Wonder, she wrote), "I'm the Sky" (1966), "No Stranger Am I" (1966, she wrote), "Treat Me Right" (1966, she wrote), "A Street That Rhymes at 6 a.m." (1966), "I Don't Think it Will Hurt" (1977)
with Hybrid Vigor
songwriter
see Norma Tanega on Oldies.com

Joe Terranova (Joseph Terranova)

b. 1941 in Philadelphia, PA
rock/doo-wop singer (baritone/bass)
founding member of Danny and the Juniors (1955- ) * "At the Hop" (#1 1958), "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay" (#19 1958), "Dottie" (1958), "Sassy Fran" (1958), "Somehow I Can't Forget" (1959), "Twistin' USA" (#27 1960), "Daydreamer" (1961), "Some Kind of Nut" (1961), "Your Hair's Too Long" (1961), "Twistin' All Night Long" (#68 1962), "Doin' the Continental Walk" (1962)
see Danny and the Juniors

Paul Tesluk

b. 1941
rock musician, instrument: Hammond organ
founding member of Johnny and the Hurricanes (1959-61), "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)

Frank Weir

b. 1911 in England - d. 12 May 1981
jazz musician, instruments: alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet
lead of Frank Weir and His Orchestra, "The Happy Wanderer" (#4 1954), "Caribbean Honeymoon" (1960)

January 31

Sandy Deane (Sandy Yaguda)

b. 1940/43 (maybe Jan 30) in New York, NY
pop/rock singer
with Jay and the Americans (1961- ), "She Cried" (#5 1962), "Only in America" (#25 1963), "Come a Little Bit Closer" (#3 1964), "Cara Mia" (#4 1965), "Let's Lock the Door (and Throw Away the Key)" (#11 1965), "Livin' Above Your Head" (1966), "Some Enchanted Evening" (#13 1965), "Crying" (#25 1966), "Sunday and Me" (#18 1965), "This Magic Moment" (#6 1968), "Walkin' in the Rain" (#19 1969)
see Jay and the Americans

Bryan Hutchens

b. 19?? in Sandy Ridge, NC
country/rock singer
founding member of The Hutchens, "Even Fools Get Lucky Sometimes" (1995), "Knock, Knock" (#56c 1995), "That Train Don't Stop Here Anymore" (1995), "She Just Wants to Dance" (1995), "I'd Know" (1995)

Marvin Junior

b. 1936 in Harrell, AR
rock/R&B singer (baritone)
founding member and lead baritone of The Dells (1952- ), "Oh What a Nite" (#4 1956), "There is" (#20 1967), "Stay in My Corner" (#10 1968), "Oh, What a Night" (#10 1969 remake), "Love is Blue" (#22 1969), "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" (#30 1971)
The Dells backing Barbara Lewis, "Hello, Stranger" (#3 1963)
backup for Dinah Washington (1961-62)
see The Dells

Terry Kath (Terence Alan Kath)

b. 1946 in Chicago, IL – d. 23 Jan 1978 in Woodland Hills, CA (accidentally shot himself)
rock singer
instruments: lead and rhythm guitar, banjo, bass, drums
founding member of Chicago (1969-78), "Introduction" (1969, he wrote), "In the Country" (1970, he wrote), "25 or 6 to 4" (#4 1970), "Memories of Love" (1970, he wrote), "Color My World" (1970), "Make Me Smile" (#9 1970), "I Don't Want Your Money" (1971, he wrote), "I'm a Man" (#49 1971, he wrote), "Questions 67 and 68" (#24 1971), "Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is?" (#7 1971), "Beginnings" (#7 1971), "Saturday in the Park" (#3 1972), "Just You 'N' Me" (#4 1973), "Call on Me" (#6 1974), "Old Days" (#5 1975), "Till We Meet Again" (1975, he wrote), "If You Leave Me Now" (#1 1976), "Hope for Love" (1976, he wrote), "Scrapbook" (1976), "Baby, What a Big Surprise" (#4 1977), "Little One" (1977), "Mississippi Delta City Blues" (1977, he wrote)
songwriter
md. to Camelia Ortiz (1974- )
see Chicago

Mario Lanza (Alfredo Arnold Cocozza)

b. 1921 in Philadelphia, PA – d. 7 Oct 1959
opera/pop singer (tenor)
"Be My Love" (#1 1951), "Loveliest Night of the Year" (1951), "Serenade" (1956), "My Destiny" (1956), "A Night to Remember" (1957), "Love Me Tonight" (1959)
actor
served in the Army Air Corps during WWII
see Lanza Legend

Scotte Lester (Scotte Dale Lester)

b. 1964 in Stillwater, OK
country/rock singer
instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar
founding member, singer and rhythm guitarist of Great Divide (1992- ), "Rather Have Nothin'" (1995), "Pour Me a Vacation" (#59c 1998), "Never Could" (#74c 1998), "Yesterday Road" (1999), "Ain't about to Fall" (2000), "Lost in the Night" (2002), "If Not for You" (2002), "Just Another Day" (2005), "Love and Gasoline" (2005), "Spanning Time" (2006)
served in the Marines (1983-87)

Lynwood Lunsford

b. 1962 in Roxboro, NC
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: banjo, guitar
"Leaving Town" (1999), "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" (1999), "Kansas City Railroad Blues" (1999)
with Lost and Found (1991- )
founding member of The Misty Mountain Boys (2000- )
with Sand Mountain, "Molly Rose" (2000, he wrote)
songwriter
see Lynwood Lunsford and the Misty Mountain Boys

Stephen Parker (Stephen Phillip Parker)

b. 1970 in Fresno, CA
country/rock singer
with South Sixty-Five, "Baby's Got My Number" (#60c 1998), "Love Will Last" (1998), "No Easy Goodbye" (#56c 1999), "A Random Act of Senseless Kindness" (#55c 1999), "Even if" (2001), "All I Ever Did" (2001), "I Swear to You" (2001)
brother of Brent Parker
see South Sixty-Five on CMT.com

Gamble Rogers (James Gamble Rogers IV)

b. 1937 in Winter Park, FL - d. 10 Oct 1991 (drowned)
folk singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
"Doris" (1977), "Kissing is a Crime" (1980), "Still Bill Trades His Dawg" (1986), "Hard Times Don't Scare Me None" (1986, he wrote), "Airstream Trailer Orgy" (1986, he wrote), "Dogs and Dawgs" (1996), "The Terminal Tavern" (1996), "Goodbye, My Bluebelle" (1999), "Six White Horses" (1999)
with The Serendipity Singers for two years (19??- )
songwriter
author; artist
he died saving a stranger from drowning
see Gamble Rogers on CMT.com

Bobby Lee Trammell

b. 1934 in Jonesboro, AR - d. 20 Feb 2008 in Jonesboro, AR
country/rockabilly/rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"Shirley Lee" (1958, he wrote), "I Sure Do Love You, Baby" (1958, he wrote), "You Mostest Girl" (1958), "My Susie Jane" (1958), "Been a Walking" (1960), "Arkansas Twist" (1962), "I Tried Not to Care" (1962), "Don't You Know (I Love You)" (1964), "New Dance in France" (1964), "Come on and Love Me" (1964), "Long Tall Sally" (1965), "Shimmy Lou" (1966), "24 Hours a Day" (1970), "You Were Worth the Wait" (1971), "Love isn't Love (Till You Give it Away)" (#52c 1972), "Marion County Traditions" (1974), "Jenny Lee" (1977)
songwriter
served in the AR House of Representatives (1997- )

Adrian Vandenberg (Adje Vandenberg)

b. 1954 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
rock musician, instruments: guitar, keyboards
founding member of Whitesnake (1987-88, 1990-97, he was out with a hand injury in 1989), "Is This Love?" (#2 1987), "Still of the Night" (#79 1987), "Here I Go Again" (#1 1987), "Crying in the Rain" (1987), "Give Me All Your Love" (#48 1988), "The Deeper the Love" (#28 1990, he co-wrote), "Sweet Lady Luck" (1994)
founding member of Vandenberg, "Burning Heart" (#39 1983), "Friday Night" (1983)
songwriter
see Whitesnake

Chuck Willis (Harold Willis)

b. 1928 Atlanta, GA – d. 10 Apr 1958 in Atlanta, GA (peritonitis after surgery)
R&B/blues/rock singer
"Loud-Mouth Lucy" (1952), "My Story" (1952), "Don't Deceive Me" (1953, he wrote), "You're Still My Baby" (1954), "C.C. Rider" (#12 1957), "Keep-a-Driving" (1958), "What Am I Living For?" (#9 1958), "Hang up My Rock and Roll Shoes" (#24 1958)
songwriter, wrote Ruth Brown's "Oh, What a Dream" (1954)

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