George Richey
Encyclopedia
George Richey, born George Baker Richardson, (November 30, 1935 – July 31, 2010) 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 daughter. Tim McGraw sang at their intimate wedding outside of Nashville.
Richey was a mainstay of the Nashville country music
community since the 1960s through his songwriting and record production. Head of Columbia records. In the 1970s, he wrote many major hits for future wife Tammy Wynette and Wynette's then-husband, George Jones, including Jones' "A Picture of Me (Without You)
" and "The Grand Tour," and Wynette's "'Til I Can Make It On My Own
" and "You and Me
", among many other artists.
Richey served as the musical director for the television show Hee Haw
from 1970 to 1977. Upon marrying Wynette, Richey served as Wynette's manager during the 1980s.
George retreated from public life after marrying Sheila Slaughter, a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and successful television producer and host. In the end, he became a social media advocate with his highly popular Facebook page "DON'T SMOKE, DON'T SMOKE, DON'T SMOKE, IT WILL DESTROY YOUR LIFE".
Richey died peacefully on July 31, 2010, following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. His death came without publicity and there was no public memorial, per his request. He was buried peacefully in Nashville near Wynette.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. He was married to country singer Tammy Wynette
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....
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 daughter. Tim McGraw sang at their intimate wedding outside of Nashville.
Richey was a mainstay of the Nashville country music
Nashville sound
The Nashville sound originated during the late 1950s as a sub-genre of American country music, replacing the chart dominance of honky tonk music which was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s...
community since the 1960s through his songwriting and record production. Head of Columbia records. In the 1970s, he wrote many major hits for future wife Tammy Wynette and Wynette's then-husband, George Jones, including Jones' "A Picture of Me (Without You)
A Picture of Me (Without You) (song)
"A Picture of Me " is a country music song written by Norro Wilson and George Richey. It was originally recorded by George Jones, whose version peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1972. The song was covered by Lorrie Morgan on her 1991 album Something in Red...
" and "The Grand Tour," and Wynette's "'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...
" and "You and Me
You and Me (Tammy Wynette song)
"You and Me" is a 1976 single written by Billy Sherrill and George Richey and recorded by Tammy Wynette. "You and Me" would be Tammy Wynette's sixteenth and final number one country hit as a solo artist. The single stayed at number one for two weeks and spent a total of twelve weeks on the...
", among many other artists.
Richey served as the musical director for the television show Hee Haw
Hee Haw
Hee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
from 1970 to 1977. Upon marrying Wynette, Richey served as Wynette's manager during the 1980s.
George retreated from public life after marrying Sheila Slaughter, a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and successful television producer and host. In the end, he became a social media advocate with his highly popular Facebook page "DON'T SMOKE, DON'T SMOKE, DON'T SMOKE, IT WILL DESTROY YOUR LIFE".
Richey died peacefully on July 31, 2010, following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. His death came without publicity and there was no public memorial, per his request. He was buried peacefully in Nashville near Wynette.