December Birthdays

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December 1

Eric Bloom

b. 1944 in Brooklyn, NY (grew up in Queens, NY)
rock singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards, piano
founding member of Blue Öyster Cult (1970- ), "Hot Rails to Hell" (1973), "(Don't Fear) the Reaper" (#12 1976), "Burnin' for You" (1981), "Take Me Away" (1983), "Dancing in the Ruins" (1985)
songwriter
supporter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation
see Blue Öyster Cult
see Eric Bloom on Wikipedia

Jim Chestnut

b. 1944 in Midland, TX
country/folk singer
instruments: guitar, bass, piano
"About to Be a Woman" (1968), "What Got in the Way?" (1977), "Let Me Love You Now" (1977), "Get Back to Loving Me" (1978, he wrote), "Wrong Side of the Rainbow" (1978), "Show Me a Sign" (1978, he wrote), "Just Let Me Make Believe" (1979), "Dark-Eyed Lady" (1981)
songwriter
see Jim Chestnut

Rich Dangel (Richard Dangel)

b. 1942 - d. 2 Dec 2002 in Tacoma, WA (aneurysm)
rock/blues musician, instrument: lead guitar
founding member of The Wailers (1958-64, and reunions), "Tall Cool One" (#36 1959, #38 1964, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Mau Mau" (#68 1959), "Wailin'" (1960), "You Better Believe it" (1964), "Hang Up" (1964)
founding member of Floating Bridge (1968-70)
founding member of The Reputations
session musician
songwriter

John Densmore (John Paul Densmore)

b. 1944/45 in Los Angeles, CA
rock/blues/jazz instruments: drums, bass, piano, keyboards, tympani
founding member and drummer of The Doors (1965-73), "Light My Fire" (#1 1967), "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), "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."
session musician
songwriter
dancer
he is left-handed but uses a right-handed drum setup
see The Doors
see John Densmore

Darryl Ellis (Darryl Gatlin)

b. 1964 in Norfolk, VA (grew up in Beaver Falls, PA)
country singer
founding member of The Ellis Brothers (1992- ), "Goodbye Highway" (#70c 1992), "Those Letters" (1992), "No Sir" (#58c 1992), "It's Bigger Than Both of Us" (1992), "Goodbye Eyes" (1994), "Kentucky Woman" (1994), "Ten Minutes Till" (1994)
brother of Don Ellis

Dianne Lennon

b. 1939 in Los Angeles, CA
pop singer
founding member of The Lennon Sisters (1955-60, 1964-2001), "Tonight You Belong to Me" (#15 1956, with Lawrence Welk's orchestra), "Shake Me I Rattle" (1957), "Graduation Dance" (1958), "Slumber Party" (1959), "Hundred and One in the Sun" (1959), "I Walked with the Wind" (1960), "Little Lady Make Believe" (1964), "I'm Coming Back to You" (1969), "I'm So Glad That You Found Me" (1968)
The Lennon Sisters and Larry Dean, "Bubble Gum" (1958)
older sister of Kathy, Peggy and Janet Lennon
md. to Dick Gass (1960- )

Bette Midler (Bette Davis Midler)

b. 1945 in Honolulu, HI (grew up in Aiea, HI)
pop singer
"Do You Want to Dance?" (#17 1972), "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (#8 1973), "Strangers in the Night" (1976), "You're Moving Out Today" (#42 1977), "Married Men" (#40 1979), "My Knight in Black Leather" (1979), * "The Rose" (#3 1980), "Favorite Waste of Time" (#78 1983), * "(You Are) the Wind Beneath My Wings" (#1 1989), "From a Distance" (#2 1990), "Miss Otis Regrets" (1990), "Moonlight Dancing" (1991), "Every Road Leads Back to You" (#78 1991), "I Know This Town" (1995), "The Perfect Kiss" (1995), "My One True Friend" (1998), "The Color of Roses" (2000), "In These Shoes?" (2000), "Something Your Heart Has Been Telling Me" (2008)
actress; comedian
md. to Martin von Haselberg (1984- )
see Bette Midler

Matt Monro (Terence Edward Parsons)

b. 1930 in London, England - d. 7 Feb 1985 in England (liver cancer)
pop singer
"I'll Know Her" (1960), "My Kind of Girl" (#18 1961), "Softly As I Leave You" (#16 1962), "Here and Now" (1963), "Walk Away" (#23 1964), "I Love the Little Things" (1964), "My Best Girl" (1966), "Only the Night Wind Knows" (1967), "The Lady Smiles" (1967), "When Joanna Loved Me" (1969), "If There Ever is a Next Time" (1970), "Just a Heartbreak Ago" (1970), "Curiouser and Curiouser" (1972), "The Me I Never Knew" (1972), "Sarah's Coming Home" (1972), "Only Friends" (1972), "All the Wishing in the World" (1975)
md. 2nd to Mickie Schuller (1959-85, his death)
see Matt Monro

Jerry Murad (Jerry Muradian)

b. 1919 in Turkey (grew up in the U.S.) – d. 11 May 1996 in OH
pop musician, instrument: lead harmonica
backed by the Richard Hyman Orchestra, "The Story of Three Loves" (#14 1953)
founding member of The Harmonicats (1944-96), "Peg O' My Heart" (#1 1947), "Hair of Gold, Eyes of Blue" (#22 1948), "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" (1958), "Pink Dresden Doll" (1958), "The Wooden Soldier and the China Doll" (1958), "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" (1960), "You Tell Me Your Dream (I'll Tell You Mine)" (1960), "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" (1961), "Orchids in the Moonlight" (1961), "Tea for Two" (1962), "Valencia" (1963), "Linden Trees" (1963), "Get Off of My Cloud" (1966)
The Harmonicats backing Jerry Byrd "Harbor Lights" (#19 1950)
The Harmonicats backing Jan August "Bewitched" (#8 1950)

Sandy Nelson (Sander L. Nelson)

b. 1938 in Santa Monica, CA
rock singer
instrument: drums
"Teen Beat" (#4 1959), "Cool Operator" (1960), "Let There Be Drums" (#7 1961), "Quite a Beat" (1961), "Drums Are My Beat" (#29 1962), "Drummin' Up a Storm" (1962), "Chicka Boom" (1962), "And Then There Were Drums" (1962), "You Name it" (1963), "Drum Stuff" (1964), "Kitty's Theme" (1965), "Words of Love" (1967), "Leap Frog" (1969), "Lion in Winter" (1969)
session drummer on The Hollywood Argyles' "Alley-oop" (#1 1960); The Teddy Bears "To Know Him is to Love Him" (#1 1958); Kathy Young's "A Thousand Stars" (#3 1960); and with Gene Vincent, and others
songwriter
he lost his foot in a motorcycle accident in 1963

Jim Nesbitt

b. 1931 near Bishopville, SC - d. 29 Nov 2007 in Florence, SC (congestive heart failure)
country/pop/novelty singer
instrument: guitar
"Please, Mr. Kennedy" (#1, #11c 1961, he wrote), "New Frontier" (#11 1962), "Livin' Offa Credit" (#28c 1963), "Lookin' for More in '64" (#11, #7c 1964, he wrote), "A Tiger in My Tank" (#8, #15c 1965, he wrote), "The Friendly Undertaker" (#21c 1965, he wrote), "She Didn't Come Home" (1966, he wrote), "I Ain't Never Been Passed" (1968, he wrote), "Truck-Drivin' Cat With Nine Wives" (#63c 1968, he wrote), "Intoxicated, Frustrated Me" (1969), "Pollution" (1970, he wrote), "Runnin' Bare" (#20c 1970, he wrote)
songwriter
DJ; comedian

Billy Paul (Paul Williams)

b. 1934 in Philadelphia, PA
soul singer
"That's Why I Dream" (1952), "Traces" (1970), "I Wish it Were Yesterday" (1971), "Me and Mrs. Jones" (#1 1972), "Thanks for Saving My Life" (#37 1974), "Malorie" (1975), "Word Sure Gets Around" (1976), "So Glad to See You Again" (1979), "Treasure of My Life" (1979)
served in the military

Lou Rawls (Louis Allen Rawls)

b. 1933 in Chicago, IL - d. 6 Jan 2006 (lung and brain cancer)
soul/jazz/blues singer
"Just Thought You'd Like to Know" (1960), "Walkin' (for Miles)" (1960), "When We Get Old" (1961), "Trust Me" (1962), "Three O'Clock in the Morning" (1965), "Nothing Really Feels the Same" (1965), "Love is a Hurtin' Thing" (#13 1966), "Dead-End Street" (#29 1967), "My Ancestors" (1968), "Your Good Thing (is about to End)" (#18 1969), "Sweet Charity" (1969), "A Natural Man" (#17 1971), "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" (#2 1976), "Lady Love" (#24 1978)
backup singer on Sam Cooke's "Bring it on Home to Me" (#13 1962); and with others
songwriter
actor
Army paratrooper

Kim Richey

b. 1956 in Kettering, OH
country/folk/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Just My Luck" (#47c 1995, she co-wrote), "Those Words We Said" (#59c 1995, she co-wrote), "From Where I Stand" (#66c 1996, she co-wrote), "Straight As the Crow Flies" (1997), "The Way it Never Was" (1999), "A Long Way Back" (1999), "A Girl in a Car" (2002), "Jack and Jill" (2007)
songwriter, co-wrote Trisha Yearwood's "Believe Me, Baby (I Lied)" (#1c 1995); Radney Foster's "Nobody Wins" (#2c 1993); Mindy McCready's "You'll Never Know" (#19c 1998)
see Kim Richey

James Uzzell

b. 1940 in La Grange, NC
doo-wop/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)
brother of Moses and Jay Uzzell, cousin of George Wooten

Casey Van Beek

b. 1942 in Tulsa, OK
country/rock singer
instrument: bass
founding member and lead 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)
see The Tractors

Slim Willet (Winston Lee Moore aka Telli W. Mils, the Fat Cat)

b. 1919 in Victor, TX (grew up in Clyde, TX) - d. 1 Jul 1966 (heart attack)
country singer
"Tool-Pusher" (1950, he wrote), "Ain't Goin' Home" (1957), "Pandemonium" (1957, he co-wrote), "Crazy, Crazy (Over You)" (1957, he co-wrote), "Off-Shore Drilling Rig" (1959, he wrote), "Drill Bit Honky-Tonk" (1959, he wrote), "Sneaky Pete" (1959, he co-wrote), "Name Your Price" (1959), "You Played Me for a Fool" (1959, he wrote), "You're the Only Woman" (1966)
backed by his band The Hired Hands, "Let Me Know" (1953, he wrote), "My Love Song to You" (1953)
duet with Skeets McDonald, "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" (#1c 1952, he wrote)
songwriter, wrote Perry Como's "Don't Let the Stars Get in You Eyes" (#1 1953)
music producer; DJ
served in the Army during WWII
md. to Jimmie Crenshaw (1938- )

December 2

Danielle Alexander

b. 1954 in Fort Worth, TX
country musician, instrument: piano
"Who Can She Turn To?" (1982), "I Dream in Color" (1982), "Bridge to Yesterday" (1982), "How Dreams Get Started" (1982, she wrote), "She's There" (#19c 1989, she wrote), "Where Did the Moon Go Wrong?" (#53c 1989, she co-wrote)
duet with Butch Baker, "It Wasn't You, it Wasn't Me" (#56c 1991, she co-wrote)
songwriter
realtor

Ted Bluechel, Jr.

b. 1942 in San Pedro, CA
pop/rock singer
instruments: drums, percussions, guitar
founding member of The Association (1964-84), "Along Comes Mary" (#7 1966), * "Cherish" (#1 1966), "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies" (#35 1966), "No Fair at All" (#51 1966), "Looking Glass" (1966), * "Windy" (#1 1967), * "Never, My Love" (#2 1967), "Everything That Touches You" (#10 1968), "Time for Livin'" (#39 1968), "Birthday Morning" (1968), "Under Branches" (1969), "Yes, I Will" (1969), "Just about the Same" (1969), "That's Racin'" (1971), "Darling, Be Home Soon" (1972), "Names, Tags, Numbers and Labels" (#81 1973), "Dreamer" (#66 1981)
songwriter
see The Association on Wikipedia

Joe Henry

b. 1960
country/jazz/folk singer
instruments: guitar, bass, organ
"Friend of a Friend" (1986), "Dance Lesson" (1986), "This Close to You" (1993), "One Day When the Weather is Warm" (1993), "Friend to You" (1994), "Stranger" (1994), "Beautiful Hat" (1999, he wrote), "We'll Meet Again" (1999, he wrote), "Loves You Madly" (2003, he wrote), "Tiny Voices" (2003, he wrote), "Civilians" (2007), "God Only Knows" (2007), "Love is Enough" (2007)
songwriter
music producer
md. to Melanie Ciccone (sister of Madonna)
see Joe Henry

Valerie Holiday

b. 19?? in Newark, NJ (grew up in Dorchester, MA)
soul singer
lead singer with The Three Degrees (1967- ), "Warm Weather Music" (1969), "I Do Take You" (#48 1970), "The Grass Will Sing for You" (1970), "Maybe" (#29 1971), "You're the One" (#77 1971), "Trade Winds" (1972), "When Will I See You Again?" (#2 1974), "Free Ride" (1976), "The Runner" (1979)
The Three Degrees and MFSB, "Love is the Message" (#85 1974), "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" (#1 1974)
md. to Jagbir Babra (2002- )
see The Three Degrees

Kenni Huskey (Nora Caroline Huskey)

b. 1954 in Newport, AR
country singer
instrument: guitar
"A Living Tornado" (#71c 1971), "Within My Loving Arms" (#74c 1972), "Number One Heel" (2006), "Peace of Mind" (2006)
songwriter
in 2007 she had surgery and chemo for colon cancer
cousin of Ferlin Huskey

Tom McGuinness (Thomas John Patrick McGuinness)

b. 1941 in England
rock musician, instruments: bass guitar, guitar
with Manfred Mann (1964-69), * "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (#1 1964), "Sha La La" (#12 1964), "Come Tomorrow" (#50 1965), "Pretty Flamingo" (#29 1966), "The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)" (#10 1968), "Fox on the Run" (#97 1968)
with The Manfreds (1991- )
founding member of McGuinness Flint (1970-75), "When I'm Dead and Gone" (#47 1970), "Lazy Afternoon" (1970)
songwriter
music producer
author
see Manfred Mann on www.classicbands.com

John Wesley Ryles

b. 1950 in Bastrop, LA
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Kay" (#9c 1969), "Just Been Wasting My Time" (#17c 1970), "Reconsider Me" (#39c 1971), "When a Man Loves a Woman" (#72c 1976), "Fool" (#18c 1977), "I Fought the Law" (1977), "Once in a Lifetime Thing" (#5c 1977), "Wild Rose of Virgina" (1977), "Shine on Me (the Sun Still Shines When it Rains)" (#13c 1978), "Making Love Doesn't Make it Love" (1978), "Love Ain't Made for Fools" (#33c 1979), "Liberated Woman" (#14c 1979), "You Are Always on My Mind" (#20c 1979), "Perfect Strangers" (#24c 1980), "Midnight Blue" (#36c 1987, he co-wrote), "Louisiana Rain" (#20c 1988)
session musician
songwriter

Dick St. John (Richard St. John Gosting)

b. 1940 in CA - d. 27 Dec 2003 in Los Angeles, CA (fell from a ladder)
pop/rock singer
"Brand New Season" (1968)
founding member of Dick and Dee Dee, "The Mountain's High" (#2 1961), "Tell Me" (#22 1962), "Young and in Love" (#17 1963), "Turn Around" (#27 1964), "Thou Shalt Not Steal" (#13 1964), "Make Up Before We Break Up" (1966), "Childhood" (1968), "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" (1969)
"Blue Turns to Grey" (1964, backed by The Rolling Stones)
songwriter
author, co-wrote The Rock and Roll Cookbook with wife Sandy and Pamela Des Barres
see Dick and Dee Dee

December 3

Buffalo Bruce Barlow (Paul Bruce Barlow)

b. 1948 in Oxnard, CA
country/rockabilly/rock/western swing singer
instruments: bass, acoustic bass
with Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen (1970- ), "Hot Rod Lincoln" (#9, #51c 1972, One-Hit Wonder), "Truck-Stop Rock" (1972), "It Should've Been Me" (1972), "That's What I Like about the South" (1975)

Rick Cua

b. 1948 in Syracuse, NY
country/rock/Christian singer
instruments: bass guitar, piano
"You Can Still Rock 'n' Roll" (1982), "You're My Road" (1985), "Wear Your Colors" (1986), "I'll Be Satisfied" (1989), "Young Boy, Young Girl" (1989), "Message of Love" (1991), "Heaven Won't Stop the Rain" (1991), "Won't Fade Away" (2007)
with The Outlaws (1980-83), "White Horses" (1981), "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" (#31 1981), "All Roads" (1982), "Won't Come Out of the Rain" (1982)
songwriter
author; minister
see The Outlaws
see Rick Cua

Rabon Delmore

b. 1916 in Elkmont, AL – d. 4 Dec 1952 in Athens, AL (lung cancer)
country/gospel singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle
founding member of The Delmore Brothers, "Got the Kansas City Blues" (1931), "I'm Mississippi Bound" (1933), "I'm Going Back to Alabama" (1933), "I'm Memphis Bound" (1935), "My Smokey Mountain Gal" (1936), "Memories of My Carolina Girl" (1937), "Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow" (1938), "Fifteen Miles from Birmingham" (1939, he co-wrote), "I Loved You Better Than You Knew" (1939), "In the Blue Hills of Virginia" (1940), "Gathering Flowers From the Hill" (1940), "Raining on the Mountain" (1940), "Freight Train Boogie" (#2c 1946, he co-wrote), "Used Car Blues" (1948), "The Family Tree Musta Fell on Me" (1950), "Blues, Stay Away from Me" (#1c 1950, he co-wrote), "Please Be My Sunshine" (1950), "I Swear By the Stars" (1950), "The Girl By the River" (1951), "Who's Gonna Be Lonesome for Me?" (1951), "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide" (1960)
with The Brown's Ferry Four, "Hallelujah Morning" (1949), "I Am a Weary Pilgrim" (1952), "Through the Pearly Gates" (1952)
songwriter, co-wrote Jimmy Wakely's "Beautiful Brown Eyes" (#5c 1951)
md. to Nola King
see The Delmore Brothers

Jim Freeman

b. 1940
doo-wop singer (bass)
founding member of The Five Satins (1955-57), "In the Still of the Night" (#25 1956), "Love With No Love in Return" (1957), "To the Aisle" (#25 1957)
owner of a pest control company
see The Five Satins

John Frost (John Terry Frost)

b. 1949 in Eagleville, TN
country/rock/gospel singer
instrument: bass
with The Four Guys (1981- , replaced Gary Chadwick), "Made in the U.S.A." (#85c 1982)
with The Frost Brothers Quartet
with Simply Black and White
with The New Frost Brothers, "Step on Out" (2003, he wrote)
session musician
songwriter
music producer
served in the Army in Vietnam
father of singer/drummer John Frost, Jr.

Paul Gregg

b. 1954 in New York, NY or Altus, OK
country/rock singer
instrument: bass guitar
founding member of Restless Heart (1984-96, 1998, 2003- ), "Let the Heartache Ride" (#23c 1985), "(Back to the) Heartbreak Kid" (#7c 1986), "Till I Loved You" (#10c 1986), "That Rock Won't Roll" (#1c 1986), * "I'll Still Be Loving You" (#33, #1c 1987), "Why Does it Have to Be (Wrong or Right)?" (#1c 1987), "Wheels" (#1c 1988), "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" (#1c 1988), "A Tender Lie" (#1c 1988), "Say What's in Your Heart" (#4c 1989), "Big Dreams in a Small Town" (#3c 1989), "Fast Movin' Train" (#4c 1990), "Long Lost Friend" (#16c 1991, he wrote), "You Can Depend on Me" (#3c 1992), "When She Cries" (#11, #9c 1993), "Mending Fences" (#11c 1993), "No End to This Road" (#33c 1998), "Feel My Way to You" (#29c 2004)

Ferlin Husky

b. 1925/27 near Flat River, MO
country/pop/honky-tonk singer
instruments: guitar, bass
"I Feel Better All Over (More Than Anywheres Else)" (#6c 1955), "Little Tom" (#7c 1955), "Sinful Secret" (1956), "Honky-Tonk Girl" (1956), "Gone" (#4, #1c 1957, remake of the 1952 version recorded as Terry Preston), "Prize Possession" (#12c 1957), "A Fallen Star" (#47, #8c 1957), "Terrific Together" (1958), "Keeper of My Heart" (1959), "My Reason for Living" (#14c 1959), "Black Sheep" (#21c 1959), "Draggin' the River" (#11c 1959), * "Wings of a Dove" (#12, #1c 1960), "Willow Tree" (#23c 1961), "The Waltz You Saved for Me" (#94, #13c 1962), "Out of a Clear Blue Sky" (1962), "It Scares Me" (1962), "Timber, I'm Falling" (#13c 1964), "True True Lovin'" (#46c 1965), "I'm Not Me Without You" (1965), "Once" (#4c 1966), "You Pushed Me Too Far" (#14c 1967), "A Bridge I Have Never Crossed" (1967), "Just for You" (#4c 1968), "That's Why I Love You So Much" (#16c 1969), "Heavenly Sunshine" (#11c 1970), "Every Step of the Way" (#21c 1970), "True True Lovin'" (#35c 1973, new version), "I'll Never Play That Memory Again" (1973), "Freckles and Pollywog Days" (#26c 1974), "Rosie Cries a Lot" (#17c 1974), "A Ring of String" (1974), "Kittens, Kids and Kites" (1974), "An Old Memory Got in My Eyes" (#90c 1975), "A Touch of Yesterday" (1975)
recorded as Simon Crum, "Hillbilly Deck of Cards" (1955), "Cuzz Yore So Sweet" (#5c 1955), "Bop, Cat, Bop" (1956), "Country Music is Here to Stay" (#2c 1958), "Don't Be Mad" (1963)
recorded as Terry Preston, "Flowers Speak Louder Than Words" (1949), "The Letter You Promised to Write" (1949), "Irma" (1950), "Deadly Weapon" (1951), "Cross-Eyed Gal From the Ozarks" (1951), "Each Time You Leave" (1954)
duets with Jean Shepard, "Dear John Letter" (#4, #1c 1953), "Forgive Me, John" (#4c 1953)
with Cliffie Stone's band
songwriter
comedian; actor
served as a Merchant Marine during WW II
see Ferlin Husky

Jaye P. Morgan (Mary Margaret Morgan)

b. 1931 in Mancos, CO (grew up in Los Angeles, Ca)
pop singer
"Operator 299" (1953), "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" (1953), "That's All I Want From You" (#3 1954), "If You Don't Want My Love" (#12 1955), "Pepper-Hot Baby" (1955), "Not One Goodbye" (#48 1955), "Get Up, Get Up (You Sleepyhead)" (1956), "Lost in the Shuffle" (1956), "Just Love Me" (1956), "The West Point Dress Parade" (1956), "I Thought it Was Over" (1957), "There's a Dream in My Heart" (1957), "My Blind Date" (1958), "(It Took) One Kiss" (1959), "Catch Me a Kiss" (1961), "Put a Ring on My Finger" (1965), "I've Got an Awful Lot of Losin' You to Do" (1970)
duet with Hank Penny, "That's My Weakness Now" (1953)
actress
see Jaye P. Morgan

Kenny Pentifallo (aka 'Mr. Popeye')

b. 1940
rock/soul/blues singer (bass)
instrument: drums
founding member of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1975-77), "I Don't Want to Go Home" (1976), "This Time it's for Real" (1977), "Love on the Wrong Side of Town" (1977), "When You Dance" (1977)
see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Jody Reynolds

b. 1932/38 in Denver, CO (grew up in Shady Grove, OK)
western swing/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Fire of Love" (1958), "Closin' in" (1958), "Please Remember" (1959), "(The Girl With the) Raven Hair" (1960), "I Wanna Be with You Tonight" (1960), "Stormy February" (1963), "A Tear for Jesse" (1963), "Runaway Heart" (1999), "Kisses in the Rain" (1999), "Shot Down" (1999), "Devil Moon, Angel Eyes" (1999), "Boot Heel Drag" (1999), "My Baby's Eyes" (1999), "If That Old Jukebox Could Talk" (1999)
with Jody Reynolds and the Storms, "Endless Sleep" (#5 1958, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Tight Capris" (1958), "Beulah Lee" (1959), "Golden Idol" (1959), "Thunder" (1959)
duet with Bobby Gentry, "Stranger in the Mirror" (1963)

Brian Shaw

b. 1949 in Grove City, PA
country singer
instrument: bass
* "A Friend Named Red" (#50c 1974), "Good Enough to Be Your Man" (#62c 1974), "Here We Go Again" (#17c 1974), "I'll Carry You" (1974)

Mickey Thomas

b. 1949 in Cairo, GA
blues/rock/country singer
with The Elvin Bishop Group (1974- ), "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" (#3 1976)
with Jefferson Starship (1979-84), "Jane" (#14 1979), "Find Your Way Back" (#29 1981), "Be My Lady" (#28 1982), "No Way Out" (#23 1984)
founding member of Starship (1984-90), "We Built This City" (#1 1985), "Sara" (#1 1985), "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" (#26 1986), "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (#1 1987), "It's Not Enough" (#12 1989)

Andy Williams (Howard Andrew Williams)

b. 1927 in Wall Lake, IA
pop singer
"You Can't Buy Happiness" (1954), "Here Comes That Dream Again" (1955), "And Roses and Roses" (#36 1955), "Canadian Sunset" (#7 1956), "Walk Hand in Hand" (#54 1956), * "Butterfly" (#1 1957), "Are You Sincere?" (#3 1958), "Lonely Street" (#5 1959), "The Village of St. Bernadette" (#7 1959), "Dreamsville" (1960), "Moon River" (1962), "Can't Get Used to Losing You" (#2 1963), "Days of Wine and Roses" (#26 1963), "Hopeless" (#13 1963), * "A Fool Never Learns" (#13 1964), "Under Paris Skies" (#12 1964), "Wrong for Each Other" (#34 1964), * "Almost There" (#67 1964), "Queen of the Quiet Stars" (#15 1965), "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (#33 1968), "Happy Heart" (#22 1969), "Love Story (Where Do I Begin?)" (#9 1971), "If I Could Only Go Back Again" (1974), "Impossible Dream" (1978), "Until it's Time for You to Go" (1978)
duet with Peggy Powers, "I Like Your Kind of Love" (#8 1957)
md. 1st to Claudine Longet (1961-75); md. 2nd to Debbie Haas (1991- )
see Andy Williams

December 4

Barry Blue (Barry Ian Green)

b. 1950 in London, England
rock singer
* "Dancin' (on a Saturday Night)" (1973, he co-wrote), "School Love" (1974), "Hot Shot" (1974, he co-wrote)
songwriter
music producer

Freddy 'Boom Boom' Cannon (Frederick Anthony Picariello)

b. 1940 in Revere, MA (grew up in Lynn, MA)
rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Tallahassee Lassie" (#6 1959), "Okefenokee" (#43 1959), "Kookie Hat" (1959), "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" (#3 1959), "Jump Over" (#38 1960), "The Urge" (1960), "Humdinger" (1960), "Happy Shades of Blue" (#83 1960), "Boston, My Home Town" (1960), "Transistor Sister" (#35 1961), "Blue Plate Special" (1961), "If You Were a Rock and Roll Record" (#67 1962), "The Truth, Ruth" (1962), * "Palisades Park" (#3 1962), "Patty Baby" (#65 1963), "Betty Jean" (1963), "Everybody Monkey" (#52 1963), "That's the Way Girls Are" (1964), "O.K. Wheeler, the Used-Car Dealer" (1964), "Abigail Beecher" (#16 1964), "Where the Action is" (#13 1965), "Beachwood City" (1965), "She's Somethin' Else" (1965), "The Dedication Song" (#41 1966), "In My Wildest Dreams" (1966), "Cincinnati Woman" (1967), "She's a Friday Night Fox" (1968, he co-wrote), "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" (1969), "If You've Got the Time" (1972), "Let's Put the Fun Back in Rock 'n' Roll" (#81 1981), "Dance to the Bop" (1983), "Rockin' in My Socks" (1988)
with The Spindrifts
sang lead on Danny and the Juniors' "Twistin' All Night Long" (#68 1962)
songwriter
he appeared on American Bandstand 110 times (more than any other performer)
served in the National Guard

Amie Comeaux (Amie Noelle Comeaux)

b. 1976 in Brusley, LA – d. 21 Dec 1997 in Lacombe, LA (auto accident)
country singer
"Moving Out" (1994), "Who's She to You?" (#64c 1995), "When You Smile at Me" (1998, she co-wrote), "A Single Crimson Rose (1998), "Anywhere with You" (1998), "Don't Tell Him" (2006), "Never Had a Girl Like Me" (2006), "You Could Steal Me" (2006)
actress

Dave Gilbert (David Lee Gilbert)

b. 1951/52 in Pontiac, MI (grew up near Detroit, MI) - d. 1 Aug 2001 (liver cancer brought on by cirrhosis)
rock singer
lead singer with The Rockets (1976-83), "Fastest Thing in Detroit" (1977), "Oh Well" (#30 1979), "Turn up the Radio" (1979), "Can't Sleep" (#51 1979), "Desire" (#70 1980), "Sally Can't Dance" (1980), "Tired of Wearing Black" (1981), "Rollin' by the Record Machine" (1982), "Born in Detroit" (1982), "Rock 'n' Roll Girl" (1982)
md. 1st to Terry Valdez (1971- ); md. 2nd to Lynn Anne (she killed their 2-year old daughter and herself when he filed for divorce); md. 3rd to Delores 'Dee' (1995- )
his parents were both deaf and mute and he sometimes used sign language on stage
his drug and alcohol abuse eventually prevented him from working as an entertainer and eventually he got a job hanging drywall
see The Rockets on Wikipedia

Eddie Heywood (Edward Heywood, Jr.)

b. 1915 in Atlanta, GA – d. 2 Jan 1989 in Miami Beach, FL
jazz/swing musician, instrument: piano
leader of The Eddie Heywood Sextet, "Begin the Bequine" (1944), "The Moon Was Yellow (and the Night Was Young)" (1954)
backed by Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra, "Canadian Sunset" (#2 1956, he wrote), "Soft Summer Breeze" (#11 1956, he wrote)
session musician with Billie Holiday, and others
songwriter
arranger

Chris Hillman

b. 1942/44 in Los Angeles, CA or Yellow Springs, OH
country/folk/rock/bluegrass singer
instruments: bass, rhythm guitar, mandolin
"Blue Morning" (1976), "Morning Sky" (1982), "Tomorrow is a Long Time" (1982), "Running the Roadblocks" (#77c 1984, he co-wrote), "Like a Hurricane" (1998), "There You Go" (2002)
founding member of the Souther Hillman Furay Band (1973-76), "Believe Me" (1974), "Border Town" (1974), "Safe at Home" (1974, he wrote), "Prisoner in Disguise" (1975), "Trouble in Paradise" (1975), "For Someone I Love" (1975)
founding member of the Flying Burrito Brothers (1968-72), "Tried So Hard" (1971), "Just Can't Be" (1971, he co-wrote), "Colorado" (1971), "Dixie Breakdown" (1972), "Losing Game" (1972)
founding member and bass player with The Byrds (1964-69, 1972, 1989-90), "Mr. Tambourine Man" (#1 1965), * "Turn! Turn! Turn!" (#1 1965), "Eight Miles High" (#14 1966), "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" (#29 1967), "Renaissance Fair" (1967), "Ballad of Easy Rider" (#65 1969), "Cowgirl in the Sand" (1972)
founding member and lead singer with the Desert Rose Band (1985-93), "Once More" (1987), "Ashes of Love" (#26c 1987), "He's Back and I'm Blue" (#1c 1987), "Love Reunited" (#6c 1987, he co-wrote), "One Step Forward" (#2c 1987, he co-wrote), "I Still Believe in You" (#1c 1988, he co-wrote), "Summer Wind" (#2c 1988, he co-wrote), "She Don't Love Nobody" (#3c 1989), "Hello, Trouble" (#11c 1989), "Start All Over Again" (#6c 1990, he co-wrote), "In Another Lifetime" (#13c 1990, he co-wrote), "Story of Love" (#10c 1990, he co-wrote), "Will This Be the Day?" (#37c 1991, he co-wrote), "You Can Go Home" (#53 1991, he co-wrote)
duet with Roger McGuinn, "You Ain't Going Nowhere" (#6c 1989)
songwriter
see Chris Hillman

Southside Johnny (John Lyon)

b. 1948 in Neptune, NJ (grew up in Ocean Grove, NJ)
rock/soul/blues singer
instrument: harmonica
"I Only Want to Be with You" (1988), "Slow Dance" (1988)
founding member and lead of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1974- ), "I Don't Want to Go Home" (1976), "This Time it's for Real" (1977), "Love on the Wrong Side of Town" (1977), "When You Dance" (1977), "Hearts of Stone" (1978), "All I Want is Everything" (1979, he co-wrote), "Can't Stop Thinking of You" (1983), "Tell Me Lies" (1984), "All I Needed Was You" (1991), "Looks Like Rain" (2000), "Livin' with the Blues" (2000), "Lost in the Night" (2002), "I Can't Dance" (2002)
songwriter
see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Wink Martindale (Winston Conrad Martindale)

b. 1933/34 in Jackson, TN
novelty singer
"All Love Broke Loose" (1958), "I Don't Suppose" (1958), "Deck of Cards" (#7, #11c 1959, One-Hit Wonder), * "I Never See Maggie Alone" (1960), * "Life Gits Tee-jus, Don't it" (1960), "Blue Bobby Sox" (1960), "Black-Land Farmer" (#85 1961), "Three Steps to the Phone" (1961), "Sweet Little Lovable You" (1962), "Nevertheless" (1963), "Big Buildin'" (1964), "My True Love" (1965), "A String, an Eraser, and a Blotter" (1965)
duet with Robin Ward, "First Kiss" (1963)
DJ; game-show host
md. to Sandy Ferra (1975- )
see Wink Martindale

Lila McCann (Lila Elaine McCann)

b. 1981 in Steilacoom, WA
country singer
instruments: guitar, clarinet
"Down Came a Blackbird" (#28c 1997), "I Wanna Fall in Love" (#3c 1997), "Almost Over You" (#42 1998), "With You" (#41 #9c 1999), "Crush" (#41c 1999), "Kiss Me Now" (#41c 2000), "Come a Little Closer" (#43c 2001), "I Can Do This" (2005), "That's What Angels Do" (#60c 2008)
duet with Jim Brickman, "I'm Amazed" (#59c 2004)
songwriter

Bob Mosley (James Robert Mosley)

b. 1942 in Paradise Valley, CA
rock singer
instruments: bass, guitar
"Hand in Hand" (1972, he wrote), "Can't Keep a Good Man Down" (2006), "Dusty Old Road" (2006), "As Far as it Goes" (2006), "Never" (2006)
founding member of Moby Grape (1966-69, 1971), "Omaha" (#88 1967), "Hey, Grandma" (1967), "Sitting by the Window" (1967), "Mister Blues" (1967, he wrote), "8:05" (1967), "Boysenberry Jam" (1968), "Motorcycle Irene" (1968), "The Place and the Time" (1968), "Rose-Colored Eyes" (1968, he wrote), "What's to Choose?" (1969), "Going Nowhere" (1969), "Changes, Circles Spinning" (1969)
songwriter
was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic at the age of twenty-seven after serving several months in the Marines; in the 90's he mostly lived on the streets
see Moby Grape on Wikipedia

Bernie Nee

b. 1922 - d. Feb 1974
pop singer
"Old Blue Bugle" (1956), "Gypsy Boogie" (1956), "I Have You to Thank" (1957), "Sleepy Sunday" (1957), "What Would You Do (if You Were in My Place)?" (1957), "Medal of Honor" (1958), "Lend Me Your Comb" (1958)
founding member of The Five Blobs, "The Blob" (#33 1958, One-Hit Wonder), (not really a group, just Bernie Nee's voice over-dubbed to sound like a group)
backup singer

Brian Prout

b. 1955 in Troy, NY or Albany, NY
country/rock musician, instruments: drums, guitar
founding member of Diamond Rio (1989- ), "Meet in the Middle" (#1c 1991), "Mirror, Mirror" (#3c 1991), "Norma Jean Riley" (#2c 1992), "In a Week or Two" (#2c 1992), "Oh Me, Oh My, Sweet Baby" (#5c 1993), "Love a Little Stronger" (#2c 1994), "Finish What We Started" (#19c 1994), "Walkin' Away" (#2c 1995), "That's What I Get for Lovin' You" (#4c 1996), "Holdin'" (#4c 1996), "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" (#1c 1997), "Imagine That" (#4c 1997), * "Unbelievable" (#36, #2c 1998), "You're Gone" (#4c 1998), "Two-Pump Texaco" (1998), * "One More Day with You" (#29, #1c 2001), * "I Believe" (#31, #1c 2002), "Beautiful Mess" (#28, #1c 2002), "Wrinkles" (#16c 2003), "We All Fall Down" (#45c 2004), "Can't You Tell?" (#43c 2005), "God Only Cries" (#30c 2006)
md. to singer/songwriter, Stephanie Bentley (2001- ); md. to Nancy Given
see Diamond Rio

Sonny Rodgers (Oliver Lee Rodgers aka 'Cat Daddy')

b. 1939 near Hughes, AR - d. 7 May 1990 in Minneapolis, MN (congestive heart failure)
blues musician, instrument: guitar
"Walkin' Thru the Park" (1990), "Five Long Years" (1990)
founding member of The Cat Scratchers (1984- ), "Cadillac Baby" (1990), "Big-Leg Woman" (1990)
session musician with Muddy Waters, and others

Gary Rossington

b. 1951 in Jacksonville, FL
rock/country musician, instruments: guitar, slide guitar, drums
"Rock on" (1988), "Say it from the Heart" (1988), "Stay with Me" (1988)
founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd (1965-77), "Sweet Home Alabama" (#8 1971), "Tuesday's Gone" (1973, he co-wrote), "Freebird" (#19 1974), "Saturday Night Special" (#27 1975), "Double Trouble" (#80 1976), "Give Me Back My Bullets" (1976, he co-wrote), "What's Your Name?" (#13 1977), "You've Got the Right" (1978)
the Lynyrd Skynyrd name came from his high school gym teacher, Leonard Skinner
founding member of the Rossington Collins Band (1979-81), "Don't Misunderstand Me" (1980)
founding member of the new Lynyrd Skynyrd (1987- ), "Pure and Simple" (1991), "Can't Take That Away" (1993), "We Ain't Much Different" (1997), "Blame it on a Sad Song" (1997), "Life's Lessons" (2003)
md. to singer, Dale Krantz (1982- )
he was seriously injured in the crash that killed other Lynyrd Skynyrd members in 1977
see Lynyrd Skynyrd

Dennis Wilson

b. 1944 in Hawthorne, CA – d. 28 Dec 1983 in Marina Del Rey, CA (accidental drowning while under the influence of alcohol)
rock singer
instruments: drums, keyboards
"River Song" (1977, he wrote), "Farewell, My Friend" (1977, he wrote), "Thoughts of You" (1977, he wrote)
founding member of The Beach Boys, "409" (1962), * "Surfin' Safari" (#14 1962), * "Surfin' USA" (#3 1963), * "Shut Down" (#23 1963), * "Surfer Girl" (#7 1963), * "Little Deuce Coupe" (#15 1963), * "Be True to Your School" (#6 1963), * "Fun, Fun, Fun" (#5 1964), "This Car of Mine" (1964), * "I Get Around" (#1 1964), "When I Grow up (to Be a Man)" (#9 1964), "Dance, Dance, Dance" (#8 1964), * "Do You Wanna Dance?" (#12 1965), "Help Me, Rhonda" (#1 1965), * "California Girls" (#3 1965), "The Little Girl I Once Knew" (#20 1965), * "Barbara Ann" (#2 1966), "Pet Sounds" (1966), "Wouldn't it Be Nice?" (#8 1966, he co-wrote), "Good Vibrations" (#1 1966), "Heroes and Villains" (#12 1967), "I Can Hear the Music" (#24 1969), "The Nearest Faraway Place" (1970), "Rock and Roll Music" (#5 1976), "Come Go with Me" (#18 1982), "Getcha Back" (1985), "Wipeout" (#12 1987), "Kokomo" (#1 1988)
songwriter
he was the only Beach Boy member who actually surfed
brother of Brian and Carl Wilson, cousin of Mike Love
md. 1st to Carole Freedman; md. 2nd to Barbara Cherren; md. 3rd and 4th to Karen Lamm; md. 5th to Shawn Love
see the Beach Boys

December 5

Gary Allan (Gary Allan Herzberg)

b. 1967 in Montebello, CA (grew up on a cattle ranch near La Mirada, CA)
country/honky-tonk singer
instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar
"Used Heart for Sale" (1996), "Her Man" (#7c 1997), "It Would Be You" (#7c 1998), "Cryin' for Nothin'" (1999), "Cowboy Blues" (1999), "Lovin' You Against My Will" (#34c 2000), "Right Where I Need to Be" (#42, #5c 2001), "Runaway" (#74c 2000), * "Man of Me" (#18c 2001), * "The One" (#37, #3c 2002), "Man to Man" (#25, #1c 2003), "Songs about Rain" (#71, #12c 2004), "Tough Little Boys" (#32, #1c 2004), "Nothing on But the Radio" (#31, #1c 2004), "Best I Ever Had" (#55, #7c 2005), "Puttin' Memories Away" (2005), "I Just Got Back from Hell" (2005, he co-wrote), "Life Ain't Always Beautiful" (#61, #4c 2006), "A Feeling Like That" (#12c 2007), "Watching Airplanes" (#43, #2c 2007), "Learning How to Bend" (#19c 2008)
songwriter
music producer
actor
surfer
md. 2nd to model, Danetta Day (1998-99); md. 3rd to Angela Herzberg (2001-2004, she shot herself after years of depression)
see Gary Allan

Ty England (Gary Tyrone England aka Tyler England)

b. 1963 in Oklahoma City, OK
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Should've Asked Her Faster" (#3c 1995), "Smoke in Her Eyes" (#44c 1995), "Irresistible You" (#22c 1996), "All of the Above" (#46c 1997), "Too Many Highways" (1999), "Collect from Wichita" (1999), "I'd Rather Have Nothing" (2001)
duet with Tyler England, "I Drove Her to Dallas" (#53c 2001)
backup singer and guitarist with Garth Brooks' band (1988- )
session musician
songwriter
md. to Shanna
see Ty England

Kansas Fields (Carl Donnell Fields)

b. 1915 in Chapman, KS - d. 3 Aug 1995 in Chicago, IL
jazz/swing drummer
with the Roy Eldridge Band (1940-41)
founding member of The Kansas Fields Combo (195?- )
duet with Jonah Jones, "Jonah's Wail" (1946, he wrote)
session musician with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Sarah Vaughan, John Coltrane, Teddy Wilson, Charlie Barnett, and others
songwriter
served in the military (1942-45)

Andy Kim (Andrew Jovakim aka Baron Longfellow)

b. 1946/52 in Montreal, Canada
pop singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Li'l Liz (I Love You)" (1964), "How'd We Ever Get This Way" (#21 1968), "Rainbow Ride" (#49 1968), "Ordinary Kind of Girl" (1968), "Shoot 'Em Up, Baby" (1968), "Baby, I Love You" (#9 1969), "Tricia, Tell Your Daddy" (1969), "So Good Together" (#36 1969), "Be My Baby" (#17 1970), "To Be Continued" (1970), "A Friend in the City" (1970), "I Wish I Were" (#62 1971), "Rock Me Gently" (#1 1974, he co-wrote), "Fire, Baby I'm on Fire" (#28 1974), "I Forgot to Mention" (2004, he co-wrote), "Without You" (2004)
with The Archies, * "Sugar, Sugar" (#1 1969, he co-wrote), "Jingle, Jangle" (#10 1969, he co-wrote)
songwriter
see Andy Kim

Little Richard (Richard Wayne Penniman aka 'The Architect of Rock')

b. 1935 in Macon, GA
soul/R&B/rock/doo-wop/gospel singer
instrument: piano
"Directly From My Heart to You" (1956), "Long Tall Sally" (#6 1956, he wrote), "Tutti Frutti" (#17 1956, he wrote), "Slippin' and Slidin'" (#33 1956), "Rip it Up" (#17 1956), "Heebie-Jeebies" (1956), "Lucille" (#21 1957, he wrote), "Jenny, Jenny" (#10 1957), "Miss Ann" (1957), "Keep a Knockin'" (#8 1957), "Good Golly, Miss Molly" (#10 1958), "I Don't Know What You've Got, But it's Got Me" (#92 1965), "Freedom Blues" (#47 1970), "Dew Drop Inn" (1970), "Groovy Little Suzy" (1971), "Great Gosh A'Mighty (Been a Long Time comin')" (#42 1986)
songwriter
actor

Jim Messina (James Messina)

b. 1947 in Maywood, CA or Harlingen, TX
country/rock singer
instruments: bass, guitar
"Waitin' on You" (1979), "Whispering Waters" (1981), "It's All Right Here" (1981), "Meant to Be Together" (1983), "Watching the River Run" (1996), "Listen to a Country Song" (1996)
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)
founding member of Poco (1968-72), "A Good Feelin' to Know" (1972)
with Buffalo Springfield (1968, on the last album), "Merry-Go-Round" (1968), "In the Hour of Not Quite Rain" (1968), "Carefree Country Day" (1968, he wrote), "Expecting to Fly" (1968)
songwriter
music producer
see Jim Messina

Chad Mitchell (William Chad Mitchell)

b. 1936 in Spokane, WA or Portland, OR
folk singer
"Follow" (1968), "What's That Got to Do with Me?" (1969)
founding member and lead of The Chad Mitchell Trio (1959-65, and reunions), "Walkin' on the Green Grass" (1960), "Sweet Mary Jo" (1960), "Mighty Day" (1961), "Super Skier" (1961), "Leave Me if You Want to" (1962), "Alberta" (1962), "Hello, Susan Brown" (1962), "Lizzie Borden" (#44 1962), "In the Summer of His Years" (1963), "I Do Adore Her" (1964), "Green Leaves of Summer" (1964), "A Dying Business" (1964), "Mandy Lane" (1964), "For Bobbi" (1965), "What Kind of Life is That?" (1965), "We Didn't Know" (1965), "Which Hat Shall I Wear?" (1965)
see the Chad Mitchell Trio

Steve Rappaport (Steven Millman Rappaport, aka Steve Randle)

b. 1942 in Philadelphia, PA (grew up in Villas, NJ) - d. 4 Jul 2007 in Maui, HI (heart attack)
novelty/pop singer (bass)
instruments: piano, synthesizer
founding member of The Ran-Dells, "Martian Hop" (#16 1963, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Forgive Me Darling (I Have Lied)" (1963), "Sound of the Sun" (1964), "Beyond the Stars" (1964)
first cousin of Robert Rappaport and John Spirit
songwriter
DJ; radio talk-show host
attorney; senior citizen rights advocate

Don Robertson (Donald Irwin Robertson)

b. 1922 in Peking, China
country singer, whistler
instruments: piano, keyboards
"The Happy Whistler" (#9 1956, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Feather in the Wind" (1961), "You Don't Need Me Anymore" (1962), "Dictionary Song" (1963), "Ninety-Nine Miles an Hour" (1965), "I Dreamed I Lost You" (1966), "You Still Turn Me on" (1968)
duet with Lou Dinning, "Longing to Hold You Again" (1957)
session keyboard player on Charley Pride's "Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger?" (#1c 1967), and with Chet Atkins, Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, Ray Price, and others
songwriter, wrote Sonny James' "I Love You More and More Every Day" (#4c 1973, also #9 1964 for Al Martino); Jerry Lee Lewis' "I Can't Seem to Say Goodbye" (#7c 1970); Ray Price's "There's Always Me" (#30c 1977); The Chordettes' "Born to Be with You" (#5 1956; also #81, #1c 1969 for Sonny James)
co-wrote Charley Pride's "Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger?" (#4c 1967); Hank Snow's "I Don't Hurt Anymore" (#22, #1c 1954), "Ninety Miles an Hour (Down a Dead-End Street)" (#2c 1963); Eddy Arnold's "I Really Don't Want to Know" (#1c 1954); Lorne Greene's "Ringo" (#1 1964); Hank Locklin's "Please Help Me I'm Fallin'" (#8, #1c 1960, also #12c 1978 by Janie Fricke); Carl Smith's "You're Free to Go" (#6c 1956)
md. to singer Lou Dinning
Don's father developed the first Blood Bank
see Don Robertson

Eddie Serrato (Eduardo Delgado Serrato)

b. 1945 in Encial, TX
rock musician, instrument: drums
with ? and the Mysterians (1965-68, and reunions, replaced Larry Borjas), "96 Tears" (#1 1966), "I Need Somebody" (#22 1967), "Can't Get Enough of You" (#56 1967), "Talk is Cheap" (1968)

Billy Wells (William Prescott Wells)

b. 1931 in Menominee, WI - d. 25 Dec 2001 in Altadena, CA
Dixieland jazz singer
instrument: banjo
founding member of Billy and His Bachelors (1961- )
actor
NFL running back with the Washington Redskins (1954-57)

Ray Whitley (Raymond Otis Whitley)

b. 1901 in Atlanta, GA - d. 21 Feb 1979 in Mexico
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Saddle Your Blues to a Wild Mustang" (1936), "I'll Tell the Robin" (1965), "Gotta Go There" (1968), "I've Been Hurt" (1971)
founding member of The Range Ramblers, "I Saw Your Face in the Moon" (1936), "You Took My Candy" (1936)
founding member of The Six Bar Cowboys, "End of Memory Lane" (1935), "Come on Boys, We're Riding into Town" (1938), "Please Don't Forget Me" (1941), "Beyond the Pecos" (1945), "There's Mist Around the Prairie Moon Tonight" (1949, he co-wrote)
songwriter
cowboy actor; guitar designer
he was skilled with a bull whip

December 6

Steve Alaimo

b. 1939/40 in Omaha, NE (grew up in Rochester NY)
rock/soul/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"My Heart Never Said Goodbye" (1960), "Big Bad Beulah" (1961), "I Cried All the Way Home" (1961), "Mashed Potatoes" (1962), "Every Day I Have to Cry" (#46 1963), "Gotta Lotta Love" (1963), "Fade Out - Fade in" (1964), "Everybody Knows But Her" (1964), "Real Live Girl" (#77 1965), "Once a Day" (1966), "Pardon Me (it's My First Day Alone)" (1966), "So Much Love" (#92 1966), "You Don't Know Like I Know" (1967), "Thank You for the Sunshine Days" (1968), "And Then I Tripped Over Your Goodbye" (1969), * "Thorn in Our Roses" (1971), "When My Little Girl is Smiling" (#72 1971)
with The Red Coats, "Jelly" (1957), "Should I Care?" (1959), "I Want You to Love Me" (1959), "Blue Fire" (1960), "Love Unreturned" (1965)
founding member of The Unknowns, "Melody for an Unknown Girl" (1966), "Keith's Song" (1966)
duet with Betty Wright, "After the Smoke is Gone" (1969)
songwriter
music producer
actor

Frankie Beverly (Howard Beverly)

b. 1946 in Philadelphia, PA
soul/doo-wop singer
instruments: keyboards, guitar
founding member of Maze (1976- ), "Lady of Magic" (1977), "Feel That You're Feeling" (1979), "Look in Your Eyes" (1980), "Southern Girl" (1980), "Never Let You Down" (1983), "Love is the Key" (1983), "Can't Stop the Love" (1985), "Back in Stride" (1985), "Silky Soul" (1989), "The Morning After" (1993), "What Goes Up" (1993)
songwriter
producer, arranger
he changed his first name to 'Frankie' at age nine because he so admired Frankie Lymon

Dave Brubeck (David Warren Brubeck)

b. 1920 in Concord, CA
jazz musician, instrument: piano
founding member of The Dave Brubeck Quartet (1951-67, 1976), "I'm in a Dancing Mood" (1956), "The Duke" (1956, he wrote), "Take Five" (#25 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "A Quiet Girl" (1960), "Unsquare Dance" (1961, he wrote, in 7/8 time), "Far More Blue" (1961), "Three to Get Ready" (1963)
founding member of The Dave Brubeck Trio
duets with Paul Desmond, "At a Perfume Counter" (1951), "Give a Little Whistle" (1951), "Audrey" (1954), "The Trolley Song" (1956), "In Your Own Sweet Way" (1956, he wrote), "Two-Part Contention" (1956, he wrote)
songwriter
served in the Army during WWII (1942-45) in the Battle of the Bulge
see Dave Brubeck on Wikipedia

Ken Copeland (Kenneth Copeland)

b. 1937 in Lubbock, TX
pop singer
"Pledge of Love" (#12 1957, One-Hit Wonder), "Bed of Lies" (1957), "I Want to Go Steady" (1957), "Locked in the Arms of Love" (1958), "Chaser of Hearts" (1958), "Fanny Brown" (1958)
televangelist

Helen Cornelius (Helen Lorene Johnson)

b. 1941 in Monroe City, MO (grew up on a farm near there)
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Your Love Must Be Free" (1971, she wrote), "Patchwork Girl" (1973, she wrote), "The Only Road Worth Taking" (1976), "Fall Softly Snow" (#91c 1977), "Born Believer" (#12c 1977), "If it Ain't Love By Now" (#12c 1977), "What Cha Doin' after Midnight Baby?" (#30c 1978), "It Started with a Smile" (#68c 1979, she co-wrote), "Love Never Comes Easy" (#42c 1982), "He Thinks Hearts Were Made to Break" (1985)
duets with Jim Ed Brown, "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You" (#1c 1976), "Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye" (#2c 1976), "I'll Never Be Free" (#11c 1978), "If the World Ran Out of Love Tonight" (#6c 1978), "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (#10c 1979), "Lying in Love with You" (#2c 1979), "Fools" (#3c 1979), "Morning Comes Too Early" (#5c 1980), "Don't Bother to Knock" (#13c 1981)
songwriter
dancer; actress
md. to Jerry Garren (1971- )
see Helen Cornelius

Hugh Farr (Thomas Hubert Farr)

b. 1903 in Llano, TX – d. 17 Mar 1980 in Caspar, WY
country singer
instruments: fiddle, bass
with Len Nash and His Country Boys (1929-33), "On the Road to California" (1929), "Kelley Waltz" (1930)
founding member of The Haywire Trio (1933)
founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers (1934-58), "Nellie's Blue Eyes" (1934), "Moonlight on the Prairie" (1934), "Hills of Old Montana" (1934), "Cowboy's Dance Song" (1934), "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)
the Sons of the Pioneers backing Roy Rogers, "Blue Shadows on the Trail" (#6c 1948), "That Palomino Pal of Mine" (1949), "Stampede" (#8c 1950)

Tish Hinojosa (Leticia Hinojosa)

b. 1955 in San Antonio, TX
country/folk/western swing singer
instrument: guitar
"Let Me Remember" (1989), "Drifter's Wind" (1990), "Til You Love Me Again" (#75c 1990, she wrote), "Midnight Moonlight" (1992), "Prairie Moon" (1992), "According to My Heart" (1992), "Looking for My Love in the Pouring Rain" (1994), "Faded Souvenir" (2000), "Wild Flowers" (2000), "Fire in Winter" (2000), "Roses Round My Feet" (2000), "Shotgun Ridin'" (2005), "Blue-Eyed Billy" (2005), "Something More Than This" (2005)
duet with Craig Dillingham, "I'll Pull You Through" (#80c 1986)
songwriter
see Tish Hinojosa

Davin James (Michael Davin James)

b. 19?? in Jackson, MS (grew up in TX)
country/rock singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lap steel guitar
founding member of Davin James and the Bullnettle Band, "Back in the Swing" (1995, he wrote), "If You Had a Mind to" (1995), "Damned Ol' Guitar" (1999, he co-wrote), "I Want to Share it With You" (1999, he wrote), "Nowhere Lounge" (1999), "When You Lose Someone" (1999, he wrote), "Magnolia" (2001, he co-wrote), "Real Good Night" (2001, he co-wrote), "Rolling Dice" (2001, he co-wrote), "The City Beat Me Back Home" (2003, he wrote), "Dog Days Blues" (2003, he wrote), "Precious Times" (2003, he wrote), "Honeysuckle Madness" (2006), "Get Together" (2006)
songwriter

Jonathan King (Kenneth George King)

b. 1944 in Surrey, England
pop singer
"Everyone's Gone to the Moon" (#17 1965, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "A Little Bit Left of Right" (1973, he wrote), "One for Me, One for You" (1978)
backup singer
songwriter
music producer; author
served time in prison for sexual assault 2001-2005, the sentence is still under appeal

Bill Lloyd

b. 1955 in Bowling Green, KY (grew up in Fort Hood, TX)
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Lisa Anne" (1987), "I Know What You're Thinkin'" (1994), "So You Won't Have to" (1999), "Dancing with the Past" (2004), "A Story I Can't Tell" (2004), "Me Against Me" (2004)
founding member of Foster and Lloyd (1987-90), "Texas in 1880" (1987), "Crazy Over You" (#4c 1987), "Sure Thing" (#8c 1987), "What Do You Want from Me This Time?" (1987), "Fair Shake" (#5c 1988), "Suzette" (#48c 1989), "Whoa" (1990), "Is it Love?" (#43c 1990)
founding member of The Sky Kings, "Picture Perfect" (#52c 1996)
session musician with Ricky Van Shelton, Al Kooper, Steve Earle, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Sweethearts of the Rodeo's "Since I Found You" (#7c 1986)

Hugo Peretti

b. 1916 in New York City, NY – d. 1 May 1986 in Englewood, NJ
pop singer
instrument: trumpet
founding member of Hugo and Luigi, "Shenandoah Rose" (1957), "Rockabilly Party" (1957), "Twilight in Tennessee" (1958), "Honolulu Lu" (1959), "Just Come Home" (#35 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "Lonesome Stranger" (1960)
songwriter, co-wrote Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" (#2 1962); The Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (#1 1961); Jimmy Rodgers' "Oh-oh, I'm Falling in Love Again" (#7, #5c 1958)
music producer
cousin of Luigi Creatore

Kim Simmonds (Kim Maiden Simmonds)

b. 1947 in South Wales
blues/rock singer
instruments: guitar, piano, harmonica, dobro
"Solitaire" (1997, he wrote), "Morning Light" (2001, he wrote), "Blues Like Midnight" (2001), "Sometimes You Gamble" (2001, he wrote)
founding member of Savoy Brown (1966- ), "Rock Me, Baby" (1967)
songwriter
see Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown

Mike Smith (Michael George Smith)

b. 1943 in North London, England
rock/pop singer
instrument: keyboards
founding member and lead singer of The Dave Clark Five (1958-70), * "Glad All Over" (#6 1964), "Chaquita" (1964), * "Bits and Pieces" (#4 1964), * "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?" (#11 1964), "Can't You See That She's Mine?" (#4 1964), "Because" (#3 1964), "Everybody Knows (I Still Love You)" (#15 1964), "Any Way You Want it" (#14 1965), "Come Home" (#14 1965), "Reelin' and Rockin'" (#23 1965), "I Like it Like That" (#7 1965), "Catch Us if You Can" (#4 1965), "Over and Over" (#1 1965), "At the Scene" (#18 1966), "Try Too Hard" (#12 1966), "Please Tell Me Why" (#28 1966), "You Got What it Takes" (#7 1967), "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" (#35 1967)
in 2003 he fell and injured his spinal cord
see the Dave Clark Five

James Van Loan

b. 1922- d. 1976
R&B singer (tenor)
with The Ravens (1957), "Here is My Heart" (1957)
with The Dominoes (1952-55, replaced Charlie White), "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)
see The Dominoes
see The Ravens on R&B Notebooks

George Williams (George Reginald Williams, Jr. aka 'The Fox')

b. 1935 in Philadelphia, PA - d. 28 Jul 2004 in Maple Shade, NJ (cancer)
soul/pop singer
founding member and lead singer of The Tymes (1959-77), "So Much in Love" (#4 1963, he co-wrote), "Address Unknown" (1963), "Wonderful, Wonderful" (#23 1963), "View From My Window" (1963), "What Would I Do?" (1966), "People" (#39 1968), "You Little Trustmaker" (#12 1974), "Miss Grace" (#91 1974), "It's Cool" (#68 1976), "Savannah Sunny Sunday" (1976)
songwriter
served in the Army
see The Tymes on Soul Express

December 7

Randy Atcher (Randall Atcher)

b. 1918 in Tip Top, KY - d. 9 Oct 2002 (cancer)
country singer, yodeler
instruments: guitar, mandolin
founding member of Randy Atcher and the Red River Ramblers (1951- ), "It'll Be All Smiles Tonight, Love" (1956), "Indian Rock" (1956)
duet with Bob Atcher, "Papa's Going Crazy, Mama's Going Mad" (1940)
served in the Air Force during WWII (1941-45)
younger brother of Bob Atcher
md. 2nd to Elizabeth Thorne Blankenbaker

Boyd Bennett (Boyd Byron Bennett)

b. 1924 in Muscle Shoals, AL (grew up in North Davidson, TN) - d. 2 Jun 2002 (pulmonary fibrosis)
rockabilly/country/blues/rock singer
instruments: drums, bass, guitar
"Boy Meets Girl" (1957), "Her Momma Doesn't Think it's Right" (1958), "Hershey Bar" (1960), "Hear Me Talking" (1963), "You and Me and Love" (1965)
founding member and lead of The Southlanders, "I've Had Enough" (1955)
lead of Boyd Bennett and His Rockets, "Seventeen" (#5 1955, he co-wrote), "My Boy, Flat-Top" (1955, he wrote), "The Most" (1955, he wrote), "A Lock of Your Hair" (1956), "Right Around the Corner" (1956), "Rockin' up a Storm" (1956), "High School Hop" (1959, he wrote), "Cool Disc Jockey" (1959)
songwriter
DJ
served in the Navy during WWII, where he was exposed to the asbestos that eventually caused his death
see Boyd Bennett

Harry Chapin (Harry Foster Chapin)

b. 1942 in Greenwich Village, NY – d. 16 Jul 1981 in Long Island, NY (auto accident)
folk/rock/pop singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Taxi" (#24 1972), "Sunday Morning Sunshine" (#75 1972), "Empty" (1972), "A Better Place to Be" (#86 1973), "W.O.L.D." (#36 1974), "Cat's in the Cradle" (#1 1974, based on a poem by his wife, Sandy), "I Wanna Learn a Love Song" (#44 1974, he wrote), "Vacancy" (1974), "She Sings Songs Without Words" (1975), "Sandy" (1975), "The Shortest Story" (1976), "If My Mary Were Here" (1976), "Jenny" (1978), "Sequel" (#23 1980)
songwriter
film maker
humanitarian
md. to Sandra Cashmore (1968-81, his death); she was 9 years older than him
see Harry Chapin

Jimmy Charles

b. 1942 in Patterson, NJ
R&B singer
instrument: guitar
"Hop Scotch Hop" (1960), "A Million to One" (#5 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "Santa Won't Be Blue This Christmas" (1960), "The Age of Love" (#47 1961), "Follow the Swallow" (1961), "A Little Mouse Called Steve" (1961), "Just Whistle for Me" (1962), "I Wonder How it Feels to Fall in Love" (1962)
music producer

Andy Childs

b. 1962 in Memphis, TN
country singer
instrument: guitar
"I Wouldn't Know" (#73c 1993), "Broken" (#62c 1993), "Simple Life" (#61c 1994)
founding member of Sixwire, "Way Too Deep" (#55c 2002, he co-wrote), "Look at Me Now" (#30c 2002), "Say it Simple" (2002), "I Can't Help How I Feel" (2002), "Brave Soul" (2002, he co-wrote)
songwriter
see Andy Childs

Michael Connor (Michael Edward Connor)

b. 1949 in Covington, KY - d. 2 Sep 2004 in Siesta Key, FL (cancer)
country/rock musician, instruments: piano, keyboards
with Pure Prairie League (1972-87, 1998- ), "Boulder Skies" (1972), "Falling in and Out of Love" (1972), "Amie" (#27 1974, recorded 1972), "Two-Lane Highway" (#97 1975), "Kentucky Moonshine" (1975), "Kansas City Southern" (1975), "Tornado Warning" (1976), "Dance" (1976), "That'll Be the Day" (#96c 1976), "Just Fly" (1978), "I Can't Believe" (1979), "I'm Almost Ready" (#34 1980), "Let Me Love You Tonight" (#10 1980), "Still Right Here in My Heart" (#28 1981), "You're Mine Tonight" (#68 1981)
Pure Prairie League's name came from a women's temperance group in the 1939 movie Dodge City
see Pure Prairie League

Bent Fabric (Bent Fabricius-Bjerre)

b. 1924 in Copenhagen, Denmark
jazz/pop musician, instrument: piano
Alley Cat (#7 1962, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Markin' Time" (1962), "Chicken Feed" (#63 1963), "The Happy Puppy" (1963), "Drunken Penguin" (1965), "Never Tease Tigers" (1966), "Sweet Senorita" (2006)
songwriter (using the name 'Frank Bjorn')

Darrell Glenn

b. 1935 in Waco, TX - d. 9 Apr 1990 in Fort Worth, TX (cancer)
western swing/country/pop singer
"Congratulations to Me" (1958), "Mister Moonlight" (1958), "So I've Been Told" (1958), "Bonnie Sue" (1963), "She Made it All Up" (1963), "Soft Words on a Summer Night" (1966), "Indescribably Blue" (1967, he wrote)
backed by his band The Rhythm Riders, "Crying in the Chapel" (#6, #4c 1953), "No Tears, No Regrets" (1955), "Your Little Red Wagon" (1956)
duet with Gene Vincent, "Who's Pushing Your Swing?" (1958)
with The Texas Playboys (1952)
songwriter
music producer
son of songwriter, Artie Glenn (he wrote "Crying in the Chapel")
see The Texas Playboys

Hugh X. Lewis (Hubert Lewis)

b. 1932 in Yeaddiss, KY (grew up in Cumberland, KY)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Bingo" (1961), "What I Need Most" (#21c 1965, he wrote), "Talk Me Out of it" (1965), "Out Where the Ocean Meets the Sky" (#32c 1965), "I'd Better Call the Law on Me" (#30c 1966), "Tomorrow's Just Another Day to Cry" (1966), "You Belong to My Heart" (1966), "Wish Me a Rainbow" (1966), "Another Day Just Slipped Away" (1967), "You're So Cold (I'm Turning Blue)" (#38c 1967), "I Just Wasted the Rest" (1968), "Mister Policeman" (1969), "Restless Melissa" (1969), "Everything I Love" (#56c 1970), "Blues Sells a Lot of Booze" (#68c 1970), "Round and Round She Goes" (1971), "Katy Couldn't Bar the Door" (1973), "Heaven, Hell or Houston" (1973), "One of Her Tears" (1974), "Beginning Tomorrow" (1978), "Once Before I Die" (1979)
songwriter, wrote Stonewall Jackson's "B.J. the DJ" (#1c 1964); Carl Smith's "Take My Ring Off Your Finger" (#15c 1964)
actor/comedian

Don Maddox (Kenneth Chalmer Maddox)

b. 1922 in Boaz, AL
country/honky-tonk singer
instruments: fiddle, guitar
founding member of The Maddox Brothers and Rose (1933-57), "Careless Driver" (1947), "Gosh, I Miss You All the Time" (1948), "At the First Fall of Snow" (1949), "I'm Sending You Daffydills" (1949), "Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down" (1950), "Just One Little Kiss" (1950), "Dark as a Dungeon" (1950), "Chocolate Ice Cream" (1950), "I'll Make Sweet Love to You" (1952), "These Wasted Years" (1953), "Kiss Me Like Crazy" (1953), "Poor Little Heartbroken Rose" (1954), "You've Been Talkin' in Your Sleep" (1954), "Second Choice" (1955), "Hey, Little Dreamboat" (1956), "Wish You Would" (1956), "Take a Gamble on Me" (1957), "1-2-3-4 Anyplace Road (Somewhere, USA)" (1957)

Gary Morris (Gary Gwyn Morris)

b. 1948 in Fort Worth, TX
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Sweet Red Wine" (#40c 1980), "Headed for a Heartache" (#8c 1981), "Dreams Die Hard" (#15c 1982), "The Love She Found in Me" (#5c 1983), "The Wind Beneath My Wings" (#4c 1983), "Second-Hand Heart" (#7c 1984), "Why Lady Why?" (#4c 1984, he co-wrote), "Between Two Fires" (#7c 1984), "Baby, Bye Bye" (#1c 1985, he co-wrote), "Lasso the Moon" (#9c 1985), "I'll Never Stop Loving You" (#1c 1985), "100% Chance of Rain" (#1c 1986), "Leave Me Lonely" (#1c 1987, wrote), "Plain Brown Wrapper" (#9c 1987, he co-wrote), "Simply Meant to Be" (1987), "Miles Across the Bedroom" (#47 1991)
duets with Crystal Gayle, "Makin' up for Lost Time (The Dallas Lovers Song)" (#1c 1986, he co-wrote), "Another World" (#4c 1987)
duet with Lynn Anderson, "You're Welcome to Tonight" (#9c 1983)
songwriter
actor
md. to Elizabeth Murphy (1996- )
see Gary Morris

Bobby Osborne (Robert Van Osborne, Jr.)

b. 1931 near Hayden, KY (grew up in Dayton, OH)
bluegrass singer
instruments: mandolin, guitar, banjo
"No One Will Cry for Maria" (1966), "Bad News From a Friend" (2000), "Just a Girl I Used to Know" (2000)
founding member of Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press, "Under a Lonesome Moon" (2007), "I'll Take a Chance" (2007), "Color Me Lonely" (2007)
founding member of The Osborne Brothers (1956-2005), "I Love You Only" (1962), "Kentucky" (1965, official state song of Kentucky), "Up This Hill and Down" (#41c 1966), "The Kind of Woman I Got" (#33c 1967), "Rocky Top" (#33 1968, re-recorded #2c 1997, official state song of Tennessee), "Tennessee Hound Dog" (#28c 1969), "Georgia Piney Woods" (#37c 1971), "Lizzie Lou" (#66 1973), "Blue Heartache" (#64c 1974), "Don't Let the Smokey Mountain Smoke Get in Your Eyes" (1975), "Lorena" (1994), "The Waltz You Saved for Me" (1994)
The Osborne Brothers and Red Allen, "Once More" (#13c 1958)
founding member of The Rocky Top X-Press
served in the Army
see Bobby Osborne

Ronnie Sessions

b. 1948 in Henrietta, OK (grew up in Bakersfield, CA)
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Scaredy Cat" (1967), "I Never Go Around Mirrors" (#6 1968), "Wiggle Wiggle" (#4 1969, #16c 1977), "Walkin' Down the Road" (1962), "More Than Satisfied" (1970), "Never Been to Spain" (#36c 1972), "Me and Millie (Stompin' Grapes and Gettin' Silly)" (#15c 1977), "Ambush" (#30c 1977), "Juliet and Romeo" (#25c 1978), "I Bought the Shoes That Just Walked Out on Me" (#78c 1987)
first appeared at the Grand Ole Opry at age ten
songwriter
md. to Patty Tirney

Bruce Shay (Bruce Plashay)

b. 1948
pop singer
instrument: percussions
with 1910 Fruitgum Company (1968-69), "Goody Goody Gumdrops" (#37 1968), "Hot Diggity Dog" (1968), "Indian Giver" (#5 1969)
with the High 5 Band
session musician

Happy Jack Taylor

b. 1901 in Summershade, KY - d. 4 Aug 1962
country singer
instruments: bass fiddle, tenor banjo, guitar
founding member of The Prairie Ramblers (1930- ), "Go Easy Blues" (1933), "Shady Grove, My Darling" (1933), "Next Year" (1933, he wrote), "Blue River" (1933), "Riding Down the Canyon" (1935), "Put on an Old Pair of Shoes" (1935)
The Prairie Ramblers backing Gene Autry, "Old Faithful" (#10 1935)
The Prairie Ramblers backed Patsy Montana (1933-41), * "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" (1935), "Give Me a Home in Wyoming" (1936), "Rodeo Sweetheart" (1938), "Shine on Rocky Mountain Moonlight" (1938), "Little Rose on the Prairie" (1938), "Someone to Go Home to" (1938), "Give Me a Straight-Shootin' Cowboy" (1938), "That's Where the West Begins" (1938), "My Pinto Pony" (1939), "Shy Little Anne from Cheyenne" (1940), "Swing-Time Cowgirl" (1940)
The Prairie Ramblers also recorded as Rusty Gill and the Westernaires, "Whatever Made You Stop Loving Me?" (1941, he wrote), "I Ain't the Man I Used to Be" (1941), "Weary and Worried" (1941), "Straddlin' My Saddle" (1941), "Blaze Away" (1941), "In a Little Texas Town" (1941), "To You and My West Virginia Home" (1941), "Let Me Wake up in Wyoming" (1941)
songwriter
music producer

Tom Waits (Thomas Alan Waits)

b. 1949 in Pomona, CA
rock/jazz/blues singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Old Shoes (and Picture Postcards)" (1973), "(Looking for) the Heart of Saturday Night" (1974), "Diamonds on My Windshield" (1974), "Step Right Up" (1976), "The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)" (1976), "Muriel" (1977), "Blue Valentines" (1978), "Red Shoes By the Drugstore" (1978), "Wrong Side of the Road" (1978), "A Sweet Little Bullet From a Pretty Blue Gun" (1978), "Jersey Girl" (1980), "I Never Talk to Strangers" (1981), "Eggs and Sausage" (1981), "Broken Bicycles" (1982), "16 Shells from a Thirty Ought Six" (1983), "Shore Leave" (1983), "Time" (1985), "Telephone Call From Istanbul" (1987), "Yesterday is Here" (1987), "Who Are You?" (1992), "Just the Right Bullets" (1993), "Picture in a Frame" (1999)
duets with Crystal Gayle, "This One's From the Heart" (1982), "Is There a Way Out of This Dream?" (1982)
session musician with Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos, and others
songwriter
actor
served in the Coast Guard
md. to songwriter, Kathleen Brennan (1980- )

December 8

Gregg Allman (Gregory Lenoir Allman)

b. 1947 in Nashville, TN
rock/blues/country singer
instruments: keyboards, guitar
"Please Call Home" (1973), "Oncoming Traffic" (1974), "Midnight Rider" (#19 1974, he co-wrote), "The Brightest Smile in Town" (1977), "Silence Ain't Golden Anymore" (1977), "I'm No Angel" (1987), "Things That Might Have Been" (1987), "Can't Keep Running" (1987), "Before the Bullets Fly" (1990), "Fear of Falling" (1990), "Searching for Simplicity" (1997)
founding member and lead singer of the Allman Brothers Band (1969-75, 1979-82, 1989- ), "Black-Hearted Woman" (1969), "Revival" (#92 1971), "Melissa" (1972, he wrote), "Ramblin' Man" (#2 1973), "Jessica" (1973), "Crazy Love" (#29 1979), "Angeline" (#58 1980), "Straight from the Heart" (#39 1981), "Good Clean Fun" (1990, he co-wrote), "Seven Turns" (1990), "It Ain't Over Yet" (1990), "The High Cost of Low Living" (2003, he co-wrote), "Old Friend" (2003), "Who to Believe" (2003)
songwriter
md. to Cher (1975-79), md. to Julie (1979-81), md. to Stacey Fountain (2001- )
arrested on federal drug charges 1976
see The Allman Brothers
see Gregg Allman

Mike Botts (Michael Gene Botts)

b. 1944 in Oakland, CA (grew up in Antioch, CA) - d. 9 Dec 2005 in Burbank, CA (colon cancer)
rock singer
instrument: drums
"What's That Comin'?" (2002), "The Wait" (2002, he wrote), "Avenue 63" (2002, he wrote), "Sailin' Shoes" (2002)
with Bread (1970-73, 1976-78, 1996-97), "Make it with You" (#1 1970), "It Doesn't Matter to Me" (#10 1970), "If" (#4 1971), "Baby I'm-a Want You" (#3 1971), "Dream Lady" (1972), "Diary" (#15 1972), "Everything I Own" (#5 1972), "Aubrey" (#15 1973), "Lost Without Your Love" (#9 1976)
with Linda Ronstadt's band (1974-75), "When Will I Be Loved?" (#2, #1c 1975), "You're No Good" (#1 1975), "Heat Wave" (#5 1975), "I Can't Help it (if I'm Still in Love with You)" (#2c 1975), "Love is a Rose" (#63, #5c 1975), "The Tracks of My Tears" (#25, #11c 1975)
session musician with Olivia Newton-John, Peter Cetera, Karla Bonoff, Tina Turner, Dan Fogelberg, Eddie Money, and others
songwriter

Jerry Butler (Jerry Butler, Jr. aka 'the Ice Man')

b. 1939 in Sunflower, MS
soul/doo-wop singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, sax, piano
"Couldn't Go to Sleep" (1959), "He Will Break Your Heart" (#7 1960), "Find Another Girl" (#27 1961), "I'm A-Telling You" (#25 1961), "Moon River" (#11 1961), "Make it Easy on Yourself" (#20 1962), "Strawberries" (1963), "Mister Dream Merchant" (#38 1967), "Hey, Western Union Man" (#16 1968), "Never Gonna Give You Up" (#20 1968), "Only the Strong Survive" (#4 1969), "What's the Use of Breaking Up?" (#20 1969), "Are You Happy?" (#39 1969), "Don't Wanna Be Reminded" (1976), "I Don't Want Nobody to Know" (1977)
duets with Betty Everett, "Let it Be Me" (#5 1964), "Smile" (#42 1965)
founding member and lead singer of The Impressions (1957-58), "For Your Precious Love" (#11 1958, he wrote), "Sweeter Was the Wine" (1958), "Come Back, My Love" (1958), "At the County Fair" (1958)
songwriter, co-wrote Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now)" (#21 1965)
music producer

Ashley Clark

b. 1980 in VA
country singer
instrument: fiddle
founding member of The Clark Family Experience (1993- ), "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch" (#80, #18c 2001), "To Quote Shakespeare" (#51c 2001), "Just Emily" (2001), "Standin' Still" (#36c 2001), "Going Away" (#44c 2002), "It'll Always Be You" (2002)
backup musician with Carrie Underwood
brother of Alan, Aaron, Adam, Andrew, and Austin Clark
see The Clark Family Experience on Wikipedia

Geoff Daking

b. 1947 in Wilmington, DE
pop/rock musician, instrument: drums
with The Blues Magoos (1965-68), "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" (#5 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "There's a Chance We Can Make it" (1967), "Pipe Dream" (1967), "One by One" (1967)
sound engineer

Sammy Davis, Jr. (Samuel George Davis, Jr.)

b. 1925 in New York, NY – d. 16 May 1990 in Beverly Hills, CA (throat cancer)
pop singer
instruments: trumpet, drums
"Red Grapes" (1954), "The Birth of the Blues" (1954), "Adelaide" (1955), "Get Out of the Car (Uh, Oh!)" (1956), "French Fried Potatoes and Ketchup" (1957), "There's No Fool Like an Old Fool" (1958), "Song and Dance Man" (1958), "Back in Your Own Back Yard" (1961), "We Kiss in a Shadow" (1962), "What Kind of Fool Am I?" (#17 1962), "The Shelter of Your Arms" (#17 1964), "Ten Out of Ten" (1964), "Another Spring" (1964), "Courage" (1965), "I Like the Way You Dance" (1968), "I've Gotta Be Me" (#11 1969), "The Candy Man" (#1 1972), "Time to Ride" (1972), "(I'd Be a) Legend in My Time" (#4 1973), "Singin' in the Rain" (#16 1974), "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow" (1978)
dancer; actor
served in the Army during WWII
md. 1st to Loray White (1958-59), md. to actress, May Britt (1960-68), md. to Altovise Gore (1970-90, his death)

Allen Frizzell

b. 1951 in Eldorado, AR
country singer
instrument: guitar
"She's Livin' It Up (and I'm Drinkin' 'Em Down)" (#81c 1981), "It'll Be Love By Morning" (#73c 1985, he co-wrote)
songwriter
md. to Shelly West; younger brother of Lefty and David Frizzell

Stan Harrison

b. 1953 in Philadelphia, PA (grew up in NJ)
rock/soul/blues musician, instruments: tenor sax, flute, clarinet
"Short Story, Long Ago" (2001), "Do You Ever Wonder?" (2001), "Feverishly Feeding the Fire" (2001)
with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1978-79), "Hearts of Stone" (1978), "All I Want is Everything" (1979)
founding member of The Borneo Horns
session musician with Bruce Springsteen, "David Bowie, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and others
songwriter
see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Bertie Higgins (Elbert Joseph Higgins)

b. 1944 in Tarpon Springs, FL
country/rock/pop singer
"Key Largo" (#50c 1982, he co-wrote), "Just Another Day in Paradise" (#90c 1982, he co-wrote), "Down at the Blue Moon" (1982), "As Time Goes By" (1983), "Marianna" (1983), "All-Night Rain" (1984), "Homeless People" (#75c 1989, he co-wrote), "The Flag's on Fire" (2007, he co-wrote)
duet with Roy Orbison, "Leah" (1983)
songwriter

Graham Knight (John Graham Knight)

b. 1946 in Glasgow, Scotland
pop/rock singer
instrument: bass
founding member of The Marmalade (1966-71), "It's All Leading Up to Saturday Night" (1966), "I See the Rain" (1967), "Lovin' Things" (1968), "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" (1968), "Reflections of My Life" (#10 1970), "Rainbow" (1970)

Bernie Krause

b. 1938 in Detroit, MI
folk singer
"Green Meadow Stream" (1997), "Desert solitudes" (1997), "Rain Forest Dreams" (1998)
with The Weavers (1963-64), "Because All Men Are Brothers" (1963), "Come Away, Melinda" (1963)
songwriter
naturalist; his recording of humpback whale sounds helped lure a lost whale out of the Sacramento River Delta back into the open ocean
has a Ph.D. in bioacoustics

Jim Morrison (James Douglas Morrison)

b. 1943 in Melbourne, FL – d. 3 Jul 1971 in Paris, France (heart attack likely brought on by a drug overdose)
rock/blues singer (baritone)
founding member and lead singer of The Doors (1965-71), "Light My Fire" (#1 1967), "Crawling King Snakes" (1967), "When the Music's Over" (1967), "People Are Strange" (#12 1967), "Hello, I Love You" (#1 1968, he wrote), "The Unknown Soldier" (#39 1968), "Touch Me" (#3 1969), "Love Her Madly" (#11 1971), "Riders of the Storm" (#14 1971), "Gloria" (#18 1983, he wrote)
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
poet
his gravestone is inscribed with a Greek phrase meaning "true to his own spirit"
see The Doors

Tom Morrissey

b. 1943 in Brooklyn, NY
R&B singer
founding member and lead singer of The Echoes (1960- ), "Baby Blue" (#12 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "Boomerang" (1961), "Sad Eyes" (#88 1961), "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" (1962), "I Love Candy" (1965)
served in the military

Eddie Platt (Eddie Platakis)

b. 1921 in Cleveland, OH (grew up in Rossford, OH)
jazz/pop musician, instruments: clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax
founding member of the Eddie Platt Orchestra (1958), "Rock 'em" (1957), "Tequila" (#20 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Popcorn" (1958), "Cha-Hua-Hua" (#34 1958), "Vodka" (1958)
served in the Army and the Air Force during WWII

Marty Raybon

b. 1959 in Stanford, FL or Greenville, AL (grew up in Jacksonville, FL)
country singer
"Searching for the Missing Peace" (1995), "If I Didn't Love You" (1995), "Cracker Jack Diamond" (#63c 2000), "Webster's Definition" (2003), "The Last Song" (2003), "Looking for Suzanne" (2006), "Shenandoah Saturday Night" (2006)
founding member and lead singer of Shenandoah (1985-97), "Stop the Rain" (#28c 1988), * "She Doesn't Cry Anymore" (#9c 1988), "The Church on Cumberland Road" (#1c 1989), * "Two Dozen Roses" (#1c 1989), "Sunday in the South" (#1c 1989), "Next to You, Next to Me" (#1c 1990), "When You Were Mine" (#38c 1991), "Rock My Baby" (#2c 1992), "Leavin's Been a Long Time Comin'" (#15c 1992), "I Want to Be Loved Like That" (#3c 1993), "If Bubba Can Dance (I Can Too)" (#1c 1994), "Darned if I Don't (Danged if I Do)" (#4c 1995), "All Over But the Shoutin'" (#43c 1996), "What Children Believe" (#65c 2000)
Shenandoah duet with Alison Krauss, "Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart" (#7c 1995)
founding member of The Raybon Brothers, "Butterfly Kisses" (#22, #37c 1997), "The Way She's Lookin'" (#64c 1997), "Tangled up in Love" (1997), "Falling" (1997)
brother of Tim Raybon
see Shenandoah

Jean Ritchie

b. 1922 in Viper, KY
folk singer
instruments: lap dulcimer, guitar
"On the Banks of Red Roses" (1954), "Children Go Where I Send Thee" (1959), "The May Day Carol" (1959), "The Unquiet Grave" (1961), "Cherry Tree Carol" (1961), "None But One" (1977), "Too Many Shadows" (1977)
songwriter
author
md. to George Pickow (1950- )

Jimmy Smith (James Oscar Smith)

b. 1925 in Norristown, PA - d. 8 Feb 2005 in Scottsdale, AZ
jazz/soul musician, instruments: Hammond B-3 electric organ, keyboards
"If I Should Lose You" (1960), "Walk on the Wild Side" (#21 1962, One-Hit Wonder), "The Cat" (1964), * "Suicide is Painless" (Theme from M*A*S*H) (1982), "I'll Drink to That" (1982, he wrote)
songwriter

Floyd Tillman

b. 1914 in Ryan, OK (grew up in Post, TX) – d. 22 Aug 2003 in Bacliff, TX (leukemia)
country/western swing/honky-tonk singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, banjo
"I'm Always Dreaming of You" (1939), "They Took the Stars Out of Heaven" (#1c 1944, he wrote), "G.I. Blues" (#5c 1944, he wrote), "Each Night at Nine" (1945, he wrote), "Drivin' Nails in My Coffin" (#2c 1946), "I Love You So Much it Hurts" (#5c 1948, he wrote), "Slippin' Around (#5c 1949, he wrote), "This Cold War with You" (1949), "I'll Never Slip Around Again" (#6c 1949, reply to "Slippin' Around", he wrote), "I Gotta Have My Baby Back" (#4c 1958, he wrote), "It Just Tears Me Up" (#29c 1960), "The Record Goes 'Round" (1961), "You Won't Even Know That I'm Gone" (1967), "Memory's a Handy Thing to Have" (1967), "Rainbow is the Color of Love" (1969)
songwriter
served in the Army during WWII
md. to Margaret Hartis, md. to Francis Woods
see Floyd Tillman

Jimmy 'the Whiz' Wisner (James J. Wisner)

b. 1931 in Philadelphia, PA
rock/jazz musician, instrument: piano
"A Quiet Boy" (1960), "Where the Hot Winds Blow" (1960), "A Walk in Space" (1965), "For Love of Ivy" (1968), "Sealed With a Kiss" (1972)
recorded as Kokomo, "Asia Minor" (#8 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "King of Hearts" (1961), "Twentieth Century Drawing Room" (1961), "Juliet's Theme" (1965)
founding member of The Jimmy Wisner Trio, "They're Off and Running" (1959), "And Then There Were None" (1959)
session musician on Freddy Cannon's "Palisades Park" (#3 1962); and with Neil Sedaka, Carly Simon, and others
songwriter, wrote The Searchers' "Don't Throw Your Love Away" (#16 1964)
music producer, arranger

December 9

Shirley Brickley

b. 1944 in Philadelphia, PA - d. 13 Oct 1977 in Philadelphia, PA (murdered, shot by an intruder in her home)
pop/R&B/novelty singer
founding member of The Orlons (1960-68), "The Wah Watusi" (#2 1962), "Don't Hang Up" (#4 1962), "Please Let it Be Me" (1962), "Them Terrible Boots" (1963), "South Street" (#3 1963), "Not Me" (#12 1963), "Crossfire" (#19 1963), "Shimmy Shimmy" (#66 1964), "Knock, Knock" (#64 1964), "Everything Nice" (1964), "Envy (in My Eyes)" (1965), "Once Upon a Time" (1967)
The Orlons sang backup on Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time" (#2 1962), "Gravy (for My Mashed Potatoes)" (#9 1962)
sister of Audrey Brickley

Tré Cool (Frank Edwin Wright III)

b. 1972 in Frankfurt, Germany (grew up in Laytonville, Ca)
rock singer
instrument: drummer
with Green Day (1990- , replaced Al Sobrante), "When I Come Around" (1994), * "Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)" (1997), "Hitchin' a Ride" (1997), "American Idiot" (2004), "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" (2004)

Jakob Dylan (Jakob Luke Dylan)

b. 1969 in New York, NY
rock singer
instruments: lead guitar, bass
"Here Comes Now" (2006, he wrote), "Stardust Universe" (2006, he wrote), "Evil is Alive and Well" (2008), "Something Good This Way Comes" (2008), "This End of the Telescope" (2008)
founding member and lead singer of The Wallflowers, "For the Life of Me" (1992), "Shy of the Moon" (1992), "One Headlight" (#2 1996, he wrote), "Angel on My Bike" (1996), "6th Avenue Heartache" (#25 1996), "The Difference" (#19 1997), "Murder 101" (#13 2000), "Sleepwalker" (2000), "Everybody Out of the Water" (2002), "The Beautiful Side of Somewhere" (2005), "God Says Nothing Back" (2005)
songwriter
son of Bob Dylan; md. to actress, Nicole Paige Denny (1992- )
see Jakob Dylan

Dan Hicks

b. 1941 in Little Rock, AR (grew up in Santa Rosa, CA)
country/folk/jazz singer
instrument: guitar
"Garden in the Rain" (1978), "Lovers for Life" (1978), "Level with Me, Laurie" (1994), "Texas Kinda Attitude" (1994), "How Can I Miss You if You Won't Go Away?" (1998, he wrote), "Love Bug Blues" (1998)
founding member of Hot Licks (1968- ), "Hummin' to Myself" (2001), "Shootin' Straight" (2001), "Barstool Boogie" (2004), "That Ain't Right" (2004)
founding member of The Acoustic Warriors (1992-96)
duet with Tom Waits, "I'll Tell You Why That is" (2000)
songwriter
see Dan Hicks

Jessie Hill

b. 1932 in New Orleans, LA - d. 17 Sep 1996 in New Orleans, LA (heart and kidney failure)
R&B/doo-wop/jazz singer
instrument: drums
"Ooh Poo Pah Doo" (#28 1960, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Scoop Scoobie Doobie" (1960), "I Got Mine" (1961), "It's My Fault" (1961), "Can't Get Enough of That Ooh Pah Doo" (1962)
founding member of The House Rockers
session musician with Huey 'Piano' Smith, and others
songwriter

David Houston

b. 1938 in Bossier City, LA – d. 30 Nov 1993 in Bossier City, LA (brain aneurysm)
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar, piano
"I'm Sorry I Made You Cry" (1955), "Sugar Sweet" (1956), "I Ain't Goin' There No More" (1957), "Mountain of Love" (#2c 1963), "Chickashay" (#17c 1964, he co-wrote), "One if for Him, Two if for Me" (#11 1964), "Livin' in a House Full of Love" (#3c 1965), "Almost Persuaded" (#24, #1c 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Sherry's Lips" (1966), "You Mean the World to Me" (#75, #1c 1967), "With One Exception" (#1c 1967), "Sweet, Sweet Judy" (1967), "Already it's Heaven" (#1c 1968), "Have a Little Faith" (#1c 1968), "Where Love Used to Be" (#2c 1968), "I'm Down to My Last 'I Love You'" (#3c 1969), "Baby, Baby (I Know You're a Lady)" (#1c 1969), "I Do My Swingin' at Home" (#3c 1970), "A Woman Always Knows" (#2c 1971), "Nashville" (#9c 1971), "Soft, Sweet and Warm" (#8c 1972), * "Good Things" (#2c 1973), * "She's All Woman" (#3c 1973), "Can't You Feel It?" (#9c 1974), "Barroom Champagne" (1977), "It Started All Over Again" (#56c 1978), "No-Tell Motel" (#72c 1978), "Best Friends Make the Worst Enemies" (#46c 1979), "Thanks for Being You and Loving Me" (1980), "You're the Perfect Reason" (1980), "We Couldn't Make it Love" (1980), "Texas Ida Red" (1981), "ET Still Means Ernest Tubb to Me" (1983)
duets with Tammy Wynette, "My Elusive Dreams" (#89, #1 1967), "It's All Over" (#11c 1968)
duet with Barbara Mandrell, "After Closing Time" (#6c 1970), "I Love You, I Love You" (#6c 1973), "Ten Commandments of Love" (#14c 1974)
"Almost Persuaded" is the only song to spend nine consecutive weeks as #1 country
songwriter
descendant of Sam Houston and Robert E. Lee

David Kersh (Charles David Kersh)

b. 1970 in Houston, TX (grew up in Humble, TX)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Goodnight, Sweetheart" (#6c 1996), "Breaking Hearts and Taking Names" (#65c 1996), "Another You" (#3c 1996), "Day In, Day Out" (#11c 1997), "If I Never Stop Loving You" (#67, #3c 1998), "Anything with Wheels" (1998), "It's Out of My Hands" (1998), "Wonderful Tonight" (#29c 1998)
songwriter

Freddy Martin (Fredrick Alfred Martin)

b. 1906 in Cleveland, OH - d. 30 Sep 1983
jazz/swing/pop musician, instruments: tenor sax, sax
founding member of the Freddy Martin Band (1931- ), "Why Don't We Do This More Often?" (1941), "Piano Concerto in B-Flat (Tonight We Love)" (#1 1941), "I Met Her on Monday" (1942), "A Touch of Texas" (1942), "Warsaw Concerto" (#11 1943), "In the Middle of May" (1945), "Bumble Boogie" (#7 1946), "Dingbat, the Singing Cat" (1946), "Doin' What Comes Naturally" (1946), "Rainbow's End" (1946), "You Put a Song in My Heart" (1946), "Once Upon a Moon" (1946), "Save Me a Dream" (1946), "1400 Dream Street" (1949), "Portrait of Jenny" (1949), "Your Kiss" (1949), "Sunday Out in the Country" (1949), "Home Cookin'" (1950), "Spring Made a Fool of Me" (1950), "A Perfect Day" (1952), "Penny Whistle Blues" (1952), "There'll Be No New Tunes on This Old Piano" (1952), "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" (1954), "Lonesome Polecat" (1954)
recorded as Felix Figueroa and His Orchestra
he spent most of his childhood in an orphanage

Donny Osmond (Donald Clark Osmond)

b. 1957 in Ogden, UT
pop/rock singer
"Go Away, Little Girl" (#1 1971), "Puppy Love" (#3 1972), "Too Young" (#13 1972), "The Twelfth of Never" (#8 1973), "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (#14 1973), "If Someone Ever Breaks Your Heart" (1974), "C'Mon, Marianne" (#38 1976), "Soldier of Love" (#2 1989), "Sacred Emotion" (#13 1989), "My Love is a Fire" (#21 1990)
with The Osmond Brothers, "One Bad Apple" (#1 1971), "Double Lovin'" (#14 1971), "Chilly Winds" (1971), "Yo-Yo" (#3 1971), "Down by the Lazy River" (#4 1972), "Crazy Horses" (1972), "Love Me for a Reason" (1974), "I'm Still Gonna Need You" (1975), "I Can't Live a Dream" (1976)
founding member of Donny and Marie, "I'm Leaving it up to You" (#17c, #4 1974), "The Morning Side of the Mountain" (#8 1974), "Take Me Back Again" (1974), "Deep Purple" (#14 1975), "When Somebody Cares" (1975), "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (#21 1976)
actor; author
race car driver
md. to Debra Glenn (1978- )

Screamin' Scott Simon

b. 1948 in Kansas City, MO
rock/pop singer
instruments: piano, keyboards, guitar, bass
with Sha Na Na (1970- ), "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay" (1971), "Top Forty" (1971, he wrote), "At the Hop" (1971), "Don't Want to Say Goodbye" (1975), "Shot Down in Denver" (1975), "Only One Song" (1978, he wrote)
songwriter
md. to Deborah Richetta
see Sha Na Na

Sylvia (Sylvia Jane Kirby aka Sylvia Hutton)

b. 1956 in Kokomo, IN
country/pop singer
"Pillow Talk" (#3 1973), "It Don't Hurt to Dream" (#35c 1980), "Tumbleweed" (#10c 1980), "Drifter" (#1c 1981), "The Matador" (#1, #7c 1981), "Heart on the Mend" (#8c 1981), "Sweet Yesterday" (#12c 1982), "Nobody" (#1c 1982), "Like Nothing Ever Happened" (#2c 1982), "Snapshot" (#5c 1983), "I Never Quite Got Back (From Loving You)" (#3c 1984), "Love Over Old Times" (#36c 1984), "Fallin' in Love" (#2c 1985), "One Step Closer" (1985), "Straight from My Heart" (#66c 1986), "Chance Encounter" (1996, she co-wrote), "Hand-Me-Down" (1996, she co-wrote), "The Real Story" (1996, she co-wrote), "Even a Cowboy Can Dream" (1996)
duet with Michael Johnson, "I Love You by Heart" (#9c 1986)
backup singer
songwriter
md. to Mr. Allen; md. 3rd to Mr. Hutton
see Sylvia on Wikipedia

Kenny Vance (Kenneth Rosenberg)

b. 1943 in Queens, NY
pop/rock/doo-wop 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, he co-wrote), "Some Enchanted Evening" (#13 1965), "Crying" (#25 1966), "Sunday and Me" (#18 1965), "This Magic Moment" (#6 1968), "Walkin' in the Rain" (#19 1969)
founding member of Kenny Vance and the Planatones, "Looking for an Echo" (1996), "To Be Loved (Forever)" (2005)
songwriter
see Jay and the Americans

Billy Edd Wheeler (Billy Edward Wheeler)

b. 1931/32 in Whitesville, WV
folk/country/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
"Ode to the Little Brown Shack Out Back" (#3c 1962, he wrote), "Sister Sara" (1964), "On the Outside (Lookin' in)" (1964), "The Politician's Dog" (1965), "Hillbilly Bossa Nova" (1965), "I Ain't the Worrying Kind" (#63c 1968, he wrote), "West Virginia Woman" (#51c 1969, he wrote), "Fried Chicken and a Country Tune" (#62c 1969, he wrote)
songwriter, wrote The Kingston Trio's "Reverend Mr. Black" (#8 1963); Johnny Cash and June Carter's "Jackson" (#2c 1967); co-wrote Kenny Rogers' "Coward of the County" (#1c 1980)
poet; playwright
served in the Navy
see Billy Edd Wheeler

December 10

Jerry Abbott

b. 1947 in Dallas, TX
country singer
instrument: guitar
"I Want a Little Cowboy" (#63c 1978, he co-wrote), "When it Comes to Cowgirls (I Just Can't Say No)" (1978, he co-wrote), "I Owe it All to You" (#80c 1978, he wrote), "Jack of All Trades" (1978)
songwriter
music producer

Ken Albers (John Kenneth Albers)

b. 1924 in Woodbury, NJ - d. 19 Apr 2007 in Simi Valley, CA
pop/jazz singer (bass)
instruments: trumpet, flugelhorn, mellophone
with The Four Freshmen (1956-82, replaced Ken Errair), "Graduation Day" (#27 1956), "Nights are Longer" (1958), "When I Stop Lovin' You" (1965), "Nowhere to Go" (1966), "Blue World" (1969), "Laughter in the Rain" (1977), "Here's That Rainy Day" (1977), "For Once in My Life" (1977), "I've Never Loved Anyone More" (1982), "Lovin' You" (1982)
served in the Army during WWII
see The Four Freshmen

Jessica Cleaves

b. 1948 in Beverly Hills, CA
pop/rock/jazz/soul singer
founding member of The Friends of Distinction (1968-75), "Grazin' in the Grass" (#3 1969), "Going in Circles" (#15 1969), "Love Me or Let Me Be Lonely" (#6 1970), "Time Waits for No One" (#60 1970)
with Earth, Wind and Fire (1972-73), "Keep Your Head to the Sky" (#52 1973)
see Earth, Wind, and Fire
see The Friends of Distinction on Wikipedia

Tim Lawter

b. 1958
country singer
instrument: bass
with White Wind
with The Marshall Tucker Band (1987- ), "Hangin' Out in Smokey Places" (#44c 1987), "Dancin' Shoes" (1988), "Stay in the Country" (1990, he wrote), "Chase the Memory" (1990), "And the Hills" (1990), "Country Road" (1990), "Why Can't You Love Me?" (1990), "Destruction" (1990), "Love Will" (1990), "Driving You Out of My Mind" (#68c 1992, he wrote), "Full Moon Rising" (1992), "Two Hearts Fallen" (1992, he co-wrote), "Walk Outside the Lines" (#71c 1993), "Daddy's Eyes" (1993, he wrote), "The First to Say Goodbye" (1993), "If That isn't Love" (1993, he co-wrote), "Lost in Time" (1993), "I Like Good Music" (1997), "Love I Gave to You" (1998), "Long Goodbye" (1998), "Ways of a Woman" (1998), "Southern Belle" (1998), "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" (1999), "His Eye is on the Sparrow" (1999), "Down This Road Before" (2004), "Angel (With a Honky-Tonk Heart)" (2004)
songwriter
see The Marshall Tucker Band

Gloria Loring (Gloria Jean Goff)

b. 1946 in New York, NY
pop singer
"This Feeling We Call Love" (1994, she co-wrote), "Is There Anybody Out There?" (1994), "Invited to the Dance" (1999, she co-wrote), "Not Gonna Go There" (1999, she co-wrote), "It Never Entered My Mind" (2000)
with Those Four
duet with Carl Anderson, "Friends and Lovers" (#2 1986)
songwriter
actress; author
md. to Alan Thicke (1970-83), md. to Rene Lagler (1994- )
supports diabetes research

Joe Olivier (aka Joe Oliver aka Cappy Bianco)

b. 1927 in the Netherlands - d. 25 Dec 2001 in Utica, NY (diabetes)
rock singer
instrument: guitar
"The Cat" (1959), "La Donna Riccia" (1959)
with Bill Haley and the Comets (1957-58), "Rock the Joint" (1957), "Rockin' Rita" (1957), "Mary, Mary Lou" (1957), "B-B-Betty" (1958), "Skinny Minnie" (#22 1958)
restaurant manager
breeder of German shepherds

Johnny Rodriguez (Juan Raoul Davis Rodriguez)

b. 1951 in Sabinal, TX
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"You Always Come Back (To Hurtin' Me)" (#86, #1c 1973, he co-wrote), "Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico" (#70, #1c 1973, he wrote), "That's the Way Love Goes" (#1c 1974), "Dance with Me (Just One More Time)" (#2c 1974, he wrote), "I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind" (#1c 1975), "Just Get up and Close the Door" (#1c 1975), "Love Put a Song in My Heart" (#1c 1975), "I Couldn't Be Me Without You" (#3c 1976), "I Wonder if I Ever Said Goodbye" (#2c 1976), "Hillbilly Heart" (#5c 1976), "Desperado" (#5c 1977), "If Practice Makes Perfect" (#5c 1977), "Down on the Rio Grande" (#6c 1979, he co-wrote), "Alibis" (#16c 1979), "What'll I Tell Virginia?" (#19c 1979), * "You Beat Any Dream I've Ever Had" (1980), "Trying Not to Love You" (#30c 1981), "Foolin'" (#4c 1983), "Eleven Roses" (1983), "How Could I Love Her So Much?" (#6 1983), "Let's Leave the Lights on Tonight" (#30c 1984), "I Didn't (Every Chance I Had)" (#12c 1988)
duet with Charly McClain, "I Hate the Way I Love it" (#16c 1979)
with Tom T. Hall's band (1971-72)
songwriter
md. to Willie Nelson's daughter, Lana (1995- )
arrested in 1998 after shooting what he thought was an burglar, acquitted a year later on grounds of self-defense; arrested in 2007 for drug possession and DWI
see the Johnny Rodriguez

Kyu Sakamoto (Hisashi Oshima)

b. 1941 in Japan – d. 12 Aug 1985 (plane crash)
pop singer
"Sukiyaki (Looking up while Walking)" (#1 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "China Nights (Shina no Yoru)" (#58 1963)
actor
died in the crash of Japan Airlines flight 123

Kevin Sharp (Kevin Grant Sharp)

b. 1970 in Redding, CA (grew up in Weiser, ID)
country singer
"Nobody Knows" (#1c 1997), "She's Sure Taking it Well" (#3c 1997), "If You Love Somebody" (#4c 1998), "There's Only You" (#43 1998), "Love is All That Really Matters" (#51c 1998), "If She Only Knew" (#61c 1998), "Your Love Reaches Me" (2005), "You Are the Reason Why" (2006)
songwriter
md. to Traci Williams (1998- )
supports the Make-a-Wish Foundation
bone cancer survivor since 1991; radiation treatment caused permanent hair loss
see Kevin Sharp

Chad Stuart (David Stuart Chadwick)

b. 1941 in Windemere, England
folk/rock singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Good Morning, Sunrise" (1968)
founding member of Chad and Jeremy (1963-68, 1983-87), "Yesterday's Gone" (#21 1964, he wrote), "A Summer Song" (#7 1964), "I Don't Wanna Lose You, Baby" (#35 1965), "Before and After" (#17 1965), "Willow Weep for Me" (#15 1965), "If She Was Mine" (1965), "If I Loved You" (#23 1965), "Distant Shores" (#30 1966), "Like I Love You Today" (1966)
songwriter
md. to Jill Gibson
see Chad and Jeremy

December 11

Butch Baldassari

b. 1952 in Scranton, PA
bluegrass musician, instruments: mandolin, guitar
"Honky-Tonk Swing" (1990), "Morgan Megan" (1994), "Azalea Waltz" (1994), "Twilight Waltz" (1999)
with Lonesome Standard Time (1992-97), "Highway 40 Blues" (1992), "Lonesome As it Gets" (1995), "Anything Southbound" (1995), "Possession's Nine-Tenths of the Law" (1995)
founding member of The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble (1991- )
with Weary Hearts (1985-90)
founding member of The Nashville Mandolin Trio (1997- )
with The Grass is Greener (1995-97)
he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007

Tony Brown

b. 1946 in Greensboro, NC
country/gospel singer
instruments: piano, keyboards
keyboardist with The Oak Ridge Boys (1972-75)
The Carter Family and the Oak Ridge Boys, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Soup" (#57c 1973)
keyboardist with The Stamps Quartet (1975-77)
with Emmylou Harris's Hot Band (1977-78)
with The Cherry Bombs (1980-83)
session musician with Elvis Presley, Rosanne Cash, and others
music producer
see The Oak Ridge Boys

Tom Brumley

b. 1935 in Powell, MO
country musician, instrument: pedal steel guitar
with Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band (1963-76), "Fools Rush in" (#12 1963), "For You" (#6 1964), "She Belongs to Me" (#33 1969), "Garden Party" (#6 1972), and others
steel guitarist with the Desert Rose Band (1991-93, replaced Jay Dee Maness), "Will This Be the Day?" (#37c 1991), "You Can Go Home" (#53 1991)
session guitarist on Buck Owens' "Act Naturally" (#1c 1963), "Together Again" (#1c 1964), "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" (#25, #1c 1965); and with Rose Maddox, Waylon Jennings, Rod Stewart, Sara Evans, and others

Yodeling Slim Clark (Raymond LeRoy Clark)

b. 1917 in Petersham, MA - d. 5 Jul 2000 in St. Albans, ME
country/bluegrass singer, yodeler
instrument: guitar
"I Was Dreaming Someone Else's Dream" (1946), "Sittin' in the Saddle" (1953), "The Cat Comes Back" (1962), "My Lulu Gal" (1962), "Cactus Sue" (1962)
songwriter
artist
md. to Celia Jo Roberson (1943-68); md. to Dr. Kathleen 'Kathy' Pigeon (1981-2000, his death)
see Yodeling Slim Clark

David Gates

b. 1940 in Tulsa, OK
rock singer
instruments: keyboards, guitar
"Walkin' and Talkin'" (1959), "What's This I Hear?" (1960), "The Road That Leads to Love" (1960), "Clouds" (#47 1973), "Sail Around the World" (#50 1973), "Never Let Go" (#29 1975), "Goodbye Girl" (#15 1978)
founding member and lead singer of Bread (1969-77, and reunions), "Make it with You" (#1 1970, he wrote), "It Doesn't Matter to Me" (#10 1970, he wrote), "If" (#4 1971, he wrote), "Baby I'm-a Want You" (#3 1971, he wrote), "Dream Lady" (1972), "Diary" (#15 1972, he wrote), "Everything I Own" (#5 1972, he wrote), "Aubrey" (#15 1973, he wrote), "Lost Without Your Love" (#9 1976, he wrote), "Where Does the Loving Go?" (1979)
sessionist
songwriter, wrote The Murmaids' "Popsicles and Icicles" (#3 1964)
rancher

Dolly Good (Dorothy Laverne Goad)

b. 1915 in Mount Carmel, IL - d. 12 Nov 1967
country singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Girls of the Golden West, "Faded Love Letters of Mine" (1933), "Put My Little Shoes Away" (1933), "My Love is a Rider (Bucking Bronco)" (1934), "I Want to Be a Real Cowboy Girl" (1935), "Silvery Moon on the Golden Gate" (1938, she co-wrote), "Home Sweet Home in Texas" (1933, she co-wrote)
songwriter
md. to fiddle player, Tex Atchison

Rob Hajacos

b. 1956 in Richmond, VA
country/rock musician, instrument: fiddle
with Jack Ingram's Beat up Ford Band (2002), "Goodnight, Moon" (2002)
session musician on Archer Park's "Where There's Smoke" (#29c 1994); Larry Stewart's "Heart Like a Hurricane" (#43c 1994); Ronna Reeves' "The More I Learn (the Less I Understand about Love)" (#49c 1992); and with Kenny Chesney, John Conlee, Ricky Van Shelton, Shania Twain, John Michael Montgomery, Holly Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Neil Diamond, Chris LeDoux, and others

Darryl Jones (aka 'the Munch')

b. 1961 in Chicago, IL
rock/jazz musician, instrument: bass guitar
with Miles Davis' band (1983-85), "Decoy" (1984), "Katia" (1985)
with the Rolling Stones (1994- )
session musician with Peter Gabriel, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and others
see Darryl Jones

Brenda Lee (Brenda Mae Tarpley aka 'Little Miss Dynamite')

b. 1944 in Atlanta, GA or Lithonia, GA
country/rockabilly/pop singer
"Jambalaya" (1956, released when she was 11), "I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus" (1956), "One Step at a Time" (#43, #15c 1957), "Rock the Bop" (1957), "Ring-a-My-Phone" (1958), "I'm Sorry" (#1 1960), "I Want to Be Wanted" (#1 1960), "Sweet Nothin's" (#4 1960), "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (#14 1960, #3 1965), "That's All You Gotta Do" (#6 1960), "Emotions" (#7 1961), "Fool Number One" (#3 1961), "Dum Dum" (#4 1961), "You Can Depend on Me" (#6 1961), "Break it to Me Gently" (#4 1962), "Everybody Loves Me But You" (#6 1962), "All Alone Am I" (#3 1962), "Heart in Hand" (#15 1962), "It Started All Over Again" (#29 1962), "Losing You" (#6 1963), "The Grass is Greener" (#17 1963), "Your Used to Be" (#32 1963), "Jingle Bell Rock" (#10 1964, #8 1967), "As Usual" (#12 1964), "Is it True?" (#17 1964), "Rusty Bells" (#33 1965), "Too Many Rivers" (#13 1965), "Coming on Strong" (#11 1966), "It Takes One to Know One" (1966), "Save Me for a Rainy Day" (1968), "Always on My Mind" (#45c 1972), "Nobody Wins" (#70, #4c 1973), "Sunday Sunrise" (#6c 1973), "Wrong Ideas" (#6c 1974), "Big Four Poster Bed" (#4c 1974), "Rock on, Baby" (#6c 1974), "He's My Rock" (#8c 1975), "Takin' What I Can Get" (#41c 1976), "Tell Me What it's Like" (#8c 1979), "The Cowgirl and the Dandy" (#10c 1980), "Broken Trust" (#9c 1980), "From Levis to Calvin Klein Jeans" (1981), "That Was the Way it Was Then" (1985)
duet with Willie Nelson, "You're Gonna Love Yourself" (#43c 1982)
duet with George Jones, "Hallelujah, I Love You So" (#15c 1985)
she is the only female artist to Be in both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fame, she is also in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
md. to Ronnie Shacklett (1963- )

Lee Maye (Arthur Lee Maye)

b. 1934 in Tuscaloosa, AL (grew up in Los Angeles, CA) - d. 17 Jul 2002 in Riverside County, CA (liver cancer and diabetes)
doo-wop/R&B singer (tenor)
"All I Want is Someone to Love" (1961), "Halfway (Out of Love with You)" (1963), "When My Heart Runs No More" (1966), "Fools Rush in" (1967), "If You Leave Me" (1968), "The Greatest Love I've Ever Known" (1968)
founding member and leader of Arthur Lee Maye and the Crowns, "Set My Heart Free" (1954), "Love Me Always" (1955), "Hey, Pretty Girl" (1957), "Will You Be Mine?" (1958)
Arthur Lee Maye and the Crowns backing Richard Berry, "Please Tell Me" (1955), "(Uh Oh) Get Out of the Car" (1955)
duets with Barbara Lynn, "Careless Hands" (1965), "(Don't Pretend) Just Lay it on the Line" (1965)
outfielder for the Milwaukee Braves (1959-65), Houston Astros (1965-1966), Cleveland Indians (1967-1969), Washington Senators (1969-1970), Chicago White Sox (1970-1971)
see Lee Maye

Bashful Brother Oswald (Beecher Ray 'Pete' Kirby)

b. 1911 in Sevierville, TN – d. 17 Oct 2002 in Madison, TN
country singer
instruments: dobro, steel guitar, resonator guitar, banjo
"Beneath the Willow" (1962), "Rose of San Antone" (1998)
with Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys (1939-92), "The Prodigal Son" (#4c 1944), "I'll Forgive You But I Can't Forget" (#3c 1944), "Write Me, Sweetheart" (#6c 1944), "The Waltz of the Wind" (#8c 1948), "Tennessee Waltz" (#12c 1948), "Once More" (#8c 1958), "So Many Times" (#16c 1959), "Come and Knock (on the Door of My Heart)" (#20c 1959), "Freight Train Blues" (#45c 1965), "Back in the Country" (#51c 1974), and others
session musician with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and others
songwriter
comedian
md. to Eunita Orene Adams (1983- )
see Bashful Brother Oswald on Wikipedia

Perez Prado (Damaso Perez Prado aka 'King of the Mambo')

b. 1916 in Mantanzas, Cuba - d. 14 Sep 1989 in Mexico City, Mexico (stroke)
pop/jazz musician, instruments: piano, organ
founding member of the Perez Prado Orchestra, "Mambo No. 5" (1950, he co-wrote), "Mambo Jambo" (1950), "In a Little Spanish Town" (1951), "Tomcat Mambo" (1954), "Steam Heat Mambo" (1954), "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" (#1 1955), "Black Horse Mambo" (1955), "Beautiful Margaret" (1957), "Patricia" (#1, #18c 1958, he co-wrote), "Julie is Her Name" (1960), "Tico, Tico, Tico" (1963)
arranger
songwriter

Buddy Trenier (Constantine Maxwell Trenier)

b. 1913 in Mobile, AL - d. 1999 (lung cancer)
swing/rock/R&B singer
founding member of The Treniers (1950-95), "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)
served in the Army
older brother of Claude, Cliff and Milt Trenier
md. to Patricia Green

J. Frank Wilson (John Frank Wilson)

b. 1941 in Lufkin, TX – d. 4 Oct 1991 in Lufkin, TX (complications of diabetes and alcoholism)
pop singer
"Dreams of a Fool" (1965), "Forget Me Not" (1965), "Black Car" (1969), "Tell Laura I Love Her" (1974), "The Day Before Our Wedding" (1978)
founding member and lead singer with The Cavaliers (1964- ), * "Last Kiss" (#2 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Carla" (1964), "Hey, Little One" (#85 1964), "Kiss and Run" (1965), "Open Your Eyes" (1965), "Dance, Little Girl" (1966)
served in the Air Force

December 12

Dickey Betts (Forrest Richard Betts)

b. 1943 in West Palm Beach, FL
rock/blues/country singer
instrument: lead guitar
"Highway Call" (1974), "Under the Guns of Love" (1988, he co-wrote), "One-Stop Be-Bop" (2001, he wrote), "Here Comes the Blues Again" (2001, he wrote)
founding member of the Allman Brothers Band (1969-75, 1979-82, 1989-2000), "Black-Hearted Woman" (1969), "Revival" (#92 1971, he wrote), "Melissa" (1972), "Ramblin' Man" (#2 1973, he wrote), "Jessica" (1973, he wrote), "Crazy Love" (#29 1979, he wrote), "Angeline" (#58 1980, he wrote), "Straight from the Heart" (#39 1981, he wrote), "Good Clean Fun" (1990, he co-wrote), "Seven Turns" (1990), "It Ain't Over Yet" (1990)
founding member of the Dickey Betts Band (1989-2001)
founding member of Great Southern (1977-78, 2002- ), "Nothing You Can Do" (1977, he wrote), "Bougainvillea" (1977, he co-wrote), "Leavin' Me Again" (1978, he co-wrote)
songwriter
see The Allman Brothers
see Dickey Betts and Great Southern

Brian Carman

b. 1946
rock musician, instruments: rhythm guitar, sax
founding member of The Chantays (1962- ), "Pipeline" (#4 1963, he co-wrote, One-Hit Wonder), "Only if You Care" (1964), "I'll Be Back Someday" (1965)
songwriter

Mary Lou Cook (Mary Lou McMichael)

b. 1910 in NY - d. 27 May 1944 in Hollywood, CA
pop/jazz/swing singer (tenor)
with The Merry Macs (1939-40), "Ta Ha Wa Nu Wa (Hawaiian War Chant)" (#14 1939), "Vol Vistu Gaily Star" (1940)
md. to Elisha Cook, Jr. (1929-42)
see The Merry Macs on Singers.com

Katrina Elam

b. 1983 in Bray, OK
country singer
"No End in Sight" (#29c 2004), "Flowers By the Side of the Road" (2004), "I Won't Say Goodbye" (2004), "I Want a Cowboy" (#59c 2005), "Love is" (#47c 2006), "Flat on the Floor" (#52c 2007)
songwriter

Connie Francis (Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero)

b.1938 in Newark, NJ
country/pop singer
"Who's Sorry Now?" (#4 1958), * "Stupid Cupid" (#15 1958), "My Happiness" (#2 1958), "Carolina Moon" (1958), * "Among My Souvenirs" (#7 1959), * "Lipstick on Your Collar" (#4 1959), * "My Heart Has a Mind of its Own" (#1 1960), * "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" (#1, #24c 1960), "Many Tears Ago" (#7 1960), "Teddy" (#17 1960), * "When the Boy in Your Arms (is the Boy in Your Heart)" (#10 1961), * "Someone Else's Boy" (1961), * "Too Many Rules" (#72 1961), "Together" (#6 1961), * "Where the Boys Are" (#4 1961), * "Breakin' in a Brand New Broken Heart" (#7 1961), "(He's My) Dreamboat" (#14 1961), * "Vacation" (#9 1962), "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You" (#1 1962), "Second-Hand Love" (#7 1962), * "Follow the Boys" (#17 1963), * "Drownin' My Sorrows" (#36 1963), * "I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter" (#18 1963), "Blue Winter" (#24 1964), "Whose Heart Are You Breakin' Tonight?" (#43 1965), "The Wedding Cake" (#91, #33c 1969), "Should I Tie a Yellow Ribbon?" (1973), "There's Still a Few Good Love Songs Left in Me" (#84c 1982)
duet with Neil Sedaka, "Fallin'" (#30 1958)
she suffers from bipolar disorder
md. 1st to Dick Kanellis (1964); md. 2nd to hair stylist, Izadore 'Izzy' Marion (1971-72); md. 3rd to Joseph Garzilli (1973- ); md. 4th to Bob Parkinson (1985- )
see Connie Francis on Wikipedia

Jesseca James (Kathy Jenkins aka Kathy Twitty)

b. 1960 in OK
country singer
"Johnny One-Time" (#87c 1976), "My First Country Song" (#93c 1977)
recorded as Kathy Twitty, "Green Eyes" (#82c 1985)
duet with Conway Twitty, "Don't Cry Daddy" (1973)
daughter of Conway Twitty

Hugh Halliday

b. 1944
folk/pop musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Unit 4 + 2 (1963-67), * "Concrete and Clay" (#28 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "You've Never Been in Love Like This Before" (#95 1965), "Baby, Never Say Goodbye" (1966)
actor
see Unit 4 + 2 on Wikipedia

Terry Kirkman

b. 1939 in Salina, KS
pop/rock singer
instruments: keyboards, drums, reeds, recorder, harmonica
founding member of The Association (1964-72, 1979-84), "Along Comes Mary" (#7 1966), * "Cherish" (#1 1966, he wrote), "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies" (#35 1966), "No Fair at All" (#51 1966), "Looking Glass" (1966), * "Windy" (#1 1967), * "Never, My Love" (#2 1967), "Everything That Touches You" (#10 1968, he wrote), "Time for Livin'" (#39 1968), "Birthday Morning" (1968), "Under Branches" (1969), "Yes, I Will" (1969), "Just about the Same" (1969), "That's Racin'" (1971), "Darling, Be Home Soon" (1972), "Dreamer" (#66 1981)
songwriter
see The Association on Wikipedia

LaCosta (LaCosta Tucker)

b. 1950/51 in Seminole, TX
country singer
"I Wanna Get to You" (#25c 1974), "What Your Love Has Done" (1974), "Get on My Love Train" (#3c 1974), "He Took Me for a Ride" (#10c 1974), "Rings and Circles" (1974), "This House Runs on Sunshine" (19c 1975), "Western Man" (#11c 1976), "Lovin' Somebody on a Rainy Night" (#23c 1976), "Paper Airplane" (1976), "Jessie and the Light" (1977), "Had to Fall in Love" (1980), "For No Reason at All" (1980), "Love, Take it Easy on Me" (#48c 1982)
older sister of Tanya Tucker

Pete Oakman (Peter Oakman)

b. 1943 in Hertfordshire, England
country musician, instrument: bass
founding member and lead singer with Jon Derek and Country Fever (1968-71), "Too Much of Nothing" (1969), "Tears of Rage" (1969)
with The Bruvvers (1959- ), "That's What Love Will Do" (1963)
founding member of Harley Quinne (1972- ), "New Orleans" (1972), "Rock 'n' Roll is Back Again" (1973), "Want You Tonight" (1975)
session musician with Lonnie Donegan, and others
songwriter
see Peter Oakman

Ralph Scala

b. 1947
pop/rock singer
instrument: organ
founding member of The Blues Magoos (1964-68), "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" (#5 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "There's a Chance We Can Make it" (1967), "Pipe Dream" (1967), "One by One" (1967)

Frank Sinatra (Francis Albert Sinatra aka 'Ol' Blue Eyes')

b. 1915 in Hoboken, NJ – d. 14 May 1998 in Los Angeles, CA (heart attack)
pop singer
"Sunday, Monday or Always" (#9 1943), "People Will Say We're in Love" (#3 1943), "I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night" (#4 1944), "Oh, What it Seemed to Be" (#1 1945), "Lily Belle" (1945), "I Dream of You" (#7 1945), "Five Minutes More" (#1 1946), "Mam'selle" (#1 1947), "All of Me" (#21 1948), "It Only Happens When I Dance with You" (#19 1948), "Sunflower" (#14 1949), "Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)" (#14 1950), "Oh, What a Pal Was Mary" (1950), "Young at Heart" (#2 1954), "Learnin' the Blues" (#1 1955), "Love and Marriage" (#5 1956), "It's the Same Old Dream" (1957), "Witchcraft" (#20 1958), "All the Way" (#2 1958), "Talk to Me" (#38 1959), "American Beauty Rose" (1961), "Autumn in New York" (#27 1961), "Pocketful of Miracles" (#34 1962), "Love isn't Just for the Young" (1963), "I Like to Lead When I Dance" (1964), "Softly As I Leave You" (#27 1964), "It Was a Very Good Year" (#28 1965), "Strangers in the Night" (#1 1966), "That's Life" (#4 1966), "The September of My Years" (1966), "Cycles" (#23 1968), "(I Did it) My Way" (#27 1969), "Blue Lace" (1969), "You Will Be My Music" (1973), "You Turned My World Around" (#83 1974), "The Only Couple on the Floor" (1975), "Christmas Dreaming" (1988)
backed by The Page Cavanaugh Trio, "That's How Much I Love You" (#10 1947), "I Got a Gal I Love" (1947)
backed by the Harry James Orchestra, "Every Day of My Life" (#17 1940), "All or Nothing at All" (#1 1940)
backed by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, "Say it (Over and Over Again)" (#12 1940), "The Fable of the Rose" (1940), "Looking for Yesterday" (1940), "There are Such Things" (#1 1943), "In the Blue of the Evening" (#1 1943)
duet with Nancy Sinatra, * "Something Stupid" (#1 1967)
actor, movie director
md. 1st to Nancy Barbato (1939-51); md. 2nd to actress, Ava Gardner (1951-57), md. 3rd to actress, Mia Farrow (1966-68), md. 4th to Barbara Marx (1976-98, his death)
father of Nancy Sinatra

Casey Spencer

b. 1940 in Bennettsville, SC
doo-wop/soul singer
second tenor with The Jive Five (1962-63, 1974-79), "What Time is it?" (1962), "These Golden Rings" (1962), "Lily Marlene" (1963), I Want You to Be My Baby" (1970), "All I Ever Do (is Dream about You)" (1974), "Hurry Back" (1974), "She's My Girl" (1978), "Rain" (1978)
backup singer on Gloria Gaynor's "Never Can Say Goodbye" (#9 1975)

Lonesome Sundown (Cornelius Green)

b. 1928 in Donaldsville, LA – d. 23 Apr 1995 in Gonzales, LA
blues singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Lost Without Love" (1956), "My Home is a Prison" (1957), "Don't Say a Word" (1957), "I Stood By" (1958), "If You See My Baby" (1959), "My Home Ain't Here" (1962), "I Woke Up Cryin'" (1962), "I Wanta Know Why" (1963), "It's Easy When You Know How" (1965), "I Betcha" (1977)
duets with Phillip Walker, "They Call Me Sundown" (1977), "Dealin' From the Bottom of the Deck" (1977)
session musician

Alan Ward

b. 1945 in Nottingham, England
rock/pop musician, instruments: rhythm guitar, keyboards
founding member of The Honeycombs (1963-67), * "Have I the Right?" (#5 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Is it Because?" (1964), "Leslie Anne" (1964), "I Can't Stop" (1965), "Who is Sylvia?" (1966)

Dionne Warwick (Marie Dionne Warrick)

b. 1940 in East Orange, NJ
soul/pop singer
instrument: piano
"Don't Make Me Over" (#21 1962), "Anyone Who Had a Heart" (#8 1963), "Walk on By" (#6 1964), "Reach Out for Me" (#20 1964), "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" (#26 1966), "Message to Michael" (#8 1966), "Alfie" (#15 1967), "I Say a Little Prayer" (#4 1967), "Go With Love" (1967), "Promises, Promises" (#19 1968), "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" (#10 1968), "Theme from 'Valley of the Dolls'" (#2 1968), "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (#6 1969), "April Fools" (#37 1969), "This Girl's in Love with You" (#7 1969), "Window Washing" (1969), "Deja Vu" (#15 1969), "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (#16 1969), "Loneliness Remembers What Happiness Forgets" (1970), "Knowing When to Leave" (1970), "Track of the Cat" (1975), "I'll Never Love This Way Again" (#5 1979), "Heartbreaker" (#10 1982), "Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams" (1993)
duet with Johnny Mathis, "Friends in Love" (#38 1982)
duet with Luther Vandross, "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye?" (#27 1983)
duet with Jeffrey Osborne, "Love Power" (#12 1987)
duet with The Spinners, "Then Came You" (#1 1974)
Dionne Warwick and Friends, "That's What Friends Are For" (#1 1985)
songwriter
actress
cousin of Whitney Houston
quote by Dionne Warwick: "There was a time in the marriage when I could no longer look at myself in a mirror, couldn't feel I was a nice person. A bad relationship can do that, can make you doubt everything good you ever felt about yourself."

Joan Weber

b. 1935/36 in Paulsboro, NJ – d. 13 May 1981 in Ancora, NJ (pneumonia)
pop singer
"Let Me Go, Lover" (#1 1955, One-Hit Wonder), "Goodbye Lollipops, Hello Lipstick" (1956), "Saturday Lover, Sunday Stranger" (1957), "A Love That's a Lie" (1957)
she was in a mental institution at the time of her death

December 13

John Anderson (John David Anderson)

b. 1954 in Orlando, FL (grew up in Apopka, FL)
country singer
instrument: guitar, harmonica
"I Got a Feelin' (Somebody's Been Stealin')" (#62c 1978), "Your Lying Blue Eyes" (#15c 1980), "She Just Started Liking Cheating Songs" (#13c 1980), "If There Were No Memories" (#21c 1980), "1959" (#7c 1981), "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)" (#4c 1981), "I Just Came Home to Count the Memories" (#7c 1982), "Wild and Blue" (#1c 1982), "Would You Catch a Falling Star?" (1982), * "An Occasional Eagle" (1983), "Black Sheep" (#1c 1983), "Swingin'" (#43, #1c 1983, CMA single of the year 1982), * "Call on Me" (1983), "She Sure Got Away with My Heart" (#3c 1984), "Let Somebody Else Drive" (#10c 1984), "I Wish I Could Write You a Song" (1985), "Down in Tennessee" (#12c 1986), "You Can't Keep a Good Memory Down" (#31 1986), "Honky-Tonk Crowd" (#10c 1986), "There's Nothing Left for Me to Take for Granted" (1987), "When Your Yellow Brick Road Turns Blue" (#48c 1987), "Seminole Wind" (#2c 1991), "When it Come to You" (#3c 1992), "Straight Tequila Night" (#1c 1992), "Solid Ground" (1993), "Money in the Bank" (#1c 1993), "I've Got it Made" (#3c 1994), "I Wish I Could Have Been There" (#4c 1994), "Country Till I Die" (#35c 1994), "Bend it Til it Breaks" (#3c 1995), "Mississippi Moon" (#15c 1995), "Bad Weather" (1996), "Long Hard Lesson Learned" (#51c 1996), "Somebody Slap Me" (#22c 1997), "Nobody's Got it All" (#55 2000)
duet with Waylon Jennings, "Somewhere Between Ragged and Right" (#23c 1988)
songwriter
md. 3rd to Jamie Atkinson (1983- )
see John Anderson

Phil Baugh

b. 1936 in Olivehurst, CA - d. 4 Nov 1990 (heart failure)
country/rock musician, instrument: lead guitar
"Bumble Twist" (1962), "Moon Magic" (1962), "Girl Watcher" (1969), "Jesse's Theme" (1969)
founding member of The Nashville Superpickers, "New York Cowboy" (#83c 1981)
duets with Vern Stovall, "Country Guitar" (#16c 1964, he co-wrote), "One-Man Band" (#27c 1964)
with Ray Price's band (1969-70), "For the Good Times" (#11, #1c 1970), "Grazin' in Greener Pastures" (1970)
session musician
songwriter
music producer

Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter (Jeffrey Baxter)

b. 1948 in Washington, D.C.
country/rock musician, instruments: guitar, steel guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, dobro
founding member of Steely Dan (1972-74), "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)
with The Doobie Brothers (1974-80, 1987), "Black Water" (#1 1975), "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)" (#11 1975), "Sweet Maxine" (#40 1975), "Takin' it to the Streets" (#13 1976), "Don't Stop to Watch the Wheels" (1978), "What a Fool Believes" (#1 1979), "Minute by Minute" (#14 1979), "Real Love" (#5 1980)
with Billy and the Beaters, "I Can Take Care of Myself" (#39 1981), "At This Moment" (#79, 1981, re-released #1, #42c 1987, he co-wrote), "Hopeless Romantic" (1987), "Between Like and Love" (1988), "Heart to Heart (Eye to Eye)" (1988), "Wrong When I'm Right" (1996)
session guitarist with Dolly Parton, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr, "Sheryl Crow, Carly Simon, Hoyt Axton, and others
songwriter
consultant for the Department of Defense
see Steely Dan

Wayne Bennett

b. 1933 in Sulphur, OK - d. 28 Nov 1992 in New Orleans, LA
blues/jazz/pop musician, instruments: guitar, bass
guitarist with Bobby 'Blue' Bland (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), "Ain't Nothing You Can Do" (#20 1964), "Chain of Love" (#60 1969), and others
session musician with Boxcar Willie, John Lee Hooker, Jackie Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Elmore James, and others

Dave Burgess

b. 1934 in Beverly Hills, CA
R&B/rock musician, instrument: rhythm guitar
"Judalina" (1953), "Don't Put a Dent in My Heart" (1953), "Take This Love" (1958), "Lovey Dovey Baby" (1958)
recorded as Dave Dupree, "Fire in the Eyes" (1957), "Well, it isn't Fair" (1957), "Our Tomorrow" (1957)
founding member of The Chimes (not the group that had the 1960 hit), "Lulu" (1959)
founding member of The Champs (1957-60), "Tequila" (#1 1958), "Maybelle" (1958), "Subway" (1958), "Turnpike" (1958), "What's Up, Buttercup?" (1958), "Double Eagle Rock" (1959), "Too Much Tequila" (#30 1960)
session guitarist
songwriter
"Tequila" was recorded in a studio owned by Gene Autry; the group took their name from Gene's horse, Champion
see The Champs

Cee Cee Chapman (Melissa Carol Chapman)

b. 1958 in Portsmouth, VA
country/pop/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Gone But Not Forgotten" (#60c 1988), "Frontier Justice" (#51c 1989), "Twist of Fate" (#49c 1989), "Love is a Liar" (#64c 1989), "Back to Santa Fe" (1989), "Exit 99" (1990), "Pretending to Cry" (1990), "Two Ships That Passed in the Moonlight" (#64c 1993)
songwriter

Ron Getman

b. 1948 in Bristow, OK
country/rock singer
instruments: bass, steel guitar, dobro, mandolin
founding member 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)
see The Tractors

Tony Gomez

b. 1948 in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
soul/pop musician, instrument: keyboards
founding member of The Foundations (1967- ), * "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

Davy O'List (David O'List)

b. 1948 in London, England
rock/jazz/pop singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Nice (1967- , and reunions), "Azrael (Angel of Death)" (1967, he co-wrote), "Little Arabella" (1968, he co-wrote)
with Jet (1973- )
songwriter
see The Nice

Rudy Martinez (Rudolpho Martinez, had his name legally changed to '?')

b. 1945 in TX (grew up in Saginaw, MI)
rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of ? and the Mysterians (1964-68, and reunions), "96 Tears" (#1 1966, he wrote), "I Need Somebody" (#22 1967), "Can't Get Enough of You" (#56 1967), "Talk is Cheap" (1968)
songwriter
dog breeder

Joe Messina

b. 1928 in Detroit, MI
R&B/soul/jazz musician, instruments: guitar, harmonica
with The Funk Brothers
session guitarist on Martha and the Vandellas' "Dancin' in the Street" (#2 1964); Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Your Precious Love" (1967) (#5 1967); The Four Tops' "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" (#1 1965); Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (#13 1966); and with Steve Wonder, and others

Ted Nugent (Theodore Nugent)

b. 1948 in Detroit, MI
rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Stranglehold" (1975, he wrote), "Motor City Madhouse" (1975, he wrote), "Dog Eat Dog" (1976), "Cat Scratch Fever" (#30 1977, One-Hit Wonder), "Free for All" (1977), "Great White Buffalo" (1978)
founding member of The Amboy Dukes (1967-74), "Journey to the Center of the Mind" (#16 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "You Talk Sunshine, I Breathe Fire" (1968), "Why is a Carrot More Orange Than an Orange?" (1968), "Inside the Outside" (1969), "Good-Natured Emma" (1969), "Survival of the Fittest" (1971), "Pony Express" (1973), "Great White Buffalo" (1974), "Sasha" (1974), "Free Flight" (1974)
founding member of Damn Yankees (1989-93), "High Enough" (#3 1990), "Come Again" (#50 1991), "Where You Goin' Now?" (#6 1992)
spokesman for DARE, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the National Rifle Association
author
md. 1st to Sandra Jezowski (1970-76); md. 2nd to Shemane Deziel (1989- )
see The Amboy Dukes on WikipediA

Randy Owen (Randy Yeull/Yuell Owen)

b. 1949 in Fort Payne, AL
country singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"Braid My Hair" (2008), "Like I Never Broke Her Heart" (2008)
lead singer and founding member of Alabama (1977- ), "My Home's in Alabama" (#17c 1980, he co-wrote), "Tennessee River" (#1c 1980, he wrote), "Why Lady Why?" (#1c 1980), "Words at Twenty Paces" (1981), * "See the Embers, Feel the Flame" (1981), * "Fantasy" (1981), * "Old Flame" (#1c 1981), * "Feels So Right" (#20, #1c 1981, he wrote), "Love in the First Degree" (#15, #1c 1981), "Mountain Music" (#1c 1981, he wrote), * "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, he wrote), "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), "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, he wrote)
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)
rancher
humanitarian
md. to Kelly (1975- ); cousin of Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry
see Alabama

Taylor Swift (Taylor Alison Swift)

b. 1989 in Reading, PA (grew up in Wyomissing, PA)
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Tim McGraw" (#40, #6c 2006, she co-wrote), "Teardrops on My Guitar" (#33, #2 2007), "Our Song" (#39, #10C 2007), "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" (2008), "Picture to Burn" (#28, #3c 2008), "Should've Said No" (#64, #13c 2008)
songwriter
see Taylor Swift

Wayne Walker (Wayne Paul Walker)

b. 1925 in Quapaw, OK - d. 2 Jan 1979 in Nashville, TN
country singer
instrument: guitar
"All I Can Do is Cry" (1956), "Whatever You Desire" (1957), "Just a Walkin' Around" (1957), "It's Written in the Stars" (1958), "You've Got Me (Where I Wanna Be)" (1959), "Little Ole You" (1959), "Reaching for the Impossible" (1962), "Nobody Knows But Me" (1965), "I Was Sort of Wondering" (1965)
duet with Jimmy Lee Fautheree, "Lips That Kiss So Sweetly (Can Lie So Easily)" (1955)
songwriter, wrote Ray Price's "I've Got a New Heartache" (#1c 1956), "Burning Memories"(#2c 1964); Webb Pierce's "Memory Number One" (#2c 1964); Patsy Cline's, "Leavin' on Your Mind" (#83, #8c 1963); Carl Belew's "Hello Out There" (#8c 1962); Carl Smith's "Why Why?" (#2c 1957); Andy William's "Are You Sincere?" (#3 1958); co-wrote Webb Pierce's "Fallen Angel" (#4c 1960); Ernest Tubb's "Thoughts of a Fool" (#16c 1961)

Buck White (H. S. White)

b. 1930 in OK
country/gospel/bluegrass singer
instruments: piano, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, harmonica
"More Pretty Girls Than One" (1979), "Winter Winds" (1979)
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)
songwriter
md. to Pat Goza; father of Sharon and Cheryl White

Charlie White

b. 1930 in Washington, D.C.
R&B/rock singer
"Sweetie Baby" (1957), "Nobody's Fault But Mine" (1958)
founding member of The Dominoes (1950-51), "Do Something for Me" (1951), "Sixty-Minute Man" (#17 1951)
with The Checkers (1952- ), "Flame in My Heart" (1952), "Love Wasn't There" (1953), "House With No Windows" (1954), "I Wasn't Thinking, I Was Drinking" (1954)
with The Clovers (1953-54), "I've Got My Eyes on You" (1954)
see The Dominoes

Little Willie Wynn

b. 1937 in Moultrie, GA
country/gospel singer (tenor)
with The Oak Ridge Quartet (1959-63), "The Mockin' Bird" (1959), "The House of the Lord" (1959)
The Oak Ridge Quartet later became The Oak Ridge Boys
founding member of The Tennesseans, "Nineteen-Sixty Something Songwriter of the Year" (#81c 1978)
founding member of Sweetwater, "I'd Throw it All Away" (#75c 1981)
songwriter
music producer

December 14

Frank Allen (Francis McNeice)

b. 1943 in Middlesex, England
rock singer
instrument: bass guitar
with The Searchers (Jul1964- ), "Don't Throw Your Love Away" (#16 1964), "Someday We're Gonna Love Again" (#34 1964), * "When You Walk in the Room" (#35 1964), "I'll Be Missing You" (1964), "This Feeling Inside" (1964), "Love Potion #9" (#3 1964), "What Have They Done to the Rain?" (#29 1964), "I'll Pretend I'm With You" (1964), "Bumble Bee" (#21 1965), "Over the Weekend" (1969)
with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
see The Searchers

Jerry Daniels (Jerry Franklin Daniels)

b. 1915 in Indianapolis, IN - d. 7 Nov 1995 in Indianapolis, IN
R&B singer (tenor)
instruments: guitar, tenor banjo
founding member and lead tenor of The Ink Spots (1932-36), "Swingin' on the Strings" (1935)

Lynn Davis (Leonard Davis)

b. 1914 in Johnson County, KY
country singer
instrument: guitar
duet with Molly O'Day, "I'm Going Home on the Morning Train" (1966)
founding member of Cumberland Mountain Folks, "The Evening Train" (1949), "With You on My Mind" (1950), "It's Different Now" (1951)
session musician with Molly O'Day
md. to Molly O'Day (1941-87, her death)

Martha Davis

b. 1917 in Wichita, KS (grew up in Chicago, IL) - d. 6 Apr 1960 in Mount Vernon, NY (cancer)
jazz/swing/blues singer
instrument: piano
"Can't Be Bothered" (1946), "It's Time for the Postman's Ring" (1946), "When I Say Goodbye" (1947), "How Could Anything So Good Be Bad?" (1951), "Marshmallow Moon" (1952), "No Deposit - No Return" (1952)
duets with Calvin Ponder as Martha Davis and Spouse, "Bread and Gravy" (1957), "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" (1957), "Two Sleepy People" (1957), "You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me" (1957), "Pretty Little Surrey With the Fringe on Top" (1957), "Blue Turning Grey Over You" (1958), "Your Feet's Too Big" (1958)
duet with Louis Jordan, "You're on the Right Track, Baby (But You're Goin' the Wrong Way)" (1948)
actress
md. to bass player, Calvin Ponder

Patty Duke (Anna Marie Duke)

b. 1946 in Queens, NY
pop singer
"Don't Just Stand There" (#8 1965), "Say Something Funny" (#22 1965), "Funny Little Butterflies" (1965), "Whenever She Holds You" (1966), "My Own Little Place" (1967), "And We Were Strangers" (1968), "The Wall Came Tumbling Down" (1968)
actress
md. 1st to Harry Falk (1965-69), he was twelve years older than her; md. 2nd to Michael Tell (1970, annulled after 2 weeks); md. 3rd to actor, John Astin (1972-85); md. to Michael Pearce (1986- )
her father was an alcoholic, her mother was mentally ill; Patty has been troubled with alcoholism, drug addiction, anorexia, and bipolar disorder

Justin Furstenfeld (Justin Steward Furstenfeld)

b. 1975 in Houston, TX
rock singer
instruments: guitar, piano, harmonica
founding member and lead singer 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, he wrote), "Hate Me" (#31 2006, he wrote), "She's My Ride Home" (2006), "What if We Could?" (2006), "Everlasting Friend" (2006), "X Amount of Words" (2006)
with The Last Wish, "Mountain" (1993, he wrote), "Soul Bruised" (1993), "Royal Blue" (1994), "Regrets" (1994), "Autumn Midnight" (1994), "That Morning" (1994)
songwriter
brother of drummer, Jeremy Furstenfeld
he suffers from bipolar disorder and has had problems with alcoholism and drug addiction

Robert John (Robert John Pedrick Jr.)

b. 1946 in Brooklyn, NY
pop/doo-wop singer
"If You Don't Want My Love" (#49 1968, he co-wrote), "The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)" (#3 1972), "Sad Eyes" (#1 1979, he wrote), "Bread and Butter" (1983)
recorded as Bobby Pedrick, "White Bucks and Saddle Shoes" (#74 1958), "Betty Blue Eyes" (1959), "Pajama Party" (1959), "That Girl is You" (1962), "Dining and Dancing" (1962)
with Bobby and the Consoles, "My Jelly Bean" (1963), "Nita, I Need You So" (1963)
songwriter

Spike Jones (Lindley Armstrong Jones)

b. 1911 in Long Beach, CA - d. 1 May 1965 in Beverly Hills, CA (emphysema)
pop musician, instruments: drums, xylophone
founding member of Spike Jones and His City Slickers (194?-58), "Clink, Clink, Another Drink" (1942), "Cocktails for Two" (#4 1944), "Serenade to a Jerk" (1945), "The Man on the Flying Trapeze" (1948), "All I Want for Christmas (is My Two Front Teeth)" (#1 1949), "End of the Little Girl's Dream" (1949), "Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy" (1949), "The Fairy Ball" (1949), "Wild Bill Hiccup" (1949), "I Wonder Where My Baby is Tonight" (1950), "Chinese Mule Train" (1950), "I Know a Secret" (1950), "Baby Buggy Boogie" (1950), "Hotter Than a Pistol" (1952), "I'll Never Work There Anymore" (1952), "Socko, the Smallest Snowball" (1953), "Japanese Skokiaan" (1954), "The Sneezin' Bee" (1956, based on "Flight of the Bumblebee")
founding member of Spike Jones and His Other Orchestra
many of The City Slicker recordings were parodies of popular songs
session musician
actor
md. 2nd to singer, Helen Grayco
see Spike Jones on Wikipedia

Johnny Moore

b. 1934 in Selma, AL (grew up in Cleveland, OH) – d. 30 Dec 1998 (heart attack)
doo-wop/soul singer
recorded as Johnny Darrow, "Don't Start Me Talking" (1960), "Jo Ann Delilah" (1960), "The Spider Walk" (1961), "Life is a Nightmare" (1961)
lead singer of The Drifters (1955-57, 1963-70, and reunions), "Adorable" (1955), "Ruby Baby" (1956), "Under the Boardwalk" (#4 1964), "Saturday Night at the Movies" (#18 1964), "At the Club" (#43 1965), "Answer the Phone" (1965), "I'll Take You Where the Music's Playing" (1965), "Memories Are Made of This" (#48 1966), "I Count the Tears" (#17 1968), "Kissin' in the Back Row of the Movies" (1974), "Down on the Beach Tonight" (1974), "Love Games" (1975), "There Goes My First Love" (1975), "Like a Movie I've Seen Before" (1976)
founding member of The Hornets (1951- ), "I Can't Believe (You're in Love with Me)" (1953), "Lonesome Baby" (1953)
served in the military
see The Hornets on R&B Notebooks

Charlie Rich (aka 'The Silver Fox')

b. 1932 in Colt, AR (went to school in Forrest City, AR) – d. 25 Jul 1995 in Hammond, LA (blood clot in his lung)
country/blues/rockabilly/jazz singer
instruments: piano, tenor sax
"Whirlwind" (1958), "Lonely Weekends" (#22 1960), "There's Another Place I Can't Go" (1963), * "Nice 'n' Easy" (1964), "Turn Around and Face Me" (1964), "Dance of Love" (1965), "Double-Dog Dare Me" (1966), "Raggedy Ann" (#45c 1968), "Who Will the Next Fool Be?" (#67c 1970, he wrote), "I Take it on Home" (#6c 1972), * "Behind Closed Doors" (#15, #1c 1973, CMA single of the year 1973), "The Most Beautiful Girl" (#1, #1c 1973), * "Til I Can't Take it Anymore" (1973), "Golden Slipper Rose" (1973), * "If You Wouldn't Be My Lady" (1973), * "We Love Each Other" (1973), * "I'm Not Going Hungry Anymore" (1973), "A Very Special Love Song" (#11, #1c 1974), "I Don't See Me in Your Eyes Anymore" (#47, #1c 1974), "She Called Me Baby" (#47, #1c 1974), * "There Won't Be Any More" (#18, #1c 1974, he wrote), "I Love My Friend" (#24, #1c 1974), * "A Field of Yellow Daisies" (#23c 1974), "Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High)" (#19, #3c 1975, he co-wrote), "It's All Over Now" (#23c 1975, he wrote), "Since I Fell for You" (#71, #10c 1976), "Rollin' with the Flow" (#1c 1977), "I'll Wake You Up When I Get Home" (#3c 1979), "A Man Just Don't Know What a Woman Goes Through" (#12c 1980), "Are We Dreamin' the Same Dream?" (#26c 1981)
with The Velvetones, "I Love Her So" (1957), "I Found My Love" (1957), "Little Girl, I Love You So" (1960), "My Every Thought" (1960), "Starry Eyed" (1963)
duet with Janie Fricke, "On My Knees" (#1c 1978, he wrote)
session musician
songwriter, wrote Johnny Cash's "Thanks a Lot" (#12c 1959); co-wrote Johnny Cash's "The Ways of a Woman in Love" (#24, #2c 1958)
served in the Air Force
see Charlie Rich

Matt Rollings

b. 1964 in Bridgeport, CT (grew up in Chicago, IL)
country/jazz musician, instruments: piano, keyboards
"Balconies" (1990), "Always Waiting" (1990), "Starbright" (1990), "Midnight Sunrise" (1990), "Candle Lights" (1990)
with Lyle Lovett's Large Band
session musician on Clay Walker's "If I Could Make a Living" (#1c 1994), "This Woman and This Man" (#1c 1995); Carrie Underwood's "Inside Your Heaven" (#1, #52c 2005), "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (#20, #1c 2005), "Some Hearts" (#12 2005), "Don't Forget to Remember Me" (#49, #2c 2006); Faith Hill's "Cry" (#33, #12c 2002); and with Kathy Mattea, Suzy Bogguss, Willie Nelson, Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bob Seeger, Alison Krauss, Leann Rimes, and others
songwriter
producer, arranger
see Matt Rollings

Gary Usher

b. 1938 - d. 25 May 1990
rock singer
"You're the Girl" (1960, he co-wrote), "That's Just the Way I Feel" (1964), "Sacramento" (1964, he co-wrote), "Jody" (1964, he wrote), "Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt" (2001, he co-wrote), "Point of View" (2001, he co-wrote), "Grey, Soft Black, and Blue" (2001, he co-wrote), "We May Make it Yet" (2001, he co-wrote), "Walk a Mile" (2001, he co-wrote)
founding member of The Timers, "Competition Coupe" (1963, he co-wrote)
founding member of The Super Stocks (1964-65), "'T' Roadster" (1964, he co-wrote), "Ballad of Bonneville" (1964, he co-wrote), "Wheel Stands" (1964, he wrote), "Trophy Run" (1964, he co-wrote), "Redondo Beach" (1964, he wrote), "Malibu Blues" (1964, he wrote), "Readin', Ridin' and Racin'" (1964)
duet with Dick Campbell, "(Friend)Ships" (1971, he co-wrote)
session musician on The Hondells' "Little Honda" (#9 1964)
songwriter, wrote Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's "Don't Give in to Him" (#15 1969)
music producer; arranger
see Gary Usher

Joyce Vincent-Wilson

b. 1946 in Detroit, MI
pop singer
founding member of Tony Orlando and Dawn, "Candida" (#3 1971), * "Knock Three Times" (#1 1971), "Tie a Yellow Ribbon (Round the Old Oak Tree)" (#1 1973), "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" (#3 1973), "Steppin' Out (Gonna Boogie Tonight)" (#7 1974), "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" (#1 1975), "Cupid" (#22 1976)
backup singer with Scherrie Payne, Susaye Greene, and others

December 15

Carmine Appice

b. 1946 in Staten Island, NY
rock musician, instrument: drums
"Where You Belong" (1996, he co-wrote), "Nobody Knew" (1996, he co-wrote)
founding member of Vanilla Fudge (1966-70), "You Keep Me Hanging on" (#6 1968), "Take Me for a Little While" (#38 1968), "Shotgun" (1969), "Need Love" (1969, he co-wrote)
founding member of Cactus (1970-72), "One Way...Or Another" (1971), "Restrictions" (1971), "Guiltless Glider" (1971), "You Can't Judge a Book By its Cover" (1971), "Telling You" (1972), "Bringing Me Down" (1972, he co-wrote)
founding member of Beck, Bogert and Appice (1973- ), "Livin' Alone" (1973, he co-wrote)
with Rod Stewart's band (197?-8?), "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (#1 1978, he co-wrote), "Young Turks" (#5 1981, he co-wrote)
with Blue Murder (1989, 1993), "Ptolemy" (1989), "Jelly Roll" (1989), "Shouldn't Have Let You Go" (1993)
with King Cobra (1985-86, 1988), "Dancing With Desire" (1985, he co-wrote), "Shadow Rider" (1985, he co-wrote), "Burning in Her Fire" (1988)
session musician with Pink Floyd, Ted Nugent, and others
songwriter
brother of drummer, Vinny Appice
see Vanilla Fudge
see Carmine Appice

Ernie Ashworth (Ernest Bert Ashworth)

b. 1928 in Huntsville, AL
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Each Moment Spent with You" (#4c 1960, he co-wrote), "You Can't Pick a Rose in December" (#8c 1960), "Forever Gone" (#15c 1961, he co-wrote), "Everybody But Me" (#3c 1962), "(I Just Spent) Another Sleepless Night" (1962), "I Take the Chance" (#7c 1963), "That's How Much I Care" (1963), "Talk Back Trembling Lips" (#101, #1c 1963), "A Week in the Country" (#10c 1964), "Pushed in a Corner" (1964), "I Love to Dance with Annie" (#4c 1964, he co wrote), "The DJ Cried" (#8c 1965), "Because I Cared" (#18c 1965), "Crazy Me, Foolish You" (1965), "I Wish" (#28c 1966, he wrote), "I'm From Missouri" (1966), "You're Tearing My Heart Out" (1967), "A New Heart" (#39c 1968), "You Don't Have to Be an Angel Anymore" (1968), "I Feel Better (Than I Meant to)" (1968), "Where Do You Go (When You Don't Go With Me)?" (1969), "That Look of Goodbye" (1970), "Lips Start Talking Before Her Feet Start Walking" (1970), "Dreaming Again" (1972)
songwriter
md. to Bettye

Jesse Belvin (Jesse Lorenzo Belvin)

b. 1932 in San Antonio, TX (grew up in Los Angeles, CA) - d. 6 Feb 1960 in Fairhope, AR (auto accident)
R&B/doo-wop singer (falsetto)
instrument: piano
"Confusin' Blues" (1952), "Betty, My Darling" (1956), "Don't Close the Door" (1957), "Just to Say Hello" (1957), "Guess Who" (#31 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Funny" (#81 1959), "It Could've Been Worse" (1959)
with The Shields, "You Cheated" (#15 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "That's the Way it's Gonna Be" (1958), "I'm Sorry Now" (1958)
duets with Marvin Phillips as Marvin and Johnny, "Sometimes I Wonder" (1955), "Baby, Won't You Marry Me?" (1955)
with Three Dots and a Dash, "Sad Story" (1951)
with The Saxons
with The Chargers, "The Counterfeiter" (1958, he wrote), "Dandelion" (1958)
with The Turks, "Okay" (1958), "It Can't Be True" (1961)
duets with Marvin Phillips as Jesse and Marvin, "Dream Girl" (1953)
duets with Eugene Church as The Cliques, "The Girl of My Dreams" (1956), "I Wanna Know Why" (1956), "Open Your Heart" (1957), "Little Darling" (1958)
backup singer
songwriter, co-wrote The Penguins' "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" (#8 1955)
arranger
served in the military (1953- )
md. to songwriter, Jo Anne (19??-60, she was killed in the same accident as him)

Cindy Birdsong (Cynthia Ann Birdsong)

b. 1939 in Camden, NJ (grew up in Philadelphia, PA)
R&B singer
"Dancing Room" (1987)
with The Supremes (1967-72, 1973-76, replaced Florence Ballard), "You Bring Back Memories" (1963), "Where Did Our Love Go?" (#1 1964), "Baby Love" (#1 1964), "Come See about Me" (#1 1964), "Stop! in the Name of Love" (#1 1965), "Back in My Arms Again" (#1 1965), "I Hear a Symphony" (#1 1965), "Nothing But Heartaches" (#11 1965), * "You Can't Hurry Love" (#1 1966), "You Keep Me Hangin' on" (#1 1966), "My World is Empty Without You" (#5 1966), "Love is Here and Now You're Gone" (#1 1967), "In and Out of Love" (#9 1967), * "The Happening" (#1 1967), "Reflections" (#2 1967), "Love Child" (#1 1968), "Forever Came Today" (#28 1968), "Some Things You Never Get Used to" (1968), "No Matter What Sign You Are" (1969), "Up the Ladder to the Roof" (1970), "But I Love You More" (1970), "Happy (is a Bumpy Road)" (1971), "Automatically Sunshine" (1972), "Precious Little Things" (1972), "The Wisdom of Time" (1972), "I'm Going to Let My Heart Do the Walking" (1976), "You're What's Missing in My Life" (1976)
she was not on "Someday We'll Be Together"
founding member of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles (1960-67), "Down the Aisle" (#37 1963), "You'll Never Walk Alone" (#34 1964), "One Phone Call" (1964)
"I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" was by a completely unrelated group
The Blue Belles were backup on Wilson Pickett's "634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)" (#13 1966)
nurse
see The Supremes
see Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles

A.P. Carter (Alvin Pleasant Delaney Carter aka 'Doc')

b. 1891 (maybe Apr 15) in Maces Springs, VA – d. 7 Nov 1960 in Kingsport, TN
country singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle
founding member of The Carter Family (1926-43), "Poor Orphan Child" (1927), "Why There's a Tear in My Eyes" (1939), "Girl on the Greenbrier Shore" (1941, he wrote)
songwriter, wrote Gene Autry's "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes" (#3c 1944); Hank Thompson and Merle Travis's "Wildwood Flower" (#5c 1955); co-wrote Mac Wiseman's "Jimmie Brown, the Newsboy" (#5c 1959)
md. to Sara Dougherty (1915- ); brother-in-law of Maybelle Carter
see The Carter Family

Dave Clark (David Clark)

b. 1939 in North London, England
pop/rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of The Dave Clark Five (1958-70), * "Glad All Over" (#6 1964), "Chaquita" (1964), * "Bits and Pieces" (#4 1964), * "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?" (#11 1964), "Can't You See That She's Mine?" (#4 1964), "Because" (#3 1964), "Everybody Knows (I Still Love You)" (#15 1964), "Any Way You Want it" (#14 1965), "Come Home" (#14 1965), "Reelin' and Rockin'" (#23 1965), "I Like it Like That" (#7 1965), "Catch Us if You Can" (#4 1965), "Over and Over" (#1 1965), "At the Scene" (#18 1966), "Try Too Hard" (#12 1966), "Please Tell Me Why" (#28 1966), "You Got What it Takes" (#7 1967), "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" (#35 1967)
music producer
see the Dave Clark Five

Buddy Cole (Edwin LeMar Cole)

b. 1916 in Irving, IL - d. 5 Nov 1964 in Hollywood, CA (heart attack)
jazz/pop musician, instruments: piano, organ
founding member of The Buddy Cole Orchestra, "I'll Always Thank You for the Sunshine" (1957), "He's Graduating" (1957), "It Happened in Monterrey" (1959), "Almost in Your Arms" (1959), "Sleepy-Time Gal" (1959), "Time on My Hands" (1962), "Dancing Tambourine" (1962)
duets with Jill Corey, "Wait for Tomorrow" (1955), "First Love" (1955)
The Buddy Cole Orchestra backing The King Sisters, "Divorce Me C.O.D." (#5c 1946)
session musician on Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" (#1 1948); Johnnie Ray's "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" (#4 1952); and with Alvino Ray, Bing Crosby, Phil Harris, Henry Mancini, and others
md. to singer, Yvonne King

Alan Freed (Aldon James Freed aka 'Moondog')

b. 1921 in Windber, PA (grew up in Salem, OH) – d. 20 Jan 1965 (cirrhosis of the liver)
rock musician, instrument: trombone
with Alan Freed and His Rock and Roll Band, "Right Now, Right Now" (1956), "I Don't Need Lotsa Money" (1956), "Tina's Cantina" (1956), "Rock and Roll Boogie" (1956), "The Grey Bear" (1956), "Stop, Look, and Run" (1957), "Sentimental Journey" (1957)
songwriter
DJ; he coined the term 'Rock and Roll'
md. to Betty Lou Bean (1943-49); md. 2nd to Marjorie J. Hess (1950-58); md. 3rd to Inga L. Bolingwhom (1959-65, his death)
see Alan Freed

Stan Kenton (Stanley Newcomb Kenton)

b. 1911 in Wichita, KS (grew up in CO and Los Angeles, CA) - d. Aug 25 1979 in Los Angeles, CA (stroke)
jazz musician, instrument: piano
founding member and leader of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, "How Many Hearts Have You Broken?" (#9 1944), "Artistry in Rhythm" (1946), "Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy" (1946), "How High the Moon" (#20 1948), "Orange-Colored Sky" (#5 1950), "Abstraction" (1950), "Impressionism" (1950), "Laura" (1951), "Tortillas and Beans" (1951), "Somnambulism" (1951), "Delicado" (1952), "The Creep" (1954), "Mama Sang a Song" (#32 1962)
songwriter
bandleader
md. to Ann Richards
according to some sources Stan Kenton celebrated his birthdate as 19 Feb 1912, even though that was not the day he was born

Red River Dave McEnery (David McEnery)

b. 1914 in San Antonio, TX - d. 15 Jan 2002 in San Antonio, TX
folk/country singer, yodeler
instrument: guitar
"Would You Care?" (1940), "Amelia Earhart's Last Flight" (1941, he wrote), "You Can Count on Me" (1944), "I'd Rather Die for My Country Than Live with My Wife" (1944), "Stars Over Laredo" (1949), "Prairie" (1950, he co-wrote), "New Year Bells" (1951), "The Red Deck of Cards" (1953), "I'm a Married Man" (1957), "The Ballad of Three-Mile Island" (1979, he wrote), "Shame is the Middle Name of Exxon" (he wrote, about being overcharged for truck repairs)
founding member of The Swift Cowboys
founding member of Red River Dave and His Texas Tophands
songwriter
served in the Army during WWII
as a preacher he once delivered a sermon entirely in CB jargon

Randy Parton

b. 1955 in Sevierville, TN
country singer
instrument: bass
"Hold Me Like You Never Had Me" (#30c 1981), "Shot Full of Love" (#30c 1981), "Don't Cry, Baby" (#80c 1981), "A Stranger in Her Bed" (#92c 1983), "Too Much Water" (1984)
songwriter
actor
brother of Dolly and Stella Parton

Don Rader

b. 1937 in Hazel Park, MI - d. 5 Jul 2004 in MI (heart disease)
country/rockabilly/rock singer
founding member of Don Rader and the Five Stars, "Rockin' the Blues" (1959, he wrote), "Rock 'n' Roll Grampa" (1970), "My Baby's Still Rockin'" (1975)
founding member of Don Rader and the 20th Century Ranch Hands, "Rock and Roll Grandpa" (1958), "A Day at the Pines" (1958), "Goodbye, I Hate to See You Go" (1967, he wrote), "Don't I Know You?" (1975)
songwriter

Warren Ryanes

b. 1937 in Newark, NJ - d. Jun 1982
doo-wop/rock singer (baritone)
founding member of The Monotones (1955-62), "(Who Wrote) the Book of Love" (#5 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "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

Jerry Wallace (Jerry Leon Wallace)

b. 1928 in Guilford, MO (grew up in Glendale, AZ) - d. 5 May 2008 in Corona, CA (congestive heart failure)
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"That's What a Woman Can Do" (1954), "Dixie Anna" (1954), "Eyes of Fire, Lips of Wine" (1956), "Fool's Hall of Fame" (1957), "How Time Flies" (#11 1958), "The Other Me" (1958), "Primrose Lane" (#8 1959), "Teardrops in the Rain" (1960), "There She Goes" (#26 1961), "Eyes (Don't Give My Secrets Away)" (1961), "Shutters and Boards" (#24 1963), * "Move Over (When True Love Walks By)" (1963), * "In the Misty Moonlight" (#19 1964), "I'm a Hot-Rodder" (1964), "Life's Gone and Slipped Away" (#23c 1965), "Diamonds and Horseshoes" (#45c 1966), "Wallpaper Roses" (#43c 1966), "A New Sun Risin'" (1967), "Another Time, Another Place, Another World" (1968), "Honey-Eyed Girl" (1969), "After You" (#22c 1971), "To Get to You" (#12c 1972), "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry" (#39, #1c 1972), "Don't You Know What it's Like to Be Lonesome?" (#2c 1973), "Don't Give up on Me" (#3c 1973), "My Wife's House" (#9c 1974), "I'll Promise You Tomorrow" (#28c 1978), "Looking for a Memory" (1978), "My Last Sad Song" (1978), "If I Could Set My Love to Music" (#80c 1980)
songwriter
actor

December 16

Jeff Carson (Jeffrey Lee Herndon)

b. 1963 in Tulsa, OK (grew up in Gravette, AR)
country/Christian singer
instruments: guitar, bass guitar, harmonica
"Not on Your Love" (#97, #1c 1995), "The Car" (#3c 1995), "Holdin' on to Somethin'" (#6c 1995), "As One As Two Can Get" (1997), "Here's the Deal" (#64c 1997), "Cheatin' on Her Heart" (#52c 1998), * "Scars and All" (2000), "Real Life (I Never Was the Same Again)" (#14c 2001), "Until We Fall Back in Love Again" (#46c 2002, he co-wrote), "I Can Only Imagine" (#50c 2003), "When You Said You Loved Me" (2006)
songwriter
md. to Kim Cooper (1987- )

Robben Ford (Robben Lee Ford)

b. 1951 in Woodlake, CA (grew up in Ukiah, CA)
blues/jazz/rock singer
instruments: guitar, sax
"For the One I Love" (1979, he wrote), "Far Away" (1979, he wrote), "Talk to Your Daughter" (1988), "Getaway" (1988, he wrote), "Start it Up" (1992, he wrote), "Step on it" (1992, he wrote), "Say What's on Your Mind" (1993), "Trying to Do the Right Thing (for Anne)" (1993), "Rugged Road" (1995, he wrote), "Chevrolet" (1995), "Tiger Walk" (1997), "Just Like it is" (1997), "Nothing to Nobody" (1999, he co-wrote), "Something for the Pain" (2002, he co-wrote), "How Deep in the Blues (Do You Want to Go)?" (2007), "You're Gonna Need a Friend" (2007)
with L.A. Express
session musician on Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" (#24 1974); and with Miles Davis, Greg Allman, and others
md. to singer, Anne Kerry
see Robben Ford

Bob Gardner (Robert Alexander Gardner)

b. 1897 in Oliver Springs, TN - d. 30 Sep 1978
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Tennessee Jailbird" (1927)
founding member of Mac and Bob, "Letter That Came Too Late" (1927), "Seeing Nellie Home" (1927), "You're as Welcome as the Flowers in May" (1927), "Little Nell" (1928), "Little Log Cabin in the Lane" (1929), "On the Road to Happiness" (1929), "A Picture No Artist Can Paint" (1929), "Lazy Louisiana Moon" (1930), "I Said Goodbye to Everything (When I Said Goodbye to You)" (1931), "Rocky Mountain Rose" (1931), "Sweet Allalee" (1931), "My Girl in Caroline" (1931), "We Carved Our Hearts on the Old Oak Tree" (1932), "I Told the Stars About You" (1933), "When it's Lamp-Lighting Time in the Valley" (1933), "Down the Lane of Memory" (1940), "Under the Old Sierra Moon" (1940), "The Pine Trees Whisper" (1941)
songwriter
he was blind

Jim Glaser (James William Glaser)

b. 1937 in Spaulding, NE
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"I'd Rather Not Know" (1965), "Pair of Loaded Dice" (1966), "Kiss Her Once for Me" (1968), "Molly" (#53 1969), "I See His Love All Over You" (#67c 1973, he co-wrote), "Forgettin' 'Bout You" (#51c 1975), "Woman, Woman" (#43c 1975, he co-wrote), "She's Free, But She's Not Easy" (#66c 1976, he co-wrote), "When You're Not a Lady" (#16c 1983), "The Man in the Mirror" (#17c 1983), "If I Could Only Dance with You" (#10c 1983), "You're Getting to Me Again" (#1c 1984), "Let Me Down Easy" (#16c 1985), "In Another Minute" (#27c 1985), "The Lights of Albuquerque" (#40 1986), "Who Were You Thinkin' of?" (2004), "If I Had to Love You Over Again" (2004)
founding member and tenor with Tompall and the Glaser Brothers (195?-73, 1979-82), "Five-Penny Nickel" (1958), "She Loves the Love I Give Her" (1959), "Cry of the Wild Goose" (1961), "Winner Take All" (1965), "Through the Eyes of Love" (#27c 1967), "California Girl (and the Tennessee Square)" (#11c 1969), "Gone Girl" (#23c 1970), "That's When I Love You the Most" (1971), "Rings" (#7c 1971), "Ain't it All Worth Living For?" (#15c 1972), "She's Sweet, She's Kind and She's Mine" (1972), "Phoney World" (1972), "Lovin' Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)" (#2c 1981), "Just One Time" (#17c 1981), "It'll Be Her" (#19c 1982), "I Still Love You (After All These Years)" (#28c 1982)
Tompall and the Glaser Brothers and Leon McAuliffe and the Cimarron Boys, "Faded Love" (#22c 1971)
backup singer on Marty Robbin's "El Paso" (#1, #1c 1959); and with Bobby Lord, Charley Pride, and others
songwriter, wrote Skeeter Davis' "What Does it Take (to Keep a Man Like You Satisfied)?" (#121, #5c 1967); Warner Mack's "Sittin' in an All Night Café" (#4c 1964); co-wrote Gary Puckett's "Woman, Woman" (#4 1968)
backup singer

Tony Hicks (Anthony Christopher Hicks)

b. 1945 in Lancashire, England
rock/pop singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, acoustic guitar, dulcimer, upright bass, electric bass, banjo, sitar
founding member of The Hollies (1962- ), "Ain't That Just Like Me?" (1963), "What Kind of Boy?" (1964), "Look Through Any Window" (#32 1966), "Bus Stop" (#5 1966), "Stop Stop Stop" (#7 1966), "Carrie Anne" (#9 1967), "Pay You Back with Interest" (#28 1967), "On a Carousel" (#11 1967), "Pegasus" (1967, he wrote), "Jennifer Eccles" (#40 1968), "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (1969), "Reflections of a Long Time Past" (1969), "Long Dark Road" (1971, he co-wrote), "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (#2 1972), "The Air That I Breathe" (#6 1974)
songwriter
see The Hollies

Jon Richardson

b. 1976 in Lubbock, TX
country/rock singer
instrument: bass guitar
founding member of The Randy Rogers Band, "This Time Around" (2004), "Tonight's Not the Night (for Goodbye)" (#43c 2005), "Down and Out" (#48c 2005), "Kiss Me in the Dark" (#45c 2006), "If I Told You the Truth" (2006), "If Anyone Asks" (2006), "One More Goodbye" (#53c 2007)
songwriter
see The Randy Rogers Band

Chris Scruggs

b. 1982 in Nashville, TN
country/rock singer
instrument: acoustic guitar, bass
"Two-Door Ford" (2003), "Ain't Got Time" (2003)
with BR5-49 (2004- ), "She's Talking to Someone (She's Not Talking to Me)" (2004), "A-1 on the Jukebox" (2006), "After the Hurricane" (2006)
session musician with Gail Davies, Hank Williams III, and others

Joe Zinkan (Joseph S. Zinkan)

b. 1918 in Indianapolis, IN - d. 15 Jan 2003 in Hendersonville, TN
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: string bass
with The Delmore Brothers (1938)
with Roy Acuff's Smokey Mountain Boys (1942-57), "The Prodigal Son" (#4c 1944), "I'll Forgive You But I Can't Forget" (#3c 1944), "Write Me, Sweetheart" (#6c 1944, he wrote), "The Waltz of the Wind" (#8c 1948), "Tennessee Waltz" (#12c 1948), and others
session musician with Bill Monroe, Kitty Wells, Pee Wee King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brenda Lee, Carl Perkins, Hank Garland, Patsy Cline, Johnny Horton, Wynne Stewart, Ray Price, and others

December 17

Junior Barnard (Lester Robert Barnard aka Fat Boy)

b. 1920 in Coweta, OK - d. 15 Apr 1951 in CA (auto accident)
western swing singer
instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, fiddle
with The Sons of the West (1936)
with The Texas Playboys (1945, 1947), "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), "Texas Two-Step" (1945), "Can't Get Enough of Texas" (1947), "Sugar Moon" (#1c 1947)
session musician with Tommy Duncan, Luke Wills, Jesse Ashlock, and others
songwriter
brother of Gene Barnard
see The Texas Playboys
see Junior Barnard

Bryan Berkebile

b. 19??
rock/country musician, instruments: drums, electronic percussions
with the Alliance Band, * "What I Knew Then" (2002), "All I Want" (2002), "Halfway Home" (2002), "Undercover" (2002)

Steve Burgh

b. 1950 in Trenton, NJ - d. 7 Feb 2005 in Kingston, NY (heart attack)
rock/folk musician, instruments: guitar, bass
founding member of Jacob's Creek (1969), "Katharine" (1969), "Lonely Fire" (1969), "Behind the Door" (1969)
session musician on Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" (#3 1977); Willie Nelson's "Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)" (#22c 1973); and with John Prine, Judy Collins, Willie Nelson, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Goodman, David Bromberg, Gladys Knight, Paul Anka, and others
songwriter
music producer

Paul Butterfield

b. 1942 in Chicago, IL – d. 4 May 1987 in Hollywood, CA (drug and alcohol overdose)
blues/rock singer
instrument: harmonica
"Ain't That a Lot of Love" (1976), "Bread and Butterfield" (1981), "We Stand a Chance" (1986)
founding member and lead of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1963-70), "Born in Chicago" (1965), "Thank You, Mr. Poobah" (1965, he co-wrote), "Our Love is Drifting" (1965), "East-West" (1966), "Mary, Mary" (1966), "Droppin' Out" (1967, he co-wrote), "Run Out of Time" (1967, he co-wrote), "In My Own Dream" (1968, he wrote), "Walking by Myself" (1969), "Losing Hand" (1969), "Love March" (1969)
the Paul Butterfield Blues Band performed at Woodstock
founding member of Paul Butterfield's Better Days (1971-73), "Drowned in My Own Tears" (1971), "The Blind Leading the Blind" (1971), "Rule the Road" (1973), "Highway 28" (1973)
songwriter
see The Paul Butterfield Blues Band on Wikipedia

Carl Chambers (Carl Ellis Chambers)

b. 1946 in Lakeland, FL
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Take Me Home With You" (#91c 1981, he co-wrote)
founding member of The Dizzy Rambler (1975-78, and reunions)
with The Bellamy Brothers (1979-80), "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold it Against Me)" (#39, #1c 1979), "You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie" (#5c 1979), "Sugar Daddy" (#1c 1980), "Dancin' Cowboys" (#1c 1980), "Lovers Live Longer" (#3c 1980)
with The Rogues
session musician
songwriter, wrote Alabama's "Close Enough to Perfect" (#65, #1c 1982)
music producer
md. 2nd to Nancy Shafar (1978- )
web designer

Tim Chewning

b. 1962
country musician, instrument: drums
with Ricochet (1999-2001, replaced Jeff Bryant), "Seven Bridges Road" (#48c 2000), "Do I Love You Enough?" (#45c 2000), "She's Gone" (#48c 2000)
session musician with John Michael Montgomery, Kathy Mattea, and others
see Ricochet

Spade Cooley (Donell Clyde Cooley aka King of Western Swing)

b. 1910 in Grand, OK (grew up in OR) – d. 23 Nov 1969 in Vacaville, CA (heart attack)
western swing singer
instruments: fiddle, cello
founding member and leader of Spade Cooley and his Orchestra (1942-47), "Shame on You" (#1c 1945), "A Pair of Broken Hearts" (#8c 1945), "I've Taken All I'm Gonna Take From You" (#4c 1945), "Detour" (#2c 1946), "You Can't Break My Heart" (#3c 1946), "Crazy 'Cause I Love You" (#4c 1947)
founding member and lead of Spade Cooley and His Band (1947- ), "Oklahoma Stomp" (1946), "Minuet in Swing" (1947, he wrote), "You Can't Take Texas Out of Me" (1947), "The Tuesday Two-Step" (1947, he co-wrote), "Cow Bell Polka" (1948), "I Guess I've Been Dreaming Again" (1948), "Topeka Polka" (1948), "Arizona Waltz" (1949), "Skip to My Lou" (1949), "Lucky Leather Britches" (1949), "Send Ten Pretty Flowers (to My Girl in Tennessee)" (1949), "Don't Take My Word, Take My Heart" (1949), "Empty Saddles" (1950), "The Old Spinning Wheel" (1950), "My Heart is Broken in Three" (1951), "Horse Hair Boogie" (1951), "One Sweet Letter from You" (1952), "Baltimore Bounce" (1953), "Anita" (1954), "Pony Tail Polka" (1960), "Blue Jeans and Gingham" (1960)
with Riders of the Purple Sage
duet with Chuck Reed, "No Need to Cry Anymore" (1956)
songwriter
actor; stand-in for Roy Rogers
his nickname related to his poker skills
md. to Ella Mae Evans (1945-61); father of singer/songwriter, Mike Cooley
died in prison while serving time for killing his second wife (singer Ella Mae Evans) in front of their daughter after she left him in 1961

Arthur Fiedler

b. 1894 in Boston, MA - d. 10 Jul 1979 in Brookline, MA
pop musician, instruments: violin, piano, organ, percussions
violinist with The Boston Symphony (1915-40)
conductor of The Boston Pops Orchestra (1930-79), "Jalousie" (#13 1938), "Sleigh Ride" (1959, featuring Leroy Anderson), "Waltz of the Flowers" (1959), "The Toy Trumpet" (1964, featuring Al Hirt), "The Girl I Left Behind Me" (1966), "A Hard Day's Night" (1971), "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (1971), "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" (1971), "Manhattan Skyline" (1979)
conductor of The Boston Sinfonietta (1924- )
arranger
md. to Ellen Bottomly
see Arthur Fiedler on Wikipedia

Karl Hausman

b. 194? (grew up in PA)
pop/rock singer
instrument: piano
founding member of The Kit Kats (1962-72), "Good Luck Charlie" (1963), "You're No Angel" (1964, he co-wrote), "Breezy" (1967, he co-wrote), "You've Got to Know" (1967), "Distance" (1967), "I Want to Be" (1968), "Hey, Saturday Noon" (1968), "Taking My Time" (1971)
The Kit Kats recording as New Hope, "Won't Find Better Than Me" (#57 1969, he co-wrote), "They Call it Love" (1969), "The Money Game" (1970)
The Kit Kats recording as the Tik Taks, "Let's Get Lost on a Country Road" (#119 1967, he co-wrote), "The Nut Rocker" (1967)
with Roscoe and the Green Men, "Roll Over Beethoven" (1960), "Bye Bye Blues" (1960)
songwriter
arranger
see The Kit Kats

Roy Husky, Jr. (Roy Milton Huskey, Jr.)

b. 1956 in Nashville, TN - d. 6 Sep 1997 (cancer)
country/bluegrass musician, instrument: upright bass
session bassist on Vince Gill's "Everybody's Sweetheart" (#11c 1988); Kathy Mattea's "Untold Stories" (#4c 1988), "Goin' Gone" (#1c 1988), "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" (#1c 1988), "Life As We Knew it" (#4c 1988); and with Chet Atkins, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Carlene Carter, Ringo Starr, and others

Wanda Hutchinson

b. 1951 in Chicago, IL
soul/disco singer
founding member of The Emotions (1968- ), "I Can't Stand No More Heartaches" (1967), "Brushfire" (1968), "So I Can Love You" (#39 1969), "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, she wrote), "Now That I Know" (1981)
songwriter, co-wrote Earth, Wind and Fire's "Let's Groove (Tonight)" (#3 1981)

Eddie Kendricks (Edward James Kendricks)

b. 1939 in Union Springs, AL – d. 5 Oct 1992 in Birmingham, AL (lung cancer)
R&B/soul/pop singer (tenor/falsetto)
"It's So Hard for Me to Say Goodbye" (1971), "Can I?" (1971), "Date With the Rain" (1972), "Just Memories" (1972), "Loving You the Second Time Around" (1973), "Keep on Truckin'" (#1 1973), "Boogie Down" (#2 1974), "Son of Sagittarius" (#28 1974), "Deep and Quiet Love" (1974), "Shoeshine Boy" (#18 1975), "Intimate Friends" (1977), "The Best of Strangers Now" (1978), "If it Takes All Night" (1978)
with The Primes
founding member of The Temptations (1961-71, 1982), "The Further You Look, the Less You See" (1963), "May I Have This Dance?" (1963), "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), "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" (#13 1968), "Please Return Your Love to Me" (#26 1968), "Cloud Nine" (#6 1969), "I Can't Get Next to You" (#1 1969), "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" (#3 1970), "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (#1 1971)
duets with David Ruffin, "I Couldn't Believe" (1987), "Don't Know Why You're Dreamin'" (1987)
songwriter
see The Temptations
see Eddie Kendricks

Frankie Miller

b. 1931 in Victoria, TX
country singer
instrument: guitar
"It's No Big Thing" (1959), "Black-Land Farmer" (#5c 1959, #16c 1961, he wrote), "Family Man" (#7c 1959), "Reunion (With Dinner on the Ground)" (1959), "Baby Rocked Her Dolly" (#15c 1960), "Rain Rain" (1960), "Strictly Nothin'" (1960), "I'll Write to You" (1961), "The Cat and the Mouse" (1961), "A Little South of Memphis" (#34c 1964, he co-wrote), "A Little Bit's Better (Than Nothing at All)" (1965), "I'd Rather Have You" (1965), "I Put the Blue in Her Eyes" (1965), "Maybe You Would Love Me Then" (1965), "I Won't Forget" (1996), "Barefoot Blues" (1996), "She's My Antibiotic" (1967), "I Don't Know What to Tell My Heart" (1996), "Paint, Powder and Perfume" (1996)
songwriter
served in the military in the Korean War (1951-54), earned a Bronze Star
see Frankie Miller

Bill Napier (William Napier)

b. 1935 in Wise County, VA - d. 3 May 2000 (cancer)
bluegrass musician, instruments: mandolin, guitar, banjo
with The Clinch Mountain Boys (1957-61), "Midnight Ramble" (1958), "Gonna Paint the Town" (1958), "The Memory of Your Smile" (1959), "How Far to Little Rock?" (#17c 1960)
The Clinch Mountain Boys were also known as The Stanley Brothers
duets with Charlie Moore, "In a World of Broken Hearts" (1963), "Lonesome Truck Driver" (1964), "I'd Rather Be on the Inside Looking Out" (1964), "Long White Line" (1965), "Sweeter Than the Flowers" (1966)
songwriter

Art Neville (Arthur Lanon Neville, Jr.)

b. 1937 in New Orleans, LA
soul/R&B/jazz singer
instrument: keyboards
"Oooh-Whee Baby" (1957), "What's Going On?" (1959), "That Rock 'n' Roll Beat" (1961), "Buy Me a Rainbow" (1966), "Hook, Line, and Sinker" (1966), "Tick Tock" (1996), "Please Don't Leave Me" (2007)
with The Hawkettes, "Mardi Gras Mambo" (1953)
founding member of The Meters (1965-77), "Cissy Strut" (#23 1969), "Sophisticated Cissy" (#34 1969), "Ann" (1969), "Ride Your Pony" (1970), "Britches" (1970), "Tippi-Toes" (1970), "Groovy Lady" (1971), "Sassy Lady" (1971), "People Say" (1974), "Lovin' You is on My Mind" (1974), "Out in the Country" (1975), "You're a Friend of Mine" (1975), "Mister Moon" (1976), "Find Yourself" (1976), "Be My Lady" (1977)
The Meters played backup for Paul McCartney, Labelle, and others
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)
session musician on LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" (#1 1975); and with Paul McCartney, Lee Dorsey, Little Richard, and others
served in the Navy
brother of Aaron Neville; father of Ian Neville

Duane Propes

b. 1966 in Longview, TX
country singer
instrument: bass
founding member, singer and bassist with Little Texas (1988-97, 2004- ), "Some Guys Have All the Love" (#8c 1991), "What Were You Thinkin'?" (#17c 1992), "You and Forever and Me" (#5c 1992), "I'd Rather Miss You" (#16c 1993), "Stop on a Dime" (#14c 1993), "God Blessed Texas" (#55, #4c 1993), "What Might Have Been" (#74, #2c 1993), "My Love" (#83, #1c 1993), "Cut-Off Jeans" (1993), "Kick a Little" (#5c 1994), "Amy's Back in Austin" (#4c 1995), "Life Goes on" (#5 1995), "You Gotta Wanna Win" (1996), "Country Crazy" (#44c 1996), "Bad for Us" (#45c 1997), "Kiss the Girl" (#52c 1997)
classic car enthusiast with a restored 1964 Mustang
md. to Cindy (1994- )
see Little Texas

Nat Stuckey (Nathan Wright Stuckey)

b. 1934 in Cass County, TX – d. 24 Aug 1988 (lung cancer)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Leave the Door Open" (1964), "Hurting Again" (1965), "Sweet Thang" (#4c 1966, he wrote), "Oh, Woman" (#17c 1967, he wrote), "I Knew Her When" (1967), "My Can Do Can't Keep up with My Want to" (#17 1967, he wrote), "All My Tomorrows" (#27c 1967, he wrote), "Plastic Saddle" (#9c 1968), "That's All That Matters" (1969), "Sweet Thang and Cisco" (#8c 1969, he co-wrote), "Joe and Mabel's 12th Street Bar and Grill" (1969), "Gardener for Her Roses" (1969), "Mississippi Hippie" (1970), "She Wakes Me With a Kiss Every Morning" (#11c 1971), "Don't Pay the Ransom" (#18c 1972), "I Used it All on You" (#22c 1973), "Take Time to Love Her" (#10c 1973), "You Don't Have to Go Home" (1974), "Sun Comin' Up" (#13c 1976), "At Least One Time" (1976), "The Shady Side of Charlotte" (1976), "I'm Comin' Home to Face the Music" (1977)
duet with Connie Smith, "Young Love" (#20c 1969)
songwriter, co-wrote Buck Owen's "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" (#57, #1c 1966)

Mary Weiss

b. 1948 in Queens NY
pop/rock singer
"Don't Come Back" (2007), "A Certain Guy" (2007), "Break it One More Time" (2007), "You're Never Gonna See Me Cry" (2007), "A Stitch in Time" (2007)
founding member and lead singer of The Shangri-Las (1964-68, and reunions), "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)" (#5 1964), * "Leader of the Pack" (#1 1964), * "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" (#18 1965), "Give Us Your Blessing" (#29 1965), "I Can't Never Go Home Anymore" (#6 1965), "The Train From Kansas City" (1965), "Dressed in Black" (1966), "Past, Present and Future" (#59 1966), "Long Live Our Love" (#33 1966)
interior decorator
sister of Betty Weiss

Sharon White

b. 1953 in Wichita Falls, TX or Abilene, TX (grew up in AR)
country/gospel/bluegrass singer
instrument: guitar
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)
duet with Ricky Skaggs, * "Love Can't Ever Get Better Than This" (#10c 1987)
session musician with Lee Ann Womack, Emmylou Harris, and others
songwriter
md. to Ricky Skaggs (1981- ); daughter of Buck White; sister of Cheryl White

December 18

Sam Andrew (Sam Houston Andrew III)

b. 1941 in Taft, CA
rock singer
instrument: guitar, clarinet, sax
founding member of Big Brother and the Holding Company (1966-68, 1970-72, and reunions), "Bye Bye, Baby" (1968), "Pieces of My Heart" (#12 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "Combination of the Two" (1968, he wrote), "Last Band on Side One" (1971), "Black Widow Spider" (1971)
with the Kozmic Blues Band (1969), "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)" (1969), "To Love Somebody" (1969)
songwriter
md. to Suzanne Thorson; md. to Elise Piliwale

Tracy Byrd (Tracy Lynn Byrd)

b. 1966 (maybe Dec 17) in Beaumont, TX (grew up in Vidor, TX)
country singer, guitar
"That's the Thing about a Memory" (#71c 1992, he co-wrote), "Someone to Give My Love to" (#42c 1993), "Holdin' Heaven" (#1c 1993), "Why Don't That Telephone Ring" (#39c 1993), "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous" (#4c 1994), * "Redneck Roses" (1994), * "Right about Now" (1994), "Watermelon Crawl" (#81, #4c 1994), * "The First Step (is the Two-Step)" (#5c 1994), * "The Keeper of the Stars" (#68, #2c 1995), * "Pink Flamingos" (1995), "Love Lessons" (#9c 1995), "Tucson Too Soon" (1996), "Heaven in My Woman's Eyes" (#14c 1996), "Big Love" (#3c 1997), "(Don't Take Her) She's All I Got" (#4c 1997), "I'm from the Country" (#63, #3c 1998), "I Wanna Feel That Way Again" (#9c 1998), "Put Your Hand in Mine" (#76, #11c 2000), "Just Let Me Be in Love" (#64, #9c 2002), "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo" (#26, #1c 2002), "The Truth about Men" (#73, #13 2003), "Revenge of a Middle-Aged Woman" (#34c 2005), "The Biggest Thing in Texas" (2006)
duet with Mark Chesnutt, "A Good Way to Get on My Bad Side" (#21c 2001)
songwriter
md. to Michelle (1991- )

Wilf Carter (Wilfred Arthur Charles aka 'Montana Slim')

b. 1904 in Nova Scotia, Canada – d. 5 Dec 1996 in Scottsdale, AZ (stomach cancer)
country singer, yodeler
instrument: guitar
"Twilight on the Prairie" (1934, he wrote), "Cowboy Lullaby" (1935), "Sweetheart of My Childhood Days" (1936), "Dreamy Prairie Moon" (1936), "Little Red Patch on the Seat of My Trousers" (1938), "My Texas Sweetheart" (1940), "You Were with Me in the Waltz of My Dreams" (1940), "That First Love of Mine" (1942), "Just an Old Forgotten Letter" (1942), "I'm Gonna Tear Down the Mailbox" (1948), "My Only Romance is Memories of You" (1949), "Memories Bring Heartaches to Me" (1949), "My Heart's Closed for Repairs" (1951), "My Oklahoma Rose" (1951), "I Never Knew I Could Be So Blue" (1952), "Alabama Saturday Night" (1952), "Huggin', Squeezin', Kissin', Teasin'" (1952), "Sleep, Little One, Sleep" (1953), "Fate of Old Strawberry Roan" (1955, he wrote)
recorded as Montana Slim, "Ridin' a Maverick" (1936), "My Faithful Pinto Pal" (1936), "You Left Your Brand on My Heart" (1938), "My Brown-Eyed Prairie Rose" (1938), "LaVerne, My Brown-Eyed Rose" (1941), "West of the Rainbow Trail" (1942), "Shackles and Chains" (1949), "Give a Little, Take a Little" (1950), "When That Love Bug Bites You" (1950), "The KP Blues" (1950), "My Little Lady" (1956), "Silver Bell Yodel" (1956), "My Prairie Rose" (1959)
songwriter
rodeo rider
see Wilf Carter

Les Cauchi (Leslie Cauchi)

b. 1942
doo-wop/rock singer (tenor)
instrument: piano
founding member of The Del Satins (1958-66), "I'll Pray for You" (1961), "I Remember the Night" (1961), "Counting Teardrops" (1961), "Teardrops Follow Me" (1962), "Best Wishes, Good Luck, Goodbye" (1962), "Feeling No Pain" (1963), "Two Broken Hearts" (1964), "Candy Apple 'Vette" (1965), "Throwaway Song" (1966)
The Del-Satins backing Dion, "Runaround Sue" (#1 1961), "The Wanderer" (#2 1961), "Lovers Who Wander" (#3 1962), "Little Diane" (#8 1962), "Love Came to Me" (#10 1962), "Ruby Baby" (#2 1963), "Donna the Prima Donna" (#6 1963), "Drip Drop" (#6 1963), "Sandy" (#21 1963), "This Little Girl" (#21 1963)
founding member of The Brooklyn Bridge (1968- ), "From My Window" (1968), "The Worst That Could Happen" (#3 1969, One-Hit Wonder), "You'll Never Walk Alone" (1969), "Blessed is the Rain" (1969), "Opposites" (1970)
served in the military in Vietnam (1966- )

Chas Chandler (Bryan James Chandler, aka 'Chrissie Boy')

b. 1938 in England – d. 17 Jul 1996 in England (aortic aneurysm)
rock backup singer
instrument: bass guitar
with The Alan Price Trio
founding member of The Animals (1962-66, and reunions), "House of the Rising Sun" (#1 1964), "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" (#15 1965), "We've Got to Get Out of This Place" (#13 1965), "It's My Life" (#23 1965), "Don't Bring Me Down" (#12 1966), "The Night" (#48 1983)
music producer
md. 2nd to Madeleine Stringer

Cowboy Troy (Troy Coleman)

b. 1970 in Victoria, TX
country-rap (aka hick-hop) singer
"Texas" (2001), "Beginner's Luck" (2002), "I Play Chicken With the Train" (#48c 2005, he co-wrote), "Automatic" (2002, he co-wrote), "Cruise Control" (2007, he co-wrote)
duet with Big and Rich and Gretchen Wilson, "Our America" (#44c 2005)
duet with Angela Hacker, "Hick Chick" (2007)
duet with Sarah Buxton, "If You Don't Wanna Love Me" (2005, he co-wrote)
backup singer with Big and Rich, Tim McGraw, and others

Elliot Easton (Elliot Steinburg)

b. 1953 in Brooklyn, NY
rock/pop singer
instrument: lead guitar
"(She Made it) New for Me" (1985), "(Wearing Down) Like a Wheel" (1985), "Shayla" (1985)
founding member of The Cars (1976-87), "Just What I Needed" (#27 1978), "Let's Go" (#14 1979), "Shake it Up" (#4 1981), "You Might Think" (#7 1984), "Drive" (#3 1984), "Hello Again" (#20 1984), "Magic" (#12 1984), "Why Can't I Have You?" (#33 1985), "You are the Girl" (#17 1987)
with The New Cars (2005- ), "Open My Eyes" (2006), "Not Tonight" (2006)
session musician on Benjamin Orr's "Stay the Night" (#24 1986); and with Lee Rocker, and others
songwriter
he plays guitar left-handed

Deane Hawley (William Deane Hawley)

b. 1937 in Staten Island, NY (grew up in CA) - d. 25 Dec 2002 (pancreatic cancer)
"Pretty Little Mary" (1959), "New Fad" (1959), "Good Morning, Mister Sun" (1959), "Look for a Star" (#34 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "Where is My Angel?" (1960), "I'll Never Be a Fool Again" (1960), "Stay at Home Blues" (1960), "That Dream Could Never Be" (1961)
songwriter

Cledus T. Judd (James Barry Poole)

b. 1964 in Crowe Springs, GA
country/novelty singer
instruments: guitar, piano, drums
"Katie Bar the Door" (1995, he co-wrote), "Shade Tree Mechanic" (1995), "Grandpa Got Runned Over By a John Deere" (1996, parody of 'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer'), "Every Light in the House is Blown" (1998, parody of Trace Adkin's 'Every Light in the House is on'), "Everybody's Free (to Get Sunburned)" (#16c 1999, he co-wrote, parody of Baz Luhrmann's 'Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen)'), "My Cellmate Thinks I'm Sexy" (#61c 2000, he co-wrote, parody of Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy"), "How Do You Milk a Cow?" (#67c 2000, parody of Toby Keith's "How Do You Like Me Now"), "Goodbye, Squirrel" (#67c 2000, parody of The Dixie Chicks' "Goodbye, Earl"), "Leave You Laughin'" (2002, he wrote), "Stephon the Alternate Lifestyle Reindeer" (2002), "Bake Me a Country Ham" (#58c 2004, "parody of Tracy Lawrence's "Paint Me a Birmingham"), "Star-Kissed" (2003, he wrote), "Illegals" (#58c 2007)
duet with Toby Keith, "I Love NASCAR" (#48c 2004, parody of Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar")
duet with Buck Owens, "First Redneck on the Internet" (1998)
comedian, parodies popular country songs
hairdresser
md. to singer, Julie Reeves
see Cledus T. Judd on Wikipedia

Dale McBride

b. 1936 near Kileen, TX (grew up in Lampasas, TX) - d. 30 Nov 1992 (brain tumor)
country/rockabilly/western swing singer
instrument: guitar
"Because I Love You So" (1958), "Prissy Missy" (1960), "Corpus Christi Wind" (#70c 1971, he wrote), "Getting Over You Again" (#90c 1976, #67c 1979), "Mexicalli Rose" (1976), "Ordinary Man" (#26c 1977), "I'm Savin' Up Sunshine" (1977), "Always Lovin' Her Man" (#37c 1978), "I Don't Like Cheatin' Songs" (#45c 1978), "Let's Be Lonely Together" (1978)
with Jimmy Heap and the Melody Masters
songwriter
father of singer, Terry McBride

Raymond W. McLain

b. 1953
bluegrass/folk/country singer
instrument: banjo, fiddle and other string instruments
"Kitten on the Keys" (1992), "Windswept" (1992), "A Place of My Own" (1992)
founding member of The McLain Family Band (1968-88 and reunions), "Please, Mister Sunshine" (1973), "Silver Creek" (1973), "Sweet Tomorrow" (1973), "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" (1985), "Kentucky Wind" (1985), "You're Why I Try" (1985), "Big Hill" (1986), "Fair Jenny" (1986), "Going to Boston" (1986), "Yesterdays Waltz" (1986)
with The McLains
with Jim and Jesse (1989- )
with The Virginia Boys
songwriter

Keith Richards

b. 1943 in Dartford, England
rock singer (bass)
instruments: rhythm guitar, bass guitar, piano
"Take it So Hard" (1988), "You Don't Move Me" (1988), "How I Wish" (1988, he co-wrote), "Make No Mistake" (1988, he co-wrote), "Struggle" (1989), "Wicked as it Seems" (1992), "Eileen" (1993)
founding member of The Rolling Stones, (1962- ), "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (#1 1965, he co-wrote), "She Said Yeah" (1965), "As Tears Go By" (1965, he co-wrote), "Get Off My Cloud" (#1 1965), "Oh Baby (We've Got a Good Thing Goin')" (1965), "Paint it Black" (#1 1966), "19th Nervous Breakdown" (1966, he co-wrote), "Ruby Tuesday" (#1 1967), "Stray Cat Blues" (1968), "Honky-Tonk Woman" (#1 1969), "Moonlight Mile" (1971), "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?" (1971), "Brown Sugar" (#1 1971), "Tumbling Dice" (#7 1972), "Angie" (#1 1973), "Start Me Up" (#2 1981), "Under Cover of the Night" (#9 1983), "Mixed Emotions" (#5 1989)
duet with Nona Hendryx, "Rock This House" (1985, she wrote)
session musician on B.B. King "Paying the Cost to Be the Boss" (#39 1968); Billy Preston's "That's the Way God Planned it" (#62 1969); and with Jerry Lee Lewis, Les Paul, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Bo Diddley, and others
songwriter
music producer
md. to model, Patti Hansen (1983- )
see The Rolling Stones on Wikipedia
see Keith Richards
see Keith Richards on Wikipedia
see How to Play Guitar Like Keith Richards

Smitty Smith (George Smith)

b. 1939 in FL - d. 16 Dec 1970 (cerebral hemorrhage)
doo-wop/soul/pop singer
founding member of The Manhattans (1962-70), "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, he co-wrote), "Til You Come Back to Me" (1968), "If My Heart Could Speak" (1970)
songwriter
served in the military

Wee Willie Williams (Ervin L. Williams aka Early Williams)

b. 1935 in Millinocket, ME - d. 28 Aug 1999 in Bradenton, Fl (accidentally shot himself)
rockabilly singer
instruments: rhythm guitar, mandolin
founding member of Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps (1956), "Be-Bop-a-Lula" (#7 1956), "Race with the Devil" (#96 1956), Blue Jean Bop" (#49 1956), "Waltz of the Wind" (1956), "Pink Thunderbird" (1956)
with The Northern Lights
with The Virginians
session musician
songwriter
DJ
md. 1st to singer, Roberta 'Robbie' Merrill

Hugh Wright

b. 1951 (maybe Nov 18) in Keokuk, IA
country/rock singer
instrument: drums
with Boy Howdy (1990-96), "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" (1991), "A Cowboy's Born With a Broken Heart" (#12c 1993), "She'd Give Anything" (#4c 1994), "They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore" (#2c 1994), "True to His Word" (#23c 1995), "She Can't Love You" (#48c 1995)
he was in a coma for several months in 1993 after being hit by a car while helping another motorist after an accident; he recovered enough to continue with the group but has lingering affects
see Boy Howdy

December 19

Jumpin' Bill Carlisle (William Toliver Carlisle)

b. 1908 in Wakefield, KY – d. 17 Mar 2003 (stroke)
country/novelty singer, yodeler
instrument: guitar
"Tramp on the Street" (#14c 1948), "Honey Love" (#12c 1954), "Dumb Bunny" (1958), "Air Brakes" (1960), "Woman Driver" (1962), "Before She Knows I'm Gone" (1964), "What Kinda Deal is This?" (#4c 1966), "All of This for Sally" (1968), "Everything Will Be Alright" (1969), "Big Wheel From Boston" (1970)
founding member of The Carlisle Brothers (1930-47), "Desert Blues" (1930), "The Written Letter" (1931), "She's Waiting for Me" (1931), "Memories That Make Me Cry" (1931), "The Rustler's Fate" (1933), "No Letter in the Mail Today" (1938), "A Rainbow at Midnight" (#5c 1946)
founding member of The Carlisles, "Too Old to Cut the Mustard" (#6c 1951, he wrote), "I Would if I Could (But I Can't)" (1952), "No Help Wanted" (#1c 1953, he wrote), "Is Zat You, Myrtle?" (#2 1953, he co-wrote), "Honey Love" (#12c 1954), "I Need a Little Help" (1954), "Middle-Age Spread" (1955)
songwriter
comedian
brother of Cliff Carlisle; md. to Leona King

Stuart Coleman

b. 1944 in Yorkshire, England
pop musician, instruments: electric piano, bass
founding member of The Flying Machine (1968-71), * "Smile a Little Smile for Me (Rose Marie)" (#5 1969, One-Hit Wonder), "Maybe We've Been Loving Too Long" (1969), "Send My Baby Home Again" (1969), "Baby, Make it Soon" (#89 1970), "Hanging on the Edges of Sadness" (1970), "Hey, Little Girl" (1970), "The Devil Has Possession of Your Mind" (1970), "Pages of Your Life" (1970)
with Pinkerton's Assorted Colors (1966-67)
session musician with Nanci Griffith, Linda Gail Lewis, and others
music producer
DJ
cancer survivor since 2002
see Stuart Coleman on Wikipedia

Little Jimmie Dickens (James Cecil Dickens)

b. 1920 in Bolt, WV
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Country Boy" (#7c 1949), "Take an Old Cold Tater and Wait" (#7c 1949), "My Heart's Bouquet" (#10c 1949, he wrote), "Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" (#6c 1950), "Hillbilly Fever" (#3c 1950), "Out Behind the Barn" (#9c 1954), "You All Come" (1954), "(I Got) A Hole in My Pocket" (1958), "The Violet and the Rose" (#10c 1962), "May the Bird of Paradise Fly up Your Nose" (#15, #1c 1965), "Country Music Lover" (#23c 1967), "(You've Been Quite a Doll) Raggedy Ann" (#75c 1970)
songwriter
md. to Mona Evans (1971- )
he is 4'11"

Janie Fricke (Jane Marie Fricke aka Janie Frickie)

b. 1947/52 near South Whitney, IN
country singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, piano
"We Could Have Been the Closest of Friends" (1977), "Please Help Me, I'm Fallin' (in Love With You)" (#12c 1978), "Playin' Hard to Get" (#22c 1979), "Down to My Last Broken Heart" (#2c 1980), "I Need Someone to Hold Me (When I Cry)" (#4c 1981), "Don't Worry 'Bout Me, Baby" (#1c 1982), "Sleeping With Your Memory" (1982), "Losing Ain't Nothing Like Losing a Friend" (1982), * "It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy" (#1c 1982), * "Tell Me a Lie" (#1c 1983), "He's a Heartache (Looking for a Place to Happen)" (#1c 1983), "You're Heart's Not in it" (#1c 1984), "Somebody Else's Fire" (#4c 1985), "The First Word in Memory is Me" (#7c 1985), "Party Shoes" (1985), "She's Single Again" (#2c 1985), "Comin' Apart at the Seams" (1986), "Always Have, Always Will" (#1c 1986), "When a Woman Cries" (#20c 1987), "Love is One of Those Words" (#56c 1989), "See-Saw Ride" (2000), "Quilt of Dreams" (2002), "All I Need" (2008), "Lonely Anywhere" (2008), "Some People Fall, Some People Fly" (2008)
duets with Johnny Duncan, "Stranger" (#4c 1976), "Thinkin' of a Rendezvous" (#1c 1976), "It Couldn't Have Been Any Better" (#1c 1977), "Come a Little Bit Closer" (#4c 1978), "He's Out of My Life" (#17c 1980), "Atlanta, Georgia Stray" (1980)
duet with Merle Haggard, "A Place to Fall Apart" (#1c 1985)
duet with Charlie Rich, "On My Knees" (#1c 1978)
backup singer
songwriter
see Janie Fricke

Alvin Lee (Graham Barnes)

b. 1944 in Nottingham, England
rock/R&B singer
instrument: guitar
"I'm Writing You a Letter" (1974, he wrote), "There's a Feeling" (1974, he wrote), "You Told Me" (1975, he wrote), "The Darkest Night" (1975, he wrote), "Chemicals, Chemistry, Mystery and More" (1978), "Downhill Lady Racer" (1978), "Rocket Fuel" (1978, he wrote), "Can't Sleep at Night" (1979, he wrote), "One Lonely Hour" (1980, he co-wrote), "Double Loser" (1981, he wrote), "Too Late to Run for Cover" (1986), "Play it Like it Used to Be" (1995, he wrote), "Rock and Roll Girls" (2004, he wrote)
founding member of Ten Years After (1967-74), "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
see Ten Years After
see Alvin Lee

John McEuen

b. 1945 in Garden Grove, CA
country/bluegrass/rock singer
instruments: guitar, lap steel guitar, fiddle, 5-string banjo, mandolin, accordion, piano, dulcimer
"Blue Days, Black Nights" (#81c 1985), "Keep Walking" (1996, he wrote), "Lady's Choice" (1996, he wrote), "Moonlight Dancing" (1996)
founding member of The String Wizards, "Tall Timber" (1991), "Friday Night at Maybelle's" (1991, he wrote), "Barefoot in Phoenix" (1993, he wrote), "Groundspeed" (1993)
founding member of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1965-69, 1970-87, 2001- ), "Buy for Me the Rain" (#45 1967), "The Teddy Bear's Picnic" (1967), "Mr. Bojangles" (#9 1971), "Sunny Side of the Mountain" (1971), "(All I Have to Do is) Dream" (#79c 1975), "Shot Full of Love" (#19c 1983), "Dance Little Jean" (#9c 1983), "I Love Only You" (#3c 1984), "Long Hard Road (Sharecropper Dreams)" (#1c 1984), "High Horse" (#2c 1984), "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), "Redneck Riviera" (2008)
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Nicolette Larson, "Make a Little Magic" (1980)
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Linda Ronstadt, "American Dream" (#13 1980)
session musician with Michael Martin Murphey, Hoyt Axton, and others
songwriter
see The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
see John McEuen

Phil Ochs

b. 1940 in El Paso, TX (grew up in NY) – d. 9 Apr 1976 in Far Rockaway, NY (hung himself)
folk/protest singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"The Power and the Glory" (1964, he wrote), "Celia" (1964, he wrote), "Draft Dodger Rag" (1965, he wrote), "The Hills of West Virginia" (1965, he wrote), "Days of Decision" (1965, he wrote), "I Ain't Marching Anymore" (1966, he wrote), "There But for Fortune" (1966, he wrote), "Cross My Heart" (1967, he wrote), "Pleasures of the Harbor" (1967, he wrote), "Flower Lady" (1967, he wrote), "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends" (#118 1967, he wrote), "Miranda" (1967, he wrote), "The War is Over" (1968, he wrote), "The Harder They Fall" (1968, he wrote), "The Floods of Florence" (1968, he wrote), "Doesn't Lenny Live Here Anymore?" (1969, he wrote), "Rehearsals for Retirement" (1969, he wrote), "No More Songs" (1970, he wrote), "One-Way Ticket Home" (1970, he wrote), "Hunger and Cold" (1972, he wrote), "Kansas City Bomber" (1973, he wrote), "Gas Station Women" (1973, he wrote), "On Her Hand a Golden Ring" (1976, he wrote)
songwriter
poet; political activist
he suffered from bipolar disorder, as did his father
see Remembering Phil Ochs

Charlie Ryan

b. 1915 in Graceville, MN (grew up in MT)
country/rockabilly/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Hot Rod Lincoln" (#14c 1960, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote as a reply to "Hot Rod Race"), "The Burlington Chase" (1961), "Hot Rod Harley" (1961), "I Married the Gal (with the Cycle)" (1961), "The Dart and the Lincoln" (1961), "Rocket Race" (1969)
songwriter

Maurice White

b. 1941 in Memphis, TN
soul/pop/rock singer
instrument: drums
"The Sleeping Flame" (1985), "Can't Stop Love" (1985), "The Lady is Love" (1985), "Stand By Me" (1985)
founding member of Earth, Wind and Fire (1969-83, and reunions), "Love is Life" (#93 1970), "I Think about Lovin' You" (1971), "Keep Your Head to the Sky" (#52 1973), "Mighty Mighty" (#29 1974), "Devotion" (#33 1974), "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)
with The Ramsey Lewis Trio (1966-69)
session musician
songwriter
music producer
older brother of Fred and Verdine White
he has Parkinson's disease
see Earth, Wind, and Fire
see Maurice White

Zal Yanovsky (Zalman Yanovsky)

b. 1944 in Toronto, Canada – d. 13 Dec 2002 in Ontario, Canada (congestive heart failure)
pop/rock/folk singer
instruments: lead guitar, harmonica
"Raven in a Cage" (1968), "Alive and Well in Argentina" (1968), "As Long As You're Here" (#101 1971), "Brown to Blue" (1971)
founding member and guitarist with The Lovin' Spoonful (1965-67), * "Do You Believe in Magic?" (#9 1965), * "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" (#10 1965), "Daydream" (#2 1966), * "Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind?" (#2 1966), "Summer in the City" (#1 1966), "Rain on the Roof" (#10 1966)
session musician
songwriter
restaurant owner
see The Lovin' Spoonful

December 20

Marc Beeson

b. 1954 in Champaign, IL or Urbana, IL
country/rock singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"A Wing and a Prayer" (#70c 1994, he co-wrote), "We'll Get By" (1994)
founding member and lead singer of Burnin' Daylight (1996- ), "Love Worth Fighting For" (#49c 1996, he co-wrote), "Say Yes" (#37c 1997, he co-wrote), "Live to Love Again" (#58c 1997, he co-wrote), "Some Hearts Get all the Breaks" (1997, he co-wrote), "The Only Way I Know" (1997)
songwriter, wrote Restless Heart's "When She Cries" (#11, #9c 1993); Exile's "Even Now" (#16c 1991)
see Burnin' Daylight on Wikipedia

Bobby Colomby (Robert Wayne Colomby)

b. 1944 in New York, NY
rock/jazz singer
instruments: drums, percussions
founding member of Blood Sweat and Tears (1967-76), "Meagan's Gypsy Eyes" (1968), "You've Made Me So Very Happy" (#2 1969), "More and More/Spinning Wheel" (#2 1969), "And When I Die" (#2 1969), "Hi-De-Ho" (#14 1970), "Lucretia MacEvil" (#29 1970), "Go Down Gamblin'" (#32 1971), "Lisa, Listen to Me" (#73 1971), "So Long Dixie" (#32 1972), "Tell Me That I'm Wrong" (#83 1974)
music producer
md. to graphic designer, Donna Abbott
see Blood, Sweat and Tears

Courtney Johnson

b. 1939 in Barren County, KY - d. 7 Jun 1996 (lung cancer)
bluegrass/country singer
instruments: banjo, guitar
founding member of Bluegrass Alliance (1970-71)
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)
session musician with Doc Watson, and others
see New Grass Revival on Wikipedia

Bill Keith (William Bradford Keith)

b. 1939 in Boston, MA
country/folk musician, instruments: 5-string banjo, pedal steel guitar
"No Expectations" (1976), "Pain in My Heart" (1976), "Crazy Creek" (1976)
with the Blue Velvet Band
with Bill Monroe's The Blue Grass Boys (1963), "Devil's Dream" (1963)
with Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band (1964-68)
founding member of The Kentuckians
session musician with Jonathan Edwards, Judy Collins, Ian and Sylvia, Peter Rowan, and others
see The Blue Grass Boys

Theola Kilgore

b. 1925 in Shreveport, LA (grew up in Oakland, CA) - d. 15 May 2005 in Los Angeles, CA
soul/R&B/gospel singer
"The Sound of My Man (Working on a Chain Gang)" (1960, reply to Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang"), "Later I'll Cry" (1960), "The Love of My Man" (#21 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "As Long as You Need Me (Want Me, Love Me)" (1963), "This is My Prayer" (#60 1963), "I'll Keep Trying" (1964), "He's Coming Back to Me" (1964), "It's Gonna Be Alright" (1966)

Kris Tyler

b. 1964 in Omaha, NE
country singer
"Keeping Your Kisses" (#68c 1997, she wrote), "What a Woman Knows" (#45c 1998, she wrote), "A Thousand Years Ago" (1998), "I'm in Trouble Now" (1998, she co-wrote), "Kind of Like California" (1998, she wrote), "Here's Me" (1998, she co-wrote), "She's Only a Cowboy (When it Rains)" (1998), "Rockin' Horse" (1998)

Kim Weston (Agatha Natalie Weston)

b. 1939 in Detroit, MI
soul singer
"Love Me All the Way" (#88 1963), "Just Loving You" (1963), "Go Ahead and Laugh" (1964), "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)" (#50 1965), "Helpless" (#56 1966), "Land of Tomorrow" (1967), "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (1968), "If I Had it My Way" (1971), "The Choice is Up to You" (1972), "Goodness Gracious" (1974), "Do Like I Do" (1980), "Signal Your Intention" (1987), "Who's Gonna Have the Last Laugh?" (1988), "My Heart's Not Made of Stone" (1992), "You Hit Me (Right Where it Hurts)" (1997)
duets with Marvin Gaye, "What Good Am I Without You?" (#61 1964), "It Takes Two" (#14 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "If I Had My Way" (1971)
DJ
md. to songwriter, Mickey Stevenson

Skeeter Willis (Charles Ray Clayton Willis)

b. 1917 in Coalton, OK - d. 5 Mar 1976
country/western swing singer
instruments: fiddle, guitar
founding member of The Oklahoma Wranglers (aka The Willis Brothers) (1932-42, 1946-76), "Came the Dawn" (1947), "The Waltz and That Tennessee Moon" (1948), "Wrangler Boogie" (1950), "Country Kisses" (1951), "Hoot Owl Boogie" (1951), "Unhappy New Year" (1951), "Back Up and Push" (1951), "East a Long Way" (1954), "Little Footprints in the Snow" (1960), "Buyin' Popcorn" (1962), "Sally's Bangs" (1962), "Cody of the Pony Express" (1963), "Somebody Knows" (1963), "Give Me Forty Acres (to Turn This Rig Around)" (#9c 1964), "Gonna Buy Me a Juke Box" (1964), "Too Early to Get Up" (1964), "When I Came Driving Through" (1965), "A Six Foot Two by Four" (#41c 1965), "Diesel-Drivin' Donut-Dunkin' Dan" (1965), "Pinball Anonymous" (1965), "Waltzing with Sin" (1966), "Ruby Ann" (1966), "Diamonds for Ruby" (1966), "Bob" (#14c 1967), "Rosebuds and You" (1967), "Show Her Lots of Gold" (1967), "Drivin's in My Blood" (1968), "Motorcycle Bill" (1968), "A Moonlight Ride in a Diesel" (1968), "Alcohol and No. 2 Diesel" (1969), "Gypsy Rose and Me" (1969), "Cold North Wind" (1969), "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me?" (1973)

Larry Willis (Lawrence Elliott Willis)

b. 1940 in New York, NY
jazz/rock musician, instruments: piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizer
"Inner Crises" (1973), "For All We Know" (1989), "This Little Light of Mine" (1992), "Let's Play" (1994), "Nightfall" (1994), "Sunshower" (2001), "Fallen Hero" (2003), "Sanctuary" (2003), "Who's Kidding Who?" (2007)
with Blood Sweat and Tears (1972-78), "So Long Dixie" (#32 1972), "Tell Me That I'm Wrong" (#83 1974)
duets with Paul Murphy, "Dance of the Equinox" (2004), "Aftershock" (2004)
session musician with Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Hugh Masekela, Stan Getz, and others
songwriter
see Blood, Sweat and Tears

Stevie Wright (Stephen Carlton Wright)

b. 1948 in Yorkshire, England (grew up in Australia)
rock singer
"Evie" (1974), "Didn't I Take You Higher?" (1974), "Hard Road" (1974), "Help, Help" (1975), "My Kind of Music" (1975)
founding member and lead singer with The Easybeats (1964-69), "Friday on My Mind" (#4 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "I Wonder" (1966), "I'm Gonna Tell Everybody" (1966), "You Are the Light" (1966, he co-wrote), "Someway, Somewhere" (1966, he co-wrote), "Then I'll Tell You Goodbye" (1966, he co-wrote), "The Last Day of May" (1966, he co-wrote), "Promised Things" (1966, he co-wrote), "Who'll Be the One?" (1967), "Fancy Seeing You Here" (1968), "See-Saw" (1968), "Falling Off the Edge of the World" (1968), "St. Louis" (1969)
songwriter

December 21

Luigi Creatore

b. 1920 in Manhattan, NY
pop singer
founding member of Hugo and Luigi, "Shenandoah Rose" (1957), "Rockabilly Party" (1957), "Twilight in Tennessee" (1958), "Honolulu Lu" (1959), "Just Come Home" (#35 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "Lonesome Stranger" (1960)
songwriter, co-wrote Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" (#2 1962); The Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (#1 1961); Jimmy Rodgers' "Oh-oh, I'm Falling in Love Again" (#7, #5c 1958)
music producer
served in the military during WWII
cousin of Hugo Peretti

Christy Forester

b. 1962 in Lookout Mountain, 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)
interior designer
md. to Gary (1986- )

Panama Francis (David Albert Francis)

b. 1918 in Miami, FL - d. 13 Nov 2001 in Miami, FL (stroke)
swing/jazz/rock musician, instrument: drums
"Bessie's Blues" (1950), "12 O'Clock High" (1950)
with Lucky Millinder's orchestra (1940-46)
with Cab Calloway's band (1946-51)
with The Savoy Sultans
session musician on The Four Seasons' "Big Girls Don't Cry" (#1 1962), "Walk Like a Man" (#1 1963); Bobby Darin's "Splish Splash" (#3, #14c 1958); Neil Sedaka's "Calendar Girl" (#4 1960); The Platters' "Only You (and You Alone)" (#5 1955), "The Great Pretender" (#1 1956), "My Prayer" (#1 1956), "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (#1 1959); Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue" (#3 1957); Dinah Washington's "What a Difference a Day Makes" (#8 1959); The Penguins' "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" (#8 1955); Brook Benton's "Fools Rush in" (#24 1960); LaVern Baker's "Jim Dandy" (#17 1957); and with The Roy Eldridge Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Elvis Presley, Ray Conniff, John Lee Hooker, Big Joe Turner, Ella Fitzgerald, and others
actor
see David 'Panama' Francis

Barry Gordon

b. 1948 in Brookline, MA
novelty singer
"I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas" (#6 1955, One-Hit Wonder, he was only seven), "Katy" (1958), "You Can't Lie to a Liar" (1962), "You Can't See the Trees" (1962)
actor
voice actor, he was the voices of Donatello and Behop in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Freddie Hart (Frederick Segrest)

b. 1926 in Lochapoka, AL
country singer
instrument: guitar
"I Won't Be Home Tonight" (1958), "The Wall" (#24c 1959), "The Key's in the Mailbox" (#18c 1960), "What a Laugh" (#23c 1961, he co-wrote), "For a Second There" (1963), "The Almighty Dollar" (1963), "First You Go Through Me" (1964), "Hank Williams' Guitar" (#23c 1965, he co-wrote), "Elm Street Pawn Shop" (1966), "Too Much of You Left in Me" (1967), "Anna Maria" (1967), "Born a Fool" (#21c 1968, #71c 1973), "I Lost All My Tomorrows" (1969), "The Whole World Holding Hands" (#27c 1970, he wrote), "Easy Lovin'" (#17, #1c 1971, he wrote), "My Hang-Up is You" (#1c 1972, he wrote), "Bless Your Heart" (#1c 1972, he wrote), "Got the All Overs for You (All Over Me)" (#1c 1972, he wrote), "Trip to Heaven" (#1c 1973, he wrote), "If You Can't Feel it (it Ain't There)" (#3c 1973, he wrote), "Super Kind of Woman" (#1c 1973), "Hang in There, Girl" (#2c 1974, he wrote), "The First Time" (#2c 1975), "Warm Side of You" (#6c 1975, he wrote), "I'd Like to Sleep Til I Get Over You" (#5c 1975), "My Woman's Man" (#3c 1975), * "That Look in Her Eyes" (#11c 1976), "You Are the Song Inside of Me" (1976), "Thank God She's Mine" (#11c 1977), "Why Lovers Turn to Strangers" (#8c 1977, he co-wrote), "Toe to Toe" (#21c 1978), "So Good, So Rare, So Fine" (#27c 1978), "Wasn't it Easy, Baby?" (1979), "Sure Thing" (#15c 1980), "The Best I Ever Had" (#77c 1987)
on most songs from 1972-77 he was backed by his band The Heartbeats
songwriter, wrote Carl Smith's "Loose Talk" (#1c 1955), Porter Wagoner's "Skid Row Joe" (#3c 1966); co-wrote Billy Walker's "Willie the Weeper" (#5c 1962)
joined the Marines at age sixteen, fought in WW II at Iwo Jima and Okinawa
karate teacher for the LAPD
humanitarian
see Freddie Hart on Wikipedia

Ray Hildebrand

b.1940 in Joshua, TX
pop/Christian/rock/country/blues singer
"Hey, Little Julie" (1965), "The Way of the DJ" (1965), "What This World Needs" (1967), "Turn it Over to Jesus" (1967), "Be Kind Tryin'" (1967), "Common Ground" (1969), "Say I Do" (1971), "Little Country Church" (1973), "Heaven Help Us All" (1973), "Special Kind of Man" (1973)
Paul of Paul and Paula, "Hey Paula" (#1 1963, he wrote), "First Quarrel" (#27 1963), "Young Lovers" (#6 1963)
with Land and Hildebrand, "You Can't Go Wrong Doin' Right" (1986), "Moonshine" (1989), "Black Hats" (1992), "New Chance" (1992), "Sunday Mornin'" (1997), "Any Color You Want" (1997), "Hang Up and Drive" (2004), "The Dog Song (if He Had Only Treated Her Like a Dog)" (2004), "The Cat Song (She Only Talks That Way to the Cat)" (2004)
songwriter
see Paul and Paula on Classic Bands
see Ray Hildebrand

Albert Lee

b. 1943 in Herefordshire, England
country/rockabilly/R&B singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, piano
"The Best I Can" (1969), "Now and Then it's Gonna Rain" (1979), "T-Bird to Vegas" (1987, he wrote),"Erin" (1987), "Seventeenth Summer" (1987, he wrote), "Forty Miles of Bad Road" (1988), "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" (1991), "If I Needed You" (2003), "Born to Run" (2003), "Julie's House" (2006), "The Rock of Your Love" (2006)
with The Crickets, "That'll Be the Day" (#1 1957)
with The Thunderbirds (1965-68)
founding member and lead guitarist with Jon Derek and Country Fever (1968- ), "Too Much of Nothing" (1969), "Tears of Rage" (1969), "All I Want to Do is Love You" (1975)
with Heads Hands and Feet (196?-7?)
with Hogan's Heroes, "Evangelina" (1994), "One-Way Rider" (1994), "Til I Gain Control Again" (2002), "Country Comfort" (2002), "Sleepless Nights" (2007), "Wake Up Screaming" (2007), "Before I Grow Too Old" (2007), "Every Time I Roll the Dice" (2007)
duet with John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, "One Long Kiss" (1984)
session musician with Eric Clapton, Bobby Bare, Earl Scruggs, Nicolette Larson, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Rodney Crowell, and others
songwriter, wrote Ricky Skaggs' "Country Boy" (#1c 1985)

Gwen McCrae (Gwen Mosley)

b. 1943 in Pensacola, FL
soul singer
"It Keeps on Raining" (1975), "Let Them Talk" (1975), "Love Insurance" (1976), "Something So Right" (1976), "All This Love That I'm Giving" (1979), "Funky Sensation" (1981), "Make Believe" (1982), "Do That to Me One More time" (1996), "Psychic Hot Line" (1996), "Does it Matter?" (1998), "Long Way Home" (1999), "Hurts Too Much to Talk About it" (1999)
duets with George McCrae, "Three Hearts in a Tangle" (1969), "Let's Dance, Dance, Dance" (1976), "Winners Together, Losers Apart" (1976)
md. to George McCrae (1963-76)

Lee Roy Parnell

b. 1956 in Abilene, TX or Stephenville, TX
honky-tonk/rock/Western Swing singer
instruments: guitar, slide guitar
"Oughta Be a Law" (#54c 1990), "What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am?" (#2c 1992), "Tender Moment" (#2c 1992, he co-wrote), "Love Without Mercy" (#8c 1992), "I'm Holding My Own" (#3c 1994), "On the Road" (#6c 1994), "A Little Bit of You" (#2c 1995), "Heart's Desire" (#3c 1996, he co-wrote), "Lucky Me, Lucky You" (#35c 1997, he co-wrote), "You Can't Get There From Here" (#39c 1997), "All That Matters Anymore" (#50c 1998), "Daddies and Daughters" (2006)
founding member of Jed Zeppelin, "Workin' Man Blues" (#48c 1995)
duet with Ronnie Dunn, "Take These Chains from My Heart" (#17c 1994)
duet with Trisha Yearwood, "When a Woman Loves a Man" (#12c 1996)
songwriter
rancher
see Lee Roy Parnell

Kevin Peek

b. 1946 in Australia
rock/jazz singer
instrument: guitar
"Awakening" (1981), "Sailplane" (1981), "Sidewinder" (1981), "Drifting" (1982), "Viewfinder" (1982)
with Sky (1978- ), "Cannonball" (1979), "Tristan's Magic Garden" (1979), "Toccata" (1980), "Dies Irae" (1980), "Masquerade" (1982), "My Giselle" (1982), "Why Don't We?" (1983), "Fool on the Hill" (1984), "Desperate for Your Love" (1985), "Night Sky" (1985)
session musician with Olivia Newton-John, Kiki Dee, Manfred Mann, Mary Hopkin, and others
see Sky

Karen Taylor-Good (Karen Berke)

b. 19?? in El Paso, TX
country singer
"I'd Rather Be Doing Nothing With You"(#62c 1982, she co-wrote), "Tenderness Place" (#42c 1983), "Don't Call Me" (#62c 1983, she co-wrote), "Just Gotta Dance" (#66c 1984)
recorded as Karen Taylor, "Diamond in the Rough" (#38c 1982), "Country Boy's Song" (#67c 1982), "I'll Be There for You" (1994), "Try to Remember" (1994), "Not That Different" (1996), "Be Strong (A Song for Our Daughters)" (1996), "If You Do" (1999), "Small Victories" (1999), "All My Roads" (2001), "Me There in the Middle" (2001), "Precious Child" (2001), "Spin Cycle" (2004), "We Are One" (2004), "What If?" (2004), "Deep Blue Desert Sky" (2006)
duet with Collin Raye, "If You Do" (2006)
songwriter, wrote Patty Loveless' "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye?" (#3c 1994); Collin Raye's "Not That Different" (#3c 1995)
author
see Karen Taylor-Good

Carla Thomas

b. 1942 in Memphis, TN
soul singer
"Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" (#10 1961, she wrote), "A Love of My Own" (#56 1961), "In Your Spare Time (Please Think of Me)" (1961), "Wish Me Luck" (1961), "I'll Bring it on Home to You" (1962, reply to Sam Cooke's "Bring it on Home to Me"), "I Kinda Think He Does" (1962), "Gee Whiz, it's Christmas" (#23 1963), "I've Got No Time to Lose" (#67 1964), "Every Ounce of Strength" (1965), "All I Want for Christmas is You" (#11 1966), "Let Me Be Good to You" (#62 1966), "B-A-B-Y" (#14 1966), "Stop, Thief" (1967), "Pick up the Pieces" (#68 1967), "Unchanging Love" (1967), "A Dime a Dozen" (1968), "I Like What You're Doing (to Me)" (#49 1969), "Living in the City" (1970)
duet with Rufus Thomas, "Cause I Love You" (1960)
duets with Otis Redding, "Tramp" (#26 1967), "Knock on Wood" (#30 1967), "Lovey Dovey" (#60 1968), "New Years Resolution" (1968)
duet with William Bell, "I Can't Stop" (1969)
songwriter
daughter of Rufus Thomas

Brad Warren

b. 1968 in Tampa, FL
country singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"Change of Heart" (2000), "Walk Away with Me" (2000)
founding member of The Warren Brothers, "Guilty" (#34c 1998, he co-wrote), "A Better Man" (#32c 1999, he co-wrote), "Move on" (#18c 2001, he co-wrote), "Hey, Mr. President" (#28c 2003), "Between the River and Me" (2004), "Southern Baptist Heartbreak" (2004), "Waiting for the Light to Change" (2005)
The Warren Brothers and Sara Evans, "That's the Beat of a Heart" (#22c 2000)
songwriter, co-wrote Faith Hill's "The Lucky One" (#69, #5c 2006), Martina McBride's "Anyway" (#32, #5c 2006)
playwright
brother of Brett Warren

Cotton Whittington (Sherman Whittington)

b. 1921 in New Braunfels, TX - d. 23 Apr 1991
western swing musician, instruments: guitar, electric guitar
with The Texas Playboys (1951), "Sittin' on Top of the World" (1951)
screenwriter
he was left-handed, he played a right-handed guitar left-handed
see The Texas Playboys

Carl Wilson (Carl Dean Wilson)

b. 1946 in Hawthorne, CA – d. 6 Feb 1998 in Los Angeles, CA (brain and lung cancer)
pop/rock singer
instruments: lead guitar, keyboards
"The Right Lane" (1981, he co-wrote), "Seems So Long Ago" (1981, he co-wrote), "What More Can I Say?" (1984, he co-wrote), "Too Early to Tell" (1984, he co-wrote), "What You do to Me" (1984)
founding member of The Beach Boys (1962-80, 1982-98), "409" (1962), * "Surfin' Safari" (#14 1962), * "Surfin' USA" (#3 1963), * "Shut Down" (#23 1963), * "Surfer Girl" (#7 1963), * "Little Deuce Coupe" (#15 1963), * "Be True to Your School" (#6 1963), * "Fun, Fun, Fun" (#5 1964), "This Car of Mine" (1964), * "I Get Around" (#1 1964), "When I Grow up (to Be a Man)" (#9 1964), "Dance, Dance, Dance" (#8 1964, he co-wrote), * "Do You Wanna Dance?" (#12 1965), "Help Me, Rhonda" (#1 1965), * "California Girls" (#3 1965), "The Little Girl I Once Knew" (#20 1965), * "Barbara Ann" (#2 1966), "Pet Sounds" (1966), "Wouldn't it Be Nice?" (#8 1966), "Good Vibrations" (#1 1966), "Heroes and Villains" (#12 1967), "I Can Hear the Music" (#24 1969), "The Nearest Faraway Place" (1970), "Rock and Roll Music" (#5 1976), "Come Go with Me" (#18 1982), "Getcha Back" (1985), "Wipeout" (#12 1987), "Kokomo" (#1 1988)
The Beach Boys and Doug Supernaw, "Long Tall Texan" (#69c 1996)
The Beach Boys and Lorrie Morgan, "Don't Worry, Baby" (#73c 1996)
The Beach Boys and James House, "Little Deuce Coupe" (#69c 1996)
songwriter
younger brother of Brian and Dennis Wilson; cousin of Mike Love; md. 2nd to Gina Martin
see the Beach Boys
see Carl Wilson on Wikipedia

Betty Wright

b. 1953 in Miami, FL
soul/R&B/gospel singer
"Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do" (#33 1968), "The Best Girls Don't Always Win" (1969), "The Wrong Girl" (1969), "If You Love Me Like I Love You" (1971), "Clean-up Woman" (#6 1972), "If You Love Me Like You Say You Love Me" (1972), "One Thing Leads to Another" (1974), "Where is Love?" (1975), "Tonight is the Night" (1975, she wrote), "I Believe it's Love" (1979), "Make Me Love the Rain" (1981), "After the Pain" (1988), "Quiet Storm" (1989), "For Love Alone" (1994)
with The Echoes of Joy
duets with Grayson Hugh, "How 'Bout Us?" (1990), "Finally Found a Friend" (1990)
duet with Stevie Wonder, "What Are You Gonna Do with it?" (1981)
backup singer with Gloria Estefan, Johnny Mathis, Jennifer Lopez, and others
songwriter

Frank Zappa (Frank Vincent Zappa, Jr.)

b. 1940 in Baltimore, MD – d. 4 Dec 1993 in Los Angeles, CA (prostate cancer)
rock/R&B/jazz/novelty singer
instruments: guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards
"Tell Me You Love Me" (1970), "Little Umbrellas" (1970), "St. Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast" (1974), "Dancin' Fool" (#45 1979), "Valley Girl" (#32 1982), "Baby Snakes" (1983)
leader of The Mothers of Invention (1964- ), "Trouble Every Day" (1965), "Who are the Brain Police?" (1966), "You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here" (1966), "Brown Shoes Don't Make it" (1967), "Plastic People" (1967), "Telephone Conversation" (1968), "The Chrome-Plated Megaphone of Destiny" (1968), "Dog Breath" (1969), "Nine Types of Industrial Pollution" (1969), "Legend of the Golden Arches" (1969), "Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue" (1970), "Tuna Fish Promenade" (1971), "Dental Hygeine Dilemma" (1971), "Magdalena" (1972, about abuse), "Excentrifugal Forz" (1974), "Can't Afford No Shoes" (1975), "Evelyn, a Modified Dog" (1975)
duet with his daughter, Moon Unit, "Valley Girl" (1982, he co-wrote)
songwriter
music producer; actor
humorist; philosopher; politician
quote by Frank Zappa: "Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must Be paid."
see The Mothers of Invention on Wikipedia

December 22

Roy Calhoun (Royalston Calhoun)

b. 1937 in Philadelphia, PA - d. Nov 1979 (apartment fire)
R&B/pop singer (first tenor)
founding member of The Hearts (1952-62), "Maybe You'll Be There" (1954), "Just Suppose" (1956), "Long Lonely Night" (#45 1957), Teardrops (#20 1957), "The Girl Around the Corner" (1957), "Try the Impossible" (#33 1958), "All I Ask is Love" (1958), "I'm Sorry, Pillow" (1962)
see The Hearts on Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks

Nick Ceroli

b. 1939 in Warren, OH – d. 11 Aug 1985 in Los Angeles, CA
jazz/pop musician, instruments: drums, percussions
with the Tijuana Brass (1963-69), "The Lonely Bull (El Solo Torro)" (#6 1962), "All My Loving" (1964), "Mae" (1965), "A Taste of Honey" (#7 1965), "The Work Song" (#18 1966), "Zorba the Greek" (#11 1966), "Spanish Flea" (#27 1966), "What Now, My Love?" (#24 1966), "Casino Royale" (#27 1967), "This Guy's in Love With You" (#1 1968)
session musician with Stan Kenton, Ray Anthony, and others
see Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass

Don Davis

b. 1928 in Calvert, AL
country/jazz musician, instrument: steel guitar
with PeeWee King and the Golden West Cowboys (1945)
session musician on Hank Williams' "Mind Your Own Business" (#5c 1949); and with Ernest Tubb, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, and others
pedal steel guitar designer
music producer; arranger
md. to singer, Anita Carter; brother-in-law of Johnny Cash

Robin Gibb (Robin Hugh Gibb)

b. 1949 in Isle of Man, British Isles (to Australia in 1958)
pop/rock singer
"One Million Years" (1969), "August, October" (1970), "Oh, Darling" (#15 1978), "Juliet" (1983), "Boys Do Fall in Love" (#37 1984), "Like a Fool" (1985), "Please" (2002), "Wait Forever" (2003)
with The Bee Gees, "Claustrophobia" (1964), "Every Day I Have to Cry" (1965), "Monday's Rain" (1966), "New York Mining Disaster 1941" (#14 1967), "Holiday" (#16 1967), "To Love Somebody" (#17 1967), "Words" (#15 1968), "I've Got to Get a Message to You" (#8 1968), "Lonely Days" (#3 1971), (#3 1971, he co-wrote), "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" (#1 1971), "Run to Me" (#16 1972), "Bad Bad Dreams" (1972, he co-wrote), "My World" (#16 1973, he co-wrote), "Nights on Broadway" (#7 1975), "Jive Talkin'" (#1 1975), "You Should Be Dancing" (#1 1976, he co-wrote), "Love So Right" (#3 1976, he co-wrote), "How Deep is Your Love?" (#1 1977, he co-wrote), "Night Fever" (#1 1978, he co-wrote), "Stayin' Alive" (#1 1978, he co-wrote), "Too Much Heaven" (#1 1979, he co-wrote), "Tragedy" (#1 1979, he co-wrote), "Love You Inside Out" (#1 1979, he co-wrote), "Rest Your Love on Me" (#39c 1979), "One" (#7 1989)
songwriter, co-wrote Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' "Islands in the Stream" (#1, #1c 1983)
music producer
brother of Andy and Barry Gibb; twin brother to Maurice Gibb
md. to Molly Hullis (1968-80); md. 2nd to artist, Dwina Murphy (1985- )

Maurice Gibb (Maurice Ernest Gibb)

b. 1949 in Isle of Man, British Isles (to Australia in 1958) – d. 12 Jan 2003 in Miami Beach, FL (heart attack during surgery for intestinal blockage)
pop/rock/disco singer
instruments: keyboards, electric bass, guitar
"Railroad" (1970), "I've Come Back" (1970), "Hold Her in Your Hand" (1984)
with The Bee Gees, "Claustrophobia" (1964), "Every Day I Have to Cry" (1965), "Monday's Rain" (1966), "New York Mining Disaster 1941" (#14 1967), "To Love Somebody" (#17 1967), "I've Got to Get a Message to You" (#8 1968), "Words" (#15 1968), "Lonely Days" (#3 1971, he co-wrote), "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" (#1 1971), "Run to Me" (#16 1972), "Bad Bad Dreams" (1972, he co-wrote), "My World" (#16 1973), "Nights on Broadway" (#7 1975), "Jive Talkin'" (#1 1975), "You Should Be Dancing" (#1 1976, he co-wrote), "Love So Right" (#3 1976, he co-wrote), "How Deep is Your Love?" (#1 1977, he co-wrote), "Night Fever" (#1 1978, he co-wrote), "Stayin' Alive" (#1 1978, he co-wrote), "Too Much Heaven" (#1 1979, he co-wrote), "Tragedy" (#1 1979, he co-wrote), "Love You Inside Out" (#1 1979, he co-wrote), "Rest Your Love on Me" (#39c 1979), "One" (#7 1989)
songwriter, co-wrote Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' "Islands in the Stream" (#1, #1c 1983)
music producer
brother of Andy and Barry Gibb, twin to Robin Gibb
md. 1st to singer, Lulu (1969-73); md. 2nd to Yvonne

James Gurley

b. 1939 in Detroit, MI
rock musician, instruments: guitar
with Big Brother and the Holding Company (1966-68, and reunions), "Bye Bye, Baby" (1968), "Pieces of My Heart" (#12 1968, One-Hit Wonder)
he was charged with murder in 1969 because he injected the heroin that caused his wife, Nancy, to die of an overdose; he was eventually sentenced to probation

Hawkshaw Hawkins (Harold Franklin Hawkins)

b. 1921 in Huntingdon, WV – d. 5 Mar 1963 near Camden, TN (plane crash)
country singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
"The Way I Love You" (1946), "Since You Went Away" (1947), "Pan American" (#9c 1948), "Secrets of My Heart" (1948), "Doghouse Boogie" (#6c 1948, he co-wrote), "Memories Always Linger on" (1949), "I Wasted a Nickel" (#15c 1949), "Life Lost its Color" (1949), "I'm Kissing Your Picture and Counting Tears" (1949), "I Love You a Thousand Ways" (#8c 1951), "I'm Waiting Just for You" (#8c 1951), "Blue Skies in Your Eyes" (1951), "Slow Poke" (#7c 1952), "I Love the Way You Say Goodnight" (1952), "Betty Lorraine" (1953), "Mark Round My Finger" (1953), "I'll Trade Yours for Mine" (1953), "Tangled Heart" (1953), "Waitin' for My Baby" (1954), "One White Rose" (1954), "The Love You Steal" (1955), "It Would Be a Doggone Lie" (1956), "If it Ain't on the Menu" (1956), "Guilty of Dreaming" (1958), "Soldier's Joy" (#87, #15c 1959), "Put a Nickel in the Jukebox" (1960), "Bad News Travels Fast (in Our Town)" (1962), "Girl Without a Name" (1962), "Lonesome 7-7203" (#1c 1963), "Caught in the Middle of Two Hearts" (1963)
duet with Ruby Wright, "Over the Hill" (1952)
duet with Rita Robbins, "Kokomo (I Love You So)" (1955)
duets with Cowboy Copas, "Don't Let Them Change Your Mind" (1963), "You go Your Way, I'll Go Mine" (1963)
songwriter
md. 1st to Reva Barbour (1940-58)
md. 2nd to singer, Jean Shepard (1960-63, his death); they were married on stage in Wichita, KS; his son was born after his death
served in the Army during WW II; participated in the Battle of the Bulge
he was 6'6" tall
he was killed in the same plane crash as Patsy Cline and Cowboy Copas
see Hawkshaw Hawkins

David Heavener

b. 1953/58 in Louisville, KY
country/Christian singer
"Cheat on Him Tonight" (#73c 1981), "Honky-Tonk Tonight" (#70c 1982, he wrote), "I Am the Fire" (#86c 1982), "Put in a Quarter" (1995, he wrote), "Sun Dance" (2002), "Renegade" (2002), "If God Wills" (2002)
songwriter
actor; movie producer; screenwriter

Barry Jenkins (aka Berrie Jenkins)

b. 1944 in Leicester, England
rock musician, instrument: drums
with The Nashville Teens (1963-66), "Tobacco Road" (#14 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Find My Way Home" (1965), "This Little Bird" (1965)
The Nashville Teens backed Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, and others
with The Animals (1966, replaced John Steel), "Don't Bring Me Down" (#12 1966)
founding member of Eric Burdon and the New Animals (1966-69), "See See Rider" (#10 1966), "When I Was Young" (#15 1967), "San Franciscan Nights" (#9 1967), "Monterrey" (#15 1967), "Sky Pilot" (#14 1968)
songwriter
see The Nashville Teens

Paul Martin

b. 1961/62 in Winchester, KY
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
with Exile (1990-95, replaced J.P. Pennington), "Keep it in the Middle of the Road" (#17c 1990), "Nobody's Talking" (#2c 1990), "Yet" (#7c 1990), "Even Now" (#16c 1991)

Mary McCaslin (Mary Noel McCaslin)

b. 1946 in Indianapolis, IN (grew up in CA)
country/folk singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
"San Bernardino Waltz" (1974, she wrote), "The Dealers" (1976, she wrote), "Pinto Pony" (1981), "Broken Promises" (1994, she wrote), "Someone Who Looks Like Me" (1994, she wrote), "Acres of Houses" (2006, she wrote), "Sabres and Guns" (2006, she co-wrote), "Standing in the Doorway" (2006, she co-wrote), "Missing" (2006, she wrote)
duet with Jim Ringer, "The Bramble and the Rose" (1992)
songwriter
md. to guitarist/songwriter, Jim Ringer
see Mary McCaslin

Chuck Mead (Charles Lynn Mead)

b. 1960 in Nevada, MO
country singer
instrument: guitar
founding member, lead singer and lead guitarist with BR5-49 (1993-2001, 2004- ), "Cherokee Boogie" (#44c 1996), "Even if it's Wrong" (#68c 1996), "Uneasy Rider" (2000), "Too Lazy to Work, Too Nervous to Steal" (#11 c 2001, he wrote), "She's Talking to Someone (She's Not Talking to Me)" (2004), "A-1 on the Jukebox" (2006), "After the Hurricane" (2006)

Rick Nielsen

b. 1946/48 in Rockford, IL
rock musician, instrument: lead guitar
founding member of Cheap Trick (1973- ), "Dream Police" (1979), "I Want You to Want Me" (#7 1979, he wrote), "Don't Be Cruel" (#4 1988), "The Flame" (#1 1988), "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" (#12 1990)
session musician with Hall and Oates, "Gene Simmons, and others
songwriter

Red Steagall (Russell Don Steagall)

b. 1937/38 in Gainesville, TX
country singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
"Alabama Woman" (1970), "You Came Awful Close to Loving Me" (1972), "A Dozen Pair of Boots" (1972), "Tight Levis and a Yellow Ribbon" (1972), "True Love" (#51c 1973), "Someone Cares for Me" (#17c 1975), "Lonestar Beer and Bob Wills Music" (#11c 1976), "Truck Drivin' Man" (#29c 1976), "Whatever Made Me Think?" (1976), "Neon and Nylons" (1976), "Rosie (Do You Wanna Talk it Over)" (#45c 1976), "Freckles Brown" (#90c 1977), "Two Pairs of Levis and a Pair of Justin Boots" (1977), "Rain Don't Stop in Oklahoma" (1977), "About Horses and Wars" (1978), "Good-Time Charlie's Got the Blues" (#41c 1979), "Hard-Hat Days and Honky-Tonk Nights" (#30c 1980), "Big Texas Moon" (1997)
songwriter, co-wrote Ray Charles' "Here We Go Again" (#15 1967)
cowboy poet; actor; rodeo rider
had polio at age fifteen
see Red Steagall

Steve Wahrer

b. 1941/42 – d. 21 Jan 1989 (throat cancer)
rock singer
instrument: drums
founding member of Jim Thaxter and the Travelers, "Sally Jo" (1960), "Cyclone" (1960)
founding member of The Trashmen (1962-68, and reunions), "Surfin' Bird" (#4 1964), "Bird Dance Beat" (#30 1964), "Church Key" (1964), "Bird Bath" (1964), "Lost Angel" (1965), "Some Lies" (1966), "Address Enclosed" (1968)

December 23

Duster Bennett (Anthony Bennett)

b. 1946 in Wales - d. 26 Mar 1976 in England (auto accident)
blues/country/rock singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, drums, harmonica
"My Lucky Day" (1968), "Jumping at Shadows" (1968), "Things Are Changing" (1968), "Blue River Rising" (1969), "Georgina" (1969), "Fresh Country Jam" (1969), "Honest I Do" (1969), "I'm Gonna Wind Up Endin' Up With You" (1969), "On Reconsideration" (1970), "Act Nice and Gentle" (1970), "I Choose to Sing the Blues" (1970), "Vitamin Pills" (1970), "Woman Without Love" (1970), "Pretty Little Thing" (1974)
session musician with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac, B.B. King, and others
falling asleep while driving home from a performance caused his fatal accident

Johnny Contardo

b. 1951 in Boston, MA
rock/pop singer
"I Want to Walk You Home" (1980), "It's Always Been You" (1980), "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (1983)
founding member of Sha Na Na (1968-83), "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
see Sha Na Na
see Johnny Contardo

Harold Dorman (Harold Kenneth Dorman)

b. 1926/31 in Drew, MS or Sledge, MS - d. 8 Oct 1988
rockabilly singer
"Mountain of Love" (#21 1960, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Moved to Kansas City" (1960), "I'll Stick By You" (1961), "Just One Step" (1961), "Wait Til Saturday Night" (1962), "What Comes Next?" (1963)
songwriter, wrote Charley Pride's "Mississippi Cotton-Pickin' Delta Town" (#70, #3c 1974), "Mountain of Love" (#1c 1982)
served in the Army

Tim Hardin (Timothy James Hardin)

b. 1941 in Eugene, OR – d. 29 Dec 1980 in Los Angeles, CA (heroin and morphine overdose)
folk/blues/rock singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Red Balloon" (1967, he wrote), "Simple Song of Freedom" (1969), "Once Touched By Flame" (1969), "Question of Birth" (1969), "Bird on the Wire" (1971), "Sweet Lady" (1973)
performed at Woodstock
songwriter, wrote Johnny Cash's "The Lady Came from Baltimore" (#14c 1974); Johnny Cash and June Carter's "If I Were a Carpenter" (#36, #2c 1970)
served in the Marines
he did few live performances because he had severe stage fright

Jorma Kaukonen (Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen, Jr.)

b. 1940 in Washington, DC
rock/blues/folk singer
instruments: electric guitar
"Blue Prelude" (1974), "Flying Clouds" (1974, he wrote), "Police Dog Blues" (1974), "Straight Ahead" (1979, he co-wrote), "Wolves and Lambs" (1979, he wrote), "Roads and Roads and" (1979, he wrote), "Barbecue King" (1980, he co-wrote)
founding member of Jefferson Airplane (1965-74, and reunions), "It's No Secret" (1966), "Bringing Me Down" (1966), "Somebody to Love" (#5 1967), "White Rabbit" (#8 1967), "Today" (1967), "Watch Her Ride" (1967), "Volunteers" (#65 1969), "Feel So Good" (1971, he wrote), "Pretty as You Feel" (1971), "Trial By Fire" (1971)
Jefferson Airplane performed at Woodstock
founding member of Hot Tuna
songwriter
see Jorma Kaukonen

Johnny Kidd (Frederick Albert Heath)

b. 1939 in London, England - d. 7 Oct 1966 in Lancashire, England (auto accident)
rock/blues musician, instruments: guitar, violin
with Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, "Please Don't Bring Me Down" (1961), "I'll Never Get Over You" (1963), "Please Don't Touch" (1964), "Always and Ever" (1964)
songwriter

Little Esther Phillips (Esther Mae Jones)

b. 1935 in Galveston, TX - d. 7 Aug 1984 in Carson, CA (liver and kidney failure resulting from heroin addiction)
soul/blues/country singer
"Other Lips, Other Arms" (1951), "Better Beware" (1952), "Aged and Mellow" (1952), "Longing in My Heart" (1957), "Release Me" (#93 1962), "Ain't That Easy to Forget" (1963), "And I Love Him" (#54 1965), "When a Woman Loves a Man" (#73 1966), "Catch Me, I'm Falling" (1971), "Home is Where the Hatred is" (1972), "Too Many Roads" (1973), "Too Late to Worry, Too Blue to Cry" (#35 1975), "What a Difference a Day Makes" (#20 1975), "One-Night Affair" (1975)
with the Johnny Otis Orchestra (1950-51), "Cupid's Boogie" (1950), "Faraway Blues" (1950), "Rain in My Eyes" (1950), "Double-Crossin' Blues" (1950), "Mistrustin' Blues" (1950), "My Heart Tells Me" (1950), "Lost Dream Blues" (1950), "Because I Love My Baby So" (1951), "I'll Ask My Heart" (1951), "Feel Like Cryin' Again" (1951)
duets with Bobby Nunn, "Saturday Night Daddy" (1952), "You Took My Love Too Fast" (1952)
duets with Big Al Downing, "You'll Never Miss the Water (Till the Well Runs Dry)" (#73 1963), "If You Want it (I've Got it)" (#129 1963)
see Esther Phillips on Wikipedia

Eugene Record (Eugene Booker Record)

b. 1940 in Chicago, IL - d. 22 Jul 2005 in Chicago, IL (cancer)
soul/pop/rock/gospel singer
"Laying Beside You" (1977), "Trying to Watch the Wind" (1977), "Magnetism" (1979)
founding member of The Chanteurs, "You Did That to Me" (1959)
founding member and lead singer of The Chi-Lites (1964-75, 1980-88), "Never No More" (1965), "Pretty Girl" (1967), "Let Me Be the Man My Daddy Was" (#94 1969), "Have You Seen Her?" (#3 1971, he co-wrote), "Oh, Girl" (#1 1972, he co-wrote), "The Coldest Days of My Life" (#47 1972), "My Heart Just Keeps on Breakin'" (#92 1972), "A Letter to Myself" (#33 1973), "I Found Sunshine" (#47 1973), "Toby" (1974), "You Don't Have to Go" (1975), "Heavenly Body" (1980), "Bad Motor Scooter" (1983)
songwriter, wrote Barbara Acklin's "Love Makes a Woman" (#15 1968)
music producer
see The Chi-Lites on WikipediA

Curtis Williams (Curtis E. Williams)

b. 1921 in NC - d. 10 Aug 1979 in Los Angeles, CA
rock/doo-wop/pop singer (baritone/bass)
instrument: piano
founding member and leader of The Penguins (1954-57), "Hey, Senorita" (1954), "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" (#8 1955, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Kiss a Fool Goodbye" (1955), "It Only Happens with You" (1955), "Dealer of Dreams" (1956), "I Knew I'd Fall in Love" (1957)
with The Hollywood Flames (1953)
backup singer on Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin" (#2 1958); Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One" (#6 1957)
songwriter
see The Penguins on Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks
see The Hollywood Flames on R&B Notebooks

December 24

Dave Bartholomew

b. 1920 in Edgard, LA
R&B/swing/rock/jazz singer
instrument: trumpet
founding member and leader of various bands, "She's Got Great Big Eyes" (1947), "Carnival Day" (1949), "That's How You Got Killed Before" (1949), "Nickel Wine" (1949), "Ain't Gonna Do it" (1950, he wrote), "Country Boy Goes Home" (1950), "Messy Bessie" (1950), "Twins" (1951), "Country Gal" (1952), "The Rest of My Life" (1952), "Who Drank the Beer While I Was in the Rear" (1952), "No More Black Nights" (1953), "Texas Hop" (1954), "Cat Music" (1954), "I Want to Be With Her" (1955), "An Old Cowhand From a Blues Band" (1956), "Would You (if I Loved You Darling)?" (1956), "Button Blues" (1959), "Short Subjects" (1959), "People Are Talking" (1960)
songwriter, co-wrote Fats Domino's "Whole Lot of Loving" (#6 1958), "Walking to New Orleans" (#6 1960), "Let the Four Winds Blow" (#15 1961), "I'm Walkin'" (#4 1957), "I'm in Love Again" (#3 1956), "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday" (#17 1959), "Ain't That a Shame" (#10 1955, also #1 1955 for Pat Boone); Gale Storm's "I Hear You Knocking" (#2 1956); Chuck Berry's "My Ding-a-Ling" (#1 1972)
arranger; music producer
served in the Army during WWII

Lulu Belle (Myrtle Eleanor Cooper)

b. 1914 in Boone, NC - d. 8 Feb 1999)
country/novelty singer
"Daffy Over Taffy" (1934), "Little Black Mustache" (1934)
founding member of Lulu Belle and Scotty (1933- ), "Homecoming Time in Happy Valley" (1934), "Empty Christmas Stocking" (1938, she co-wrote), "The Wampus Cat" (1940), "Don't Cha" (1947, she co-wrote), "You Don't Love Me Like You Used to" (1950, she co-wrote), "Tell Her You Love Her Today" (1950), "Between You and Me" (1955), "Come As You Are" (1957), "Mountain Dew" (1963, she co-wrote), "In the Doghouse Now" (1963), "Does Your Spearmint Lose its Flavor (on the Bedpost Overnight)?" (1963), "Pretty Red Shoes" (1964), "The Sinking of the Titanic" (1964), "I Told Them All About You" (1965), "Sweet Evalena" (1965)
songwriter
served in the NC House of Representatives
md. to singer, Scotty Wiseman (1934-81, his death); md. to Ernest Stanley (1983- )

Ray Bryant (Raphael Homer Bryant)

b. 1931 in Philadelphia, PA
jazz/blues musician, instrument: piano
"Me and the Blues" (1958), "Stocking Feet" (1958), "Gotta Travel on" (1972), "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" (1976), "Basin Street Blues" (1991), "C.C. Rider" (1995)
founding member and lead of The Ray Bryant Combo/Trio, "Pawn Ticket" (1956), "A Hundred Dreams From Now" (1959), "The Madison Time" (#30 1960, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Little Susie" (1960, he wrote), "Slow Freight" (1966), "If You Go Away" (1966), "And I Love Her" (1967), "One Green Dolphin Street" (1967), "Five, Six and Seven" (1968), "Andalusian Nights" (1974), "Jive at Five" (1987), "Golden Earrings" (1988) "No Problem" (1994)
session musician with Miles Davis, Carmen McRae, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and others
songwriter
younger brother of bass player, Tommy Bryant

Mike Curb (Michael Curb)

b. 1944 in Savannah, GA (grew up in Los Angeles, CA)
country/rock singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle, piano
founding member of The Buddies, "Wanda on Her Honda" (1965, he wrote), "Skateboard, U.S.A." (1965, he co-wrote), "Sidewalk Surfin' Scene" (1965, he co-wrote), "Ski Jump" (1965, he wrote), "Ski City U.S.A." (1965, he co-wrote), "Mean Little Monza" (1965, he co-wrote), "Sickle Riders Rule" (1965, he co-wrote), "Yamaha" (1965, he co-wrote), "Little BSA" (1965, he wrote), "Speedway" (1965, he wrote)
founding member of The Mike Curb Congregation, "Everything is Beautiful (in its Own Way)" (1970), "Bringing in the Sheaves" (1970), "Dirty Dingus Magee" (1970, he wrote), "Burning Bridges" (#16 1970, he co-wrote), "Sweet Gingerbread Man" (1970), "No Blade of Grass" (1971, he wrote), "Put Your Hand in the Hand" (1971), "Natural Man" (#14 1971), "I Was Born in Love with You" (1971), "Where Was I When the Parade Went By" (1971), "See You in September" (#15 1972), "Softly Whispering I Love You" (1972), "It's a Small Small World" (#9 1973), "Dance On, Maria" (1977), "When You Wish Upon a Star" (1995)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Billy Walker, "Gone (Our Endless Love)" (#24c 1972)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Hank Williams, Jr., "All for the Love of Sunshine" (#1c 1970, he co-wrote), "Raining in My Heart" (#3c 1971), "Ain't That a Shame" (#7c 1971), "When I Stop Dreaming" (1971)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Donny and Marie Osmond, "When Somebody Cares" (1975, he co-wrote), "Take Me Back Again" (1974, he wrote), "Morning Side of the Mountain" (#8 1974)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Donny Osmond, "If Someone Ever Breaks Your Heart" (1974, he co-wrote)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Mel Tillis, "Arms of a Fool" (#4c 1971), "I Ain't Never" (#1c 1972), "Sawmill" (#2c 1973), "Stomp Them Grapes" (#3c 1974), "Midnight, Me and the Blues" (#2c 1974)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Sammy Davis, Jr., "Candy Man" (#1 1972), "(I'd Be a) Legend in My Time" (#4 1973), "Singin' in the Rain" (#16 1974)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Petula Clark's, "The Wedding Song (There is Love)" (#61 1972)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Tony Bennett, "On the Sunny Side of the Street" (1971), "Living Together, Growing Together" (1972), "London by Night" (1972), "The Good Things in Life" (1972), "Tell Her it's Snowing" (1973)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Al Martino, "Sing My Love Song" (#24 1976)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Tommy Roe, "Massachusetts" (#77 1979)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Eydie Gorme, "It Was a Good Time" (#23 1971, he co-wrote)
The Mike Curb Congregation backing Jed Strunk, "A Daisy a Day" (#14, #33c 1973)
songwriter, wrote The Hondells' "Little Honda" (#9 1964)
stock car racing enthusiast
Lieutenant Governor of CA (1979-83)
see Mike Curb

Lee Dorsey (Irving Lee Dorsey)

b. 1926 in New Orleans, LA (grew up in Portland, OR) – d. 1 Dec 1986 in New Orleans, LA (emphysema)
pop/R&B singer
"Lonely Evening" (1959), "Ya Ya" (#7 1961), "Behind the Eight Ball" (1962), "Do-Re-Mi" (#27 1962), "Ride Your Pony" (#28 1965), "The Kitty Cat Song" (1965), "Working in the Coal Mine" (#8 1966), "Holy Cow" (#23 1966), "Confusion" (1966), "Rain Rain Go Away" (1967), "My Old Car" (#97 1967), "Why Wait Until Tomorrow?" (1967), "Cynthia" (1968), "Freedom for the Stallion" (1971), "Can I Be the One?" (1978)
duet with Betty Harris, "Love Lots of Lovin'" (#110 1968)
songwriter
boxer under the name 'Kid Chocolate'
served in the Navy

Stoney Edwards (Frenchy Edwards)

b. 1929 near Seminole, OK – d. 5 Apr 1997 (stomach cancer)
country/honky-tonk singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle, piano, bass guitar
"A Two-Dollar Toy" (#68c 1971, he wrote), "Poor Folks Stick Together" (#61c 1971), "Cute Little Waitress" (#73c 1971, he wrote), "All She Made of Me" (1972), "She's My Rock" (#20c 1972), "She's Helping Me Get Over You" (1973), "A Few of the Reasons" (1973), "I'll Never Get Over You" (1974), "Too Much of Too Little" (1980), "Hank and Lefty Raised My Country Soul" (#39c 1975), "Pickin' Wildflowers" (1975), "Mississippi, You're on My Mind" (#20c 1975), "If I Had to Do it All Over Again (I'd Do it with You)" (#60c 1978), "No Way to Drown a Memory" (1980)
with The Country Gentlemen (1964)
songwriter
md. to Rosemary (1954- )
see Stoney Edwards on Hillbilly-Music dawt com

Mike 'Supe' Granda (Michael Granda)

b. 1950 in St. Louis, MO
country/rock singer
instruments: bass, acoustic guitar, percussions, mandolin
founding member of Ozark Mountain Daredevils (1971- ), "If You Want to Get to Heaven" (#14c 1974), "It Probably Always Will" (1974, he wrote), "Kansas, You Fooler" (1974), "Jackie Blue" (#3c 1975), "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
see Missouri Mule Music

Bruce Kunkel

b. 1948
country/folk/rock singer
instruments: drums, guitar
founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1965-67), "Buy for Me the Rain" (#45 1967), "The Teddy Bear's Picnic" (1967)
duets with Rob Harris as Kunkel and Harris, "All the Rest" (2008), "Race to the Bottom" (2008), "The One in the Middle of We" (2008), "Ways to See You" (2008)
songwriter
see The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Ralph Marterie

b. 24 Dec 1914 in Italy (grew up in Chicago, IL) - d. 10 Oct 1978 near Dayton, OH (heart attack)
swing/pop musician, instrument: trumpet
founding member of the Ralph Marterie Orchestra (1949-78), "Trumpeters Lullaby" (1951), "While We Dream" (1953), "Caravan" (#6 1953), "Pretend" (#6 1953), "Pennsylvania Turnpike" (1953), "Skokiaan" (1954), "Tricky" (#25 1957), "Shish-Kebab" (#10 1957)
served in the Navy during WWII
he died on a flight on his way home from a performance

Paul Shuttleworth

b. 1947 in England
rock/pop singer
"Mixed-up Shook-up Girl" (1978), "Take-Away Love" (1978), "Say Hello (to Your Pretty Friend)" (1978), "Just One Smile" (1978), "It Hurts to Be in Love" (1979), "Just Another Weekend" (1979), "Here She Comes Again" (1979)
with The Kursaal Flyers, "Cruisin' for Love" (1976), "Little Does She Know" (1976), "Revolver" (1977)
songwriter

December 25

John Ashley (John Atchley)

b. 1934 in Kansas City, MO (grew up in OK) - d. 3 Oct 1997 in New York, NY (heart attack)
"I Want to Hear it from You" (1959), "The Hangman" (1959), "Seriously in Love" (1959), "The Cry of the Wild Goose" (1960), "Little Lou" (1961)
duet with Earl Palmer, "Let Yourself Go-Go-Go" (1957)
actor
md. to actress, Deborah Walley (1962-66)

Brady Black

b. 1979 in Plainview, TX
country/rock musician, instrument: fiddle
founding member of The Randy Rogers Band, "This Time Around" (2004), "Tonight's Not the Night (for Goodbye)" (#43c 2005), "Down and Out" (#48c 2005), "Kiss Me in the Dark" (#45c 2006), "If I Told You the Truth" (2006), "If Anyone Asks" (2006), "One More Goodbye" (#53c 2007)
see The Randy Rogers Band

Jimmy Buffett (James William Buffett)

b. 1946 in Pascagoula, MS (grew up in Mobile, AL)
folk/rock/country/novelty singer
instruments: guitar, ukulele
"Abandoned on Tuesday" (1970), "The Great Filling Station Holdup" (#58c 1973), "Peanut Butter Conspiracy" (1973, he wrote), "Come Monday" (#30, #58c 1974, he wrote), "Pencil-Thin Mustache" (1974), "A Private Look at Forty" (1975), "Margaritaville" (#8, #13c 1977, he wrote), "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" (#37, #24c 1977, he wrote), "Son of a Son of a Sailor" (1978, he wrote), "Dixie Diner" (1978), "Cheeseburger in Paradise" (#32 1978, he wrote), "Fins" (#35 1979), "It's My Job" (#51 1980), "Coconut Telegraph" (1980, he wrote), "It's Midnight and I'm Not Famous Yet" (#32 1982), "Bigger Than the Both of Us" (#58c 1984), "Who's the Blonde Stranger?" (#37c 1985), "If the Phone Doesn't Ring, it's Me" (#16c 1985, he co-wrote), "Smart Woman (in a Real Short Skirt)" (1988, he co-wrote), "That's My Story and I'm Sticking to it" (1989, he wrote), "Boomerang Love" (2004, he wrote), "The Coast of Carolina" (2005)
duet with Alan Jackson, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" (#14, #1c 2003)
duet with Martina McBride, "Trip Around the Sun" (#20c 2004)
backed by Alan Jackson, Clink Black, Toby Keith, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney, "Hey, Good Lookin'" (#8c 2004)
songwriter
author

Cab Calloway (Cabell Calloway III)

b. 1907 in Rochester, NY (grew up in Baltimore, MD) - d. 18 Nov 1994 in Hockessin, DE (stroke)
swing/jazz singer
instrument: drums
founding member and leader of the Cab Calloway Orchestra, "Gotta Darn Good Reason Now (for Bein' Good)" (1930), "Eadie Was a Lady" (1932), "Old Man of the Mountain" (1932), "Gotta Go Places and Do Things" (1932), "The Lady With the Fan" (1933), "Stoppin' the Traffic" (1934), "(Hep-Hep) the Jumpin' Jive" (1939), "Silly Old Moon" (1940), "Fifteen Minute Intermission" (1940), "Hep Cat's Love Song" (1941), "The Moment I Laid Eyes on You" (1941), "What's Buzzin', Cousin?" (1942), "Ain't That Something" (1943), "Can't We Try Again?" (1945), "If This isn't Love" (1945, he wrote), "I Got a Gal Named Nettie" (1947), "Little Child" (#62 1956), "History Repeats Itself" (#89 1966), "After Taxes" (1966)
actor
md. 1st to Wenonah 'Betty' Conacher (1928- ); md. 2nd to Zulme 'Nuffie' MacNeal (1949-94, his death)

Kimber Clayton (Kimberly Ann Easterling)

b. 1964 in Montgomery, AL - 2006 (complications of kidney disease)
country singer
"Jose Cuervo" (1997), "I Know That Car" (1998), "If Wishes Were Horses" (1998), "The Price of Love" (1998), "The Girl You Fell in Love With" (2007), "Are You Listening?" (2007), "What Does She Have?" (2007), "Real Good Thing" (2007), "You Don't Know Her" (2007), "Bless His Heart" (2007), "Coupe De Ville" (2007)
concerned for animal/pet welfare

Howard Crockett (Howard Hausey)

b. 1925 in Yellow Pine, LA - d. 27 Dec 1994 (lung cancer)
country singer
"You've Got Me Lyin'" (1957), "Branded" (1958), "Trudy Brown" (1958), "Seven Cards From Now" (1958), "I Love This Girl" (1959), "Sluefoot, the Bear" (1960), "Polly Ann" (1960), "That Old Juke Box" (1961), "Out of Bounds Again" (1962), "I've Been a Long Time Leaving" (1964), "Put Me in Your Pocket" (1964), "Spanish Lace and Memories" (1964), "The Miles" (1964), "All the Good Times Are Gone" (1965), "The Last Will and Testimony (of a Drinking Man) (#52c 1973, he wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote Johnny Horton's "Honky-Tonk Man" (#96, #9c 1956, #11c 1962), "All Grown Up" (#8c 1958, #26c 1963)

Alton Delmore

b. 1908 in Elkmont, AL – d. 8 Jun 1964 in Huntsville, AL
country/gospel singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle
founding member of The Delmore Brothers, "Got the Kansas City Blues" (1931), "I'm Mississippi Bound" (1933), "I'm Going Back to Alabama" (1933), "I'm Memphis Bound" (1935), "My Smokey Mountain Gal" (1936), "Memories of My Carolina Girl" (1937), "Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow" (1938), "Fifteen Miles from Birmingham" (1939, he co-wrote), "I Loved You Better Than You Knew" (1939), "In the Blue Hills of Virginia" (1940), "Gathering Flowers From the Hill" (1940), "Raining on the Mountain" (1940), "Freight Train Boogie" (#2c 1946, he co-wrote), "Used Car Blues" (1948), "The Family Tree Musta Fell on Me" (1950), "Blues, Stay Away from Me" (#1c 1950, he co-wrote), "Please Be My Sunshine" (1950), "I Swear By the Stars" (1950), "The Girl By the River" (1951), "Who's Gonna Be Lonesome for Me?" (1951), "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide" (1960)
with The Brown's Ferry Four, "Hallelujah Morning" (1949), "I Am a Weary Pilgrim" (1952), "Through the Pearly Gates" (1952)
songwriter, co-wrote Jimmy Wakely's "Beautiful Brown Eyes" (#5c 1951)
md. to Thelma Neeley; father of Lionel Delmore
see The Delmore Brothers

Alecia Elliott

b. 1982 in Muscle Shoals, LA
country singer
"I'm Diggin' it" (#50c 1999), "I'm Waiting for You" (2000, she co-wrote), "You Wanna What?" (#70c 2000, she co-wrote), "Some People Fall, Some People Fly" (2000)
songwriter
actress

Ron Foos

b. 1949 in Seattle, WA
rock musician, instrument: bass guitar
with Paul Revere and the Raiders (1976- ), "Ain't Nothin' Wrong" (1976)
with Ironhorse (1980), "Everything is Grey" (1980), "Keep Your Motor Running" (1980), "Playin' That Same Old Song" (1980)
session musician
songwriter
actor
see Paul Revere and the Raiders

Billy Horton (William Horton)

b. 1929 in Philadelphia, PA – d. 23 Jan 1995 in Germantown, PA
doo-wop/gospel singer
"Shadow" (1964), "No One Can Take Your Place" (1967)
with The Thunderbirds
founding member and lead singer of The Silhouettes (1957-58, 1980-93), "I Am Lonely" (1957), "Get a Job" (#1 1958, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "What Would You Do?" (1958), "Voodoo Eyes" (1958), "Evelyn" (1959), "Never Will Part" (1959), "Bull Frog" (1959)
songwriter

Kelly Isley (O'Kelly Isley, Jr.)

b. 1937 in Cincinnati, OH – d. 31 Mar 1986 in Alpine, NJ (heart attack)
R&B/rock/soul/doo-wop singer
founding member of The Isley Brothers (1954-86), "Angels Cried" (1957), "Everybody's Gonna Rock and Roll" (1958), "Say You Love Me, Too" (1960), "Write to Me" (1961), "Teach Me How to Shimmy" (1961), "Standing on the Dance Floor" (1961), "Twistin' with Linda" (1962), "Twist and Shout" (#17 1962), "I Say Love" (1963), "Move on Over and Let Me Dance" (1965), "Wild as a Tiger" (1965), "This Old Heart of Mine (is Weak for You)" (#12 1966), "I Guess I'll Always Love You" (1966), "One Too Many Heartaches" (1967), "All Because I Love You" (1968), "Behind a Painted Smile" (1968), "I Turned You on" (#23 1969), "It's Your Thing" (#2 1969, he co-wrote), "Love the One You're With" (#18 1971), "That Lady" (#6 1973, he co-wrote), "Fight the Power" (#4 1975, he co-wrote), "For the Love of You" (#23 1975), "Footsteps in the Dark" (1978), "Take Me to the Next Phase" (1978), "I Wanna Be with You" (1979), "Don't Say Goodnight (it's Time for Love)" (#39 1980), "Welcome into My Night" (1982)
songwriter
see The Isley Brothers

Chris Kenner

b. 1929 in Kenner, LA – d. 25/28 Jan 1976 (heart attack)
R&B singer
"Grandma's House" (1956), "I Like it Like That" (#2 1961, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Packing Up" (1961, he wrote), "A Very True Story" (1961), "That's My Girl" (1963), "Come Back and See" (1963), "Never Reach Perfection" (1964), "All-Night Rambler" (1966), "Stretch My Hands to You" (1966), "Mini-Skirts and Soul" (1968), "Sad Mistake" (1968)
songwriter
convicted of statutory rape in 1968 and spent three years in prison

Barbara Mandrell (Barbara Ann Mandrell)

b. 1948 in Houston, TX (grew up in Oceanside, CA)
country/pop singer
instrument: pedal steel guitar, sax, mandolin, guitar, banjo, bass, dobro, accordion; soloist
"I've Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now)" (#55 1969), "Tonight My Baby's Comin' Home" (#10c 1971), "Show Me" (#11c 1971), "This Time I Almost Made it" (#12c 1974), "Standing Room Only" (#5c 1976), "That's What Friends Are For" (#16c 1976), "Midnight Angel" (#16 1976), "Married, But Not to Each Other" (#3c 1977), "Woman to Woman" (#92, #4c 1977), "This is Not Another Cheatin' Song" (1977), "Tonight" (#5c 1978), "Sleepin' Single in a Double Bed" (#1c 1978), "(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" (#31, #1c 1979), "Fooled by a Feeling" (#89, #4c 1979), "Years" (#1c 1980), "You Can Eat Crackers in My Bed Any Time" (#3c 1980), "The Best of Strangers" (#6c 1980), "Wish You Were Here" (#2c 1981), "Till You're Gone" (#1c 1982), "Operator, Long Distance Please" (#9c 1982), "One of a Kind Pair of Fools" (#1c 1983), "Only a Lonely Heart Knows" (#2c 1984), "Crossword Puzzle" (#11c 1984), "No One Mends a Broken Heart Like You" (#6c 1986), "Fast Lanes and Country Roads" (#4c 1986), "I Wish That I Could Fall in Love Today" (#5c 1988), "I'll Be Your Jukebox Tonight" (1988)
duet with George Jones, * "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" (#1c 1981)
duets with Lee Greenwood, "We Were Meant for Each Other" (1984), "To Me" (#3c 1984), "It Should Have Been Love By Now" (#19c 1985)
duets with David Houston, "After Closing Time" (#6c 1970), "I Love You, I Love You" (#6c 1974)
with The Mandrell Sisters
sister of Irlene and Louise Mandrell; md. to drummer, Ken Dudney (1967- )
actress; author
stopped performing for a while after a serious auto accident in 1984

Tony Martin (Alvin Morris, Jr.)

b. 1912 in Oakland, CA
pop singer
instrument: sax
"Fools Rush in" (#14 1940), "To Each His Own" (#4 1946), "Rumors are Flying" (#9 1946), "Beautiful Ohio" (1949), "My Heart Beats Faster" (1949), "No! No! and No!" (1949), "Cancel the Flowers" (1949), "There's No Tomorrow" (#2 1950), "I Get Ideas" (#3 1951), "I Hear a Rhapsody" (1952), "Dance of Destiny" (1952), "Sorta on the Border" (1953), "I Just Love You" (1953), "That's What a Rainy Day is For" (1954), "Here" (#5 1954), "Philosophy" (1954), "Walk Hand in Hand with Me" (#10 1956), "The Rainmaker" (1957), "Mail, Mail, There Ain't No Mail" (1957), "Ten Minutes Ago" (1957), "A 'Miss You' Kiss" (1957), "Gigi" (1958), "She Serves a Nice Cup of Tea" (1958), "Do You Remember as I Remember?" (1959), "Lily Lu" (1959), "Marina" (1959), "Lolita" (1959), "Once When the World Was Mine" (1960), "Don't Worry" (1961), "The Rest of My Days" (1962), "Talkin' to Your Picture" (1964), "The Bigger Your Heart is (the Harder You'll Fall)" (1965), "Who's Afraid?" (1966)
duets with Fran Warren, "I Said My Pajamas (and Put on My Prayers)" (#5 1950), "Take a Letter, Miss Smith" (1950)
he was still performing as of 2007
actor
served in the Army Air Force during WWII
md. to Alice Faye (1937-41); md. to actress, Cyd Charisse (1948-2008, he death)
see Tony Martin on Wikipedia

Jerry Merritt (Jerry Lee Merritt)

b. 1933 in AR - d. 4 May 2001 (heart failure)
rock/rockabilly/country/blues singer
instrument: lead guitar
lead guitarist of Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps (1958), "Dance to the Bop" (#23 1958), "Say Mama" (1958), "She She Little Sheila" (1958, he wrote)
founding member of Jerry Merritt and the Crowns, "Jukebox Fever" (1958, he wrote), "Kansas City Twist" (1960, he co-wrote), "Tulsa" (1964, he wrote)
songwriter

Jane Morgan (Florence Catherine Currier)

b. 1920 in Newton, MA
pop singer
"Fairweather Friends" (1954), "Let's Go Steady" (1956), "Fascination" (#7 1957), "It's Been a Long, Long Time" (1957), "The Day the Rains Came" (#21 1958), "If Only I Could Live My Life Again" (1958), "With Open Arms" (#39 1959), "Happy Anniversary" (#57 1959), "Where's the Boy (I Never Met)" (1960), "Side By Side" (1965), "Somebody Someplace" (1967), "Congratulations, I Guess" (1969), "A Girl Named Johnny Cash" (#61c 1970, reply to Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue"), "The First Day" (#70c 1970)
duet with Roger Williams, "Two Different Worlds" (#41 1956)
md. to Jerry Weintraub (1965- )
see Jane Morgan on Wikipedia

Noel Redding (David Noel Redding)

b. 1945 in Kent, England – d. 11 May 2003 in Ireland
rock/jazz musician, instruments: bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
founding member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1966-69), "Purple Haze" (#65 1967), "The Wind Cries Mary" (1967), "Foxy Lady" (#67 1967), "All Along the Watchtower" (#20 1968), "Crosstown Traffic" (#52 1968), "Come on (Let the Good Times Roll)" (1968)
founding member of the Noel Redding Band (1972- ), "Roller Coaster Kids" (1975), "Snowstorm" (1975)
with Fat Mattress, "Iridescent Butterfly" (1969), "Magic Lanterns" (1970), "Black Sheep of the Family" (1970)
with The Modern Jazz Group
with The Road (1972)
with The Loving Kind, "Accidental Love" (1966), "With Rhyme and Reason" (1966)
session musician
songwriter
see Jimi Hendrix
see Noel Redding on Wikipedia

Sissy Spacek (Mary Elizabeth Spacek)

b. 1949 in Quitman, TX
country singer
"Coal Miner's Daughter" (#24c 1980), "Lonely, But Only for You" (#15c 1983), "This Time I'm Gonna Beat You to the Truck" (1983), "He Don't Know Me" (1983, she wrote), "Old Hometown" (1983), "If I Can Just Get Through the Night" (#57c 1984)
recorded as Rainbo, "John, You Went Too Far This Time" (1969, in reference to John and Oko's nude album cover), "C'mon, Teach Me to Live" (1969)
songwriter
actress
md. to Jack Fisk (1974- )
see Sissy Spacek on Wikipedia

Henry 'Sunflower' Vestine

b. 1944 in Tacoma Park, MD – d. 20 Oct 1997 France (respiratory failure)
rock/blues musician, instrument: guitar
"Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)" (2002), "High School Dance" (2002)
founding member of Canned Heat (1966-69, 1971-97), "Bullfrog Blues" (1967), "On the Road Again" (#16 1968), "Going up the Country" (#11 1968), "Wooly Bully" (1971), "Long Way from L.A." (1971)
with The Mothers of Invention for a short time in 1965 but was not on any recordings
session musician with John Lee Hooker, and others
Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast
md. 2nd to Lisa Lack
see Canned Heat

Steve Wariner (Steven Noel Wariner)

b. 1954 in Noblesville, IN
country singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro, bass
"I'm Already Taken" (#63c 1978, he co-wrote), "Beside Me" (#60c 1979), "Your Memory" (#7c 1980), "Kansas City Lights" (#15c 1982), "All Roads Lead to You" (#1c 1981), "Don't Your Mem'ry Ever Sleep at Night" (#23c 1983), "Midnight Fire" (#5c 1983), "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers" (#4c 1984), "Why Goodbye?" (#12c 1984), "Heart Trouble" (1985), "What I Didn't Do" (#3c 1985), "Some Fools Never Learn" (#1c 1985), "Life's Highway" (#1c 1986), "You Can Dream of Me" (#1c 1986, he co-wrote), Lynda" (#1c 1987), "The Weekend" (#1c 1987), "Small-Town Girl" (#1c 1987), "I Should Be with You" (#2c 1988, he wrote), "Baby, I'm Yours" (#2c 1988, he co-wrote), "I Got Dreams" (#1c 1989, he co-wrote), "Where Did I Go Wrong?" (#1c 1989, he wrote), "The Domino Theory" (#7c 1990), "I Can See Arkansas" (1990), "The Tips of My Fingers" (#3c 1991), "Crash Course in the Blues" (#32c 1991, he co-wrote), "There for a While" (#17c 1991), "If I Didn't Love You" (#8c 1993), "Drivin' and Cryin'" (#24c 1993), "The Same Mistake Again" (1993), "It Won't Be Over You" (#18c 1994), "Drive" (#63c 1994, he co-wrote), "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" (#2c 1998, he co-wrote, CMA single of the year 1998), * "Every Little Whisper" (#36c 1998, he co-wrote), "I'm Already Taken" (#42, #3c 1999, new version, he co-wrote), "Two Teardrops" (#30, #2c 1999, he co-wrote)
founding member of Jed Zeppelin, "Workin' Man Blues" (#48c 1995)
duet with Anita Cochran "What if I Said?" (#59, #1 1998, he wrote)
duet with Clint Black, "Been There" (#44, #5c 2000)
duet with Nicolette Larson, "That's How You Know When Love's Right" (#9c 1986)
duet with Garth Brooks, "Longneck Bottle" (#1c 1997, he wrote), "Katie Wants a Fast One" (#22c 2000)
with Dottie West's band, (1971-74), "Country Sunshine" (#49, #2c 1973), "The Last Time I Saw Him" (#8c 1974), and others
session musician with Bob Luman, Chet Atkins, and others
songwriter
see Steve Wariner

December 26

Steve Allen (Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen)

b. 1921 in New York, NY - d. 30 Oct 2000 in Encino, CA (heart attack)
pop singer
instrument: piano
"Very Square Dance" (1955), "Don't Be That Way" (1956), "This Could Be the Start of Something Big" (1957, he wrote), "Why Don't You Want to Go Home?" (1958), "I Thought about You" (1958), "Hawaiian Punch" (1959), "Laura (Theme from Picnic)" (1960, he co-wrote), "Bell, Book and Candle" (1960, he co-wrote), "Spring in Maine" (1960, he co-wrote), "Impossible" (1960, he wrote), "Houseboat" (1960, he co-wrote), "Gravy Waltz" (1963, he wrote)
duet with George Cates, "Autumn Leaves" (#35 1955, One-Hit Wonder)
songwriter
comedian; actor; talk-show host; author
served in the Army
md. 1st to Dorothy Goodman (1943-52); md. 2nd to Jayne Meadows (1954-2000, his death)
see Steve Allen

Rattlesnake Annie (Rosan Gallimore)

b. 1941 in Ashville (grew up near Puryear, TN)
country/folk/blues singer
instrument: guitar
"Goodbye to a River" (1980), "Rattlesnakes and Rusty Water" (1980), "Country Music Hall of Pain" (1986), "Callin' Your Bluff" (#79c 1987), "Somewhere South of Macon" (#79c 1988), "Cherokee Lullaby" (1988), "A Pale Horse and its Rider" (1989), "Cherokee Eyes" (1992), "Some Stories Never End" (1993)
duet with Willie Nelson, "Long Black Limousine" (1986)
songwriter
md. to Max McGowan
her nickname comes from her not allowing anyone to kill rattlesnakes on her ranch because they are a symbol of healing to her Cherokee ancestors
see Rattlesnake Annie

Rob Carpenter (aka Bob Carpenter)

b. 1946 in Philadelphia, PA
country singer
instruments: keyboards, accordion
with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1977- , replaced Jim Ibbotson), "Shot Full of Love" (#9c 1983), "Dance Little Jean" (#9c 1983), "I Love Only You" (#3c 1984), "Long Hard Road (Sharecropper Dreams)" (#1c 1984), "High Horse" (#2c 1984), "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), "Redneck Riviera" (2008)
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Nicolette Larson, "Make a Little Magic" (1980)
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Linda Ronstadt, "American Dream" (#13 1980)
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Roseanne Cash and John Hiatt, "One Step Over the Line" (#63c 1990)
see The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Harry Choates

b. 1922 in Rayne, LA (grew up in Port Arthur, TX) - d. 27 Jul 1951 in Austin, TX (liver and kidney failure)
country/Cajun singer
instruments: fiddle, accordion, guitar, steel guitar
"Lake Charles Shuffle" (1940), "Jole Blon (Pretty Blonde)" (#4c 1947, he co-wrote, he was the first person to record it), "Hackberry Hop" (1947), "Poor Hobo" (1947), "Jole Blon's Gone" (1949), "Corpus Christi Waltz" (1958), "Draggin' the Bow" (1958), "Port Aurthur Waltz" (1959), "Basil Waltz" (1960), "Beaumont Waltz" (1998)
served in the Infantry during WWII
died while in jail for not paying child support, he banged his head on the bars until he went into a coma

Duke Fakir (Abdul Fakir)

b. 1935 in Detroit, MI
pop singer
founding member and first tenor of The Four Tops (1954- ), "Couldn't it Be You?" (1956), "Baby, I Need Your Lovin'" (#11 1964), "Sad Souvenirs" (1965), "Something about You" (#19 1965), "It's the Same Old Song" (#5 1965), "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" (#1 1965), "Reach Out, I'll Be There" (#1 1966), "Shake Me, Wake Me" (#18 1966), "Bernadette" (#4 1967), "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (#6 1967), "You Keep Running Away" (#19 1967), "If I Were a Carpenter" (#20 1968), "Walk Away, Renee" (#14 1968), "Yesterday's Dreams" (1968), "The Key" (1969), "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I Got)" (#4 1973), "Are You Man Enough?" (#15 1973), "Seven Lonely Nights" (1975), "Runnin' from Your Love" (1975), "When She Was My Girl" (#11 1981), "I Just Can't Walk Away" (1983), "Sing a Song of Yesterday" (1985), "Indestructible" (#35 1988)
The Four Tops and The Supremes, "Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music" (1970), "You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart" (1971)
pallbearer for Florence Ballard
see The Four Tops on soulwalking

Jay Farrar

b. 1966 in Belleville, IL
country/folk/rock singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica, dulcimer, piano, organ, keyboards
"Doesn't Have to Be This Way" (2004), "Clear Day Thunder" (2004), "Make it Alright" (2004)
founding member of Uncle Tupelo (1987-94), "Graveyard Shift" (1990, he co-wrote), "So-Called Friend" (1990, he wrote), "Gun" (1991, he co-wrote), "Fatal Wound" (1992), "We've Been Had" (1993), "Give Me Back the Key to My Heart" (1993)
founding member of Son Volt (1995- ), "Out of the Picture" (1995), "Live Free" (1995), "Streets That Time Walks" (1998), "Blind Hope" (1998), "The Picture" (2007), "Circadian Rhythm" (2007)
songwriter
see Jay Farrar
see Son Volt

Herb Johnson (Herbert Earlshell Johnson, Jr.)

b. 1935 in Elizabeth City, NC (grew up in Philadelphia, PA) - d. 19 Jan 2004 in Philadelphia, PA (cancer)
soul/doo-wop singer
"Help" (1962), "Two Steps Ahead" (1964), "Make You Wanna Holler" (2003)
founding member of The Impacts (1962- ), "Carfare Back" (1965), "Gloomy Day" (1965), "Pigtails" (1965)
with The Lyrics (194?-4?)
with The Ambassadors, "If You Don't Know (You Better Ask Somebody)" (1967), "I Really Love You" (1969), "I Can't Believe You Love Me" (1969), "Music (Makes You Wanna Dance)" (1969)
with The Zip Codes, "Run, Little Mustang" (1964), "Fancy Filly From Detroit City" (1964)
with A Moment's Pleasure
backup on Barbara Mason's "Yes, I'm Ready" (#5 1965)
served in the Air Force

Travis Lewis

b. 1958 in Greenwood, SC
country musician, instrument: upright acoustic bass
with The Lewis Family (1975-2004), "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" (1975), "Precious Memories" (1978), "Slippers with Wings" (1980), "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)

Alan O'Bryant

b. 1955 in Reidsville, NC
bluegrass/country singer
instrument: banjo
founding member of the Nashville Bluegrass Band (1984- ), "Baby-Blue Eyes" (1985), "All I Want is You" (1987), "Weary Blues from Waitin'" (1990), "I'll Just Keep on Lovin' You" (1991), "Train of Yesterday" (1993), "Dark Shadows of Night" (1995), "Almost" (1995), "Blue Cadillac" (1998), "Down a Winding Road" (1998), "There's a Better Way" (2004), "Garfield's Blackberry Blossom" (2004), "The Luckiest Man Alive" (2004)
session musician with Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, and others
songwriter, wrote Trio's "Those Memories of You" (#5c 1987)

George Porter, Jr.

b. 1947 in New Orleans, LA
R&B/rock musician, instrument: bass
founding member of The Meters (1965-77, 1989- ), "Cissy Strut" (#23 1969), "Sophisticated Cissy" (#34 1969), "Ann" (1969), "Ride Your Pony" (1970), "Britches" (1970), "Tippi-Toes" (1970), "Groovy Lady" (1971), "Sassy Lady" (1971), "People Say" (1974), "Lovin' You is on My Mind" (1974), "Out in the Country" (1975), "You're a Friend of Mine" (1975), "Mister Moon" (1976), "Find Yourself" (1976), "Be My Lady" (1977)
The Meters played backup for Paul McCartney, Labelle, and others
session musician with Lee Dorsey, Robbie Robertson, David Byrne, and others
see George Porter, Jr.

Ronnie Prophet (Ronald Lawrence Victor Prophet)

b. 1937/38/43 in Quebec, Canada
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin, piano
"Sanctuary" (#26c 1975), "It Wouldn't Be So Bad if it Hadn't Been So Good" (1975), "Phone Call From Allyson" (1975), "The Lost Letter" (1975), "Shine on" (#36c 1976), "It's Enough" (#50c 1976), "It Ain't Easy Lovin' Me" (#99c 1977), "One More Feather in a Honky-Tonk Angel's Wing" (1981), "Don't Take Her to Heart" (1986)
comedian
md. to singer, Glory-Anne Carriere

James Ray (James Ray Raymond)

b. 1941 in Washington, DC - d. 1963 (drug overdose)
R&B singer
"Make Her Mine" (1959), "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" (#22 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "It's Been a Drag" (1961), "Itty Bitty Pieces" (#41 1962), "I've Got My Mind Set on You" (1962), "Put Me in Your Diary" (1963)
he was 5' tall

Phil Spector (Harvey Phillip Spector)

b. 1940 in The Bronx, NY
pop singer
instruments: piano, guitar, bass
with The Teddy Bears, "To Know Him is to Love Him" (#1 1958, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "I Don't Need You Anymore" (#91 1958, he wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote Ben E. King's "Spanish Harlem" (#10 1961); The Crystals' "There's No Other Like My Baby" (#20 1962), "Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)" (#3 1963), "Then He Kissed Me" (#6 1963); Connie Francis' "Second-Hand Love" (#7 1962); The Ronettes' "Be My Baby" (#2 1963), "Baby, I Love You" (#24 1963), "Walking in the Rain" (#23 1964); The Righteous Brothers' "Just Once in My Life" (#9 1965), "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (#1 1965)
music producer; created the 'wall of sound'
md. to singer, Ronnie Bennett (1968-73); md. to actress, Rachelle Short (2006- )
as of early 2007 he is still waiting trial for the alleged murder of actress, Lana Clarkson in 2003)
he possibly has bipolar disorder; he is definitely eccentric
see The Teddy Bears on Wikipedia
see Phil Spector Records

Audrey Wiggins (Audrey Lynn Wiggins)

b. 1967 in Ashville, NC or Waynesville, NC
country singer
instrument: guitar
duets with John Wiggins, "Their Hearts are Dancing" (1994), "Falling Out of Love" (#47c 1994), "Has Anybody Seen Amy?" (#22c 1994), "She's in the Bedroom Cryin'" (#58c 1994), "Somewhere in Love" (#49c 1997), "Going with My Heart" (1997), "Crazy Love" (1997), "The Dream" (1997), "If a Train Left for Memphis" (1997)
songwriter
sister of John Wiggins

Brian Westrum

b. 1962
country musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Sons of the Desert (1989- ), "Hand of Fate" (#33c 1997), "Whatever Comes First" (#10c 1997), "Leaving October" (#31c 1998), "What about You?" (#45c 1999), "Everybody's Gotta Grow up Sometime" (#42c 2000), "What I Did Right" (#22c 2001)
Sons of the Desert were backup on Ty Herdon's "It Must Be Love" (#1c 1998), Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" (#1c 2000)

December 27

Lisa Angelle

b. 1965 in New Orleans, LA
country singer
"Bring Back Love" (#96 1985), "Twisted" (1999), "Midnight Rodeo" (1999), "I Wear Your Love" (#19c 2000, she co-wrote), "A Woman Gets Lonely" (#62 2000), "Daddy's Gun" (1999), "I Will Love You" (#50c 2001)
songwriter

Buddy Bailey (John Bailey)

b. 1931 in Washington, DC – d. Feb 1994
R&B/jazz singer (tenor)
founding member and lead singer of The Clovers (1946-52, 1954-61, most 1953 releases were recorded before he entered the military), "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" (1950), "Don't You Know I Love You?" (#1 1951), "Here Goes a Fool" (1953), "In the Morning Time" (1955), "Love, Love, Love" (#30 1956), * "Love Potion #9" (#23 1959), "Wrapped up in a Dream" (1961)
founding member of Buddy Bailey's Clovers, "Stop Pretending" (1963)
served in the military (1952-54)

Karla Bonoff

b. 1951 in Santa Monica, CA
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar, piano
"I Can't Hold on" (1977), "Rose in the Garden" (1977), "Falling Star" (1977), "Personally" (#19 1982), "Standing Right Next to Me" (1994)
founding member of Bryndle (1969-71, 1995-97, 2001-02), "Woke up This Morning" (1970), "On the Wind" (1995, she co-wrote), "Under the Rainbow" (1995, she co-wrote), "Til the Storm Goes By" (1995, she co-wrote), "Forever Ride" (2001), "All I Need to Know" (2001, she co-wrote)
backup acoustic guitar on Wynona Judd's "Tell Me Why" (#77, #3c 1993, she wrote)
backup singer for Linda Ronstadt, Wendy Waldman, and others
songwriter, wrote Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt's "All My Life" (#11 1990); Lynn Anderson's "Isn't it Always Love?" (#10c 1979)
see Karla Bonoff

Jeff Bryant (Jeffery Park Bryant)

b. 1962 in Pecos, TX
country musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Ricochet (1993-99, left because of carpal tunnel syndrome), "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)
brother of Junior Bryant
see Ricochet

Larry Byrom

b. 1948 in Huntsville, AL
rock/blues/country singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, piano
with Hard Times (1966-68), "Come to Your Window" (1966), "You're Bound to Cry" (1966), "Sad, Sad Sunshine" (1967)
with Steppenwolf (1969-70, replaced Michael Monarch), "Monster" (#39 1969, he co-wrote), "From Here to There Eventually" (1969), "Hey Lawdy Mama" (#35 1970, he co-wrote), "Snow-Blind Friend" (#60 1971)
session musician with Barry Beckett, Eddie Rabbitt, Kenny Rogers, and others
songwriter, wrote Tanya Tucker's "Feel Right" (#10c 1983)
see Steppenwolf

Ronnie Caldwell (Ronald Louis Caldwell)

b. 1948 - d. 10 Dec 1967 in Lake Monona, WI
soul/R&B musician, instruments: organ, keyboards
with The Bar-Kays (1966-67), "Give Everybody Some" (#76 1967)
The Bar-Kays were Otis Redding's backup band (1967)
he was killed in the same plane crash as Otis Redding

Carl Fisher (Carlton Fisher)

b. 1939 near Quardon, TX (grew up in Los Angeles, CA)
R&B/soul singer
founding member and second tenor of Jayhawks (1955-59), "Stranded in the Jungle" (#18 1956, One-Hit Wonder), "I Wish the World Owed Me a Living" (1959), "Betty Brown" (1959)
founding member of The Vibrations (1959-76), "So Blue" (1960), "The Watusi" (#25 1961), "Let's Pony Again" (1961), "Hamburgers on a Bun" (1962), "Cause You're Mine" (1963), "My Girl, Sloopy" (#26 1964), "Keep on Keeping on" (1965), "Finding Out the Hard Way" (1965), "You Better Beware" (1967), "A Shot of Love" (1968), "Expressway to Your Heart" (1969), "Man Overboard" (1972)
The Vibrations recording as The Marathons, "Peanut Butter" (#20 1961), "Talkin' Trash" (1961)
see The Jayhawks on R&B Notebooks
see The Vibrations on SoulWalking

Mick Jones (Michael Leslie Jones)

b. 1944 in Surrey, England
rock singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
"Danielle" (1989, he co-wrote), "That's the Way Love is" (1989, he wrote), "Four Wheels Turnin'" (1989, he wrote), "You Are My Friend" (1989, he wrote)
founding member of Foreigner (1976- ), "Feels Like the First Time" (#4 1977, he wrote), "Cold as Ice" (#6 1977, he co-wrote), "Double Vision" (#2 1978, he co-wrote), "Blue Morning, Blue Day" (#15 1979, he co-wrote), "Urgent" (#4 1981, he wrote), "Waiting for a Girl Like You" (#2 1981, he co-wrote), "Jukebox Hero" (#26 1982, he co-wrote), "That Was Yesterday" (#12 1985, he co-wrote), "I Want to Know What Love is" (#1 1985, he wrote), "I Don't Want to Live Without You" (#3 1988, he wrote), "Say You Will" (#6 1988, he co-wrote), "Moment of Truth" (1991, he co-wrote), "Under the Gun" (1995, he co-wrote), "Until the End of Time" (#42 1995, he co-wrote)
with Nero and the Gladiators
session musician on George Harrison's "Dark Horse" (#15 1975); and with others
songwriter
music producer
see Foreigner

Les Maguire (Leslie Charles Maguire)

b. 1941 in England
rock musician, instrument: keyboards
with Gerry and the Pacemakers (1961-66), "You'll Never Walk Alone" (#48 1963), * "How Do You Do it" (#6 1964), "I Like it" (#17 1964), "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" (#4 1964), * "She's the Only Girl for Me" (1965), * "I'll Be There" (#14 1965), "It's Gonna Be Alright" (#23 1965), "Ferry Cross the Mersey" (#6 1965), "Girl on a Swing" (#28 1966)
songwriter

Georgia Middleman (Georgia Leigh Middleman)

b. 1967 in Houston, TX (grew up in San Antonio, TX)
country/rock/folk/jazz singer
"No Place Like Home" (#53c 2000), "A New Pair of Shoes" (2000), "Somebody Loves You" (2000), "Kick Down the Door" (#60c 2000, she co-wrote), "Watching Other People Dance" (2004), "Now That You've Met Molly" (2004), "Table 32" (2004), "Things I Didn't Know I Knew" (2008), "I'll Have What She's Having" (2008), "Death By Perfection" (2008), "I'll Take What I Can Get" (2008)
duet with Radney Foster, "Scary Old World" (#52c 2003)
songwriter
actress

Scotty Moore (Winfield Scott Moore, III)

b. 1931 near Gadsden, TN
country/rock/jazz musician, instrument: lead guitar
"My Baby Left Me" (1964), "Money Honey" (1964)
with The Starlite Wranglers, "My Kind of Carryin' on" (1954), "Now She Cares No More for Me" (1954)
with Elvis Presley's band (1954-58), "Heartbreak Hotel" (#1, #1c 1956), "Don't Be Cruel" (#1, #1c 1956), "Hound Dog" (#1 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, #1c 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 1957), "I Beg of You" (#8 1958), "Don't" (#1, #2c 1958), "Hard-Headed Woman" (#1 1958), and others
with The Scotty Moore Trio, "Have Guitar, Will Travel" (1958)
duets with D.J. Fontana, "Deuce and a Quarter" (1997), "Unsung Heroes" (1997), "Soulmates" (1997)
session musician with The Tractors, Charlie Rich, Billy Swan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ronnie McDowell, and others
music producer; arranger; sound engineer
served in the Navy (1948-52); he lied about his age to get in
see Scotty Moore

Tracy Nelson

b. 1947 in Madison, WI
country/blues/folk singer
instrument: piano
"Walk Away" (1993), "It Hurts Me, Too" (1993), "Blue, Blue Day" (1996), "Sad Situation" (1996), "Now You're Gone" (1996), "Hold an Old Friend's Hand" (2004), "Slow Fall" (2004), "Salt of the Earth" (2007, she wrote)
with Mother Earth, "Down So Low" (1968, she wrote), "Livin' with the Animals" (1968), "What Are You Trying to Do?" (1969), "Wait, Wait, Wait" (1969), "Tonight the Sky's about to Cry" (1971)
she is not related to Willie Nelson
songwriter

Mike Pinder (Michael Thomas Pinder)

b. 1941 in Birmingham, England
rock musician, instruments: keyboards, piano, synthesizer
"Someone to Believe in" (1976), "The Promise" (1976)
founding member of The Moody Blues (1964-74, 1977-79), "Go Now" (#10 1965), "From the Bottom of My Heart" (#93 1965), "Thank You, Baby" (1966), "Ride My See-Saw" (#61 1968), "Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)" (#24 1968), "Another Morning" (1968), "Never Comes the Day" (1969), "The Story in Your Eyes" (#23 1971), "Nights in White Satin" (#2 1972), "I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock 'n' Roll Band)" (#12 1972), "Isn't Life Strange?" (1972), "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" (#38 1979)
see The Moody Blues
see The Moody Blues on Wikipedia
see Mike Pinder

Tom Tall (Tommie Lee Guthrie)

b. 1937 in Amarillo, TX
country/rockabilly/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Please Be Careful" (1954), "I Want to Walk with You" (1954, he wrote), "Remembering You" (1955), "Hot Rod is Her Name" (1956), "Goldie Jo Malone" (1956), "To Be Alone" (1958), "Bad, Bad Tuesday" (#25c 1964), "Eyes Look Away" (1965), "I've Seen Enough" (1965)
founding member of Tom Tall and His Tom Kats, "Mary Joe" (1958), "Stack-a-Records" (1958)
duets with Ginny Wright, "Are You Mine?" (#2 1955), "Boom Boom Boomerang" (1955), "Out of Line" (1955), "Will This Dream of Mine Come True?" (1955)
duet with Ruckus Tyler, "If You Know What I Know" (1956)
songwriter

Les Taylor

b. 1948 in Oneida, KY (grew up in London, KY)
country/rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda Loved You" (#46c 1989, he co-wrote), "Knowin' You Were Leavin'" (#58c 1990), "A Southern Breeze" (1990), "If This Ain't the Real Thing" (1991), "The Porch Light" (1991), "I Gotta Mind to Go Crazy" (#44c 1991), "Wild Mountain Rose" (1998), "Slow Rain" (1998)
lead singer with Exile (1979-89, 1995- , replaced Jimmy Stokely), "The High Cost of Leaving" (#27c 1983), "Woke up in Love" (#1c 1984), "I Don't Want to Be a Memory" (#1c 1984), "Give Me One More Chance" (#1c 1984), "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)
duet with Shelby Lynne, "The Very First Lasting Love" (#50c 1991, he co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote Janie Fricke's "It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy" (#1c 1982)

December 28

Dwight 'Spider' Bement

b. 1945 in San Diego, CA
pop/rock musician, instruments: tenor sax, keyboards, bass
founding member of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (1967-71), * "Woman, Woman" (#4 1968), * "Young Girl" (#2 1968), * "Lady Willpower" (#2 1968), * "Over You" (#7 1968), "Don't Give in to Him" (#15 1969), * "This Girl is a Woman Now" (#9 1969), * "Little Green Apples" (1969), "Let's Give Adam and Eve Another Chance" (#41 1970)
with Flash Cadillac (1973- ), "Good Times, Rock and Roll" (1974), "Did You Boogie (With Your Baby)?" (1976)
see Gary Puckett and the Union Gap

Andrew Bernard

b. 1945
R&B musician, instrument: baritone sax
founding member of John Fred and His Playboy Band (1964-70), "Up and Down" (1967), "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" (#1 1968, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Hey, Hey Bunny" (#57 1968), "Silly Sarah Carter" (1969)
session musician
songwriter

Cathy Burch

b. 1960 in Jacksonville, FL
country singer
founding member of The Burch Sisters, "Every Time You Go Outside I Hope it Rains" (#23c 1988), "Open Arms" (1988), "I Don't Want to Mention Any Names" (#45c 1989), "Old Flame, New Fire" (#46c 1989)
sister of Charlene and Cindy Burch

Dorsey Burnette (William Dorsey Burnett, Jr.)

b. 1932 in Memphis, TN – d. 19 Aug 1979 in Canoga Park, CA (heart attack)
rockabilly/country singer
instruments: guitar, steel guitar, bass
"At a Distance" (1957), "Bertha Lou" (1957), "You Came As a Miracle" (1959), "(There Was a) Tall Oak Tree" (#23 1960, Pop One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Hey, Little One" (#48 1960, he wrote), "Way in the Middle of the Night" (1960), "A Country Boy in the Army" (1961), "The Feminine Touch" (1961), "Ever Since the World Began" (1964), "Little Acorn" (1964), "Thin Little, Simple Little, Plain Little Girl" (1969), "In the Spring (the Roses Always Turn Red)" (#21c 1972, he wrote), "I Just Couldn't Let Her Walk Away" (#40c 1972), "Darlin' (Don't Come Back)" (#26c 1973, he co-wrote), "Molly (I Ain't Gettin' Any Younger)" (#28c 1975), "Doggone the Dogs" (1975), "Lyin' in Her Arms Again" (1975), "Things I Treasure" (#31c 1977, he wrote)
founding member of The Rock 'n' Roll Trio (aka The Johnny Burnette Trio) (1956-57), "Your Baby-Blue Eyes" (1956), "I Just Found Out" (1957)
songwriter, co-wrote Ricky Nelson's "It's Late" (#9 1959), "Believe What You Say" (#4 1958), "Just a Little Too Much" (#9 1959), "Waitin' in School" (#12 1958); Ringo Starr's "You're Sixteen" (#1 1973)
father of Billy Burnette; older brother of Johnny Burnette
Golden Glove champion boxer

Fred Carter, Jr.

b. 1933 in Winnsboro, LA
western swing/country/blues/rock singer
instruments: guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin
"Freeloaders" (1958), "I'm in Love with the Girl Next Door" (1958), "Breaking Up" (1964), "Happy Tears" (1965), "And You Wonder Why" (#70c 1967), "Coffee Cup" (1967), "It's a Rough Old Road" (1967), "Turn it Around in Your Mind" (1968)
with The Hawks (1959-60)
with The Texas Playboys (1967)
session musician on Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer" (#7 1968), Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay" (#7 1969); and with Ronnie Hawkins, Roy Orbison, Muddy Waters, Joan Baez, Neil Young, and others
songwriter
served in the Air Force
father of singer, Deana Carter
see The Texas Playboys

Alex Chilton (William Alexander Chilton)

b. 1950 in Memphis, TN
pop/rock/blues/jazz/soul singer
instruments: guitar, bass
"The Singer Not the Song" (1975), "Can't Seem to Make You Mine" (1978), "Lost Decade" (1985)
founding member, lead singer of The Box Tops (1966-70, 1996- ), "The Letter" (#1 1967), "Neon Rainbow" (#24 1967), * "Cry Like a Baby" (#2 1968), "Choo Choo Train" (#26 1968), "The Door You Closed to Me" (1968), "Fields of Clover" (1968), * "Soul Deep" (#18 1969)
with Big Star (1971-76), "In the Street" (1972, he co-wrote), "Thirteen" (1972, he co-wrote), "Don't Lie to Me" (1972, he co-wrote), "Watch the Sunrise" (1972, he co-wrote), "September Gurls" (1974, he wrote), "Back of a Car" (1974, he co-wrote), "Way Out West" (1974), "Daisy Glaze" (1974, he co-wrote)
founding member of Alex Chilton and the Cossacks (1977- ), "Bangkok" (1978)
songwriter
music producer
see The Box Tops
see Big Star on Wikipedia

Barry Cowsill (Barry Steven Cowsill)

b. 1954 in Newport, RI - d. Sep 2005 in New Orleans, LA (drowned)
pop/rock singer
instruments: bass, drums
"My Car Don't Lock" (1998), "Don't Look Back" (1998, he wrote), "Another Was a Brother" (1998), "When Hearts Collide" (1998)
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)
he was last heard of 1 Sep 2005 when he left a voice mail on his sister Susan's phone; his body was recovered 28 Dec 2005 and the cause of death was ruled to be drowning as a result of floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina
see The Cowsills

Dick Diamonde (Dingeman Van Der Sluys)

b. 1947 in The Netherlands (grew up in Australia)
rock musician, instrument: bass
founding member of The Easybeats (1964-69), "Friday on My Mind" (#4 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "I Wonder" (1966), "I'm Gonna Tell Everybody" (1966), "You Are the Light" (1966), "Someway, Somewhere" (1966), "Then I'll Tell You Goodbye" (1966), "The Last Day of May" (1966), "Promised Things" (1966), "Who'll Be the One?" (1967), "Fancy Seeing You Here" (1968), "See Saw" (1968), "Falling Off the Edge of the World" (1968), "St. Louis" (1969)
founding member of Flash and the Pan, "Waiting for a Train" (1983)
songwriter

Joe Diffie (Joe Logan Diffie)

b. 1958 in Tulsa, OK (grew up in Velma, OK)
country singer
instruments: rhythm guitar, bass, drums
"Home" (#1c 1990), "If You Want Me to" (#2c 1991, he co-wrote), "If the Devil Danced (in Empty Pockets)" (#1c 1991), "New Way (to Light up an Old Flame)" (#2c 1991, he co-wrote), "Is it Cold in Here?" (#5c 1992, he co-wrote), "Ships That Don't Come in" (#5c 1992), "Honky-Tonk Attitude" (#5c 1993), "Prop Me up Beside the Jukebox (When I Die)" (#3c 1993), "I Can Walk the Line (If it Ain't Too Straight)" (1993), "I'm Through Losin' You" (1993), "John Deere Green" (#69, #5c 1994), "Third Rock from the Sun" (#84, #1c 1994), "Good Brown Gravy" (1994), "Pickup Man" (#60, #1c 1994), "So Help Me, Girl" (#84, #2c 1994), "That Road Not Taken" (#40c 1995), "Bigger Than the Beatles" (#1c 1995), "Runnin' Wide Open" (1995, he co-wrote), "Whole Lotta Gone" (#23c 1996), "Texas-Size Heartache" (#4c 1998), "A Night to Remember" (#38, #6c 1999), "It's Always Somethin'" (#57, #5c 1999), "In Another World" (#66, #10c 2001), "Like a River Dreams of Rain" (2001), "Tougher Than Nails" (#19c 2004)
duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Not Too Much to Ask" (#15c 1992)
backup singer on Holly Dunn's "There Goes My Heart Again" (#4c 1989, he co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote Jo Dee Messina's "My Give-a-Damn's Busted" (#63, #1c 2005)
md. to Debra 19??-94; md. to Theresa Crump (2000- )
see Joe Diffie

Mike Gibbons (James Michael Gibbons)

b. 1956
pop singer
instruments: bass, trumpet
co-lead singer of Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, "My Days Are Numbered" (1968), "I'm on the Outside Looking in" (1970), "Special Someone" (#64 1972), "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" (#1 1974), "Who Do You Think You Are?" (#15 1974), "The Heartbreak Kid" (#39 1974), "House on Telegraph Hill" (1975), "Our Last Song Together" (#95 1975), "Give Me Some Time" (1977)
session musician

Marcus Hummon

b. 1960 in Lebanon, OH or Fort Wayne, IN
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"Honky-Tonk Mona Lisa" (1996), "God's Country" (#73c 1996, he co-wrote), "Dancing Alone" (1999), "Poetry in Motion" (1999), "Easy to Fall, Hard to Rise" (2001), "Forty-Nine to Nothin'" (2001), "On a Bus Called Hope" (2003), "Before This is Over" (2005), "Catch the Dog" (2005), "Revolution" (2005)
songwriter, wrote Wynonna Judd's "Only Love" (#1c 1993); Alabama's "Cheap Seats" (#13c 1994); Tim McCraw's "One of These Days" (#75, #2c 1998); Chely Wright's "Jezebel" (#23c 2002)
co-wrote Rascal Flatt's "Bless the Broken Road" (#29, #1c 2005); The Dixie Chicks' "Cowboy, Take Me Away" (#27, #1c 1999), "Ready to Run" (#39, #2c 1999); Sara Evans' "Born to Fly" (#34, #1c 2001), "No Place That Far" (#37, #1c 1999); Bryan White's "Love is the Right Place" (#4c 1997)

Al Klink (Albert Klink)

b. 1915 in Danbury, CT - d. 7 Mar 1991 in Bradenton, FL (lung cancer)
swing musician, instruments: tenor sax, alto sax, bass clarinet, flute
with The Glenn Miller Orchestra (1939-42), "Blue Orchids" (#1 1939), "The Man with the Mandolin" (#1 1939), "Moon Love" (#1 1939), "Over the Rainbow" (#1 1939), "Stairway to the Stars" (#1 1939), "Wishing Will Make it So" (#1 1939), "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), "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" (#1 1942), "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" (#1 1942), "Jukebox Saturday Night" (#7 1942), "Serenade in Blue" (#2 1942), "Moonlight Cocktail" (#1 1942)
with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra (1952-53)
with the World's Greatest Jazz Band (1974- )
session musician with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and others
see The Glenn Miller Orchestra

Moe Koffman (Morris Koffman)

b. 1928 in Toronto, Canada - d. 28 Mar 2001 in Ontario, Canada (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
jazz musician, instruments: flute, alto sax, tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet, piccolo
founding member of The Moe Koffman Quartette, "Swingin' Shepherd Blues" (#23 1957, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Flute Salad" (1958, he wrote), "Little Pixie" (1958), "Pretzel" (1962), "Train Whistle Twist" (1962), "Coffee House" (1964), "Bulldog Walk" (1965), "Spectacular" (1967), "Morning Mist" (1973, he co-wrote), "Anitra's Last Dance" (1973, he co-wrote), "Museum Piece" (1977, he wrote), "Things Are Looking Up" (1978), "If You Don't Know Me By Now" (1982), "Icicle Bells" (1989, he co-wrote), "Overture to Spring" (1989, he wrote), "Evolution Blues" (1989, he wrote), "Little Sunflower" (2003), "Spring Nocturne" (2003)
with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra
session musician with Dizzy Gillespie, and others
songwriter

Clyde McCoy (Clyde Lee McCoy)

b. 1903 in Ashland, KY (grew up in Portsmouth, OH) - d. 11 Jun 1990 in Memphis, TN (Alzheimer's Disease)
dixieland jazz/swing musician, instrument: trumpet
founding member and leader of the Clyde McCoy Orchestra (1920-42, 1945-55, 1960-83), "Sugar Blues" (#2 1931), "Readin', Ritin', Rhythm" (1931), "It Looks Like Love" (1931), "In the Cool of the Night" (1933), "One More Dream" (1938), "Ten Little Miles From Nowhere" (1938), "Tear it Down" (1946, he wrote), "Memphis Blues" (1951)
songwriter
he and his entire orchestra joined the Navy during WWII (1942-45)
md. to singer, Maxine Means (1945-90, his death)

Mike McGuire

b. 1958 in Haleyville, AL
country singer
instrument: drums
founding member of Shenandoah (1985- ), "Stop the Rain" (#28c 1988), * "She Doesn't Cry Anymore" (#9c 1988), "The Church on Cumberland Road" (#1c 1989), * "Two Dozen Roses" (#1c 1989), "Sunday in the South" (#1c 1989), "Next to You, Next to Me" (#1c 1990), "When You Were Mine" (#38c 1991), "Rock My Baby" (#2c 1992), "Leavin's Been a Long Time Comin'" (#15c 1992), "I Want to Be Loved Like That" (#3c 1993), "If Bubba Can Dance (I Can Too)" (#1c 1994), "Darned if I Don't (Danged if I Do)" (#4c 1995), "All Over But the Shoutin'" (#43c 1996), "What Children Believe" (#65c 2000)
Shenandoah duet with Alison Krauss, "Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart" (#7c 1995)
songwriter
md. to actress, Teresa Blake (1994- )
see Shenandoah

Zigaboo Modeliste (Joseph Modeliste)

b. 1948 in New Orleans, LA
R&B musician, instrument: drums
founding member of The Meters (1965-77), "Cissy Strut" (#23 1969), "Sophisticated Cissy" (#34 1969), "Ann" (1969), "Ride Your Pony" (1970), "Britches" (1970), "Tippi-Toes" (1970), "Groovy Lady" (1971), "Sassy Lady" (1971), "People Say" (1974), "Lovin' You is on My Mind" (1974), "Out in the Country" (1975), "You're a Friend of Mine" (1975), "Mister Moon" (1976), "Find Yourself" (1976), "Be My Lady" (1977)
The Meters played backup for Paul McCartney, Labelle, and others
session drummer with Aaron Neville, John Fogerty, Lee Dorsey, Keith Richards, and others
songwriter
see Zigaboo

Johnny Otis (John Alexander Veliotes)

b. 1921 in Vallejo, CA
R&B/swing singer
instruments: drums, piano, vibraphone
founding member and leader of the Johnny Otis Orchestra (1945- ), "Omaha Flash" (1946, he co-wrote), "Ultra-Violet" (1946, he co-wrote), "Barrelhouse Stomp" (1947, he co-wrote), "Thursday Night Blues" (1949), "Cupid's Boogie" (1950), "Faraway Blues" (1950), "Rain in My Eyes" (1950), "Double-Crossin' Blues" (1950), "Mistrustin' Blues" (1950), "My Heart Tells Me" (1950), "Lost Dream Blues" (1950), "Because I Love My Baby So" (1951), "I'll Ask My Heart" (1951), "Feel Like Cryin' Again" (1951), "The Love Bug Boogie" (1952), "Willie and the Hand Jive" (#9 1957, One-Hit Wonder), "Stop, Look and Love Me" (1957), "The Jelly Roll" (1960), "Banana Peels" (1968), "Margie's Boogie" (1971), "I Got a Gal" (1971)
session musician
songwriter, wrote Gladys Knight and the Pips' "Every Beat of My Heart" (#6 1961)
music producer; DJ

Marty Roe (Timothy Martin Roe)

b. 1960 in Lebanon, OH
country/rock singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
with Diamond Rio, "Meet in the Middle" (#1c 1991), "Mirror, Mirror" (#3c 1991), "Norma Jean Riley" (#2c 1992), "In a Week or Two" (#2c 1992), "Oh Me, Oh My, Sweet Baby" (#5c 1993), "Love a Little Stronger" (#2c 1994), "Finish What We Started" (#19c 1994), "Walkin' Away" (#2c 1995), "That's What I Get for Lovin' You" (#4c 1996), "Holdin'" (#4c 1996), "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" (#1c 1997), "Imagine That" (#4c 1997), * "Unbelievable" (#36, #2c 1998), "You're Gone" (#4c 1998), "Two-Pump Texaco" (1998), * "One More Day with You" (#29, #1c 2001), * "I Believe" (#31, #1c 2002), "Beautiful Mess" (#28, #1c 2002), "Wrinkles" (#16c 2003), "We All Fall Down" (#45c 2004), "Can't You Tell?" (#43c 2005), "God Only Cries" (#30c 2006)
session musician
md. to Robin (1982- )
he was named after Marty Robbins
see Diamond Rio

Pops Staples (Roebuck Staples)

b. 1914 near Winona, MS (grew up in Chicago, IL) - d. 19 Dec 2000 in Dolton, IL (concussion from a fall)
gospel/soul/blues/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"Whicha Way Did it Go?" (1974)
founding member of The Staple Singers (1948-76), "Faith and Grace" (1953), "This May Be the Last Time" (1960), "Too Close" (1960), "Use What You Got" (1962), "I Wish I Had Answered" (1963), "I'll Fly Away" (1965), "For What it's Worth" (#66 1967), "Got to Be Some Changes Made" (1968), "The Gardener" (1969), "Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas?" (#2 1970), "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom)" (#27 1971), "I'll Take You There" (#1 1972), "Respect Yourself" (#12 1972), "If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)" (#9 1973), "Touch a Hand, Make a Friend" (#23 1974), "Let's Do it Again" (#1 1975)
with The Golden Trumpets
with The Trumpet Jubilees
session musician with Johnny Cash, David Byrne and John Lee Hooker
father of singers Pervis, Mavis, Yvonne, and Cleotha Satples
see The Staple Singers on Wikipedia

Gene Thomas

b. 1938 in Palestine, TX
country/pop singer
"That's What You Are to Me" (1961), "Mysteries of Love" (1961), "Sometime" (1961), "It's Make Believe" (1962), "Baby's Gone" (1963), "Destiny's Children" (1969)
founding member of Gene and Debbe (1965-69), "Go with Me" (#78 1967), "The Torch I Carry" (1967), "Playboy" (#17 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "Lovin' Season" (#81 1968), "Love Will Give Us Wings" (1968), "Rings of Gold" (1968, he wrote), "Reasons" (1969)
songwriter

Billy Williams (Wilfred Williams)

b. 1910 in Waco, TX – d. 17 Oct 1972 in Chicago, IL
doo-wop/pop/jazz singer
"I've Got an Invitation to Dance" (1954), "Whenever, Wherever" (1954), "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" (#3 1957), "Got a Date with an Angel" (1957), "Nola" (1957), "Lucy Lou" (1957), "A Smile for Suzette" (1957), "Tied to the Strings of Your Heart" (1958)
founding member and lead tenor of The Charioteers (1930-49), "On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City" (1946), "Chi-Baba" (1947), "Look-a-There, Ain't She Pretty" (1948), "A Kiss and a Rose" (1949)
Charioteers were backup for Frank Sinatra, and others
founding member of The Billy Williams Quartet (1950-56), "I Didn't Slip, I Wasn't Pushed, I Fell" (1950), "Shanghai" (1951), "Busy Line" (1951), "Confetti" (1952), "Pour Me a Glass of Teardrops" (1953), "I Wanna Hug You, Kiss You, Squeeze You" (1955), "You'll Reach Your Star" (1956)
he was the first guest on American Bandstand
see The Charioteers

Edgar Winter

b. 1946 in Beaumont, TX
jazz/blues/rock/soul singer
instruments: keyboards, sax, drums, guitar, bass
"One Day Tomorrow" (1975, he co-wrote), "I Always Wanted You" (1975, he wrote), "Tell Me in a Whisper" (1975, he co-wrote)
founding member of The Edgar Winter Group (1972- ), "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" (1972), "Back in the USA" (1972), "We All Had a Real Good Time" (1972, he co-wrote), "Frankenstein" (#1 1973, he wrote), "Free Ride" (#14 1973), "Easy Street" (#83 1974), "River's Risin'" (#33 1974)
session musician
songwriter
younger brother of Johnny Winter; they both have albinism
see Edgar Winter

December 29

Jessica Andrews (Jessica Danielle Andrews)

b. 1983 in Huntingdon, TN
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"You Go First" (#25c 1999), "I Will Be There for You" (#28c 1999), "Unbreakable Heart" (#24c 2000), * "Who I Am" (#28, #1c 2001), * "Helplessly, Hopelessly" (#31c 2001), * "These Wings" (2001), * "Every Time" (2001), * "Show Me Heaven" (2001), * "Make Me Love You" (2001), "Wishing Well" (2001), * "There's More to Me Than You" (#17c 2003, she co-wrote)
songwriter

Midge Bollinger

b. 1946/47 in Hanover, PA
pop singer
founding member of The Pixies Three (1955-63, 2001- ), "Birthday Party" (#40 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Our Love" (1963), "442 Glenwood Avenue" (#56 1963), "Cold, Cold Winter" (#79 1963)
md. Mr. Neel
see The Pixies Three

Ed Bruce (William Edwin Bruce, Jr.)

b. 1939/40 in Keiser, AR (grew up in Memphis, TN
country/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Rock Boppin' Baby" (1957, he wrote), "Part of My Life" (1958), "Flight 303" (1961), "He Gave Her to Me" (1964), "Walker's Woods" (#57c 1966), "Last Train to Clarksville" (#69c 1967), "Shadows of Her Mind" (1967), "Painted Girls and Wine" (#52c 1968), "Song for Jenny" (1968), "Ninety-Seven More to Go" (1968), "Everybody Wants to Get to Heaven" (#52c 1969, he wrote), "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys" (#15c 1976, he co-wrote), "For Love's Own Sake" (#36c 1976), "When I Die, Just Let Me Go to Texas" (#52c 1977, he co-wrote), "Diane" (#21c 1980), * "Girls, Women and Ladies" (#14c 1981, he co-wrote), "(When You Fall in Love) Everything's a Waltz" (#14 1981, he co-wrote), "You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had" (#1c 1982), "Love's Found You and Me" (#13c 1982, he co-wrote), "Ever, Never Lovin' You" (#4c 1982, he co-wrote), "My First Taste of Texas" (#6c 1983, he co-wrote), "If it Was Easy" (#19c 1983), "After All" (#4c 1983, he co-wrote), "You Turn Me on (Like a Radio)" (#3c 1984), "When Givin' up Was Easy" (#17c 1985), "If it Ain't Love" (#20c 1985), "Nights" (#4c 1986), "Quietly Crazy" (#36c 1986)
duet with Lynn Anderson, "Fools for Each Other" (#49c 1986)
duet with Willie Nelson, "The Last Cowboy Song" (#12c 1980, he co-wrote)
songwriter, wrote Tanya Tucker's "The Man That Turned My Mama on" (#4c 1974); Charlie Louvin's "See the Big Man Cry" (#7c 1965)
actor
see Ed Bruce

Joe Cook (aka Little Joe)

b. 1922 in Philadelphia, PA
R&B/gospel/falsetto singer
"Say a Prayer for Our Boys in Korea" (1951, he wrote), "Are You for Real?" (1953), "Don't You Have Any Feelings?" (1966), "Say a Prayer (for Our Troops Over There)" (2003, he wrote), "Lady From the Beauty Shop" (2003, he wrote), "Someone for Me" (2003)
founding member and lead singer of The Thrillers, "Do the Slop" (1956), "Peanuts" (#22 1956, One-Hit Wonder), "The Echoes Keep Calling Me" (1957), "What's Happened to Your Halo?" (1958), "It's Too Bad We Had to Say Goodbye" (1958), "Strange Dreams" (1959), "Public Opinion" (1961)
founding member of The Joe Cook Quartet
with The Evening Star Quartet
father of Dinell and Delphine Cook of The Sherrys

Rick Danko (Richard Clare Danko)

b. 1942 in Ontario, Canada – d. 10 Dec 1999 in Marbletown, NY (heart failure)
folk/rock/glues/country singer
instrument: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, fiddle, trombone
"Java Blues" (1977, he co-wrote), "Sip the Wine" (1977, he wrote), "Twilight" (1997, he co-wrote), "Stage Fright" (1997), "The Next Time You See Me" (1999)
founding member, bass player and singer with The Band (1967-76), "The Weight" (#63 1968), "Up on Cripple Creek" (#25 1969), "Life is a Carnival" (#72c 1971), "Thinking Out Loud" (1971), "Don't Do it" (#34 1972), "Ain't Got No Home" (#73 1973)
with The Hawks (1960-66), "He Don't Love You" (1965), "The Stones I Throw" (1965)
The Hawksbacking Ronnie Hawkins (1960-64), "Lonely Hours" (1960)
The Hawks backing Bob Dylan (1965-66), "Just Like a Woman" (#33 1966), "Rainy Day Women #12 and 35" (#2 1966), "I Want You" (#20 1966), "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" (#81 1966)
sessionist with Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, and others
songwriter
see The Band

Marianne Faithfull (Marian Evelyn Faithfull)

b. 1946 in London, England
rock/pop/blues/jazz singer
"As Tears Go By" (#22 1965), "Summer Nights" (#24 1965), "Come and Stay with Me" (#26 1965), "What Have They Done to the Rain?" (1965), "Why'd Ya Do it?" (1979, she co-wrote), "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" (1979), "Running for Our Lives" (1983), "The Boulevard of Brokan Dreams" (1987), "Yesterdays" (1987), "Ghost Dance" (1994), "Nobody's Fault" (2002), "There is a Ghost" (2005, she co-wrote), "No Child of Mine" (2005)
duets with Billy Corgan, "Something Good" (2002), "Wherever I Go" (2002), "I'm on Fire" (2002, she co-wrote)
backup singer on Metallica's "The Memory Remains" (#28 1997)
songwriter
actress
md. 1st to John Dunbar (1965- ); md. to Ben Brierly (1979-86); md. to actor, Giorgio Della Terza (1988-91)
she sometimes lived on the streets because of her alcoholism and addiction to cocaine and heroin
breast cancer survivor since 2006
see Marianne Faithfull

Ruby Falls (Bertha Bearden Dorsey)

b. 1946 in Jackson, TN (grew up in Milwaukee, WI) - d. 15 Jun 1986 in Nashville, TN (brain hemorrhage)
country singer
"Sweet Country Music" (#86c 1975), "He Loves Me All to Pieces" (#77c 1975), "Somewhere There's a Rainbow Over Texas" (1976), "You've Got to Mend This Heartache" (#40c 1977), "Three Nights a Week" (#81c 1978), "If That's Not Loving You (You Can't Say I Didn't Try)" (#86c 1978, she co-wrote), "Empty Arms and Teardrops (Sure Go Together)" (1978), "I'm Gettin' into Your Love" (#56c 1979)
songwriter

Billy Gray

b. 1924 in Paris, TX - d. 27 Mar 1975 (during heart surgery)
country/western swing singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Billy Gray and His Western Okies, "Pin-Up Girl" (1954), "I'm Mad at My Heart" (1955), "Tennessee Toddy" (1956), "I'll Never Live Long Enough" (1963)
with Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys
duets with Wanda Jackson, "You Can't Have My Love" (#8c 1954, he co-wrote), "You'd Be the First One to Know" (1954)
session musician
songwriter, co-wrote Hank Thompson's "Waiting in the Lobby of Your Heart" (#3c 1952)

Virgil Johnson

b. 1935 in Cameron, TX
doo-wop singer
founding member and lead of The Velvets (1958- ), * "Tonight (Could Be the Night)" (#26 1961, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Laugh" (#90 1961), "Lana" (1961), "Who Has the Right?" (1961, he wrote), * "Let the Good Times Roll" (1962), "The Lights Go on, the Lights Go off" (1962), "Be Ever Mine" (1962, he wrote), "Let the Fool Kiss You" (1964)
songwriter
DJ
English teacher, principal

Rose Lee Maphis (Rose Lee Schetrompf)

b. 1922 in Baltimore, MD
country/bluegrass singer
instrument: guitar
"The Wind and the Tree" (1960), "The Keeper of the Key" (1960), "I've Come to Take You Home" (1965), "Remember (I'm Just As Close As the Phone)" (1966)
founding member of Joe and Rose Lee Maphis, "Honky-Tonk Down Town" (1955), "I'm Willin' to Try" (1955), "I Love You Deeply" (1959), "Molly and Tenbrooks" (1959), "Little Black Book" (1965), "Run That By Me One More Time" (1970)
songwriter
md. to Joe Maphis (1952- )

Cozy Powell (Colin Flooks)

b. 1947 in England - d. 5 Apr 1998 in England (auto accident)
rock musician, instrument: drums
"Dance with the Devil" (1974), "Na Na Na" (1974), "The Man in Black" (1974), "After Dark" (1974)
with Youngblood (1968-69)
with The Jeff Beck Group (1970-72)
founding member of Bedlam (1972-73)
with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1976-80), "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" (1978)
with Whitesnake (1983-84), "Standing in the Shadows" (1984)
with Emerson, Lake and Powell (1985-87), "Touch and Go" (1987), "Learning to Fly" (1987)
session musician
he was talking on a cell phone during bad weather when he crashed his car, he had been drinking and was not wearing a seatbelt
see Whitesnake

Glenn Reeves

b. 1932 in Shamrock, TX - d. 1999
rockabilly singer
"I Ain't Got Room to Rock" (1955), "That'll Be Love" (1956), "My Tortured Heart" (1957), "Precious Years" (1957), "Betty Bounce" (1958), "She Traded Her Pigtails for a Toni" (1958), "Rock-a-Boogie Lou" (1958)
founding member of Glenn Reeves and His Rock-Billys, "Rockin' Country-Style" (1956), "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee" (1956)
DJ

Charlie Spinosa

b. 1948 in Baton Rouge, LA
R&B musician, instrument: trumpet
founding member of John Fred and His Playboy Band (1964-70), "Up and Down" (1967), "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" (#1 1968, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Hey, Hey Bunny" (#57 1968), "Silly Sarah Carter" (1969)
session musician

Jerry Summers (Jerry Gross)

b. 1942 in Philadelphia, PA
rock/R&B singer
founding member and lead singer of The Dovells (1961- ), "Letters of Love" (1960), "The Bristol Stomp" (#2 1961), "Do the Continental" (#37 1962), "Bristol Twistin' Annie" (#27 1962), "Hully Gully Baby" (#25 1962), "Kissin' in the Kitchen" (1962), * "You Can't Sit Down" (#3 1963), "You Can't Run Away From Yourself" (1963), "Watusi With Lucy" (1964), "Happy Birthday Just the Same" (1964), "Dragster on the Prowl" (1964)
The Dovells sang backup on Chubby Checker's "Let's Twist Again" (#8, #26c 1961)

Ray Thomas

b. 1941 in England
rock/blues singer
instruments: flute, baritone sax, oboe harmonica
"High Above My Head" (1975, he co-wrote), "Within Your Eyes" (1976, he co-wrote), "The Last Dream" (1976, he wrote)
founding member of The Moody Blues (1964-74, 1977-2002), "Go Now" (#10 1965), "From the Bottom of My Heart" (#93 1965), "Thank You, Baby" (1966), "Ride My See-Saw" (#61 1968), "Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)" (#24 1968), "Another Morning" (1968, he wrote), "Never Comes the Day" (1969), "The Story in Your Eyes" (#23 1971), "Nights in White Satin" (#2 1972), "I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock 'n' Roll Band)" (#12 1972), "Isn't Life Strange?" (1972), "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" (#38 1979), "Gemini Dream" (#12 1981), "Sitting at the Wheel" (#27 1983), "Your Wildest Dreams" (#9 1986), "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" (#30 1988)
songwriter
see The Moody Blues
see The Moody Blues on Wikipedia

December 30

Suzy Bogguss (Susan Kay Bogguss)

b. 1956 in Aledo, IL
country/folk singer, yodeler
instruments: guitar, piano
"Cross My Broken Heart" (#14c 1989), "Under the Gun" (#72c 1990), "Someday Soon" (#12c 1991), "Outbound Plane" (#9c 1991), "Aces" (#9c 1992), "Letting Go" (#6c 1992), "Drive South" (#2c 1992), "Just Like the Weather" (#5c 1993, she co-wrote), "Hey Cinderella" (#5c 1993, she co-wrote), "You Wouldn't Say That to a Stranger" (#43c 1994), "Souvenirs" (#65c 1994), "Give Me Some Wheels" (#60c 1996, she co-wrote), "Somebody to Love" (#33c 1998, she co-wrote)
duet with Lee Greenwood, "Hopelessly Yours" (#12c 1991)
songwriter
md. to songwriter, Doug Crider (1986- )
see Suzy Bogguss

Skeeter Davis (Mary Frances Penick)

b. 1931 near Dry Ridge, KY – d. 19 Sep 2004 in Nashville, TN (breast cancer)
country/pop singer
"I'm Going Steady With a Heartache" (1957), "Lost to a Geisha Girl" (#15c 1958, reply to "Geisha Girl"), "Set Him Free" (#5c 1959, she co-wrote), "(I Can't Help You) I'm Falling Too" (#39, #2c 1960, reply to Hank Locklin's "Please Help Me, I'm Falling"), "My Last Date (With You)" (#26, #5c 1961, she co-wrote, reply to Floyd Cramer's "Last Date"), "Optimistic" (1961), "The Hand You're Holding Now" (1961), "Where I Ought to Be" (#9c 1962), "The Little Music Box" (1962), * "I Can't Stay Mad at You" (#7, #14c 1963), * "The End of the World" (#2, #2c 1963, the only single to make the top ten on all four Billboard charts), "I'm Saving My Love" (#41, #9c 1963), * "Gonna Get Along Without You Now" (#48, #8c 1964), "He Says the Same Things to Me" (#47, #17c 1964), "Sunglasses" (1965), "If I Had Wheels" (1966), "Fuel to the Flame" (#11c 1967), "What Does it Take (to Keep a Man Like You Satisfied)?" (#121, #5c 1967), "There's a Fool Born Every Minute" (#16c 1968), "Instinct for Survival" (1968), "I Can't See Past the Tears" (1968), "I'm a Lover, Not a Fighter" (#9c 1970), "How in the World Do You Kiss a Memory?" (1970), "Bus Fare to Kentucky" (#21c 1971), * "One Tin Soldier" (1972, possibly by Joni Mitchell), "I Can't Believe That it's All Over" (#101, #12c 1973)
duets with Betty Jack Davis (as The Davis Sisters), "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" (#18, #1c 1953), "Rock-a-Bye Boogie" (1953)
duets with Georgia Davis (as The Davis Sisters), "Everlovin' (a One-Way Love)" (1955), "Tomorrow is Just Another Day" (1955), "It's the Girl Who Gets the Blame" (1955), "Lying Brown Eyes" (1956)
duets with Bobby Bare, * "Invisible Tears" (1965), "Dear John Letter" (#114, #11c 1965), "Your Husband, My Wife" (#22c 1970)
songwriter
author
md. 1st to Kenneth Depew; md. 2nd to Ralph Emery (1960-64); md. 3rd to bass player, Joey Spampinato (1983-96)
see Skeeter Davis

Bo Diddley (Otha Ellas Bates)

b. 1928 in McComb, MS (grew up in Chicago from age nine)
blues/rock/rockabilly singer
instruments: guitar, violin
"Bo Diddley" (1955), "She's Fine, She's Mine" (1955), "Hey, Bo Diddley" (1957), "Dearest Darling" (1958), "Say, Man" (#20 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Crackin' Up" (#62 1959), "The Great Grandfather" (1959), "Road Runner" (#75 1960), "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" (#48 1962), "Surfer's Love Call" (1963), "Let the Kids Dance" (1965), "Ooh Baby" (#88 1966)
sessionist with Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and others
songwriter, wrote Mickey and Sylvia's "Love is Strange" (#11 1957)
guitar designer
he was the first black performer to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show
took the name 'Ellas B. McDaniel from his adoptive mother, Gussie McDaniel (his birth-mother's cousin)
a diddley bow is a one-stringed musical instrument from the South; 'bo diddley' is southern slang for 'nothing at all'
see Bo Diddley

Bob Ferguson (Robert Bruce Ferguson aka Bob Miller)

b. 1927/28 in Willow Springs, MO – d. 22 Jul 2001 in Jackson, MS (cancer)
country singer
instruments: guitar, steel guitar, piano
recorded as Grandpappy Possumtrot, "Eli's Blue" (1961, he wrote), "My Past is My Future" (1961)
founding member of Bob Ferguson and His Scalawagers, "Little Red Caboose" (1930), "Anna May" (1931), "Clover Blossoms" (1931), "1930 Drought" (1931), "The Unmarked Grave" (1931)
songwriter, wrote Ferlin Husky's "Wings of a Dove" (#12, #1c 1960); Porter Wagoner's "Carroll County Accident" (#92, #1c 1969)
music producer
comedian; historian; author; anthropologist
he was a member of Mensa
served in the Army (1945- ), served in the Marines during the Korean War
see Bob Ferguson on Wikipedia

Melvin Goins (Melvin Glen Goins)

b. 1933 in Bramwell, WV or Bluefield, WV
bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar
"Beautiful River of Life" (2004), "Shouting on the Hills of Glory" (2004)
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 The Clinch Mountain Boys (1966-68), "The End of the Road" (1966), "The Hills of Roan County" (1967), "Hemlock and Primrose" (1967)
The Clinch Mountain Boys were also known as The Stanley Brothers
founding member and lead of Windy Mountain (1999- ), "Let Those Brown Eyes Smile at Me" (2000), "I'll Never Change My Mind" (2000), "Windy Mountain" (2000), "The Church in the Wildwood" (2000)

John Hartford (John Cowan Harford)

b. 1937 in Brooklyn, NY (grew up in St. Louis, MO) – d. 4 Jun 2001 in Nashville, TN (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
folk/country/bluegrass/rock singer
instruments: banjo, guitar, fiddle, dobro, mandolin
"Tall, Tall Grass" (1966), "Gentle on My Mind" (#60c 1967, he wrote), "Left-Handed Woman" (1967), "Electric Washing Machine" (1967), "Six O'clock Train and a Girl with Green Eyes" (1967), "Big Blue Balloon" (1968), "Girl with the Long Brown Hair" (1968), "California Earthquake" (1968), "Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation" (1968), "Before They Tow My Car" (1970), "Don't Leave Your Records in the Sun" (1976), "Dancing in the Bathtub" (1977), "I Can Read between the Lines" (1979), "Once You've Had the Best" (1981), "Piece of My Heart" (#81c 1984), "Love Wrote This Song" (1986), * "Here I Am in Love Again" (1989), "Fourteen Polecat Skins on a Chevy Camaro" (1994), "Girl with the Blue Dress on" (1996)
duet with Texas Shorty, "Georgia Boys" (1995)
duets with David Grisman and Mike Seeger, "My Walking Shoes" (1999), "Flint Hill Special" (1999)
session musician
songwriter
author; river boat pilot
see John Hartford

Kim Hill

b. 1963 in Starkville, MO
country/Christian/rock singer
"Faithful" (1988), "Closer to a Broken Heart" (1989), "I Will Wait" (1991), "Round and Round" (1991), "Janie's Gone Fishin'" (#68c 1994), "Can't Remember to Forget About You" (1994), "Natural Thing" (1994), "No One Like You" (1997), "Ruthless Perfection" (1997), "Hold Me Close" (1998), "When Will You Love Me?" (1998), "Just as I Am" (1998), "For Such a Time as This" (1999), "Blessed Assurance" (1999), "Be Lifted Up" (2003), "A Million Pieces" (2006), "Blame Somebody Else" (2006)
backup singer with Rich Mullins, and others
songwriter

Chris Jasper (Christopher Jasper)

b. 1951 in Cincinnati, OH
R&B/rock/soul/doo-wop/gospel singer
instruments: keyboards, percussions
"Super Bad" (1988), "The First Time" (1989), "Stand Up" (2006), "True Believer" (2006)
with The Isley Brothers (1969-84), "It's Your Thing" (#2 1969), "Love the One You're With" (#18 1971), "That Lady" (#6 1973), "Fight the Power" (#4 1975), "For the Love of You" (#23 1975), "Take Me to the Next Phase" (1978), "I Wanna Be with You" (1979), "Don't Say Goodnight (it's Time for Love)" (#39 1980)
founding member of Isley, Jasper, Isley (1984-87), "Caravan of Love" (1985)
brother-in-law of Ernie and Marvin Isley
see The Isley Brothers

Davy Jones (David Thomas Jones)

b. 1945 in Manchester, England
rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"The Girl From Chelsea" (1967), "Rainy Jane" (1971), "Singin' to the Music" (1971), "It's Not Too Late" (2001, he wrote), "I Ain't Gonna Love You No More" (2001, he wrote), "So Goes Love" (2001, he wrote)
founding member of The Monkees (1965-70, and reunions), * "I'm a Believer" (#1 1966), "Last Train to Clarksville" (#1 1966), "Gonna Buy Me a Dog" (1966), "Daydream Believer" (#1 1967), "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (#39 1967), "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" (#20 1967), * "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You" (#2 1967), "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (#3 1967), "Words" (#11 1967), "D.W. Washburn" (#19 1968), "Valleri" (#3 1968), "That Was Then, This is Now" (#20 1986)
duet with Micky Dolenz, "I Love You Better" (1970)
songwriter
DJ; actor
see The Monkees
see Davy Jones

Joaquin Murphey (Earl James Murphey)

b. 1923 in Hollywood, CA - d. 25 Oct 1999 (cancer)
western swing/jazz musician: instruments: lap steel guitar, pedal steel guitar
"Charmaine" (1999), "Night and Day" (1999), "Squirrley Shirley" (1999, he wrote), "Pauline" (1999, he wrote)
with Spade Cooley and His Band, "Oklahoma Stomp" (1946)
with Andy Parker and the Plainsmen
session musician with Johnny Bond, Tex Williams T. Texas Tyler, Smokey Rogers, Roy Rogers, and others

Mike Nesmith (Robert Michael Nesmith)

b. 1942 in Houston, TX
rock/pop/country singer
instruments: guitar, sax
"Dedicated Friend" (1970, he wrote), "Listen to the Band" (1970, he wrote), "Continuing" (1973, he wrote), "Born to Love You" (1973), "Rio" (1977)
founding member of The Monkees (1965-70, and reunions), * "I'm a Believer" (#1 1966), "Last Train to Clarksville" (#1 1966), "Gonna Buy Me a Dog" (1966), "Daydream Believer" (#1 1967), "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (#39 1967), "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" (#20 1967), * "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You" (#2 1967), "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (#3 1967), "Words" (#11 1967), "D.W. Washburn" (#19 1968), "Valleri" (#3 1968)
founding member of Michael Nesmith and the First National Band (1970- ), "Joanne" (#21 1970, One-Hit Wonder), "Little Red Rider" (1970), "Silver Moon" (#42 1971), "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)" (#95 1971, he wrote), "Texas Morning" (1971), "Horse Race" (1979)
founding member of Mike and John and Bill, "How Can You Kiss Me?" (1963), "Just a Little Love" (1963)
founding member of The Wichita Train Whistle, "You Just May Be the One" (1968, he wrote), "Don't Cry Now" (1968)
songwriter, wrote Stone Poneys' "Different Drum" (#13 1968); co-wrote Lynn Anderson's "I've Never Loved Anyone More" (#14c 1975)
music producer; actor; movie producer
philanthropist
served in the Air Force
md. 1st to Phyllis Barbour; md. 2nd to Nurit Wilde
see The Monkees

Del Shannon (Charles Weeden Westover)

b. 1934 in Coopersville, MI – d. 8 Feb 1990 in Santa Clara, CA (suicide)
rock/country singer
instrument: guitar
* "Runaway" (#1 1961), "Hats Off to Larry" (#5 1961), "So Long, Baby" (#28 1961), "Hey, Little Girl" (#38 1961), "The Answer to Everything" (1961), "Ginny in the Mirror" (1962), "Little Town Flirt" (#12 1962), "Do You Wanna Dance?" (#43 1964), "Handy Man" (#22 1964), "Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)" (#9 1964), "Stranger in Town" (#30 1965), "Why Don't You Tell Him?" (1965), "Under My Thumb" (1966), "I Wish I Wasn't Me Tonight" (1966), "Magical Musical Box" (1968), "Baby, it's You" (1969), "Sea of Love" (#33 1981), "In My Arms Again" (#56c 1985, he wrote)
songwriter
music producer
he shot himself in the head with a .22 caliber handgun after years of drinking and depression, he had been using Prozac shortly before his suicide
see Del Shannon

December 31

John Rainey Adkins (aka John Rainey)

b. 1941 in Dothan, AL - d. 1989
country/rock singer
instrument: lead guitar
with The Candymen (1964-70), "Deep in the Night" (1967), "Movies in My Mind" (1967), "Georgia Pines" (1967, he co-wrote), "Ways" (1968, he co-wrote), "Sentimental Lady" (1968), "Crowded Room" (1968)
The Candymen were Roy Orbison's backup band (1964-66), "Oh, Pretty Woman" (#1 1964, #89c 1990), "Time Changed Everything" (1966, he co-wrote), and others
founding member of Beaverteeth, "Just Another Local Band" (1977, he co-wrote), "Where Does Love Go (When it Goes Away)?" (1977, he co-wrote)
session musician with B.J. Thomas, and others
songwriter
md. to Oona Neal Whiddon (1966- )

Rex Allen (Rex Elvie Allen aka 'the Arizona Cowboy')

b. 1920/21 near Wilcox, AZ – d. 17 Dec 1999 in Tucson, AZ (accidentally ran over by a car)
country singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle
"Riding Down to Mexico" (1947), "Dreamy Montana Moon" (1947), "Out Where the West Wind Blows" (1947), "My Dear Old Arizona Home" (1947), "Loaded Pistol" (1948), "Afraid" (#14c 1949), "Petal from a Faded Rose" (1949), "Sparrow in the Treetop" (#10c 1951), "Ten More Miles to Go" (1951), "Rack Up the Balls, Boys" (1952), "Crying in the Chapel" (#8, #4c 1953), "Save a Little Corner in Your Heart for Me" (1954), "Wringle Wrangle" (1957), "Forever and Ever" (1959), "Swamp Fox" (1959), "The Little Old Church in the Valley" (1959), "Marines, Let's Go" (#21 1961), "Don't Go Near the Indians" (#17, #4c 1962), "Tear after Tear" (#44 1964), "Rodeo Twist" (1965), "Waltz That Never Ends" (1966), "Tiny Bubbles" (#77 1968)
songwriter
rodeo rider; cowboy actor with his horse Koko; nature films narrator
md. to Bonita Linder (1946- ); father of Rex Allen, Jr.
see Rex Allen on Wikipedia

Ross Barbour

b. 1928 in Columbus, IN
pop singer
founding member of The Four Freshmen (1948-77), "Now You Know" (1951), "It's a Blue World" (#30 1952), "It Happened Once Before" (#29 1953), "Baltimore Oriole" (1953), "Mood Indigo" (#24 1954), "Graduation Day" (#27 1956), "Nights are Longer" (1958), "When I Stop Lovin' You" (1965), "Nowhere to Go" (1966), "Blue World" (1969), "Laughter in the Rain" (1977), "Here's That Rainy Day" (1977), "For Once in My Life" (1977)
younger brother of Don Barbour; cousin of Bob Flannigan
see The Four Freshmen

Pat Brady (Robert Ellsworth O'Brady)

b. 1914 in Toledo, OH - d. 27 Feb 1972 in Green Mountain Falls, CO
country singer
instrument: stand-up bass
with Sons of the Pioneers (1938-44, 1946-49, 1955-67), "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), "Blue Shadows on the Trail" (1959), "Riders in the Sky" (1959)
the Sons of the Pioneers backing Roy Rogers, "Blue Shadows on the Trail" (#6c 1948), "That Palomino Pal of Mine" (1949)
cowboy actor; comedian
served in the Army in WWII (1944-46)

Catherine Britt

b. 1984 in Australia
country singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"46 Miles From Alice" (2002), "The Upside of Being Down" (#36c 2004), "Too Far Gone" (2006), "What I Did Last Night" (#39c 2007), "Little Wildflower" (2007)
duet with Elton John, "Where We Both Say Goodbye" (#38c 2005)
see Catherine Britt

Burton Cummings

b. 1947 in Winnipeg, Canada
rock/blues singer
instruments: keyboards, piano, sax, percussions, flute, harp
"Stand Tall" (#10 1976), "I'm Scared" (#61 1977), "My Own Way to Rock" (#74 1977), "It Takes a Fool to Love Her" (#33c 1979), "You Saved My Soul" (#37 1981)
with The Guess Who (1964-75), "Till We Kissed" (1964), "Shakin' All Over" (#22 1965), "Theme From a Music Box" (1965), "The Clock on the Wall" (1966), "His Girl" (1966), "This Time Long Ago" (1967), "A Wednesday in Your Garden" (1968), "Maple Fudge" (1968), "Pink Wine Sparkles in the Glass" (1968), "These Eyes" (#6 1969, he co-wrote), "Laughing" (#10 1969, he co-wrote), "Undun" (#22 1969), "No Time" (#6 1970, he co-wrote), "American Woman" (#1 1970, he co-wrote), "Hand-Me-Down World" (#17 1970), "Share the Land" (#10 1970, he wrote), "Bus Rider" (1970), "Rain Dance" (#19 1971, he co-wrote), "One Divided" (1971), "Heartbroken Bopper" (#47 1972), "Guns, Guns, Guns" (1972), "Clap for the Wolfman" (#6 1974, he co-wrote), "Star Baby" (#39 1974), "Dancin' Fool" (#28 1975, he co-wrote), "Coors for Sunday" (1975)
The Guess Who was formerly called Chad Allan and the Expressions)
songwriter
see The Guess Who on Wikipedia
see Burton Cummings

John Denver (Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.)

b. 1943 in Roswell, N.M – d. 12 Oct 1997 (plane crash)
country/pop/folk singer
instrument: guitar
"Take Me Home Country Roads" (#2, #50c 1971, he co-wrote), "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado" (1971), "Rocky Mountain High" (#9 1973), "Sunshine on My Shoulders" (#1, #42c 1974, he co-wrote), "Back Home Again" (#5, #1c 1974, he wrote), "Annie's Song" (#1, #9c 1974, he wrote), "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (#1, #1c 1975), "I'm Sorry" (#1, #1c 1975, he wrote), "Sweet Surrender" (#13, #1c 1975), "My Sweet Lady" (#62 1977, he wrote), "Some Days are Diamonds (Some Days are Stone)" (#38, #10c 1981, he wrote), "Wild Flowers in a Mason Jar" (1981), "Dreamland Express" (#9c 1986, he wrote), "Along for the Ride ('56 T-Bird)" (#57c 1986), "The Flower That Shattered the Stone" (1989), "Bread and Roses" (1989)
with The Chad Mitchell Trio (1965-66), "What Kind of Life is That?" (1965), "We Didn't Know" (1965), "For Bobbi" (1965), "Which Hat Shall I Wear?" (1965)
duet with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, "And So it Goes" (#14c 1989)
duet with Emmylou Harris, "Wild Montana Skies" (#14c 1983, he wrote)
duet with Olivia Newton-John, "Fly Away" (#13, #12c 1976, he wrote)
songwriter, wrote Peter, Paul and Mary's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" (#1 1969)
actor
md. to Annie Martell (1967-82); md. 2nd to actress/singer Cassandra Delaney (1988- )
he was piloting the plane that crashed and killed him, he did not have a pilot license as it was withdrawn because of his drinking problem
see the Chad Mitchell Trio
see John Denver

Terry Furlong

b. 1942 in London, England
folk/rock/soul musician, instruments: lead guitar
with the Grass Roots (1969-71), "Bella Linda" (#28 1969), "Walking Through the Country" (#44 1969), * "Heaven Knows" (#24 1969), "I'd Wait a Million Years" (#15 1969), "The River is Wide" (#31 1969), "Come on and Say it" (#61 1970), "Temptation Eyes" (#15 1970), * "Baby, Hold on" (#35 1970), * "Sooner or Later" (#9 1971), "I Can Turn Off the Rain" (1971)
songwriter, wrote Three Dog Night's "My Impersonal Life" (1971)
see The Grass Roots
see Terry Furlong

Herman Harper

b. 1938 in Portland, TN - d. 17 Dec 1993
country/gospel singer (bass)
with The Carol Lee Singers
with The Oak Ridge Quartet (1957-69), "The Mockin' Bird" (1959), "The House of the Lord" (1959)
The Oak Ridge Quartet later became The Oak Ridge Boys
songwriter
music producer

Jeff Johnson (Robert Jeffrey Johnson)

b. 1959 in Nashville, TN
country/rock musician, instrument: bass
founding member of Jason and the Scorchers (1981-87, 1993-97), "I'd Rather Die Young" (1982), "Absolutely Sweet Marie" (1984), "White Lies" (1985), "The Knot is Still Tied" (1985), "Broken Whiskey Glass" (1985), "When it All Comes Crashing Down" (1986), "American Legion Party" (1995), "One More Day of Weekend" (1995), "Uncertain Girl" (1996), "2 + 1 = Nothing" (1996), "Everything Has a Cost" (1996)

Murray Kellum

b. 1942 in Jackson, TN (grew up in Plain, TX) – d. 30 Sep 1990 (plane crash)
country/novelty singer
"Texas Lil" (1964), "Red Ryder" (1964), "Joy to the World" (#26c 1971), "Lovely Lady" (#55c 1974, he co-wrote), "How Long Has it Been (Since They Played Something You Could Dance to)?" (1976)
with Murray Kellum and the Cane Breakers
songwriter, co-wrote Lynn Anderson's "He Turns it in to Love Again" (#13c 1975)
comedian

Dale Noe

b. 1927 in New Boston, OH - d. 2004 in Phoenix, AZ
country musician, instrument: lead guitar
"Heart Full of Blues" (1956), "Walking to School" (1956)
session musician with Wynn Stewart, Jim Reeves, Billy Walker, and others
songwriter, wrote Wynn Stewart's "After the Storm" (#8c 1976), "It's Such a Pretty World Today" (#1c 1967); co-wrote Jim Reeves' "Angels Don't Lie" (#4c 1970), "Missing You" (#8c 1972)

Pete Quaife (Peter Alexander Greenlaw Quaife)

b. 1943 in Devon, England
rock singer
instrument: bass
founding member of The Kinks (1963-69), "You Really Got Me" (#7 1964), "All Day and All of the Night (#7 1965), "Tired of Waiting for You" (#6 1965), "I'm Not Like Everybody Else" (1966), "Sittin' on My Sofa" (1966), "A Well-Respected Man" (#13 1966), "Dedicated to the Followers of Fashion" (#36 1966), "Sunny Afternoon" (#14 1966), "Dead-End Street" (#73 1967), "Phenomenal Cat" (1968), "Brainwashed" (1969), "Victoria" (1969), "Picture Book" (1969)
founding member of Mapleoak (1969-70), "Son of a Gun" (1970), "Hurts Me So Much" (1970)
author; graphic artist
see Pete Quaife on Wikipedia

Van Stoneman (Van Haden Stoneman)

b. 1940 in Washington, D.C. - d. 3 Jun 1995
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, bass, banjo, dobro, keyboards
founding member of The Stonemans (1956- ), "Nobody's Darling But Mine" (1962), "Tupelo County Jail" (#40c 1966), "The Five Little Johnson Girls" (#21c 1966), "Katie Klein" (1967), "Christopher Robin" (#41c 1968), "I'll Be Here in the Morning" (1970)

George Thorogood

b. 1950 in Wilmington, DE
rock/blues musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of The Destroyers (1974- ), "Delaware Slide" (1977, he wrote), "Baby, Please Set a Date" (1978), "In the Night Time" (1979), "Miss Luann" (1982), "Bad to the Bone" (1982), "Gear Jammer" (1985), "What a Price" (1985), "Highway 49" (1988), "Oklahoma Sweetheart" (1991), "Get a Haircut" (1993), "Cops and Robbers" (1993), "Living With the Shades Pulled Down" (1997), "My Dog Can't Bark" (1997), "Be-Bop Grandma" (1999), "Ride Till I Die" (2003), "The Fixer" (2003), "Sweet Little Lady" (2003), "I Didn't Know" (2006, he co-wrote), "Little Rain" (2006), "Drifter's Escape" (2006)
duet with Travis Tritt, "Move it on Over" (#66c 1999)
songwriter
semi-pro baseball player
see George Thorogood and the Destroyers

Wesley Tuttle (Wesley LeRoy Tuttle)

b. 1917 in Lamar, CO (grew up in San Fernando, CA) - d. 29 Sep 2003 in Sylmar, CA (heart failure)
country/Christian singer (tenor), yodeler
instruments: guitar, bass guitar
"With Tears in My Eyes" (#1c 1945), "Detour" (#3c 1946), "I've Loved you Too Long to Forget" (1946, he wrote), "We Live in Two Different Worlds Now" (1946), "I Wish I Had Never Met Sunshine" (#5c 1946), "Tho' I Tried (I Can't Forget You)" (#5c 1946), "Who Do You Spend Your Dreams With?" (1947), "Sign Post" (1963), "Where No One Stands Alone" (1963), "How Great Thou Art" (1966)
duet with Marilyn Tuttle, "Never" (#15c 1954)
session musician with Stuart Hamblin, The Sons of the Pioneers, Merle Travis, and others
songwriter
actor; music director
he plays a right-handed guitar left-handed
md. 2nd to actress/singer, Marilyn Myers (1946- )

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