Bobby Pinson
Encyclopedia
Bobby Olen Pinson is an American country music
artist. Signed to RCA Records
in 2005, Pinson made his debut that year with his album Man Like Me
. Its lead-off single, "Don't Ask Me How I Know", peaked at #16 on the Hot Country Songs
charts, and was his only Top 40 country hit. Two more albums, I Mean Business and Songs for Somebody, followed in late 2005 and 2007, respectively. He has also written several singles for other artists, including four Number One hits for Sugarland and one for Toby Keith
.
but raised in the Panhandle, Texas
. Influenced by poet and songwriter Shel Silverstein
, Pinson began entering writing and storytelling contests, and by high school, he began writing songs as well, citing Johnny Cash
, Bruce Springsteen
and Steve Earle
as influences. Because his father was a football coach, Pinson was moved throughout the state of Texas, and played football himself in high school.
After graduating from Claremore High School in Oklahoma, Pinson served in the United States Army
, in which he served for three years. While in the Army, he founded a band which began playing at local venues in California
. In California, he met songwriters Larry Boone
and Paul Nelson, who suggested that he move to Nashville, Tennessee
, which he did in 1996. Pinson worked several odd jobs in Nashville, including delivering phone books and loading railroad ties for the Santa Fe Railroad.
, Marty Stuart
and LeAnn Rimes
. His first single release as a songwriter was Tracy Lawrence
's 2000 single "Unforgiven", and three years later, McHayes
(a duo composed of Wade Hayes
and Mark McClurg) charted with "It Doesn't Mean I Don't Love You", which Pinson co-wrote with Trent Willmon
. Pinson also co-wrote Marty Stuart
's 2003 single "If There Ain't, There Ought'a Be", and Willmon later charted with one of Pinson's songs, "The Good Life", in early 2005 from his self-titled debut album
.
After playing at several artist and songwriter showcases, Pinson was discovered by producer Joe Scaife, who helped him sign to a contract with RCA Records
Nashville. His debut single, "Don't Ask Me How I Know", charted in early 2005 and reached a peak of #16 on the Billboard
country charts. This was the first single from his debut album Man Like Me
. The album's second single, "Way Down", peaked at #58, and by the end of 2005, Pinson exited RCA's roster. He did, however, re-release an independent album originally recorded in 1994 called I Mean Business.
Despite the loss of his record deal, Pinson continued to write songs for other singers. Lawrence charted another Pinson co-write, "If I Don't Make It Back", in 2006. His first Number One as a songwriter came in late 2006, when Sugarland topped the Billboard country charts with "Want To
", which he co-wrote with the duo's members, Kristian Bush
and Jennifer Nettles
. Trent Tomlinson
also released a Pinson co-write, "One Wing in the Fire
", in late 2006. He released a third album, Songs for Somebody, in 2007 on an independent label. This album included his own rendition of "If I Don't Make It Back". That same year, two more songs that he co-wrote entered the charts: "What I Did Last Night" by Catherine Britt
and "We Weren't Crazy
" by Josh Gracin
.
In 2008, Pinson also began writing for Toby Keith
, including the singles "She's a Hottie
", "She Never Cried in Front of Me
", and "Lost You Anyway
". The latter two were released from Keith's 2008 album That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy
, on which all but three songs were co-written by Keith and Pinson. He also has several cuts on Sugarland's 2008 album Love on the Inside
, including its first three singles: "All I Want to Do
", "Already Gone
" and "It Happens
", all of which were also Number One hits. Pinson and Terry McBride
also co-wrote Brooks & Dunn
's 2009 single "Honky Tonk Stomp
."
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist. Signed to RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in 2005, Pinson made his debut that year with his album Man Like Me
Man Like Me
Man Like Me is the debut album by American country music artist Bobby Pinson. It was released in 2005 by RCA Nashville and peaked at #23 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart...
. Its lead-off single, "Don't Ask Me How I Know", peaked at #16 on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts, and was his only Top 40 country hit. Two more albums, I Mean Business and Songs for Somebody, followed in late 2005 and 2007, respectively. He has also written several singles for other artists, including four Number One hits for Sugarland and one for Toby Keith
Toby Keith
Toby Keith Covel , best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. Keith released his first four studio albums — 1993's Toby Keith, 1994's Boomtown, 1996's Blue Moon and 1997's Dream Walkin, plus a Greatest Hits package for various divisions of...
.
Biography
Bobby Pinson was born in Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
but raised in the Panhandle, Texas
Panhandle, Texas
Panhandle is a town in Carson County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,589 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carson County. Panhandle is part of the Amarillo, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Influenced by poet and songwriter Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein
Sheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
, Pinson began entering writing and storytelling contests, and by high school, he began writing songs as well, citing 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...
, Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
and Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Stephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
as influences. Because his father was a football coach, Pinson was moved throughout the state of Texas, and played football himself in high school.
After graduating from Claremore High School in Oklahoma, Pinson served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, in which he served for three years. While in the Army, he founded a band which began playing at local venues in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In California, he met songwriters Larry Boone
Larry Boone
Larry Eugene Boone is an American country music artist. Between 1985 and 1993, Boone recorded five major label studio albums, in addition to charting several singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts. His highest-charting single, "Don't Give Candy to a Stranger", reached #10 in 1988...
and Paul Nelson, who suggested that he move to Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, 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...
, which he did in 1996. Pinson worked several odd jobs in Nashville, including delivering phone books and loading railroad ties for the Santa Fe Railroad.
Musical career
By 1999, he was signed to a publishing contract with Sony/ATV Music. Artists who recorded his material included Blake SheltonBlake Shelton
Blake Tollison Shelton is an American country music artist. In 2001, he made his debut with the single "Austin". Released as the lead-off single from his self-titled debut album, "Austin" went on to spend five weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts...
, Marty Stuart
Marty Stuart
John Martin "Marty" Stuart is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music...
and LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes is an American country/pop singer. She is known for her rich vocals and her rise to fame as an eight-year-old champion on the original Ed McMahon version of Star Search, followed by the release of the Patsy Cline-intended single "Blue" when Rimes was only age 13, resulting in her...
. His first single release as a songwriter was Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence is an American country music artist. He started at a country music restaurant called "Live At Libby's" where owner Libby Knight would help local talent find their way into country music...
's 2000 single "Unforgiven", and three years later, McHayes
McHayes
McHayes was an American country music duo established in 2003 by Wade Hayes , along with musician Mark McClurg . Prior to the duo's foundation, Hayes was a solo artist, and McClurg was a member of Alan Jackson's road band, The Strayhorns...
(a duo composed of Wade Hayes
Wade Hayes
Tony Wade Hayes is an American country music artist. Signed to Columbia Records in 1994, he made his debut that year with his gold-certified album Old Enough to Know Better...
and Mark McClurg) charted with "It Doesn't Mean I Don't Love You", which Pinson co-wrote with Trent Willmon
Trent Willmon
Trent Willmon is an American country music artist. Active since 1998 as a songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee, Willmon was signed to Columbia Records in 2004. He released two albums for the label and charted six singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts before exiting Columbia in 2006...
. Pinson also co-wrote Marty Stuart
Marty Stuart
John Martin "Marty" Stuart is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music...
's 2003 single "If There Ain't, There Ought'a Be", and Willmon later charted with one of Pinson's songs, "The Good Life", in early 2005 from his self-titled debut album
Trent Willmon (album)
Trent Willmon is the eponymous debut album from American country music artist Trent Willmon. Released in 2004 on Columbia Records Nashville, it features the singles "Beer Man", "Dixie Rose Deluxe's Honky-Tonk, Feed Store, Gun Shop, Used Car, Beer, Bait, BBQ, Barber Shop, Laundromat", "Home Sweet...
.
After playing at several artist and songwriter showcases, Pinson was discovered by producer Joe Scaife, who helped him sign to a contract with RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
Nashville. His debut single, "Don't Ask Me How I Know", charted in early 2005 and reached a peak of #16 on the 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...
country charts. This was the first single from his debut album Man Like Me
Man Like Me
Man Like Me is the debut album by American country music artist Bobby Pinson. It was released in 2005 by RCA Nashville and peaked at #23 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart...
. The album's second single, "Way Down", peaked at #58, and by the end of 2005, Pinson exited RCA's roster. He did, however, re-release an independent album originally recorded in 1994 called I Mean Business.
Despite the loss of his record deal, Pinson continued to write songs for other singers. Lawrence charted another Pinson co-write, "If I Don't Make It Back", in 2006. His first Number One as a songwriter came in late 2006, when Sugarland topped the Billboard country charts with "Want To
Want To
"Want To" is a song by country music duo Sugarland. Their first release not to feature former member Kristen Hall, although Jennifer Nettles had previously been featured on Bon Jovi's Number One country hit, "Who Says You Can't Go Home", the song was also the first regular Number One hit of...
", which he co-wrote with the duo's members, Kristian Bush
Kristian Bush
Kristian Merrill Bush is an American folk rock and country musician. From 1990 to 2001, Kristian was a member of the folk rock duo Billy Pilgrim along with Andrew Hyra...
and Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles is an American country music artist. She is known primarily for her role as lead vocalist of the duo Sugarland alongside Kristian Bush. Before Sugarland's inception, she also fronted Atlanta, Georgia-based bands called Soul Miner's Daughter and Jennifer Nettles Band...
. Trent Tomlinson
Trent Tomlinson
Trent Tomlinson is an American country music artist. After several failed attempts at finding a record deal, Tomlinson was signed to Lyric Street Records in 2005, with his debut album Country Is My Rock, released in early 2006. This album produced three Top 40 singles on the U.S...
also released a Pinson co-write, "One Wing in the Fire
One Wing in the Fire
"One Wing in the Fire" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Trent Tomlinson. It is a ballad dedicated to Trent's father, Don. The song was released in May 2006 as the second single from Tomlinson's debut album Country Is My Rock, and reached a peak of...
", in late 2006. He released a third album, Songs for Somebody, in 2007 on an independent label. This album included his own rendition of "If I Don't Make It Back". That same year, two more songs that he co-wrote entered the charts: "What I Did Last Night" by Catherine Britt
Catherine Britt
Catherine Britt is a country music artist who has had success in both her native Australia and in the United States. She was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, United States in 2004...
and "We Weren't Crazy
We Weren't Crazy (song)
"We Weren't Crazy" is a single by American country music artist Josh Gracin. It is the third single released from his second album, also titled We Weren't Crazy...
" by Josh Gracin
Josh Gracin
Joshua Mario "Josh" Gracin is a country music singer. A former member of the United States Marine Corps, he first gained public attention as the fourth-place finalist on the second season of the Fox Networks talent competition American Idol.After his elimination from the show, Gracin completed his...
.
In 2008, Pinson also began writing for Toby Keith
Toby Keith
Toby Keith Covel , best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. Keith released his first four studio albums — 1993's Toby Keith, 1994's Boomtown, 1996's Blue Moon and 1997's Dream Walkin, plus a Greatest Hits package for various divisions of...
, including the singles "She's a Hottie
She's a Hottie
"She's a Hottie" is a single co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was the only new track on his 2008 compilation album 35 Biggest Hits, and was released as a single on March 4, 2008. Keith wrote the song along with Bobby Pinson.-Content:The song is up-tempo, based...
", "She Never Cried in Front of Me
She Never Cried in Front of Me
"She Never Cried in Front of Me" is a single by American country music singer Toby Keith co-written by him and Bobby Pinson. It was released in July 2008 as the first single for his studio album, That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy, released on October 28...
", and "Lost You Anyway
Lost You Anyway
"Lost You Anyway" is the title of a country music song recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. Co-written by Keith and Bobby Pinson, it is the third and final single from Keith's 2008 album That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy, and the 46th single release of his career...
". The latter two were released from Keith's 2008 album That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy
That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy
That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy is the twelfth studio release from American country music artist Toby Keith. The album was released October 28, 2008 on Show Dog Nashville, Keith's own label, and was produced by Keith himself. He wrote or co-wrote all the songs on this album, collaborating with Bobby...
, on which all but three songs were co-written by Keith and Pinson. He also has several cuts on Sugarland's 2008 album Love on the Inside
Love on the Inside
Love on the Inside is the third album by the American country music duo Sugarland, released in 2008 on Mercury Nashville Records. It was first released on July 22, 2008 as a Deluxe Fan Edition, including five bonus tracks, with the regular edition following one week later...
, including its first three singles: "All I Want to Do
All I Want to Do
"All I Want to Do" is a song written by Dennis Wilson and Steve Kalinich. It was recorded by American rock band The Beach Boys for their 1969 album 20/20. It was later released as the b-side to "I Can Hear Music", a single which charted at #24 in the U.S...
", "Already Gone
Already Gone (Sugarland song)
"Already Gone" is a single by American country music duo Sugarland. It is the second single released from their third album, titled Love on the Inside, which was released on July 29, 2008...
" and "It Happens
It Happens
"It Happens" is the title of a song recorded by the American country music duo Sugarland. It is the third single from their third album, 2008's Love on the Inside...
", all of which were also Number One hits. Pinson and Terry McBride
Terry McBride (musician)
Terry McBride is an American country music artist. Between 1989 and 1994, and again from 2000 to 2002, McBride was the lead vocalist and bass guitarist in the band McBride & the Ride, a country music group which recorded six studio albums and charted more than ten singles on the Billboard Hot...
also co-wrote Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who were both vocalists and songwriters. They were paired by record producer Tim DuBois in 1990. Before the duo's foundation, both members of the duo were solo recording artists...
's 2009 single "Honky Tonk Stomp
Honky Tonk Stomp
"Honky Tonk Stomp" is the title of a song recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was written by duo member Ronnie Dunn along with Terry McBride and Bobby Pinson. It is the 50th overall single for the duo, the second and final single from their greatest hits package #1s… and Then...
."
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
||
| Man Like Me Man Like Me Man Like Me is the debut album by American country music artist Bobby Pinson. It was released in 2005 by RCA Nashville and peaked at #23 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart... |
|
23 | 108 | 1 |
| I Mean Business |
|
— | — | — |
| Songs for Somebody |
|
— | — | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|||
| 2005 | "Don't Ask Me How I Know" | 16 | 88 | Man Like Me |
| "Way Down" | 58 | — | ||
| 2007 | "Past Comin' Back" | — | — | Songs for Somebody |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Don't Ask Me How I Know" | David McClister |