- Billy Sherrill (Nov. 5, 1936- ) 1995 Inductee (Lifework Award) Alabama Music Hall of Fame. As one of Music City’s most innovative and influential producers, Phil Campbell native Billy Sherrill pioneered the lush, layered “countrypolitan” sound that brought Nashville’s country music industry into the mainstream of popular culture.
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Sherrill, Billy
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Billy Sherrill
(Nov. 5, 1936- )
1995 Inductee (Lifework Award) Alabama Music Hall of Fame
As one of Music City’s most innovative and influential producers, Phil Campbell native Billy Sherrill pioneered the lush, layered “countrypolitan” sound that brought Nashville’s country music industry into the mainstream of popular culture.
Growing up in Franklin County, Sherrill played piano during evangelical tent-meeting revivals preached by his evangelical father. After learning to play saxophone, he teamed up with fellow musician and songwriter Rick Hall to form a rock ’n’ roll and rhythm-and-blues band called The Fairlanes. Sherrill and Hall co-wrote “Sweet and Innocent” for Roy Orbison before moving to the Muscle Shoals area to form a publishing partnership – Florence Alabama Music Enterprises (FAME) – with music enthusiast Tom Stafford above the City Drug Store in downtown Florence.
Sherrill relocated to Nashville in 1960, when he accepted an offer to serve as in-house engineer at the new studio owned by Florence native Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records. He went to work a producer for the Epic Records label in 1963. With a background in pop, rock and R&B rather than country, Sherrill became known as the “Toscanini of Twang” as he added more of a modern, sophisticated musical sensibility to the co-called “Nashville Sound.” Eventually his unconventional country production techniques would include lavish string sections and background vocals. As his success and stature soared, Sherrill often wrote or co-wrote songs for his artists that would suit his particular style of studio production.
For Epic, Sherrill produced David Houston’s Grammy Award-winning No. 1 smash “Almost Persuaded” (which he co-wrote with Glenn Sutton) before signing a fellow Alabama native, former waitress and hairdresser Tammy Wynette. Sherrill produced and co-wrote Wynette’s classic hits “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad” and “I Don’t Wanna Play House” before teaming Houston and Wynette for the smash duet “My Elusive Dreams” (co-written by Sherrill and fellow Alabamian Curly Putman). He also produced Wynette’s signature tunes, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” and “Stand By Your Man” (which he also co-wrote).
Sherrill later signed Barbara Mandrell, George Jones and former Sun artist Charlie Rich to Epic, producing Mandrell’s first Top 40 single, “Playin’ Around With Love,” Jones’ “The Grand Tour,” “A Picture of Me (Without You)” and “The Door” and the two breakthrough hits that would finally establish Rich as a star, “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Most Beautiful Girl” (which Sherrill co-wrote). He also teamed real-life husband-and-wife Jones and Wynette for a series of chart-topping duets – “We’re Gonna Hold On,” “We Loved It Away,” “Golden Ring,” “Southern California,” “Near You” and “Two-Story House” – that reflected the topsy-turvy nature of the singing duo’s marriage during the early to mid-1970s.
Sherrill also produced and co-wrote hits for Tanya Tucker, Joe Stampley, Johnny Paycheck, Marty Robbins, Ronnie Milsap, Johnny Cash, Moe Bandy, Johnny Rodriguez, Janie Fricke, David Allan Coe, Bob Luman and Kenny Rogers and Dottie West. In the early 1980s, he reunited with Jones for the comeback hits “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “I’m Not Ready Yet,” “If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)” and “Same Ole Me.” He also produced Elvis Costello’s 1981 Nashville album, “Almost Blue,” and Ray Charles’ 1984 duets album Friendship, which also featured Jones, Hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard, the Oak Ridge Boys, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. The album climbed to No. 1 on the country albums charts.
Sherrill won his second Grammy Award for Charlie Rich’s No. 1 country hit “A Very Special Love Song” in 1974. With a track record of 26 No. 1 country hits and 50 more Top 10 hits, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter Association International’s Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984. Sherrill won the Alabama Music Hall of Fame’s Music Creator’s Award in 1985, and the Nashville Entertainment Association awarded him its Master Award the following year. He was inducted into the Nashville-based Musicians Hall of Fame in 2008.
Sherrill Says Adios Translation
Chart Songs as a Songwriter
Song Title | Recording Artist | Chart* | Year |
Almost Persuaded | David Houston | 1 | 1966 |
Already It's Heaven | David Houston | 1 | 1968 |
Another Lonely Song | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1974 |
Bedtime Story | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1972 |
Door | George Jones | 1 | 1975 |
Every Time You Touch Me I Get High | Charlie Rich | 1 | 1975 |
Good Lovin' Makes It Right | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1971 |
Have A Little Faith | David Houston | 1 | 1968 |
He Loves Me All The Way | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1970 |
I Don't Wanna Play House | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1967 |
I Love My Friend | Charlie Rich | 1 | 1974 |
I'm A Stand By My Woman Man | Ronnie Milsap | 1 | 1976 |
Kids Say The Darndest Things | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1973 |
Most Beautiful Girl | Charlie Rich | 1 | 1973 |
My Elusive Dreams | David Houston & Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1967 |
My Man | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1972 |
Song Title | Recording Artist | Chart* | Year |
Singing My Song | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1969 |
Soul Song | Joe Stampley | 1 | 1973 |
Stand By Your Man | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1968 |
Take Me To Your World | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1968 |
Til I Can Make It On My Own | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1976 |
Very Special Love Song | Charlie Rich | 1 | 1974 |
Ways To Love A Man | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1969 |
With One Exception | David Houston | 1 | 1967 |
You And Me | Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1976 |
You Mean All The World To Me | David Houston | 1 | 1967 |
Good Things | David Houston | 2 | 1973 |
I'll See Him Through | Tammy Wynette | 2 | 1970 |
Reach Out Your Hand And Touch | Tammy Wynette | 2 | 1972 |
Takin' It Easy | Lacy J. Dalton | 2 | 1981 |
We Sure Can Love Each Other | Tammy Wynette | 2 | 1971 |
Where Love Used To Live | David Houston | 2 | 1968 |
Woman Always Knows | David Houston | 2 | 1971 |
I Do My Swinging At Home | David Houston | 3 | 1970 |
I'm Down To My Last I Love You | David Houston | 3 | 1969 |
Livin' In A House Full Of Love | David Houston | 3 | 1965 |
Losers Cathedral | David Houston | 3 | 1967 |
My Elusive Dreams | Charlie Rich | 3 | 1975 |
Sugar Lips | Al Hirt | 3 | 1964 |
Til I Can Make It On My Own | Kenny Rogers & Dottie West | 3 | 1979 |
Song Title | Recording Artist | Chart* | Year |
Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad | Tammy Wynette | 3 | 1967 |
Hello Mexico And Adios Baby To You | Johnny Duncan | 4 | 1978 |
My Woman's Good To Me | David Houston | 4 | 1969 |
There's A Party Goin' On | Jody Miller | 4 | 1972 |
Woman To Woman | Tammy Wynette | 4 | 1974 |
You Make Me Want To Be A Mother | Tammy Wynette | 4 | 1975 |
Everybody Makes Mistakes | Lacy J. Dalton | 5 | 1982 |
Homecoming | Tom T. Hall | 5 | 1969 |
Southern California | George Jones & Tammy Wynette | 5 | 1977 |
Tonight | Barbara Mandrell | 5 | 1978 |
After Closing Time | David Houston & Barbara Mandrell | 6 | 1970 |
Almost Persuaded | Ben Colder | 6 | 1966 |
Dream On | Righteous Brothers | 6 | 1974 |
Red Wine And Blue Memories | Joe Stampley | 6 | 1978 |
Rock On Baby | Brenda Lee | 6 | 1975 |
The Ceremony | George Jones & Tammy Wynette | 6 | 1972 |
Don't Let Me Touch You | Marty Robbins | 6 | 1977 |
Let's Get Together One Last Time | Tammy Wynette | 6 | 1977 |
One Of A Kind | Tammy Wynette | 6 | 1977 |
We Can Make It | George Jones | 6 | 1972 |
What My Woman Can't Do | George Jones | 6 | 1973 |
Dream On | Oak Ridge Boys | 7 | 1979 |
Friend, Lover, Wife | Johnny Paycheck | 7 | 1978 |
Song Title | Recording Artist | Chart* | Year |
No One Else In The World | Tammy Wynette | 7 | 1979 |
Oh Happy Day | Glen Campbell | 7 | 1970 |
Rings | Tompal/Glaser Brothers | 7 | 1971 |
Sweet And Innocent | Osmonds | 7 | 1971 |
Good News | Jody Miller | 9 | 1973 |
Love Ten Feet Away | Keith Whitley | 9 | 1986 |
Put Your Clothes Back On | Joe Stampley | 9 | 1979 |
Baron | Johnny Cash | 10 | 1981 |
Beautiful Woman | Charlie Rich | 10 | 1978 |
Maiden's Prayer | David Houston | 10 | 1971 |
There's A Song On The Jukebox | David Wills | 10 | 1975 |
Tonight My Baby's Coming Home | Barbara Mandrell | 10 | 1972 |
It's All Over | David Houston & Tammy Wynette | 11 | 1968 |
Too Far Gone | Joe Stampley | 12 | 1973 |
This Time I Almost Made It | Barbara Mandrell | 12 | 1974 |
Slow Down | Lacy J. Dalton | 13 | 1982 |
Too Far Gone | Emmylou Harris | 13 | 1979 |
Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad | Billie Jo Speers | 13 | 1981 |
Where Could I Go But To Her | David Houston | 14 | 1967 |
Baby I Love You So | Joe Stampley | 15 | 1977 |
North Of The Border | Johnny Rodriguez | 17 | 1980 |
Please Don't Play A Love Song | Marty Robbins | 17 | 1978 |
Bring Him Safely Home To Me | Sandy Posey | 18 | 1972 |
Song Title | Recording Artist | Chart* | Year |
Day That Love Walked In | David Houston | 18 | 1972 |
Playin' Around With Love | Barbara Mandrell | 18 | 1970 |
If You Think I Love You Now (I've Just Started) | Jody Miller | 19 | 1971 |
Almost Persuaded | Patti Page | 20 | 1966 |
I Don't Want To Lose You | Con Hunley | 20 | 1980 |
One Last Time | Glen Campbell | 20 | 1972 |
Stand By Your Man | Pattie Page | 20 | 1968 |
America The Beautiful 1976 | Charlie Rich | 22 | 1976 |
I Wish I Had A Mommy Like You | Patti Page | 22 | 1970 |
Proud Of You Baby | Bob Luman | 22 | 1975 |
It's All Over Now | Charlie Rich | 23 | 1975 |
Come On Down To Our Favorite Forget-About-Her Place | David Houston | 24 | 1976 |
Telephone Call | Tina & Daddy | 25 | 1974 |
Balad Of A Hillbilly Singer | Freddy Weller | 26 | 1972 |
Living In A House Full of Love | Gary Allan | 27 | 1997 |
My Elusive Dreams | Bobby Vinton | 27 | 1970 |
Outlaw's Prayer | Johnny Paycheck | 27 | 1979 |
Road Song | Charlie Rich | 27 | 1976 |
Another Lonely Song | Andy Williams | 29 | 1974 |
Home Sweet Home | David Houston | 32 | 1971 |
You're Everything | Tommy Cash | 32 | 1972 |
11 Months And 29 Days | Johnny Paycheck | 34 | 1976 |
He's A Jolly Good Fellow | Charlie Walker | 39 | 1966 |
I Don't Wanna Play House | Connie Francis | 40 | 1968 |
*Chart position is based on Billboard Magazine Pop, Country, R&B, & A/C Charts. Other music industry charts may have shown higher chart positions.
Phil Campbell native Billy Sherrill entered the music business as a performer moving on to become a session musician, engineer, producer, and record executive. It was through his work as a songwriter and producer that he gained industry immortality. Sherrill is known for his lavish orchestrated productions, while maintaining the country music instruments. This sound, dubbed 'Countrypolitan', expanded the base for Country music by creating a crossover to the Pop market. The tide of hits began when he co-wrote and produced David Houston's number one hit, 'Almost Persuaded' in 1966. It was Sherrill who discovered Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Janie Frickie, and Lacy J. Dalton. In 1968 he co-wrote and produced 'Stand By Your Man' with Tammy Wynette. He produced hit recordings for others such as George Jones, Charlie Rich, Marty Robbins, Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Cash, David Allen Coe, and Elvis Costello. As a songwriter Sherrill holds the record for winning the most awards in the history of BMI, and has earned more than 50 number one hits and dozens of gold and platinum records. Billy Sherrill is the 1995 Lifework Award for Non-Performing Achievement recipient.
Sherrill Says Adios Letra
Phil Campbell native Billy Sherrill gained industry immortality for his work as a songwriter and producer. Known for his lavish orchestrated productions, dubbed 'Countrypolitan', Sherrill expanded the base for Country music, allowing for a crossover to the Pop market. He co-wrote and produced David Houston's number one hit, 'Almost Persuaded' in 1966. It was Sherrill who discovered Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Janie Frickie, and Lacy J. Dalton. In 1968 he co-wrote and produced 'Stand By Your Man' with Tammy Wynette. He produced hit recordings for others such as George Jones, Charlie Rich, Marty Robbins, Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Cash, David Allen Coe, and Elvis Costello. As a writer Sherrill has won the most awards in the history of BMI, earning more than 50 number one hits and as a producer, dozens of gold and platinum records. Billy Sherrill is the 1995 Lifework Award for Non-Performing Achievement recipient.
Career Milestones
1959: 1st Published Song - 'Your Sweet Love' recorded by Bob Beckham
1959: Signed with Tree Publishing
1963-65: Became a Producer at Epic Records
1966: Became Executive Producer at Epic Records
1966: 1st Number One Song - 'Almost Persuaded' recorded by David Houston
1968: Appointed Director A&R Columbia and Epic Records, Nashville
1974: Best Country Song - NARAS - 'A Very Special Love Song'
1984: Induction to Nashville Songwriters Assoc. International Hall of Fame (NSAI)
1985: Alabama Music Hall of Fame Music Creators Award
1986: Masters Award - NARAS
1995: Induction to Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Source: Alabama Music Hall of Fame
More info: Billy Sherrill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Filmography: Billy Sherrill - IMDb
Facebook: Billy Sherrill (30)
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