Billy Sherrill
Encyclopedia
Billy Sherrill is a record producer and arranger who is most famous for his association with a number of country artists, most notably Tammy Wynette
. Sherrill and business partner Glenn Sutton
are regarded as the defining influences of the countrypolitan sound, a smooth amalgamation of pop and country music that was hugely popular during the late 1960s and throughout the '70s. On February 23, 2010 Sherrill was selected for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with Don Williams, Ferlin Husky, and Jimmy Dean. The actual induction will be held later in the year.
, where he was initially was hired by Sam Phillips
to manage the Nashville studios of Sun Records
. When Sun sold its Nashville studio the following year, Sherrill moved to Epic Records
, as an in-house producer. Given his limited exposure to country music up to that point, his production incorporated many elements of pop music production. (His sound has often been described as a country equivalent to Phil Spector
's Wall of Sound
.) His first success was with country artist David Houston
. Houston's recording of Sherrill's and Glenn Sutton
's composition "Almost Persuaded
" spent nine weeks at the top of the U.S. country charts in late 1965 and into early 1966.
".
was not even officially over in 1971 but a desire between both Jones and his then-wife, Tammy Wynette, to record together led to a buy-out of Jones' current contract with Musicor. Soon after, George and Tammy began recording together with Sherrill as the producer. Sherrill often played double duty as a songwriter usually in tandem with Norro Wilson
and George Richey
. Richey would become the future husband of Wynette. The success that Sherrill had with Jones proved to be his most enduring. Although Billboard
chart statistics show that Sherrill had his biggest commercial successes with artists like Wynette as well as Charlie Rich
, with Jones, Sherrill had his most enduring and longest-lasting association. Sherrill, once he vacated as the head of CBS/Epic, continued to produce the recording sessions of George Jones throughout the 1980s. Sherrill appears in the music video of "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes", a 1985 George Jones classic, acting as the bus-driver. In total, Billy Sherrill is credited as George Jones record producer for 19 years, 1971-1990. All of the majestic, stellar recordings from Jones during that time period were under Billy Sherrill's control. Sherrill is responsible for the recordings of George and Tammy having a soap opera feel. He purposely found, wrote, or co-wrote material that seemed to mirror the two artist's off-stage life together. If the couple was going through a bad time you could be sure that either artist would have out a heartbreak ballad. If the couple were in wedded bliss you'd hear joyous recordings.
" which hit #1 for Jones in 1974. The song is about a man inviting the listeners to walk through a house with him as he tells about a divorce that took place. The woman left just about everything in the house except a couple of critical items we are told at song's end. When their divorce became final in early 1975 the appropriate songs by Jones released at the time were "These Days I Barely Get By", "Memories of Us
", "I Just Don't Give a Damn". Wynette on the other hand had a huge hit during that time period with "'Til I Can Make It On My Own
". The duo continued to record through 1976, enjoying several more Top-10 and #1 hits together such as "Golden Ring", "Southern California
", and "Near You
" but the duo stopped recording together after the 1976 sessions and would not team up in the studio again until 1979/1980 with their final hit song being, at the time, 1980's "Two Story House
". Afterward they never recorded together or rarely appeared together for the next 14 years...embarking on a reunion tour in 1995 in support of their first duet album together in 15 years, One
.
In 1991 when George left for MCA Records
and recorded under the production of Kyle Lehning
it marked the first time in 20 years that someone other than Billy Sherrill was in the control booth. Leghning became only the third record producer of George Jones. Pappy Daily
produced all of George's recordings during 1954-1971 and then Billy Sherrill took over the role for the next 19 years. During Jones' stay at MCA almost every album would feature a different producer. Norro Wilson and Buddy Cannon
show up more often during the MCA years as Jones' record producers.
. Rich had been a marginally successful performer of blues and early rock and roll, scoring a minor hit with the tune "Lonely Weekends", but it was his early 1970s work with Sherrill, particularly the country-politan hits "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", that brought Rich to national prominence. Along with songwriter Norro Wilson
, Sherrill won a Grammy Award
in 1975 for Best Country Song
for Rich's version of the song "A Very Special Love Song
".
Other artists with whom Sherrill has worked include Shelby Lynne
, Marty Robbins
, Ray Charles
, Elvis Costello
, Johnny Paycheck
, Tanya Tucker
, Johnny Cash
, Janie Fricke
, Barbara Mandrell
, Lacy J. Dalton
, Ray Conniff
, Bob Luman
, Johnny Duncan
, Jim and Jesse, Jody Miller
, Joe Stampley
, Charlie Walker
, Johnny Duncan
, Barbara Fairchild
, Andy Williams
, Cliff Richard
("The Minute You're Gone
") and David Allan Coe
.
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
. Sherrill and business partner Glenn Sutton
Glenn Sutton
Glenn Sutton was a country music songwriter and producer. Born Royce Glenn Sutton in Hodge, Louisiana, he was one of two chief architects of the countrypolitan sound .Sutton wrote or co-wrote many of Tammy Wynette's early hits including, "You're Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad",...
are regarded as the defining influences of the countrypolitan sound, a smooth amalgamation of pop and country music that was hugely popular during the late 1960s and throughout the '70s. On February 23, 2010 Sherrill was selected for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with Don Williams, Ferlin Husky, and Jimmy Dean. The actual induction will be held later in the year.
Early Years
Born in rural Alabama, Sherrill became initially interested in music, particularly jazz and blues, learning to play the saxophone. During his teenage years, he led a blues band, and later signed a solo record deal, though this led to little success.Early career
In 1962, Sherrill moved to NashvilleNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, where he was initially was hired by Sam Phillips
Sam Phillips
Samuel Cornelius Phillips , better known as Sam Phillips, was an American businessman, record executive, record producer and DJ who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s...
to manage the Nashville studios of Sun Records
Sun Records
Sun Records is a record label founded in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27, 1952.Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley , Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash...
. When Sun sold its Nashville studio the following year, Sherrill moved to Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, as an in-house producer. Given his limited exposure to country music up to that point, his production incorporated many elements of pop music production. (His sound has often been described as a country equivalent to Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
's Wall of Sound
Wall of Sound
The Wall of Sound is a music production technique for pop and rock music recordings developed by record producer Phil Spector at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, California, during the early 1960s...
.) His first success was with country artist David Houston
David Houston (singer)
Charles David Houston was an American country music singer. His peak in popularity came between the mid-1960s through the early 1970s.-Biography:...
. Houston's recording of Sherrill's and Glenn Sutton
Glenn Sutton
Glenn Sutton was a country music songwriter and producer. Born Royce Glenn Sutton in Hodge, Louisiana, he was one of two chief architects of the countrypolitan sound .Sutton wrote or co-wrote many of Tammy Wynette's early hits including, "You're Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad",...
's composition "Almost Persuaded
Almost Persuaded
"Almost Persuaded" is a song written by Glenn Sutton and Muscle Shoals songwriter Billy Sherrill and first recorded by David Houston in 1966. It is not to be confused with the Christian hymn of the same name....
" spent nine weeks at the top of the U.S. country charts in late 1965 and into early 1966.
Tammy Wynette
His association with Wynette began in 1966, when the then-unknown performer auditioned for him. He signed Wynette to Epic, and involved himself in nearly every aspect of the aspiring singer's career, helping her choose her stage name (Sherrill felt her name at the time, Wynette Byrd, would not lend itself to a successful recording career, and suggested she adopt the name "Tammy"), and helping her to develop her stage persona. In 1968, Sherrill co-wrote with Wynette her most famous hit, "Stand By Your ManStand By Your Man
"Stand by Your Man" is a song co-written by Tammy Wynette and Billy Sherrill and originally recorded by Tammy Wynette, released as a single in September 1968 in the USA...
".
Influences on other Partnerships
By 1971 George Jones had arrived at Epic Records. In fact, Jones' recording contract with Musicor RecordsMusicor Records
Musicor Records was a New York City based record label, active during the 1960s and 1970s. The label was founded by songwriter Aaron Schroeder and distributed by United Artists Records...
was not even officially over in 1971 but a desire between both Jones and his then-wife, Tammy Wynette, to record together led to a buy-out of Jones' current contract with Musicor. Soon after, George and Tammy began recording together with Sherrill as the producer. Sherrill often played double duty as a songwriter usually in tandem with Norro Wilson
Norro Wilson
Norris "Norro" Wilson is an American country music singer, songwriter and producer, and member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame....
and George Richey
George Richey
George Richey, born George Baker Richardson, was an American songwriter and record producer. He was married to country singer Tammy Wynette from 1978 until her death in 1998, they had no children together. He married television producer, Sheila Slaughter in 2001 until his death 2010, they had one...
. Richey would become the future husband of Wynette. The success that Sherrill had with Jones proved to be his most enduring. Although Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
chart statistics show that Sherrill had his biggest commercial successes with artists like Wynette as well as Charlie Rich
Charlie Rich
Charles Rich was an American country music singer and musician. A Grammy Award winner, his eclectic-style of music was often hard to classify in a single genre, playing in the rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, and gospel genres.In the latter part of his life, Rich acquired the nickname The Silver...
, with Jones, Sherrill had his most enduring and longest-lasting association. Sherrill, once he vacated as the head of CBS/Epic, continued to produce the recording sessions of George Jones throughout the 1980s. Sherrill appears in the music video of "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes", a 1985 George Jones classic, acting as the bus-driver. In total, Billy Sherrill is credited as George Jones record producer for 19 years, 1971-1990. All of the majestic, stellar recordings from Jones during that time period were under Billy Sherrill's control. Sherrill is responsible for the recordings of George and Tammy having a soap opera feel. He purposely found, wrote, or co-wrote material that seemed to mirror the two artist's off-stage life together. If the couple was going through a bad time you could be sure that either artist would have out a heartbreak ballad. If the couple were in wedded bliss you'd hear joyous recordings.
Influences on Charts
When news surfaced that the couple were in divorce proceedings, which would eventually last quite a few months, the song that capitalized on this the most was "The Grand TourThe Grand Tour (song)
"The Grand Tour" is a song made famous by country music singer George Jones. Originally released in 1974, the song was the title track to his album released that year.The song became Jones' sixth No...
" which hit #1 for Jones in 1974. The song is about a man inviting the listeners to walk through a house with him as he tells about a divorce that took place. The woman left just about everything in the house except a couple of critical items we are told at song's end. When their divorce became final in early 1975 the appropriate songs by Jones released at the time were "These Days I Barely Get By", "Memories of Us
Memories of Us
Memories of Us is an album by American country music artist George Jones. This album was released in 1975 on the Epic Records label...
", "I Just Don't Give a Damn". Wynette on the other hand had a huge hit during that time period with "'Til I Can Make It On My Own
'Til I Can Make It on My Own
"Til I Can Make It on My Own" is a 1976 single by Tammy Wynette. "'Til I Can Make It on My Own" would be Tammy Wynette's fifteenth number one on the country charts. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of eleven weeks on the country charts. Kenny Rogers and Dottie West...
". The duo continued to record through 1976, enjoying several more Top-10 and #1 hits together such as "Golden Ring", "Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
", and "Near You
Near You
"Near You" is a popular song written by Francis Craig with lyrics by Kermit Goell. The song was published in 1947.The recording by Francis Craig was released by Bullet Records as catalog number 1001. It first reached the Billboard Best Sellers chart on August 30, 1947, and lasted 21 weeks on the...
" but the duo stopped recording together after the 1976 sessions and would not team up in the studio again until 1979/1980 with their final hit song being, at the time, 1980's "Two Story House
Two Story House
"Two Story House" is a single by American country music artists George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Released in February 1980, it was the first single from their album Together Again. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.-Chart...
". Afterward they never recorded together or rarely appeared together for the next 14 years...embarking on a reunion tour in 1995 in support of their first duet album together in 15 years, One
One (George Jones and Tammy Wynette album)
One is an album by American country music artists George Jones and Tammy Wynette. This album was released on June 20, 1995 on the MCA Nashville Records label. It was Jones and Wynette's first album together in 15 years; it would also turn out to be their last album together...
.
In 1991 when George left for MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
and recorded under the production of Kyle Lehning
Kyle Lehning
Kyle Lehning is an American record producer whose work is mainly in the field of country music. He has produced virtually every album released by Randy Travis, who describes their partnership "an interesting relationship." The only exceptions are Travis' 1993 album Wind in the Wire, which was...
it marked the first time in 20 years that someone other than Billy Sherrill was in the control booth. Leghning became only the third record producer of George Jones. Pappy Daily
Pappy Daily
Harold W. Daily , better known as "Pappy" Daily, was an American country music record producer and entrepreneur who cofounded the Texas-based record label Starday Records...
produced all of George's recordings during 1954-1971 and then Billy Sherrill took over the role for the next 19 years. During Jones' stay at MCA almost every album would feature a different producer. Norro Wilson and Buddy Cannon
Buddy Cannon
Buddy Cannon is an American country music songwriter and record producer. Active since the late 1970s, he is known primarily for his work as Kenny Chesney's record producer, for which he won the Academy of Country Music's Producer of the Year award in 2006.Along with Bill Anderson and Jamey...
show up more often during the MCA years as Jones' record producers.
Other Artists
Another artist who benefited greatly from his association with Sherrill was Charlie RichCharlie Rich
Charles Rich was an American country music singer and musician. A Grammy Award winner, his eclectic-style of music was often hard to classify in a single genre, playing in the rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, and gospel genres.In the latter part of his life, Rich acquired the nickname The Silver...
. Rich had been a marginally successful performer of blues and early rock and roll, scoring a minor hit with the tune "Lonely Weekends", but it was his early 1970s work with Sherrill, particularly the country-politan hits "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", that brought Rich to national prominence. Along with songwriter Norro Wilson
Norro Wilson
Norris "Norro" Wilson is an American country music singer, songwriter and producer, and member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame....
, Sherrill won a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 1975 for Best Country Song
Grammy Award for Best Country Song
The Grammy Award for Best Country Song has been awarded since 1965. The award is given to the writer of the song.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...
for Rich's version of the song "A Very Special Love Song
A Very Special Love Song
"A Very Special Love Song" is the title of a 1974 song by country music singer Charlie Rich. The song was written by Billy Sherrill and Norro Wilson, songwriters who had also written Rich's 1973 hit, "The Most Beautiful Girl"...
".
Other artists with whom Sherrill has worked include Shelby Lynne
Shelby Lynne
Shelby Lynne is an American singer, songwriter and actress. The success of the 1999 album I Am Shelby Lynne led to her winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, even though she had been active in the music industry for some time...
, Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist...
, Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Paycheck was the legal name of Donald Eugene Lytle , a country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member most famous for recording the David Allan Coe song "Take This Job and Shove It"...
, Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker
Tanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, Janie Fricke
Janie Fricke
Janie Fricke is an American country music singer, best remembered for a series of country music hits in the early to mid 1980s....
, Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Ann Mandrell is an American country music singer best known for a 1970s–1980s series of Top 10 hits and TV shows that helped her become one of country's most successful female vocalists of the 1970s and 1980s...
, Lacy J. Dalton
Lacy J. Dalton
Lacy J. Dalton , is an American country and western singer and songwriter, known for her gritty, powerful vocals, which a number of critics likened to a country equivalent to Bonnie Raitt . She had a number of hits in the 1980s, including "Takin' It Easy," "Crazy Blue Eyes" and "16th Avenue." ...
, Ray Conniff
Ray Conniff
Joseph Raymond Conniff was an American bandleader and arranger best known for his Ray Conniff Singers during the 1960s.-Biography:...
, Bob Luman
Bob Luman
Bob Luman was an American country and rockabilly singer.-Early life and career:...
, Johnny Duncan
Johnny Duncan
Johnny Duncan was an American skiffle star. He was born in the Windrock coal mining camp overlooking the town of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, and became a British skiffle star in 1957 with the hit record "Last Train to San Fernando",-Brief biography:Johnny Duncan entered the United States Army and...
, Jim and Jesse, Jody Miller
Jody Miller
Jody Brooks is an American country music singer. Born as Myrna Joy Miller, she was born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in Oklahoma.-Career:...
, Joe Stampley
Joe Stampley
Joe Stampley is an American country music singer.-Biography:He was born to R.C. Stampley, Jr. , and Mary E. Stampley...
, Charlie Walker
Charlie Walker (musician)
Charlie Walker was an American country musician born in Copeville, Texas. He held membership in the Grand Ole Opry from 1967, and was inducted into the Country Radio DJ Hall of Fame in 1981.- Career :...
, Johnny Duncan
Johnny Duncan
Johnny Duncan was an American skiffle star. He was born in the Windrock coal mining camp overlooking the town of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, and became a British skiffle star in 1957 with the hit record "Last Train to San Fernando",-Brief biography:Johnny Duncan entered the United States Army and...
, Barbara Fairchild
Barbara Fairchild
Barbara Fairchild is an American Country Music/Gospel Music Singer, who is best known for her 1973 Country chart-topper "The Teddy Bear Song". After the success of the song, she continued to have success on the Country charts....
, Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
, Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
("The Minute You're Gone
The Minute You're Gone
"The Minute You're Gone" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard that spent a week at number one in the UK Singles Chart in April 1965.It was produced by Billy Sherrill,rather than Richard's regular producer Norrie Paramor, and featured The Jordanaires on backing vocals...
") and David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his career...
.
External links
- http://www.alamhof.org/billysherrill.html
- http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/fame/sherrill.html
- http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=669073&TMPL=LONG#bio