Ronnie Milsap
Encyclopedia
Ronnie Lee Milsap is an American country music
singer and pianist. He was one of country’s most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s. He became country music's first well-known blind singer, and one of the most successful and versatile country "crossover
" singers of his time, appealing to both country and pop music
music markets with successful songs that incorporated popular, R&B, and rock and roll stylings. Milsap’s biggest crossover hits include "It Was Almost Like a Song
," "Smoky Mountain Rain
," "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me
," "I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World
," "Any Day Now
," and "Stranger in My House
," among others. He is credited with six Grammy Award
s and 40 number one country hits, third to George Strait
and Conway Twitty
.
with a congenital disorder
that left him almost completely blind
. He was abandoned by his mother as an infant and raised by his grandparents until the age of five, when he was sent to the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina
. During his childhood he lost his remaining vision. Due to a developing blood clot, both his eyes were removed. Throughout his childhood he was interested in music—particularly the late-night broadcasts of country music, gospel music
, and rhythm and blues
. In concert, Milsap has often paid tribute to the artists who have inspired him the most including Ray Charles
, Little Richard
, Jerry Lee Lewis
, and Elvis Presley
.
When he was seven years old, his instructors began to notice his musical talents. Soon afterward he began studying classical music
formally and learned several instruments, eventually mastering the piano. Within the next few years he also developed a passion for rock and roll
music and formed a rock band in high school named The Apparitions. Milsap was awarded a full college scholarship
and attended Young Harris College
briefly in Young Harris, GA, until leaving to pursue a full time career in music. In the early 1960s he auditioned for and played his first professional gigs as a member of J. J. Cale’s band.
He released his first single
, "Total Disaster," in 1963 which enjoyed some local success in the Atlanta area. By 1965, Milsap was an R&B artist for Scepter Records
, recording eight obscure singles for the label and working briefly with other soul musicians like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder
, and James Brown
. Milsap had a top 5 success on the R&B charts with "Never Had It So Good", a song written by Ashford & Simpson
. It would be his only successful single during his time with Scepter. Another Ashford & Simpson tune named "Let's Go Get Stoned
," was relegated to a B-side. A few months later, however, it became a million-selling single for Ray Charles
. About this same time, Milsap met Joyce Reeves, and the two were married in 1965.
A few years later, after moving to Memphis, Tennessee
, he frequently worked for producer Chips Moman
while performing weekly at the popular Memphis nightclub T.J.'s. During this time, Milsap worked as a session musician on numerous projects including two songs with Elvis Presley: "Don't Cry Daddy
" in 1969 and "Kentucky Rain
" in 1970. That same year, Milsap enjoyed brief popular music success with the song "Loving You Is a Natural Thing." He recorded and released his debut album, Ronnie Milsap
, on Warner Brothers in 1971. Milsap's R&B recordings from this period are so obscure that the general public remains largely unaware of them.
after a chance meeting with country music star Charley Pride
who was in the audience for a Milsap gig at the nightclub Whiskey A-Go-Go. Pride was impressed with Milsap's singing and encouraged him to go to Nashville and start singing country music. Milsap began working with Pride's manager, Jack D. Johnson, and was signed to RCA Records
in 1973. He released his first single from RCA that year, "I Hate You," which became his first country music success, peaking at #10 on the country charts. The next year, 1974, he toured with Pride as an opening act and had two number one singles: "Pure Love
" and the Kris Kristofferson
composition "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends
" which won Milsap his first grammy. In 1975, he revived the Don Gibson
song "(I'd Be) A Legend in My Time
." That year, he scored another number one hit with "Daydreams About Night Things
."
" and "What a Difference You've Made in My Life
." The most significant of this series was "It Was Almost Like a Song
" in 1977, a dramatic piano-based song that showcased Milsap's soaring vocal range and became his most successful single of the 1970s. In addition to topping the Billboard
Hot Country Songs
chart, the song was his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100
pop music chart since "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends" reached #95; "It Was Almost Like a Song," however, reached #16. It was also his first song to score the Adult Contemporary Charts
, stopping at #2. Despite its success, the song was Milsap's only crossover success of the 1970s. Milsap continued to achieve hits on the country music charts for the remainder of the 1970s.
," which became a number one smash on the country charts. The single peaked in the Top 40 on the pop music chart and also became the first of two Milsap songs to score #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Other crossover successes included the top 5 pop single "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me
" and the top 20 songs "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World
" and "Any Day Now
". He also had some success with "He Got You
". All four songs reached number one on the country music charts.
Although the series of number ones ended in 1983, the last song of the series—"Stranger in My House
"—was still successful on all three charts; it peaked at #5 on the country music chart, #23 on the pop music chart, and #8 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Just a few months later, "Don't You Know How Much I Love You
" was released. It was this song that would be Milsap's last significant entry on the pop music chart, stopping at #58. However, it along with some other songs still became major successes on the Adult Contemporary chart. These successful singles include "Show Her
," "Still Losing You
," and finally, the grammy-award-winning song "Lost in the Fifties Tonight
" (his last crossover success) in 1985.
Like various other artists of the same era such as Linda Ronstadt
, Glen Campbell
, Marty Robbins
, Larry Gatlin
, and Ray Charles, Milsap's albums during the 1980s often featured songs in a variety of styles that showcased his remarkable range and versatility as a singer.
In his 1990 autobiography, Milsap explains: "I'm a singer, not a vocal stylist. My breathing is correct; my enunciation is precise. Because of that, I can sing anybody's music. Yet there are stylists whose technical skills are so underdeveloped they can sing only their own songs their own way. They might be remembered for their hits longer than I am. I'll probably be working longer than they are. I can sing whatever the times and the trends demand."
Between 1985 and 1987, Milsap enjoyed a series of uninterrupted country music number one songs, enjoying his greatest success at this time, including "She Keeps the Home Fires Burning
," "In Love," "Snap Your Fingers
," and "Where Do the Nights Go
."
In 1989, Milsap had his last number one song with "A Woman in Love
," although he still remained successful on the charts. Other top tens between 1989 and 1990 include "Turn The Radio On" and "Houston Solution." Milsap wrote and released his autobiography titled "Almost like a Song" during 1990 with the help of writer Tom Carter.
In 1992, he had his last major success, "All Is Fair In Love and War." The song peaked at #11, just missing the Top 10. By that time, however, Milsap's chart success began to decline as a new generation of younger performers began to dominate the country charts with a more traditional country sound.
During 2004, Milsap worked with producer Jerry F. Sharell to record his first non-country album since the early 1970s, Just for a Thrill. The project was a collection of American popular/jazz music standards which earned Milsap a Grammy award nomination that year. In 2006, Milsap signed with his former company RCA and returned to a mainstream, contemporary country music style with the album My Life. The first song was "Local Girls" which scored No. 54.
In 2009, Milsap released a two-CD set entitled Then Sings My Soul which featured 24 hymns and gospel songs, including "Up To Zion". "Up To Zion" was co-written by Gregory James Tornquist and Noreen Crayton and became a number one hit on the southern gospel charts. On May 12, 2010, he was part of a Gaither Video Taping.
His biography was featured by A&E Networks's Biography
television
series in 2000. Milsap has also been featured by CMT
's numerous shows, including 40 Greatest Men of Country Music and a 2005 episode of Crossroads with Tex-Mex rock group Los Lonely Boys.
At age 68, Milsap released his new studio album Country Again in July 2011. The new CD is a return to a more traditional country sound. The first single, "If you don't want me to", is a previous Milsap recording from 1980.
Milsap has remained as one of country music's most popular concert
performers and continues to tour regularly for his many fans across the country.
on vocals and 70 percent of all proceeds are donated to the fund. Then, after the song's release, the recording company allegedly reneged on promotion of it without explanation. On September 24, 2009, Milsap and a group of Tennessee fire-fighters and volunteers picketed the office of Capitol Records because the company refused to service the record to radio and iTunes
four weeks after its release. Ronnie marched with the group of 50 people to the front steps of the office, then sang the new single from atop of a vintage fire-truck. The demonstration was peaceful and after the performance the group was asked to leave by building security. Ronnie said: "We came here to raise awareness about this worthy cause... What record label wouldn't want to be part of raising money for this much needed fund that helps fire-fighters and police officers who desperately need it?"
Billboard magazine
Country Music Association
Grammy awards
Music City News Country
Miscellaneous achievements
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 and pianist. He was one of country’s most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s. He became country music's first well-known blind singer, and one of the most successful and versatile country "crossover
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
" singers of his time, appealing to both country and pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
music markets with successful songs that incorporated popular, R&B, and rock and roll stylings. Milsap’s biggest crossover hits include "It Was Almost Like a Song
It Was Almost Like a Song
"It Was Almost Like a Song" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Released originally during 1977 by him, the song became one of the greatest successes of his recording career....
," "Smoky Mountain Rain
Smoky Mountain Rain
"Smoky Mountain Rain" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Originally released in 1980, the song became one of his best-known songs....
," "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me
(There's) No Gettin' Over Me
" No Gettin' Over Me" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Known by many fans by its less grammatically correct title "There Ain't No Gettin' Over Me" — the song's official title appears nowhere in the lyrics — the song became one of Milsap's biggest country and pop hits...
," "I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World
I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World
"I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Originally released in 1981, the song became one of his biggest hits in his recording career and came during the peak of his crossover success....
," "Any Day Now
Any Day Now (1962 song)
"Any Day Now" is the title of a popular song written by songwriters Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard in 1962. The song has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, including notable versions by Chuck Jackson in 1962, Alan Price in 1965, Elvis Presley in 1969, and Ronnie Milsap in...
," and "Stranger in My House
Stranger in My House (Ronnie Milsap song)
"Stranger in My House" is a hit song from 1983, recorded by country music artist Ronnie Milsap. The song tells of a man who suspects his wife is fantasizing about being with a secret lover.-Success & Reception:...
," among others. He is credited with six 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...
s and 40 number one country hits, third to George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
and Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
.
Early life (1963-1971)
Milsap was born in Robbinsville, North CarolinaRobbinsville, North Carolina
Robbinsville is a town in Graham County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 747 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Graham County. Robbinsville High School is the only high school in Graham County...
with a congenital disorder
Congenital disorder
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, or that develops during the first month of life , regardless of causation...
that left him almost completely blind
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
. He was abandoned by his mother as an infant and raised by his grandparents until the age of five, when he was sent to the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
. During his childhood he lost his remaining vision. Due to a developing blood clot, both his eyes were removed. Throughout his childhood he was interested in music—particularly the late-night broadcasts of country music, gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
, and rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
. In concert, Milsap has often paid tribute to the artists who have inspired him the most including 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...
, Little Richard
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
, Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
, and Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
.
When he was seven years old, his instructors began to notice his musical talents. Soon afterward he began studying classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
formally and learned several instruments, eventually mastering the piano. Within the next few years he also developed a passion for rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
music and formed a rock band in high school named The Apparitions. Milsap was awarded a full college scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
and attended Young Harris College
Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college located in the mountains of northeast Georgia. The current president is Cathy Cox, former Georgia Secretary of State.-Origins:...
briefly in Young Harris, GA, until leaving to pursue a full time career in music. In the early 1960s he auditioned for and played his first professional gigs as a member of J. J. Cale’s band.
He released his first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Total Disaster," in 1963 which enjoyed some local success in the Atlanta area. By 1965, Milsap was an R&B artist for Scepter Records
Scepter Records
Scepter Records is a record company founded in 1959 by Florence Greenberg. She had just sold Tiara Records with The Shirelles for $4000 to Decca Records. When The Shirelles didn't produce any hits for Decca, they were given back to Greenberg, who promptly signed them. By 1961 Greenberg launched a...
, recording eight obscure singles for the label and working briefly with other soul musicians like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, and James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
. Milsap had a top 5 success on the R&B charts with "Never Had It So Good", a song written by Ashford & Simpson
Ashford & Simpson
Nickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
. It would be his only successful single during his time with Scepter. Another Ashford & Simpson tune named "Let's Go Get Stoned
Let's Go Get Stoned (Ray Charles song)
"Let's Go Get Stoned" is an R&B song originally recorded by The Coasters in May 1965. It was written by Ashford & Simpson and Josephine Armstead....
," was relegated to a B-side. A few months later, however, it became a million-selling single for 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...
. About this same time, Milsap met Joyce Reeves, and the two were married in 1965.
A few years later, after moving to Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, he frequently worked for producer Chips Moman
Chips Moman
Lincoln Wayne "Chips" Moman is an American record producer, guitarist, and songwriter. As a record producer, Moman is known for recording Elvis Presley, Bobby Womack, Carla Thomas, and Merrilee Rush, as well as guiding the career of the Box Tops in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1960s...
while performing weekly at the popular Memphis nightclub T.J.'s. During this time, Milsap worked as a session musician on numerous projects including two songs with Elvis Presley: "Don't Cry Daddy
Don't Cry Daddy
"Don't Cry Daddy" was written by Scott Davis and recorded by Elvis Presley on January 15 and 21 1969 and released as a single. The rhythm track was laid down on 15 January and Elvis' vocal overdub on the 21st. Some speculate that it is a consolation song considering that Elvis's father became a...
" in 1969 and "Kentucky Rain
Kentucky Rain
"Kentucky Rain" was a 1970 hit song for Elvis Presley. Featuring then-unknown pianist Ronnie Milsap and written by Eddie Rabbitt and Dick Heard, the single peaked at number 16 on the pop charts....
" in 1970. That same year, Milsap enjoyed brief popular music success with the song "Loving You Is a Natural Thing." He recorded and released his debut album, Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap (Ronnie Milsap album)
Ronnie Milsap is the first full-length album from country music artist Ronnie Milsap. It was released in 1971 on Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:#"Dedicate the Blues to Me" Ronnie Milsap is the first full-length album from country music artist Ronnie Milsap. It was released in 1971 on Warner...
, on Warner Brothers in 1971. Milsap's R&B recordings from this period are so obscure that the general public remains largely unaware of them.
Breakthrough success (1973-1975)
In December 1972, Milsap relocated 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...
after a chance meeting with country music star Charley Pride
Charley Pride
Charley Frank Pride is an American country music singer. His smooth baritone voice was featured on thirty-nine number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. His greatest success came in the early- to mid-1970s, when he became the best-selling performer for RCA Records since Elvis...
who was in the audience for a Milsap gig at the nightclub Whiskey A-Go-Go. Pride was impressed with Milsap's singing and encouraged him to go to Nashville and start singing country music. Milsap began working with Pride's manager, Jack D. Johnson, and was 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 1973. He released his first single from RCA that year, "I Hate You," which became his first country music success, peaking at #10 on the country charts. The next year, 1974, he toured with Pride as an opening act and had two number one singles: "Pure Love
Pure Love
"Pure Love" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Originally released in 1974, the song became Milsap's first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the late spring of the year...
" and the Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
composition "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends
Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends
"Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends" is song written by Kris Kristofferson. Ronnie Milsap recorded the song in 1974 and the song become his fourth country hit and second number on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for two weeks and spent a total of nine weeks on the country...
" which won Milsap his first grammy. In 1975, he revived the Don Gibson
Don Gibson
Donald Eugene "Don" Gibson was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson penned such country standards as "Sweet Dreams" and "I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjoyed a string of country hits from 1957 into the early 1970s.-Biography:Don Gibson was...
song "(I'd Be) A Legend in My Time
(I'd Be) A Legend in My Time
" A Legend in My Time" is a 1974 single written by Don Gibson and recorded by Ronnie Milsap. " A Legend in My Time" would be Ronnie Milsap's sixth country hit and his third number one. The single would stay at number one for a single week and spend a total of ten weeks within the top 40.Gibson...
." That year, he scored another number one hit with "Daydreams About Night Things
Daydreams About Night Things
"Daydreams About Night Things" is a 1975 single written by John Schweers and recorded by Ronnie Milsap. "Daydreams About Night Things" would be Ronnie Milsap's eight hit on the country chart and his fourth number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for two weeks and spent a...
."
"It Was Almost Like A Song" (1976-1978)
From 1976 to 1978, Milsap became one of country music's biggest stars. He scored seven number one singles in a row, including the grammy-winning "(I'm a) Stand By My Woman Man(I'm A) Stand by My Woman Man
" Stand by My Woman Man" is a 1976 single written by Kent Robbins and recorded by Ronnie Milsap. " Stand by My Woman Man" would be Ronnie Milsap's sixth number one on the country chart...
" and "What a Difference You've Made in My Life
What a Difference You've Made in My Life
"What a Difference You've Made in My Life" is an inspirational song written by Archie Jordan and first made famous by two artists during 1977: teenaged Christian music singer Amy Grant and country music singer Ronnie Milsap.-Song history:...
." The most significant of this series was "It Was Almost Like a Song
It Was Almost Like a Song
"It Was Almost Like a Song" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Released originally during 1977 by him, the song became one of the greatest successes of his recording career....
" in 1977, a dramatic piano-based song that showcased Milsap's soaring vocal range and became his most successful single of the 1970s. In addition to topping 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...
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...
chart, the song was his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100
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...
pop music chart since "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends" reached #95; "It Was Almost Like a Song," however, reached #16. It was also his first song to score the Adult Contemporary Charts
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
, stopping at #2. Despite its success, the song was Milsap's only crossover success of the 1970s. Milsap continued to achieve hits on the country music charts for the remainder of the 1970s.
Crossover success (1979-1992)
In 1979, Milsap had a number one single, a top 5 single, and a top 10 single. In 1980, his sound shifted toward pop and rock n' roll. From then and until 1983, he scored a series of eleven number one songs. Milsap's Greatest Hits album, released in 1980, included a new single, "Smoky Mountain RainSmoky Mountain Rain
"Smoky Mountain Rain" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Originally released in 1980, the song became one of his best-known songs....
," which became a number one smash on the country charts. The single peaked in the Top 40 on the pop music chart and also became the first of two Milsap songs to score #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Other crossover successes included the top 5 pop single "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me
(There's) No Gettin' Over Me
" No Gettin' Over Me" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Known by many fans by its less grammatically correct title "There Ain't No Gettin' Over Me" — the song's official title appears nowhere in the lyrics — the song became one of Milsap's biggest country and pop hits...
" and the top 20 songs "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World
I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World
"I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Originally released in 1981, the song became one of his biggest hits in his recording career and came during the peak of his crossover success....
" and "Any Day Now
Any Day Now (1962 song)
"Any Day Now" is the title of a popular song written by songwriters Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard in 1962. The song has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, including notable versions by Chuck Jackson in 1962, Alan Price in 1965, Elvis Presley in 1969, and Ronnie Milsap in...
". He also had some success with "He Got You
He Got You
- Success & Reception :His 32nd single to be released, the song also became his 20th No.1 hit on the country charts. It was a major hit on the Adult Contemporary charts as well, peaking at No. 15. It also had minor success on the pop charts, stopping at No. 59. The song is one of Milsap's most...
". All four songs reached number one on the country music charts.
Although the series of number ones ended in 1983, the last song of the series—"Stranger in My House
Stranger in My House (Ronnie Milsap song)
"Stranger in My House" is a hit song from 1983, recorded by country music artist Ronnie Milsap. The song tells of a man who suspects his wife is fantasizing about being with a secret lover.-Success & Reception:...
"—was still successful on all three charts; it peaked at #5 on the country music chart, #23 on the pop music chart, and #8 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Just a few months later, "Don't You Know How Much I Love You
Don't You Know How Much I Love You
"Don't You Know How Much I Love You" is a 1983 single written by Michael Stewart and Dan Williams and recorded by Ronnie Milsap. "Don't You Know How Much I Love You" was Ronnie Milsap's twenty-third number one country hit. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve...
" was released. It was this song that would be Milsap's last significant entry on the pop music chart, stopping at #58. However, it along with some other songs still became major successes on the Adult Contemporary chart. These successful singles include "Show Her
Show Her
"Show Her" is a 1983 single written by Mike Reid and recorded by Ronnie Milsap. "Show Her" was Ronnie Milsap's twenty-fifth number one country hit. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the country chart ....
," "Still Losing You
Still Losing You
"Still Losing You" was a hit song recorded in 1984 by country music singer Ronnie Milsap.- Success & Reception :"Still Losing You" was Ronnie Milsap's 38th single to be released and his 25th No. 1 hit on the Billboard country charts , and became one of his biggest hits. "Still Losing You" was ...
," and finally, the grammy-award-winning song "Lost in the Fifties Tonight
Lost in the Fifties Tonight
"Lost in The Fifties Tonight ", also known simply as "Lost in The Fiftes Tonight", is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap.-Success and Reception:...
" (his last crossover success) in 1985.
Like various other artists of the same era such as Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
, Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist...
, Larry Gatlin
Larry Gatlin
Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles...
, and Ray Charles, Milsap's albums during the 1980s often featured songs in a variety of styles that showcased his remarkable range and versatility as a singer.
In his 1990 autobiography, Milsap explains: "I'm a singer, not a vocal stylist. My breathing is correct; my enunciation is precise. Because of that, I can sing anybody's music. Yet there are stylists whose technical skills are so underdeveloped they can sing only their own songs their own way. They might be remembered for their hits longer than I am. I'll probably be working longer than they are. I can sing whatever the times and the trends demand."
Between 1985 and 1987, Milsap enjoyed a series of uninterrupted country music number one songs, enjoying his greatest success at this time, including "She Keeps the Home Fires Burning
She Keeps the Home Fires Burning
"She Keeps the Home Fires Burning", recorded in 1985, is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap.His 41st single to be released, and his 26th No. 1 hit on the country charts, the song is highly regarded as one of Milsap's most popular songs. The song was originally exclusive to the...
," "In Love," "Snap Your Fingers
Snap Your Fingers
"Snap Your Fingers" is a song written by Grady Martin and Alex Zanetis. It was originally recorded by gospel singer Joe Henderson in 1962, whose version peaked at #2 on the R&B charts and at #8 on the Hot 100 .-Cover versions:...
," and "Where Do the Nights Go
Where Do the Nights Go
"Where Do the Nights Go" is a 1987 single written by Mike Reid and Rory Michael Bourke and recorded by Ronnie Milsap. "Where Do the Nights Go" was Ronnie Milsap's thirty-third number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent thirteen weeks on the country chart...
."
In 1989, Milsap had his last number one song with "A Woman in Love
A Woman in Love (Ronnie Milsap song)
"A Woman in Love", recorded by country music singer Ronnie Milsap in 1989, was his last song to reach number one on the U.S. country singles chart. It tells of man who is confused with the way women in love behave...
," although he still remained successful on the charts. Other top tens between 1989 and 1990 include "Turn The Radio On" and "Houston Solution." Milsap wrote and released his autobiography titled "Almost like a Song" during 1990 with the help of writer Tom Carter.
In 1992, he had his last major success, "All Is Fair In Love and War." The song peaked at #11, just missing the Top 10. By that time, however, Milsap's chart success began to decline as a new generation of younger performers began to dominate the country charts with a more traditional country sound.
1993-present: Life today
Milsap has remained one of country music's best-loved and most successful artists despite the lack of radio airplay in the last decade. In 1993, he left RCA for Liberty and released the album True Believer which failed to achieve significant radio airplay, although the title track song scored #30 on the country charts. In 2000, Milsap released a two-CD set 40 #1 Hits featuring a new single named "Time, Love, and Money". The new collection scored "gold" although the single failed to score on the charts.During 2004, Milsap worked with producer Jerry F. Sharell to record his first non-country album since the early 1970s, Just for a Thrill. The project was a collection of American popular/jazz music standards which earned Milsap a Grammy award nomination that year. In 2006, Milsap signed with his former company RCA and returned to a mainstream, contemporary country music style with the album My Life. The first song was "Local Girls" which scored No. 54.
In 2009, Milsap released a two-CD set entitled Then Sings My Soul which featured 24 hymns and gospel songs, including "Up To Zion". "Up To Zion" was co-written by Gregory James Tornquist and Noreen Crayton and became a number one hit on the southern gospel charts. On May 12, 2010, he was part of a Gaither Video Taping.
His biography was featured by A&E Networks's Biography
Biography (TV series)
Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series in 2000. Milsap has also been featured by CMT
CMT
- Medicine :* California mastitis test* Certified Massage Therapist* Cervical motion tenderness, a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease* Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease* Chemically modified tetracyclines* Circus Movement Tachycardia...
's numerous shows, including 40 Greatest Men of Country Music and a 2005 episode of Crossroads with Tex-Mex rock group Los Lonely Boys.
At age 68, Milsap released his new studio album Country Again in July 2011. The new CD is a return to a more traditional country sound. The first single, "If you don't want me to", is a previous Milsap recording from 1980.
Milsap has remained as one of country music's most popular concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
performers and continues to tour regularly for his many fans across the country.
Capitol Records Protest
Ronnie Milsap recorded a new song "My First Ride" in 2009 as a fundraiser to benefit fire-fighters and police officers in the US and Canada. The song features Trace AdkinsTrace Adkins
Tracy Darrell "Trace" Adkins is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1996 with the album Dreamin' Out Loud, released on Capitol Records Nashville. Since then, Adkins has released seven more studio albums and two Greatest Hits compilations...
on vocals and 70 percent of all proceeds are donated to the fund. Then, after the song's release, the recording company allegedly reneged on promotion of it without explanation. On September 24, 2009, Milsap and a group of Tennessee fire-fighters and volunteers picketed the office of Capitol Records because the company refused to service the record to radio and iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
four weeks after its release. Ronnie marched with the group of 50 people to the front steps of the office, then sang the new single from atop of a vintage fire-truck. The demonstration was peaceful and after the performance the group was asked to leave by building security. Ronnie said: "We came here to raise awareness about this worthy cause... What record label wouldn't want to be part of raising money for this much needed fund that helps fire-fighters and police officers who desperately need it?"
Industry awards and honors
Academy of Country MusicAcademy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
- 1982 Top Male VocalistAcademy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
- 1985 Song of the YearAcademy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
- "Lost in the Fifties TonightLost in the Fifties Tonight"Lost in The Fifties Tonight ", also known simply as "Lost in The Fiftes Tonight", is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap.-Success and Reception:...
" - 1988 Instrumentalist of the YearAcademy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
, Keyboards - 2002 Pioneer AwardAcademy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
Billboard magazine
- 1980 #1 Country Song of the Year - "My Heart"
- 1985 #1 Country Song of the Year - "Lost in the Fifties Tonight"
Country Music Association
Country Music Association
The Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre...
- 1974 Male Vocalist of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- 1975 Album of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- "A Legend in My TimeA Legend in My TimeA Legend in My Time was the fourth studio album of Country music artist Ronnie Milsap. It was released in 1975 under the RCA Records label. Two singles were released from the album, including the Don Gibson penned " A Legend in My Time," which reached #1 on country charts and Al Dexter's "Too Late...
" - 1976 Male Vocalist of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- 1977 Album of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- "Ronnie Milsap Live" - 1977 Entertainer of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- 1977 Male Vocalist of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- 1978 Album of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- "It Was Almost Like a SongIt Was Almost Like a Song (album)It Was Almost Like a Song was the eighth studio album of Country music artist Ronnie Milsap. It was released in 1977 under the RCA Records label. The album produced two #1 hits for Milsap, including the title track, which marked his debut on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at #7 and reaching...
" - 1986 Album of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- "Lost in the Fifties TonightLost in the Fifties Tonight (album)Lost in the Fifties Tonight was the seventeenth studio album of Country music artist Ronnie Milsap. It was released in 1986 under the RCA Records label. The album produced four singles, all of which claimed the top spot on the Billboard country singles chart, including the title track, which was...
Grammy awards
- 1975 Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceThe Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance was awarded between 1965 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1965 to 1967 the award was known as Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male...
- "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends" - 1977 Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceThe Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance was awarded between 1965 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1965 to 1967 the award was known as Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male...
- "(I'm a) Stand By My Woman Man" - 1982 Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceThe Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance was awarded between 1965 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1965 to 1967 the award was known as Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male...
- "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me(There's) No Gettin' Over Me" No Gettin' Over Me" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Known by many fans by its less grammatically correct title "There Ain't No Gettin' Over Me" — the song's official title appears nowhere in the lyrics — the song became one of Milsap's biggest country and pop hits...
" - 1986 Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceThe Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance was awarded between 1965 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1965 to 1967 the award was known as Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male...
- "Lost in the Fifties Tonight" - 1987 Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceGrammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal PerformanceThe Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance was awarded between 1965 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1965 to 1967 the award was known as Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male...
- "Lost in the Fifties Tonight" - 1988 Best Country Collaboration with VocalsGrammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with VocalsThe Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to quality country music collaborations for artists who do not normally perform together...
- "Make No Mistake, She's MineMake No Mistake, She's Mine"Make No Mistake, She's Mine" is a duet single recorded by country pop artists Ronnie Milsap and Kenny Rogers in 1987.The song topped the Billboard country charts and peaked at #42 on the Adult Contemporary...
" (w/ Kenny RogersKenny RogersKenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
)
Music City News Country
- 1975 Most Promising Male Artist
Miscellaneous achievements
- 40 #1 Hits, 35 of which reached the top spot on the Billboard charts; the remaining 5 topped other trade charts, including Cashbox
- Over 35 million albums sold
- Inducted into the Grand Ole OpryGrand Ole OpryThe 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...
in 1976 - Inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2002
- Awarded the Career Achievement Award by Country Radio Seminar in 2006
- Awarded the 2007 RocketownRocketownRocketown is a facility with entertainment space, a coffee bar, and indoor skate park, located in Nashville, Tennessee. First opening in Franklin, TN in 1994-95 by Christian artist Michael W. Smith, Rocketown was created as a safe, drug- and alcohol-free place for teenagers to hang out. After...
Legend Award
Further reading
- "Just The Facts." The Official Ronnie Milsap Website. Retrieved Aug. 18, 2004.
- Goldsmith, Thomas. (1998.) "Ronnie Milsap." In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Ed. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 348–9.
- Milsap, Ronnie (with Tom Carter). (1990) "Almost like a song." New York, NY. : McGraw-Hill.