Johnnie Wright
Encyclopedia
Johnnie Robert Wright, Jr. (May 13, 1914 – September 27, 2011), known professionally as Johnnie Wright, was an American
country music
singer-songwriter
who spent much of his career working with Jack Anglin
as the popular duo Johnnie & Jack
, and was also the husband of Kitty Wells
.
, remained together for more than two decades.
In 1952, Johnnie & Jack’s "Poison Love" took them to the Grand Ole Opry
, where the duo, along with Wells, were invited to join and where they remained for 15 years. Following Anglin's death in an automobile accident in 1963, Wright continued performing and releasing records.
In 1964, he and his Tennessee Mountain Boys had a Top 25 hit with "Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart
." The following year, he had success with "Hello Vietnam
", a No. 1 hit. In 1968, he and Wells recorded an autobiographical duet, "We'll Stick Together", and continued playing live shows together through the early 1980s.
. They closed the museum in October 2000, but their grandson, John Sturdivant, Jr. kept the Junction Recording Studio operating.
Wright joined producers Randall Franks
and Alan Autry
for the 1991 CD "Christmas Time's A Comin'" featuring the cast of the TV series In the Heat of the Night
. He performed along with Kitty Wells and Bobby Wright on "Jingle Bells" with the cast.
In 1992, the couple and their son Bobby began playing together again. On December 31, 2000, the duo performed their farewell concert at the Nashville Nightlife Theater in Nashville, Tennessee
. They played to a full house of fans, family and friends that included Ricky Skaggs
, The Whites
, Marty Stuart
, Connie Smith
, Leona Williams, Larry Stephenson, Tommy Cash
, Jack Greene
, Jean Shepard
and comedian-impressionist Johnny Counterfit.
(1939–2009) and Carol Sue, as well as a son, Bobby. Each of their children enjoyed minor success individually as recording artists—Carol Sue, on a mid-1950s duet with Wells titled "How Far is Heaven"; Ruby, with a hit called "Dern 'Ya," an "answer song
" to Roger Miller
's "Dang Me
"; and Bobby, with a series of country-pop hits in the early-to-mid 1970s, including "Seasons in the Sun
" (covering Terry Jacks
' No. 1 pop hit from 1974). Both Bobby and Ruby performed as part of their parents' road tour for many years.
Johnnie Wright died at his home in Madison, Tennessee on September 27, 2011. He died two years after oldest daughter Ruby's death.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country music
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...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
who spent much of his career working with Jack Anglin
Jack Anglin
Jack Anglin was an American country music singer best known as a member of The Anglin Brothers, and later Johnnie & Jack with Johnnie Wright....
as the popular duo Johnnie & Jack
Johnnie & Jack
Johnnie & Jack was an American country music duo composed of Johnnie Wright and Jack Anglin . Between 1951 and 1962, the duo released several singles on the RCA Victor Records label, including their version of "Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite" which peaked at number four on the Best Seller charts,...
, and was also the husband of Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells
Ellen Muriel Deason , known professionally as Kitty Wells, is an American country music singer. Her 1952 hit recording, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", made her the first female country singer to top the U.S. country charts, and turned her into the first female country star...
.
Early life and career
Born in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, Wright first performed with Anglin in 1936. In 1937, he married Kitty Wells. The two, along with Wright’s sister Louise, performed as Johnnie Wright & the Harmony Girls. In 1939, Wright and Anglin formed the duo Johnnie & Jack. They teamed up full-time in the 1940s and, except for the time Anglin spent overseas during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, remained together for more than two decades.
In 1952, Johnnie & Jack’s "Poison Love" took them to the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
, where the duo, along with Wells, were invited to join and where they remained for 15 years. Following Anglin's death in an automobile accident in 1963, Wright continued performing and releasing records.
In 1964, he and his Tennessee Mountain Boys had a Top 25 hit with "Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart
Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart
"Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart" is the title of a song written by Roger Miller and Justin Tubb. It was first recorded by American country music artist Johnnie Wright, whose version peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1964...
." The following year, he had success with "Hello Vietnam
Hello Vietnam
"Hello Vietnam" is the title of a song written by Tom T. Hall and recorded by American country music singer Johnnie Wright. It spent twenty weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart with three weeks at number one. The single, with backing vocals from Wright's wife, Kitty Wells, was...
", a No. 1 hit. In 1968, he and Wells recorded an autobiographical duet, "We'll Stick Together", and continued playing live shows together through the early 1980s.
Later years
In 1983, Wright and Wells opened the Family Country Junction Museum and Studio in their hometown of Madison, TennesseeMadison, Tennessee
Madison, Tennessee is a neighborhood in northeast Nashville, Tennessee in the United States. It is incorporated as part of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County....
. They closed the museum in October 2000, but their grandson, John Sturdivant, Jr. kept the Junction Recording Studio operating.
Wright joined producers Randall Franks
Randall Franks
Randall Franks is an award-winning bluegrass singer and musician who plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar and mountain dulcimer. He was recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Museum in 2010 as a Bluegrass Legend; inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004; and was designated...
and Alan Autry
Alan Autry
Carlos Alan Autry is an American actor, politician, and former National Football League football player. He is best known for his role as Captain Bubba Skinner on the television series In the Heat of the Night; he also has been in numerous movies and other television shows...
for the 1991 CD "Christmas Time's A Comin'" featuring the cast of the TV series In the Heat of the Night
In the Heat of the Night (TV series)
In the Heat of the Night is a television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995...
. He performed along with Kitty Wells and Bobby Wright on "Jingle Bells" with the cast.
In 1992, the couple and their son Bobby began playing together again. On December 31, 2000, the duo performed their farewell concert at the Nashville Nightlife Theater in 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...
. They played to a full house of fans, family and friends that included Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Skaggs
Rickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
, The Whites
The Whites
The Whites is an American country music vocal group consisting of lead singer Sharon White, her sister Cheryl , and their father Buck...
, 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...
, Connie Smith
Connie Smith
Connie Smith is an American country music artist. She began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest near Columbus, Ohio, which attracted the attention of country songwriter Bill Anderson...
, Leona Williams, Larry Stephenson, Tommy Cash
Tommy Cash
Tommy Cash, , is a singer-songwriter and younger brother of Johnny Cash.-Biography:Cash was born in Dyess, Arkansas, youngest of four sons and three daughters of Ray and Carrie Cash, and eight years after his brother, Johnny Cash. He formed his first band in high school. After high school...
, Jack Greene
Jack Greene
Jack Greene is an American country musician nicknamed the "Jolly Green Giant" and well known for his 1966 hit "There Goes My Everything."-Early career:...
, Jean Shepard
Jean Shepard
Ollie Imogene Shepard , better known as Jean Shepard, is an American honky tonk singer-songwriter who was a pioneer for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the #1 spot...
and comedian-impressionist Johnny Counterfit.
Personal life
Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright were married on October 30, 1937. Together they had three children, two daughters RubyRuby Wright (country singer)
Ruby Wright was an American country music singer-songwriter. Wright was the daughter of country singers Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright. Her most successful single was "Dern Ya", an answer to Roger Miller's "Dang Me."...
(1939–2009) and Carol Sue, as well as a son, Bobby. Each of their children enjoyed minor success individually as recording artists—Carol Sue, on a mid-1950s duet with Wells titled "How Far is Heaven"; Ruby, with a hit called "Dern 'Ya," an "answer song
Answer song
An answer song is, as the name suggests, a song made in answer to a previous song, normally by another artist. It is also known as a response song. The concept became widespread in blues and R&B recorded music in the 1930s through 1950s...
" to Roger Miller
Roger Miller
Roger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs...
's "Dang Me
Dang Me
"Dang Me" is a 1964 song by American country music artist Roger Miller, and that year's Grammy Award winner for Best Country & Western Song. Miller's first major country hit and first Top Ten pop music hit, it was a novelty song whose "jazzy instrumental section" helped make it "the quintessential...
"; and Bobby, with a series of country-pop hits in the early-to-mid 1970s, including "Seasons in the Sun
Seasons in the Sun
Apart from the versions noted above, there have been numerous cover versions of the song. Generally, these use the same translation as the Terry Jacks version, and thus inherit that version's less harsh interpretation of the song's storyline....
" (covering Terry Jacks
Terry Jacks
Terrence Ross "Terry" Jacks is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer and environmentalist.-Early life:...
' No. 1 pop hit from 1974). Both Bobby and Ruby performed as part of their parents' road tour for many years.
Johnnie Wright died at his home in Madison, Tennessee on September 27, 2011. He died two years after oldest daughter Ruby's death.
Albums
| Year | Album details | US Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Hello Vietnam
|
5 |
| 1966 | Country Music Special
|
40 |
| 1967 | Country… The Wright Way
|
— |
| 1968 | Johnnie Wright Sings Country Favorites
|
— |
| We'll Stick Together (with Kitty Wells Kitty Wells Ellen Muriel Deason , known professionally as Kitty Wells, is an American country music singer. Her 1952 hit recording, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", made her the first female country singer to top the U.S. country charts, and turned her into the first female country star... ) |
30 | |
| 1972 | Kitty Wells & Johnny Wright Sing Heartwarming Gospel Songs (with Kitty Wells) |
— |
| 1980 | Johnnie Wright
|
— |
Singles
| Year | Single | 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... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | "Sweet Snow Dear" | — | Hello Vietnam |
| 1964 | "Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart "Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart" is the title of a song written by Roger Miller and Justin Tubb. It was first recorded by American country music artist Johnnie Wright, whose version peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1964... " |
22 | |
| "Don't Give Up the Ship" | 37 | ||
| 1965 | "Blame It on the Moonlight" | 28 | |
| "Hello Vietnam Hello Vietnam "Hello Vietnam" is the title of a song written by Tom T. Hall and recorded by American country music singer Johnnie Wright. It spent twenty weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart with three weeks at number one. The single, with backing vocals from Wright's wife, Kitty Wells, was... " |
1 | ||
| "Keep the Flag Flying" | 31 | Country Music Special | |
| 1966 | "Nickels, Quarters and Dimes" | 31 | |
| "I'm Doing This for Daddy" | 53 | Country… The Wright Way | |
| "Mama's Little Jewel" | 50 | ||
| 1967 | "Ole Honky Tonk" | — | Johnnie Wright Sings Country Favorites |
| "American Power" | 66 | non-album single | |
| "Music to Cry By" | 69 | Johnnie Wright Sings Country Favorites | |
| 1968 | "Atlanta Georgia Baby" | — | |
| "We'll Stick Together" (with Kitty Wells Kitty Wells Ellen Muriel Deason , known professionally as Kitty Wells, is an American country music singer. Her 1952 hit recording, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", made her the first female country singer to top the U.S. country charts, and turned her into the first female country star... ) |
54 | We'll Stick Together | |
| "(They Always Come Out) Smellin' Like a Rose" | 66 | non-album singles | |
| 1969 | "Love Ain't Gonna Die (I'm Gonna Have to Kill It)" | — | |
| "Sing a Song About Love" | — | ||
| 1970 | "A Dear John Letter" | — | |
| "Love Everybody" | — | ||
| "Where the Heart Aches Hang Around" | — | ||
| 1971 | "Old Honky Tonk" | — | |
| "High Cost of Livin'" | — | ||
| "South in New Orleans" | — | ||
| 1972 | "Doo-Hickey" | — | |
| "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" | — | ||
| 1973 | "Ode to a Country Bar" | — | |
| 1974 | "Wild Passionate Lover" | — | |
| 1976 | "I Never Told Him I Loved You" | — | |
| 1980 | "Pressure" | — | Johnnie Wright |
| 1982 | "Just a Simple Bouquet" | — | non-album singles |
| 1984 | "The King Went on a Journey" | — |
External links
- [ Biography of Johnnie & Jack on allmusic.com]