Famous Alabamians: Musicians

Famous Alabamians: Musicians

Alabama

Lookout Mountain, Alabama produced the most popular band in country music history. Taking their name from their home state, cousins Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook, joined to form the group Alabama.

The bands' career heated up in the eighties; after performing in the Country Music New Faces show, the group was signed by RCA records. The single Tennessee River began a streak of 21 number one hits for the band; by the end of the decade they had recorded 27 number one singles, produced seven multi-platinum albums with sales in excess of 45 million, and hit the pop charts nine times. They became the first group ever to be named the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year, and went on to win the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade title for the 1980's. In the next fifteen years, the group would be awarded over 150 other honors, including Country Music Association awards for Top Vocal Group and Instrumental Group of the Year.



Brother Cane

Rock/Blues Band, Birmingham

All the members of the rock band Brother Cane, David Anderson, Damon Johnson, Scott Collier, and Roman Glick hail from the state of Alabama; they cut their proverbial teeth playing the Southeastern club circuit. Each member of the group learned the trade in bar bands before coming together to create the signature bluesy, earthy rock sound of Brother Cane.

Original bassist Glenn Maxey was with the band when they recorded their first album, Brother Cane, in May 1993. The band landed the starting spot for the Lynyrd Skynyrd/Bad Company tour, traveled with Robert Plant, and then landed their biggest gig, opening for Aerosmith during that band's 1994 tour. Three singles from their first album hit the Album Rock charts - Got No Shame reached No. 2, That Don't Satisfy Me climbed to No.6, and Hard Act to Follow made it to No. 12. Brother Cane, the album, has sold over 250,000 copies in the U.S.

A tour of Europe was followed by a break to record their next album, Seeds, in July 1995. The band's line-up changed when David Anderson replaced Glenn Maxey. Roman Glick began playing Maxey's bass parts, while Anderson took over Glick's guitar licks. They returned to Atlanta to record Seeds, and the emotion of their lyrics and performance have a distinct Southern flavor. And Fools Shine On was the first single released from Seeds; it gained heavy airplay across the country and was followed by other singles including Hung On A Rope, Kerosene, and 20/20 Faith.



Bibi Black
Classical Trumpet, Huntsville

Bibi Black took up the trumpet at the age of 11, unaware that she would enter the history books through her instrument. After graduating from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Black earned a Bachelor's in Music from The Curtis Institute of Music. While attending Curtis, Black participated in numerous trumpet competitions; she won both the prestigious Grahm-Stahl competition and the Philadelphia Orchestra's Young Artist Competition. The Young Artist contest gave Black to opportunity to make first major solo debut, and win a place in the Philadelphia Orchestra. Indeed, it was only two days after she received her music degree that Black gained the position of Second Trumpet in the Orchestra. At the young age of 23, Black had become the first woman trumpet player and the second female brass player in the orchestra's history.

Black has gone on to play all over the world as a guest soloist with the likes of The London Philharmonic Orchestra, The Vancouver Symphony and the Camerate Musica of Berlin. She has recorded 3 solo trumpet CD's with EMI records.



Jimmy Buffett
Popular Singer and Songwriter, Mobile

Born in Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1947, Jimmy Buffett grew up in Mobile, Alabama surrounded by Cajun, Indian and Caribbean cultures. Buffett became involved in music as a freshman at Auburn. Buffett began to evolve his signature beach-bum, tropical- rock style when he moved to Key West and recorded the album A White Sport Coat and A Pink Crustacean (1973). His next album, Living and Dying in 3/4 Time, produced the hit single Come Monday. His popularity was firmly established when the single Margaritaville, from the 1977 Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes lp, became a hit. Both Living and Dying and Changes went gold.

Buffett's easy-going, seafaring persona and his sometimes touching, often ironic lyrics won him a faithful following that may be compared to the Deadhead phenomenon. By the mid-80's Buffett's core of fans, known as "Parrotheads," made him one of the hottest touring acts in the country. His concerts were infamous for their Mardi Gras atmosphere and their length; Buffett would tour from Memorial Day to Labor Day, staying two or three days in one place, in the fashion of an old-time carnival.

Buffett has translated his musical success into a business empire estimated to be worth $50 million. Not only does he record and tour, he has expanded into nightclubs, with two Margaritaville clubs in Key West and New Orleans, and clothing, with his Margaritaville line.

Larry Byrom

Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Barry Byrom moved to South Bend, Indiana in his youth; later in his musical career he would return to his roots in the South. Byrom got his big break playing in a band named The Precious Few. The group appeared in Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars, resulting in an invitation to Byrom to move to California. Once in L.A., Byrom linked up with Nick St. Nicholas to form T.I.M.E. (Trust in Men Everywhere). Both St. Nicholas and Byrom went on the play with the band Steppenwolf. Byrom was with the group from 1970 to 1971 and played on three albums, Monster (1970,) Steppenwolf Live (1971), and Steppenwolf 7 (1971).

After his stint with Steppenwolf, Byrom formed an acoustic band, Ratchell. The band failed, but helped Byrom return to a folk, blues and country sound. He moved to Muscle Shoals and became a studio player for R&B acts. A return to L.A. in 1979 brought motion picture work, but an introduction to Eddie Rabbit brought Byrom home again. Moving to Nashville began the next phase of Byrom's career. He has established himself as a free lance studio player, and recorded with Travis Tritt, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, Pam Tillis Lorrie Morgan, Clint Black and Steve Winwood.

Byrom has appeared on over 112 albums playing electric, slide and acoustic guitar.

Nat "King" Cole

Nathaniel Adams Coles (he later dropped the s) was born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 17, 1919. Cole's mother, Perlina, taught him to play the piano; by age 12 he was playing organ and singing in his father's church.

His family moved to Chicago, and at 16 Cole's interest turned to jazz. He formed the group the Royal Dukes in 1935, then left to join his brother's band, The Rogues of Rhythm. He made his recording debut with this group (known also as Eddie Cole's Swingers) in 1936. Forming the Nat Cole Swingsters with guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince, Cole began to make a reputation for himself in musical circles. With little confidence in his singing voice, Cole and the band concentrated on instrumentals; Cole was finally persuaded to sing on the 1940 Decca recording of Sweet Lorraine.

Renamed the King Cole Trio in 1937; the group was one of the first acts signed to the fledgling Capitol Records in 1942. In 1943 the Trio recorded its first hit, Straighten Up and Fly Right, which was followed by It's Only a Paper Moon, and Get Your Kicks on Route 66. The 1948 tune Nature Boy brought Cole to the peak of prominence; he would eventually sell over 50 million records for Capital, and become the first black man to top the record charts as an independent vocalist. In 1950 Cole recorded the still popular ballad Mona Lisa. The success of the single prompted Cole to leave the trio and jazz behind. Cole built the rest of his career on his smooth vocal styling, but is still considered by music critics to be one of the great jazz pianists of all time.

Cole continued his successful recording and concert career until the time of his death. A smoker, Cole died of lung cancer in Santa Monica, California, February 15, 1965. He was 47 years old. Cole posthumously received the 1985 Lifework Award for Performing Achievement.

Cole had two adopted children, Carol and Kelly, and three others, Natalie, Timolin and Casey. Natalie Cole grew up to be a pop artist, and recorded a retrospective album of her father's hits.

The Commodores

In 1967, a fateful meeting took place between two freshmen at Tuskegee Institute. Saxophone player Lionel Richie bumped into guitarist Thomas McClary on campus; the two formed a band called the Mystics, unaware they were creating the core of one of the most popular funk bands of all time. After adding William King on trumpet and Milan Williams on keyboards, the band began to make a name for itself. As their reputation spread throughout the Montgomery area, and their hometown of Tuskegee, the newly renamed Commodores traveled to New York to perform at a benefit talent show. Briefly returning to Tuskegee the band changed personnel, with Walter Orange (drums and vocals) and Ronald LaPread (bassist) coming on board.

The band's appearance in New York had raised interest, and in 1969 they were signed to a contract with Atlantic Records. After one disappointing album, the Commodores moved on to sign withMotown Records in 1971. Motown immediately sent them on the road to open for the Jackson Five. In 1972, the Commodores released a series of singles with MoWest, Motown's new West Coast subsidiary. An instrumental single, Machine Gun (1974), became the Commodores first hit; the song landed at number 7 on the R&B charts and number 22 on the pop charts. The band would follow this first hit with a succession of 22 gold records, including six platinum, two double-platinum and three triple-platinum albums.

After opening for The Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder, the Commodores focused once again on recording. Their first R&B number one, Slippery When Wet, was released in April 1975. Considered a funk band, the Commodores began to widen their repertoire. Lionel Richie (who began simply playing sax before moving into the role of lead vocalist) began writing ballads for the group. This Is Your Life (1975), Sweet Love (1975), and Just To Be Close To You (1975) all hit the top twenty on the R&B charts. In 1977, the Commodores hit the road, headlining 85 concerts in 72 North American cities before heading to Europe to begin a world tour.

The band made a short foray into film when they were featured, along with their music, in the Donna Summer 1978 disco-movie Thank God Its Friday. Easy, Brick House, Three Times a Lady and Sail On continued the Commodores hit-making success. Three Times A Lady (1979) won the People's Choice Award for Best Song, and the American Music Award for Most Popular Single. The 1980 cut Still won the People's Choice Award for Best Song and helped propel the group to a win at the American Music Awards, where they were named Favorite Soul Group of the Year.



Brad Cotter
Country Singer, Auburn

Brad is a singer/songwriter who has been touring and recording since the age of 11. Between the ages of 11 and 17, he recorded five gospel albums, two of which were recorded on major labels. He is single and resides in Nashville, where he has been making a living for the past eight years as a freelance demo singer and songwriter, writing songs for Warner/Chappell and EMI Music. He has been turned down by every label in Nashville at least four times. Brad has won a few talent contests over the years, and has learned to play piano, guitar, drums, and bass. His biggest musical influences include Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Percy Sledge, Eric Clapton, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard.

Cleveland Eaton

Cleveland Eaton, born in Birmingham in 1940, began his career as a jazz bassist, and created an international reputation as a producer, composer and arranger. He is considered by some to be the top jazz bass player in the world, and by many to be among the top ten jazz bass players.

After relocating to Chicago, Eaton built a career as a one of the best bass players in the Windy City. For 17 years he played gigs all over town, once performing with thirteen different groups in one day. He often played Chicago's Regal Theatre with the likes of Dizzy Gillespy, Miles Davis, Billy Eckstein, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and the Four Tops. Over ten years he played on 30 recordings: among them, four gold albums (Solar Wind, Sun Goddess) and four gold singles (Hang On Sloopy, Wade in the Water).

Eaton increased his fan base during his years with the Count Basie Orchestra. A one-night substitution with the Orchestra turned into a 6-year stand. Dubbed the "Count's Bassist," Eaton recorded over ten albums with the group before leaving in 1985. Returning to his hometown of Birmingham, Eaton formed the group Cleve Eaton & Co. The ensemble performs pop, R&B, and jazz pieces in small venues around the South.

Eaton was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1979, and nominated for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985. He and his wife, Myra, work to promote jazz in the Birmingham area.



W.C. Handy
Father of the Blues, Florence

William Christopher Handy ended his life with the designation "father of the blues." Born on November 16, 1873, Handy's ancestors were both slaves and preachers. Despite his father's misgivings, Handy turned to music early on. He sang with his classmates at the Florence District School for Negroes, and played cornet in the brass band.

Handy toured the South with minstrel and tent shows, playing along with both an instrumental group and a vocal quartet. During his travels Handy began to pen arrangements, adapting tunes to his own style. Handy was the first to add the now famous "blue-notes" (flatted thirds and sevenths) to compositions. In 1896, Handy joined the W.A. Mahara's Minstrels as cornetist and musical director. The group recorded their first tune in 1897, and toured the South playing rags and dance tunes. Handy continued to cultivate his own musical style, drawing upon the folk melodies, spirituals, and popular tunes of his youth. His compositions were the first written form of what came to be called "the blues."

Handy actually published the first tune with the word "blues" in it, the Memphis Blues of 1912. He followed this with St. Louis Blues (1914 - considered by some to be the world's first penned Jazz music) and Beale Street Blues (1917). He took his Memphis Orchestra to New York in 1918 to record for Columbia Records. He had formed a publishing company with friend Harry H. Pace, Pace & Handy Music Company, and in 1922 also formed his own recording concern, the Handy Record Company. By 1923 an eye disease had taken its toll on Handy's vision. He withdrew from performing and concentrated mostly on publishing and composing.

His record company failed, but Handy continued to write many blues tunes, now considered classics, including Ole Miss Blues, Harlem Blues, Basement Blues, and Yellow Dog Blues. He worked with several orchestras, and recorded with musicians such as Red Allen and Jelly Roll Morton. While other musicians would enrich the world of the blues, Handy was the first to craft and popularize the form. His contributions to music were commemorated by his adopted home of Memphis, Tennessee; on March 29, 1931 a city square was named after Handy.

Handy lived in New York for the remainder of his life. Silent during his last years, Handy died a quiet death on March 28, 1958 at the age of 83. Nat King Cole starred in the 1958 film version of Handy's life, St. Louis Blues. The picture did not accurately reflect the reality of Handy's life, but it did reflect the extent of his popularity. Memphis further honored Handy with a park, a statue, and a museum; the latter is located in his childhood home, a structure moved from Florence, Alabama to Beale Street.

Handy entered the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1983. His influence is still felt in the world of blues - the W.C. Handy Award is considered the most prestigious honor a blues artist can acquire.



Emmylou Harris
Country, Birmingham

Emmylou was born in Birmingham, AL, on April 2, 1947. Her father was a Marine pilot. The family moved around various bases in North Carolina before her father was transferred to Virginia, and was there where she grew up.

Emmylou made her first record "Gliding Bird" in New York in 1970. In Wahington DC she met Gram Parsons, who was looking for a girl singer to work with him. He introduced her into Country music. In 1973 Gram Parsons died.

On her 1975 major label Debut, Pieces of the Sky, she introduced her Hot Band, which over the years has included such world-class players as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.

Emmylou has achieved seven no. 1 and 27 top 10 hits, including, "If I Could Only Win Your Love," "Together Again," "Sweet Dreams," "Making Believe," "To Daddy," "Heartbreak Hill," and "Heaven Only Knows." She's earned 6 Grammys, 8 gold albums, and her 1987 Trio album with Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton is Platinum-plus.



Sonny James
Country Singer, Hackleburg

Known as the "Southern Gentleman," Sonny James was born James Loden in Hackleburg, A1abama, on May 1, 1929. James show-biz family started him off early — he began his musical career at the age of three. He and his four sisters appeared throughout the South as the Loden Family. Radio shows like the Louisiana Hayride and Saturday Night Shingdig provided the teen-age James with his first professional exposure.

After signing with Capitol Records, James released his first single, That's Me Without You. This 1953 song hit the Country Top Ten. James hit again in 1956 with For Rent (One Empty Heart), Twenty Feet of Muddy Water, and The Cat Came Back. James used his voice and guitar to craft a country music with pop overtones that helped broaden country's appeal. Young Love (1956), James biggest hit single, spent nine weeks at number one on the country charts; its appearance on the pop charts made it the first crossover hit for James and for country music.

Between 1967 and 1971 James held the number one spot on the country charts for a total of 45 weeks; his sixteen number one singles in five years constitute an amazing record.

James expanded into producing and publishing in the 1970's before ending his music career in 1983. In 1987, James became a recipient of the prestigious Lifework Award for Performing Achievement. He now spends his time raising cattle in Alabama.

Henry Panion, III

Henry Panion, III, Ph.D., holds degrees in music education and music theory from Alabama A & M University and Ohio State University, respectively. He is most known for his work as conductor and arranger for superstar Stevie Wonder, for whose performances and recordings he has led many of the world's most notable orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra, the Birmingham (England) Symphony, the Orchestra of Paris, the Melbourne (Australia) Symphony, the Rio de Janeiro Philharmonic, the Ra'anana Philharmonic, the Nice Symphony, the Gothenburg Symphony, and the Boston Pops Orchestra. The two-CD set Natural Wonder features Dr. Panion conducting his arrangements of many of Stevie Wonder's award-winning, chart-topping songs with Stevie and the Tokyo Philharmonic. Other artists for whom Dr. Panion has had the opportunity to conduct and/or arrange include The Winans, Chet Atkins, Dionne Warwick,, Eugenia Zuckerman, Aretha Franklin, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chaka Khan, and the Lionel Hampton Orchestra.

Dr. Panion's own works for orchestra are programmed by orchestras throughout North America and by many of this country's major orchestras, including the Cleveland Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the National Symphony. A selected list of other orchestras performing Dr. Panion's works include San Antonio, Columbus, Charlotte, San Diego, Louisville, North Carolina, Indianapolis, Arkansas, Jacksonville, Alabama, and the former Birmingham Metropolitan Orchestra, for which he served as Music Director from 1995-1997.

As a producer, composer, arranger, and orchestrator, Dr. Panion's work has produced two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and a host of other national music awards and nominations. From 1994 to 2000, Dr. Panion served as chair of the Department of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Other honors included a 1995 Distinguished Alumni Award from Alabama A & M University and a 1996 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award from the Ohio State University. He is the 1996 recipient of the Caroline P. and Charles W. Ireland Award for Scholarly Distinction and a 1995 inductee into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. In 2000, Dr. Panion was inducted into the Alabama A & M Hall of Fame. Also in 2000, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees honored Dr. Panion for his many contributions to the field of music and bestowed upon him the distinguished appointment of University Professor.

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie has enjoyed two careers, one as a member of the successful band, the Commodores, and another as a solo artist.

Richie released his debut solo single in 1982. When the song, Truly, sold four million copies and won Richie a Grammy for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance, he officially quit the Commodores. In October 1983, Richie released Can't Slow Down, which included the single All Night Long. All Night Long hit number one in eighteen countries: the album sold 15 million copies worldwide, and became Motown's biggest seller ever. Richie continued his successful collaborations; in 1984 he wrote Missing You, a tribute to the late Marvin Gaye, for Diana Ross; in 1985 he co-wrote, with Michael Jackson, We Are The World. The all-star recording of WATW raised money for famine victims in Africa, and Richie joined with others to perform the tune at the Live Aid concert on July 13, 1985.

During the course of his career, Richie has taken home several Grammy's, American Music Awards, Golden Globes, and even awards for Writer of the Year and Publisher of the Year from the professional organization ASCAP. He received an Academy Award nomination for co-writing the song Miss Celie's Blues for the film The Color Purple.

Tommy Roland Shaw was born September 11, 1953 to Dalton and Mildred Shaw in Montgomery, Alabama. Shaw became involved in music at the age of eleven. His parents bought him a guitar for his birthday, and soon he was appearing on a local morning television show. By 13, Shaw was playing Montgomery clubs and lounges, performing soul music and jazz. After graduation from Robert E. Lee High School, Shaw moved to Nashville with the band M.S. Funk.

Shaw came on board as Styx's guitarist and vocalist, but quickly became one of the band's primary songwriters. The Shaw penned tune, Crystal Ball (1976), from the album of the same name, began a string of multi-platinum hits for the band.

After the initial 1982 break-up of Styx, Shaw launched a solo career. He released two successful albums, Girls With Guns (1984) and What If. In the late 1980's, Shaw joined with Ted Nugent and Jack Blades to form the group Damn Yankees. Damn Yankees drew nationwide attention and placed in the top ten with several singles. Shaw returned to the solo arena with the release of his fourth album 7 Deadly Zens (1998).

Percy Sledge

Sledge was born November 25, 1940, in Leighton, Alabama, a poor and isolated farming community. After honing his skills by performing at local parties and dances in his teens, Sledge joined the Muscle Shoals-based Esquires Combo. At the age of 20, Sledge was singing Beatles and Smokey Robinson tunes on college campuses and clubs across the Southeast with the popular Combo. When he had time, Sledge would also perform with the local Galilee Baptist Church Choir.

An introduction to Quin Ivy, a record store-owner and producer in Sheffield, Alabama, lead to a 1966 recording contract for Sledge. Sledge recorded a series of soul ballads with Ivy; the first tune they put to vinyl was titled When A Man Loves A Woman. Recorded at Rick Hall's Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals, the record moved quickly up the charts. When A Man Loves a Woman was the first Southern soul recording to top both the R&B and pop charts.

Sledge recorded several hits over the next few years, including It Tears Me Up (1966), Warm and Tender Love(1966), Out of Left Field (1967), and Take Time to Know Her (1968). Throughout his career, Sledge released five gold and two platinum records.

In 1989 Sledge became the first recipient of the R&B Foundation's Career Achievement Award.



Ruben Studdard
Singer, American Idol
Birmingham

Nicknamed the "Velvet Teddy Bear" by singer Paula Abdul, Ruben Studdard made Birmingham's area code famous when he wore jerseys emblazoned with the number 205 while competing on the television show American Idol in 2003. Studdard went on to win the competition. His first album, "Soulful," debuted atop Billboard's sales charts and has been certified platinum. His performance of the song "Superstar" was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Take 6

Claude V. McKnight III (b. 1963), Mark Kibble (b. 1965), Mervyn Warren (b. 1965), David Thomas (b. 1967), Cedric Dent (b. 1963), and Alvin "Vinnie" Chea (b. 1968) all attended Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1980, McKnight and Kibble formed the quartet Alliance, changed the name to Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, then expanded into a sextet. They took the name Take 6, and launched their contemporary Christian a cappella sound.

The group's most popular albums include the following:

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  Brothers (1996)
  
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  So Cool (1998)
  
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  Beautiful World (2002)
  

Temptations

The most successful soul group of the 1960's, the Temptations, is known for intense vocals, tight harmonies, and dynamic rhythms-- all choreographed into an unforgettable stage routine.

The original lineup, Melvin Franklin (Montgomery, Alabama), Otis Williams (Texas), Paul Williams (Birmingham, Alabama), Eddie Kendricks (Birmingham, Alabama), and David Ruffin, joined forces in Detroit after being involved with different music groups for several years. Originally signed to Motown, Berry Gordy Jr. put Smokey Robinson in charge as the Temptations producer in 1964 and the hits started.

Their first hit song "The Way You Do The Things You Do" was R&B chart #11 in April 1964. It was followed by "My Girl", #1 in March 1965, which introduced the Temptations to white audiences.

In October, 1968, David Ruffin left the group and was replaced by Birmingham native, Dennis Edwards. He spent the next nine years as lead singer, fueling such songs as "Cloud Nine,", "I Can't Get Next to You," and "Psychedelic Shack."

Ali Ollie Woodson who grew up in Town Creek, Alabama auditioned for the group back in 1977 and maintained an ongoing relationship with members of the group before finally joining in 1984. With Woodson in the lead, the Temptations wedded timeless harmony with '80s techno-pop and came up with a snappy hit in "Treat Her Like A Lady."

Toni Tennille

Toni Tennille was born May 8, 1943. Toni studied classical piano for ten years, and worked her way through college with her musical talents. She sang the big band tunes of the 30's and 40's with the Auburn Knights while attending Auburn University. Tennille catapulted to stardom when she met her husband, Daryl Dragon, in 1974 and formed the duo Captain & Tennille.

The duo's 1974 debut album established them as a pop phenomenon. The single Love Will Keep Us Together won the 1975 Grammy for Song of the Year, and sold a million copies. Tennille's songwriting prowess produced several of the couple's hits, including Do That To Me One More Time and The Way I Want to Touch You. They starred in their own show, Captain & Tennille Variety Show and several popular television specials for ABC. Hitting the pop charts 14 times, the duo had amassed five gold and two platinum albums, and six gold and one platinum single. The twosome is still considered one of the top 5 recording duos of the past 20 years.

In 1984, Toni Tennille took her career in a new direction. Drawing from her past, she recorded two big band albums, More Than You Know (1984) and All Of Me (1986). In 1991 Tennille released her third solo third album, Never Let Me Go, followed by Things Are Swingin'. Tennille made her stage debut in 1992, appearing in the Los Angeles production of the musical, Stardust.

To celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, Tennille and Dragon released Captain & Tennille - 20 Years of Romance. This 1995 disc features a collection of their hit singles and other romantic ballads.



Hank Williams
Country/Western, Mount Olive

Born on September 17, 1923 in Georgiana, Alabama, Hiram "Hank" Williams was a superstar by the age of 25. He began playing guitar at the age of 8, receiving lessons from a local blues singer, Rufus Payne. In his early teens, Williams, inspired by gospel and country music, especially Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff, began singing in Georgiana and Greenville. Williams formed the Drifting Cowboys in 1941, and landed a gig with local radio station WSFA.

In 1946, Williams went to Nashville to meet Fred Rose, co-head of Acuff-Rose Publishing. Rose took Williams into the studio to record Never Again (1946) and Honky Tonkin' (1947). Records in 1947, and Rose came on board as his manager and producer. Williams next single, Move It Over (1947), climbed into the country Top Five; he followed it with I'm a Long Gone Daddy which peaked in the Top Ten.

Williams next release, Lovesick Blues, was released in the spring of 1949. Spending 16 weeks at number one on the country chart and crossing over into the pop Top 25, Lovesick Blues propelled Williams to the Grand Ole Opry and stardom. The success of his Opry debut on June 11, 1949, still one of the most talked- about debut appearances, made him a regular.

Williams' popularity crossed boundaries, and he found himself appearing on the Perry Como television show and touring with Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Minnie Pearl during his career. His songwriting talents and his ardent lyrics affected audiences, impacted popular music and transformed country music for all time. Considered the father of modern country, Williams' influence continued to be felt long after he stopped performing.

The combination of drinking and drugs finally took Williams life on January 1, 1953. Headed to a New Year's Eve concert in Canton, Ohio, Williams overdosed on morphine and whisky in the back seat of a chauffeured Cadillac. He was 29.

In 1961, he was one of the first inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame and later was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.



Tammy Wynette
Country, Red Bay

Born Virginia Wynette Pugh in Itawamba County, Mississippi on May 5, 1942, Tammy Wynette moved to Red Bay, Alabama at eight months of age. She moved to Birmingham as a teenager to live with her mother and attend high school.

Wynette began singing on an early-morning TV show in Birmingham, the Country Boy Eddie Show, and playing local clubs. After performing on Porter Wagoner's TV program, Wynette moved to Nashville, changed her name to Tammy Wynette and landed a record contract with Epic Records.

Her debut single, Apartment No. 9 (1966), was a minor hit. Wynette's next single, Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad, became her first top-ten hit, peaking at number three. That same year, 1967, I Don't Wanna Play House hit number one and gained Wynette her first Grammy. In 1969, Wynette recorded the tune that is still her most popular; Stand By Your Man crossed over to the pop-music top-20 and won Wynette her second Grammy.

Named Country Music Associations Female Vocalist of the Year for 1969, she also took the Top Female Vocalist award at the Academy of Country Music''s 1969 show. Wynette's 1969 release, Tammy's Greatest Hits, sold more copies than any other female country artist's album, and crossed over to the pop charts. In 1970, Wynette was again named CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and appeared on the soundtrack of the film Five Easy Pieces.

By now Wynette was the established "First Lady of Country Music" with 32 number one hits to her name. Her career slowed down somewhat in the late 70's and early 80's; her biggest success was her autobiography, Stand By Your Man, published in 1979.

Wynette was awarded a Living Legend Award from TNN/Music City News in 1991. She joined Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn for 1993's Honky Tonk Angels, and appeared in the television special, The Women of Country. She went on to pursue her most recent release, Without Walls (1994). An album of duets, Walls teams Wynette up with stars such as Sting, Wynonna Judd, Elton John and Lyle Lovett.

Tammy Wynette passed away in her sleep on Monday, April 6, 1998.