Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2005, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Mel Tillis, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 25 May 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Mel Tillis who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Mel Tillis
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 25 May 2005.
‘I have to say that Gene Watson, along with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), is one of the best country music singers to come along since Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), and I ain’t kidding’
Thank you, Mel Tillis, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Mel Tillis…
Mel Tillis was born Lonnie Melvin Tillis in Tampa, Florida on Monday 8 August 1932; it is believed his stuttering was the result of a bout with malaria at the age of three. As a child, Mel Tillis learned guitar and in high school studied both the violin and the drums.
At the age of sixteen, Mel Tillis first performed publicly at a local talent show and after graduation he entered the military. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Mel Tillis formed a group called The Westerners, which played local clubs.
After exiting the service in 1955, Mel Tillis went to college and held odd jobs until moving to Nashville the following year. Mel Tillis found little success as a writer or performer there and soon returned to Florida.
Then, in 1957, Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) reached No.3 with Mel Tillis’ composition ‘I’m Tired’, which earned the aspiring artist a song-writing contract with Webb Pierce’s Cedarwood Music; ‘I’m Tired’ was subsequently included on Webb Pierce’s ‘Webb With A Beat’ (Decca Records, 1960).
After playing with the likes of Minnie Pearl (Friday 25 October 1912 – Monday 4 March 1996) and Judy Lynn (Thursday 16 April 1936 – Wednesday 26 May 2010), Mel Tillis cut his first single, a cover of the standard, ‘It Takes A Worried Man To Sing A Worried Song’, in 1957.
The B-side of ‘It Takes A Worried Man To Sing A Worried Song’, the self-penned ‘Honky Tonk Song’, quickly became a No.1 Billboard country music hit single for Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) in 1957; the track was subsequently included on Webb Pierce’s ‘Golden Favourites’ (Decca Records, 1961).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’m A Poor Boy’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990) and Faron Young, and included the track on ‘Sweethearts Or Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1957).
In 1957, Carl Smith (Tuesday 15 March 1927 – Saturday 16 January 2010) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Why, Why’ (co-written with Wayne Walker) as a non-album single; the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1957, and was subsequently included on ‘Carl Smith: The Best of: 1951 – 1970’ (Hux Records, 2013).
After a few excursions into rock ‘n’ roll territory, Mel Tillis earned his first Billboard Top 40 country music hit single with ‘The Violet & A Rose’ (written with Bud Auge and John Reinfield) for Columbia Records in 1958; the track, which reached No.24, was subsequently included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Walk On By & Other Great Country Hits’ (Harmony Records, 1966).
In December 1958, Orval William Prophet (Thursday 31 August 1922 – Wednesday 4 January 1984) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Forgotten Dreams’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker); the track was subsequently included on ‘The Travelin’ Kind’ (Bear Family Records, 2001).
While Mel Tillis continued to chart singles like ‘Finally’ in 1959, along with a pair of duets with Bill Phillips, ‘Sawmill’ and ‘Georgia Town Blues’, his greatest success at the turn of the decade remained as a songwriter.
In 1959, Carl Smith (Tuesday 15 March 1927 – Saturday 16 January 2010) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ten Thousand Drums’ (co-written with Carl Smith) as a non-album single; the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959, and was subsequently included on ‘Walkin’ Tall’ (Columbia Records, 1966) and ‘Carl Smith: The Best of: 1951 – 1970’ (Hux Records, 2013).
Mel Tillis continued supplying Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) with hit single after hit single, including ‘I Ain’t Never’ (written by Mel Tillis and Webb Pierce) (No.2, 1959) and ‘No Love Have I’ (written by Mel Tillis) (No.4, 1960), along with ‘Crazy Wild Desire’ (No.8, 1962) and ‘Sawmill’ (written by Mel Tillis and Horace Whatley) (No.15, 1963).
Artists also covering Mel Tillis’ songs at this time included Bobby Bare (‘Detroit City’), Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) (‘One More Time’, ‘Burning Memories’ and ‘Heart Over Mind’), Stonewall Jackson (Sunday 6 November 1932 – Saturday 4 December 2021) (‘Mary, Don’t You Weep’), Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 – Thursday 15 March 2013) (‘All The Time’) and Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) (‘The Violet & A Rose’), the latter track was also recorded by Wanda Jackson.
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘The Violet & A Rose’ (co-written with Bud Auge and John Reinfield) and included the track on ‘Webb’ (Decca Records, 1958).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Tupelo County Jail’ (co-written with Webb Pierce) and included the track on ‘Webb’ (Decca Records, 1958); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1958.
Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘As Much’ and included the track on ‘That Gibson Boy’ (RCA Records, 1958).
In 1959, Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker); the track, which reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959, was subsequently included on ‘Golden Favourites’ (Decca Records, 1961).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (co-written with Webb Pierce) and included the track on ‘Webb With A Beat’ (Decca Records, 1960); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959.
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’ll Never Have To Be Alone’ and included the track on ‘Webb With A Beat’ (Decca Records, 1960).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘No Love Have I’ and included the track on ‘Webb With A Beat’ (Decca Records, 1960); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960.
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’m Tired’, which was co-written with Webb Pierce and Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Webb With A Beat’ (Decca Records, 1960).
In 1961, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’; the track, which reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1961, was subsequently included on ‘The Essential Ray Price: 1951 – 1962’ (Columbia Records, 1991).
The Everly Brothers – Don Everly (Monday 1 February 1937 – Saturday 21 August 2021) & Phil Everly (Thursday 19 January 1939 – Friday 3 January 2014) – recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Stick With Me, Baby’ and included the track on ‘A Date With The Everly Brothers’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1961).
Brenda Lee recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Emotions’ (co-written with Ramsey Kearney) and included the track on ‘Emotions’ (Decca Records, 1961); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1961, and No.6 on the Cashbox Magazine Chart in 1961.
Brenda Lee recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Crazy Talk’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Emotions’ (Decca Records, 1961).
Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 – Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Make The Waterwheel Roll’, which was co-written with Marijohn Wilkin (Wednesday 14 July 1920 – Saturday 28 October 2006), and included the track on ‘Big Bad John’ (Columbia Records, 1961).
In 1961, Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘There Must Be Another Way To Live’; the track, which reached No.20 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1961, was subsequently included on ‘Kitty Wells’ (Vocalion Records, 1966).
In 1962, Mel Tillis saw the release of his first album, ‘Heart Over Mind’ (Columbia Records, 1962); a year later, in 1963, Mel Tillis teamed up with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) for the hit, ‘How Come Your Dog Don’t Bite Nobody But Me’.
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) & Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 – Sunday 19 September 2004) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Sorrow’s Tearing Down The House’ (co-written with Kent Westberry) and included the track on ‘Porter Wagoner & Skeeter Davis Sing Duets’ (RCA Records, 1962).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘Queen of Country Music’ (Decca Records, 1962).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘One More Time’ and included the track on ‘Queen of Country Music’ (Decca Records, 1962).
Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘The Violet & A Rose’ (co-written with Bud Auge and John Reinfield) and included the track on ‘Out Behind The Barn’ (Columbia Records, 1962).
Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Twenty Cigarettes’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Out Behind The Barn’ (Columbia Records, 1962).
Ben Colder recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City No.2’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008) and Sheb Wooley (Sunday 10 April 1921 – Tuesday 16 September 2003), and included the track on ‘Wine, Women & Song’ (MGM Records, 1962).
Jimmy C. Newman (Monday 29 August 1927 – Saturday 21 June 2014) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Guess I Fooled Everybody (Everybody But Me)’ and included the track on ‘Jimmy C. Newman’ (Decca Records, 1962).
Jimmy C. Newman (Monday 29 August 1927 – Saturday 21 June 2014) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Finally’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Jimmy C. Newman’ (Decca Records, 1962).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Crazy Wild Desire’ (co-written with Webb Pierce) and included the track on ‘Cross Country’ (Decca Records, 1962); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962.
On Monday 27 June 2011, England’s Hux Records released Webb Pierce’s ‘Cross Country’ (Decca Records, 1962), along with Webb Pierce’s ‘Fallen Angel’ (Decca Records, 1961), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX126).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Take Time’, which was co-written with Marijohn Wilkin (Wednesday 14 July 1920 – Saturday 28 October 2006) and Harry Hart, and included the track on ‘Cross Country’ (Decca Records, 1962); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962.
On Monday 27 June 2011, England’s Hux Records released Webb Pierce’s ‘Cross Country’ (Decca Records, 1962), along with Webb Pierce’s ‘Fallen Angel’ (Decca Records, 1961), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX126).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’m Falling In Love With You’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Cross Country’ (Decca Records, 1962).
On Monday 27 June 2011, England’s Hux Records released Webb Pierce’s ‘Cross Country’ (Decca Records, 1962), along with Webb Pierce’s ‘Fallen Angel’ (Decca Records, 1961), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX126).
Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Strange’ (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on ‘Sentimentally Yours’ (Decca Records, 1962).
After the second single from Patsy Cline’s ‘Sentimentally Yours’ (Decca Records, 1962), ‘Heartaches’, became a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in late 1962, reaching No.73, a re-released version with the text, ‘And Featuring Heartaches’ was added to the cover of the album.
Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘So Wrong’, which was co-written with Carl Perkins (Saturday 9 April 1932 – Monday 19 January 1998) and Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘So Wrong / You’re Stronger Than Me’ (Decca Records, 1962), an extended play (EP) disc; the track reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles in 1962.
Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Stand Up, Sit Down, Shut Your Mouth’ and included the track on ‘The Unpredictable Simon Crum’ (Capitol Records, 1963).
Billy Grammer (Friday 28 August 1925 – Wednesday 10 August 2011) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008) as ‘I Wanna Go Home’, and included the track on ‘Gotta Travel On’ (Decca Records, 1964); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1963.
Bobby Bare recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Detroit City’ (RCA Records, 1963); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963.
Jan & Dean – William Jan Berry (Thursday 3 April 1941 – Friday 26 March 2004) & Dean Ormsby Torrence (Sunday 10 March 1940) – recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Surf City (& Other Swingin’ Cities)’ (Liberty Records, 1963).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Sooner Or Later’ (co-written with Webb Pierce) and included the track on ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (Decca Records, 1963).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘One More Time’ and included the track on ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (Decca Records, 1963).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘If I Could Come Back’, which was co-written with Webb Pierce and Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (Decca Records, 1963).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘If I Lost Your Love’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (Decca Records, 1963).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Georgia Town Blues’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ (Decca Records, 1963).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I Can’t Help Wondering’ and included the track on ‘The Kitty Wells Story’ (Decca Records, 1963).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘The Kitty Wells Story’ (Decca Records, 1963).
Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (co-written with Horace Whatley) and included the track on ‘Buck Owens On The Bandstand’ (Capitol Records, 1963).
Walter Andrew Brennan (25 July 1894 – Saturday 21 September 1974) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Talkin’ From The Heart’ (Liberty Records, 1963); the track was subsequently included on ‘The Country Heart of Walter Brennan’ (Sunset Records, 1966).
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Songs of The Cities’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (co-written with Horace Whatley) and included the track on ‘Story Songs For Country Folks’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘The Violet & A Rose’ (co-written with Bud Auge and John Reinfield) and included the track on ‘Light-Hearted & Blue’ (Capitol Records, 1964).
David Houston (Monday 9 December 1935 – Tuesday 30 November 1993) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Snakes Crawl At Night’ (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on ‘New Voice From Nashville’ (Capitol Records, 1964).
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘All Time Country Hits’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Burning Memories’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Sands of Gold’ (Decca Records, 1964).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Honky Tonk Song’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Country Dance Favourites’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Holiday For Love’, which was co-written with Wayne P. Walker and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on ‘I Get Lonely In A Hurry’ (United Artists Records, 1964).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Burning Memories’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Waylon Jennings At JDs’ (Decca Records, 1964).
There have been three authorised re-issues of ‘Waylon Jennings At JD’s’ (Decca Records, 1964); the album was re-issued as ‘Clovis To Phoenix’ (Zu-Zazz Records / Bear Family Records, 1995), ‘The Journey: Destiny’s Child’ (Bear Family Records, 1999) and ‘Phase One: The Early Years, 1959 – 1964’ (Hip-O / Universal, 2002).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Alright (I’ll Sign The Papers)’ and included the track on ‘Love Life’ (Columbia Records, 1964).
Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Sorrow’s Tearing Down The House’ (co-written with Kent Westberry) and included the track on ‘Handle With Care’ (Columbia Records, 1965).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Burning Memories’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Burning Memories’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘That’s Where My Money Goes’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Memory No.1’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Bill Anderson recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Wine’ and included the track on ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Bobby Bare recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘So Soon’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Constant Sorrow’ (RCA Records, 1965).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Burning Memories’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Burning Memories’ (Columbia Records, 1965); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965.
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Burning Memories’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Pen & Paper’ (Mercury Records, 1965).
Dave Dudley (Thursday 3 May 1928 – Monday 22 December 2003) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Wreck of The Old Slow Binder’ (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on ‘Truck Drivin’ Son of A Gun’ (Mercury Records, 1965).
Jerry Lee Lewis (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Country Songs For City Folks’ (Smash Records, 1965).
Joe Tex (Thursday 8 August 1935 – Friday 13 August 1982) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘The New Boss’ (Dial Records / Atlantic Records, 1965).
In 1965, Mel Tillis recorded ‘Wine’ (written by Mel Tillis), for Recording Industries Corporation, his first Billboard Top 15 hit single, which was subsequently included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Stateside’ (Kapp Records, 1966).
In 1965, Arthur Alexander (Friday 10 May 1940 – Wednesday 9 June 1993) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008); the track, which was released as a non-album single on Dot Records, was subsequently included on ‘From Where I Stand’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1998), a various artists compilation album, which was released with the assistance of The Country Music Foundation.
A string of hit singles for Mel Tillis then followed, including ‘Stateside’ (written by Mel Tillis) for Kapp Records (No.17, 1966), ‘Life Turned Her That Way’, which was written by Harlan Howard () (the title cut from his 1967 album) (No.11, 1967) and his first Billboard Top 10 hit, ‘Who’s Julie’ (No.10, 1968).
At the same time, Mel Tillis’ stature as a songwriter continued to grow, thanks to hit covers of ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’, which was recorded by Johnny Darrell (Tuesday 23 July 1940 – Tuesday 7 October 1997), and Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) & First Edition, and ‘Mental Revenge’, which was recorded by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Wine’ and included the track on ‘Conway Twitty Sings’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘You’re Gonna Wonder About Me’ and included the track on ‘Leavin’ Town’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1938 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Country Charley Pride’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1938 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Snakes Crawl At Night’ (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on ‘Country Charley Pride’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1938 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Atlantic Coastal Line’ (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on ‘Country Charley Pride’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Tom Jones recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Love of The Common People’ (RCA Records, 1967).
The Statler Brothers recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘The Statler Brothers Sing The Big Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1967).
Tom Jones recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’ (Decca Records, 1967).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1938 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’ll Wander Back To You’, which was co-written with Fred Burch and Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘The Country Way’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Unmitigated Gall’ and included the track on ‘Unmitigated Gall’ (Mercury Records, 1967).
Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 – Thursday 15 March 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘All The Time’ (Decca Records, 1967); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for five weeks in June / July 1967.
Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’m Tired’, which was co-written with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) and Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Mr. Songwriter’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Walkin’ in The Sunshine’ (Smash Records, 1967).
Johnny Darrell (Tuesday 23 July 1940 – Tuesday 7 October 1997) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ (United Artists Records, 1967).
Johnny Darrell (Tuesday 23 July 1940 – Tuesday 7 October 1997) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Mental Revenge’ and included the track on ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ (United Artists Records, 1967).
Margie Singleton recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Sings Country Music With Soul’ (Ashley Records, 1967).
Margie Singleton recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Goodbye Wheeling’ and included the track on ‘Sings Country Music With Soul’ (Ashley Records, 1967).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Queen of Honky Tonk Street’ (Decca Records, 1967).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘This is Jan Howard Country’ (Decca Records, 1967).
Patti Page (Tuesday 8 November 1927 – Tuesday 1 January 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Today My Way’ (Columbia Records, 1967).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I Could Have Gone Right’ and included the track on ‘Mama Tried’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Just For You’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Johnny Darrell (Tuesday 23 July 1940 – Tuesday 7 October 1997) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Goodbye Wheeling’ and included the track on ‘The Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp’ (United Artists Records, 1968).
Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘The Ever Lovin’ World of Eddy Arnold’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) & Dolly Parton recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Sorrow’s Tearing Down The House’ (co-written with Kent Westberry) and included the track on ‘Just Between You & Me’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Country’s Best On Record’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Anne Murray recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time‘ (co-written with Wayne Walker) and included the track on ‘What About Me’ (Arc Records, 1968).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1938 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Songs of Pride…Charley That Is’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Alright, I’ll Sign The Papers’ and included the track on ‘A Real Good Woman’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘A Real Good Woman’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Last Foxhole’ (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on ‘Will You Visit Me On Sundays’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Old Faithful’ and included the track on ‘It Takes Me All Night Long’ (Kapp Records, 1968).
Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Country Soul’ (Little Darlin’ Records, 1968).
Red Sovine (Wednesday 17 July 1918 – Friday 4 April 1980) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Not Like It Was With You’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘Tell Maude I Slipped’ (Starday Records, 1968).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Mental Revenge’ and included the track on ‘Jewels’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Can You Build Your House (On Another Man’s Grave)’ and included the track on ‘Little Jimmy Dickens Comes Calling’ (Decca Records, 1969).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Wine Me Up’ (Mercury Records, 1969).
Red Sovine (Wednesday 17 July 1918 – Friday 4 April 1980) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Old Faithful’ and included the track on ‘Closing Time ‘Til Dawn’ (Starday Records, 1969).
Red Sovine (Wednesday 17 July 1918 – Friday 4 April 1980) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Normally Norma Loves Me’ and included the track on ‘Closing Time ‘Til Dawn’ (Starday Records, 1969).
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Son of A Bum’ and included the track on ‘Keep ‘Em Country’ (RCA Victor Records, 1969).
• Ann M. Stuckey submitted a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Saturday 25 January 2014
Bobby Bare recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Margie’s At The Lincoln Park Inn’ (RCA Records, 1969).
Bobby Bare recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Cincinnati Jail’ and included the track on ‘Margie’s At The Lincoln Park Inn’ (RCA Records, 1969).
Red Sovine (Wednesday 17 July 1918 – Friday 4 April 1980) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Who Am I’ (Starday Records, 1969).
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Hank Williams Jr. Live At Cobo Hall, Detroit’ (MGM Records, 1969).
At the end of the 1960s, Mel Tillis and his new backing band, The Statesiders, came into their own as performers, with two Billboard Top 10 country music hit singles in 1969, ‘These Lonely Hands of Mine’ (No.9, 1969) and ‘She’ll Be Hanging Around Somewhere’ (No.10, 1969).
Linda Ronstadt recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Mental Revenge’ and included the track on ‘Silk Purse’ (Capitol Records, 1970).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Country Hit Parade’ (Kapp Records, 1970).
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘Country Girl’ (Capitol Records, 1970).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Gonna Burn Some Bridges’ and included the track on ‘For The Good Times’ (Columbia Records, 1970).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘Your Love Is The Way’ (Decca Records, 1970).
In 1970, Mel Tillis scored back-to-back Billboard Top 5 country music hit singles, with ‘Heart Over Mind’ (No.3, 1970) and ‘Heaven Everyday’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) (No.5, 1970).
Dean Martin (Thursday 7 June 1917 – Monday 25 December 1995) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘My Woman, My Woman, My Wife’ (Reprise Records, 1970).
Dean Martin (Thursday 7 June 1917 – Monday 25 December 1995) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘My Woman, My Woman, My Wife’ (Reprise Records, 1970).
In 1971, Mel Tillis began a successful string of duets with Sherry Bryce, which included ‘Take My Hand’ (written by Les Acton, Helen Acton and Shirley Price) (No.8, 1971) and ‘Living & Learning’.
It was also in 1971 when Mel Tillis saw the release of ‘Mel Tillis: Recorded Live At The Sam Houston Coliseum’ (MGM Records, 1971).
Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Loving Her Was Easier’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘One More Time’ (Capitol Records, 1971).
Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 – Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Everybody Knows’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Only A Woman Like You’ (RCA Victor Records, 1971).
• Ann M. Stuckey submitted a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Saturday 25 January 2014
The Wilburn Brothers – Doyle Wilburn (Monday 7 July 1930 – Saturday 16 October 1982) & Teddy Wilburn (Monday 30 November 1931 – Monday 24 November 2003) – recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘That She’s Leaving Feeling’ (Decca Records, 1971).
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Commercial Affection’ and included the track on ‘One Sweet Hello’ (Decca Records, 1971).
Jerry Reed (Saturday 20 March 1937 – Monday 1 September 2008) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘When You’re Hot, You’re Hot’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Gary Buck (Thursday 21 March 1940 – Tuesday 14 October 2003) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘Gary Buck Sings’ (RCA Camden Records, 1971).
In 1972, Mel Tillis enjoyed his first Billboard No.1 country music hit single with ‘I Ain’t Never’ (No.1 for two weeks in September / October 1972); the track, which was written by Mel Tillis and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), was included on Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (MGM Records, 1972).
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’m Gonna Act Right’ and included the track on ‘Forgive Me For Calling You Darling’ (RCA Victor Records, 1972); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972.
• Ann M. Stuckey submitted a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Saturday 25 January 2014
Dickey Lee recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Tupelo County Jail’, which was co-written with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on ‘Baby Bye Bye’ (RCA Victor Records, 1972).
Mel Street (Saturday 21 October 1933 – Saturday 21 October 1978) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘The Town Where You Live’ (Metrologic Records, 1973).
Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’, which was co-written with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on ‘Kindly Keep It Country’ (Dot Records, 1973).
Dave Dudley (Thursday 3 May 1928 – Monday 22 December 2003) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I Keep Looking Back’ and included the track on ‘Special Delivery’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Dave Edmunds recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’, which was co-written with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on ‘Subtle As A Flying Mallet’ (RCA Records, 1975); the album was re-released, in the United Kingdom, in February 2013, by RPM Records, as a deluxe edition.
Barbara Mandrell recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Mental Revenge’ and included the track on ‘This Is Barbara Mandrell’ (Dot Records, 1976).
On Monday 11 October 1976, a date upon which Gene Watson celebrated his 33rd birthday, Mel Tillis was awarded The Country Music Association (CMA) ‘Entertainer of The Year’ Award.
In September 1977, Mel Tillis saw the release of ‘Love’s Troubled Waters’ (MCA Records, 1977); one of the included tracks was ‘I Got The Hoss’ (written by Gerald House), which reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977, and featured guest vocals from Janie Fricke.
Jody Miller (Saturday 29 November 1941 – Thursday 6 October 2022) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘You Can Be Replaced’, which was co-written with Jerry Crutchfield (Friday 10 August 1934 – Tuesday 11 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Here’s Jody Miller’ (Epic Records, 1977).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Honky Tonk Song’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Georgia Keeps Pulling On My Ring’ (MCA Records, 1978).
Most of the 1970s turned out to be a very successful time for Mel Tillis as a country music recording artist, as evidenced by a series of Billboard Top 5 hit singles, including the following:
‘Neon Rose’ (written by Rory Bourke and Gayle Barnhill) (No.3, 1972)
‘Sawmill’ (written by Mel Tillis and Horace Whatley) (No.2, 1973)
‘Midnight, Me & The Blues’ (written by Jerry House) (No.2, 1973)
‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (written by Ronal McCown) (No.3, 1974)
‘Memory Maker’ (written by Mel Tillis and Kent Westberry) (No.3, 1974)
Between 1976 and 1980, Mel Tillis scored five No.1 hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Good Woman Blues’ (written by Ken McDuffle) (No.1 for two weeks in November / December 1976)
‘Heart Healer’ (written by Tom Gmeiner and John Greenebaum) (No.1 for one week in March 1977)
‘I Believe In You’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Gene Dunlap) (No.1 for one week in July 1978)
‘Coca Cola Cowboy’ (written by Sandy Pinkard, Steve Dorff, Bud Dain and Sam Atchley) (No.1 for one week in August 1979)
‘Southern Rains’ (written by Roger Murrah) (No.1 for one week in February 1981)
Gail Davies recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘No Love Have I’ and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Gail Davies’ (Lifesong Records, 1978); the track reached No.23 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978.
Dolly Parton recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘9 To 5 & Odd Jobs’ (RCA Records, 1980).
Mel Tillis also appeared in a number of feature films, including the following:
• ‘W.W. & The Dixie Dance Kings’ in 1975, which starred Burt Reynolds (Tuesday 11 February 1936 – Thursday 6 September 2018), Jerry Reed Hubbard (Saturday 20 March 1937 – Monday 1 September 2008) and Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017)
• ‘The Villain’ in 1977, which starred Kirk Douglas (9 December 1916 – Wednesday 5 February 2020) and Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Clint Eastwood’s ‘Every Which Way But Loose’ in 1979, the soundtrack of which included Mel Tillis’ No.1 single ‘Coca Cola Cowboy’
• ‘Smokey & The Bandit II’ in 1980
Although Mel Tillis continued to work in films (co-starring in both ‘Cannonball Run’ pictures) and notched the occasional Billboard Top 10 hit single, such as ‘A Million Old Goodbyes’ (No.8, 1981) and ‘In The Middle of The Night’ (No.10, 1983), Mel Tillis’ days as a superstar were over.
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Mental Revenge’ and included the track on ‘It’s Only Rock & Roll’ (RCA Records, 1983).
In September 1983, Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) saw the release of ‘Waylon & Company’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983); one of the included tracks was ‘Mason Dixon Lines’, which was written by Dan Mitchell (passed away on Wednesday 22 May 2019), and featured guest vocals from Mel Tillis.
However, Mel Tillis remained a popular songwriter, especially among younger country music artists. His ‘Honey (Open That Door)’ was a Billboard No.1 hit single for Ricky Skaggs (No.1 for one week in June 1984); the track was included on Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown’ (Epic Records, 1983) and Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Live In London’ (Epic Records, 1985).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’m Tired’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990) and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on ‘Comin’ Home To Stay’ (Epic Records, 1987); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Juice Newton recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Emotions’ (co-written with Ramsey Kearney) and included the track on ‘Emotion’ (Capitol Records, 1987).
Larry Boone recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Honky Tonk Song’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Larry Boone’ (Mercury Records, 1988).
Susan Ledford recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Emotions’ (co-written with Ramsey Kearney) and included the track on ‘Something Old, Something New’ (Project One Records, 1989).
Suzy Bogguss recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘As If I Didn’t Know’, which was co-written with Hal Bynum (Saturday 29 September 1934 – Thursday 2 June 2022), and included the track on ‘Moment of Truth’ (Liberty Records, 1990).
In the early 1990s, Mel Tillis continued as a successful road act, at a time when his daughter, Pam Tillis, emerged to become one of the country music genre’s most successful artists.
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘We Need To Walk’ and included the track on ‘Unmistakably’ (Broadland International Records / Etude Records Records, 1991).
The original version of ‘Everything Is Beautiful’ (written by Ray Stevens) was included on Ray Stevens’ ‘Everything Is Beautiful’ (Barnaby Records, 1970), and reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1970, and No.39 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970, earning Ray Stevens a Grammy Award for ‘Male Vocalist of The Year’.
Dude Mowrey recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Honky Tonk Song’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Honky Tonk’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1991).
George Strait recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Thoughts of A Fool’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on the soundtrack album for ‘Pure Country’ (MCA Records, 1992).
Holly Dunn (Thursday 22 August 1957 – Tuesday 15 November 2016) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘No Love Have I’ and included the track on ‘Getting It Dunn’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992).
On Tuesday 26 April 1994, Pam Tillis saw the release of ‘Sweetheart’s Dance’ (Arista Records, 1994); one of the included tracks was ‘Til All The Lonely’s Gone’ (written by Pam Tillis, Bob DiPiero and John Scott Sherrill), which was a duet with Mel Tillis.
Bill Anderson recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘I Wonder If God Likes Country Music’ (Fat Boy Records, 1995).
Ronnie Reno & The Reno Brothers (Don Wayne Reno and Dale Reno) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’m So Dog Gone Used To Lovin’ You’, which was co-written with Wayne Carson (Monday 31 May 1943 – Monday 20 July 2015), and included the track on ‘Swing West’ (Pinecastle Records, 1995); the track name-checked Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016).
In 1995, Mel Tillis saw the release of ‘The Memory Maker’ (Polygram Records, 1995), a collection of original recordings of some of Mel Tillis’ great hit singles:
‘I Ain’t Never’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (MGM Records, 1972), was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in September / October 1972
‘Brand New Mister Me’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Very Best of Mel Tillis’ (MGM Records, 1972), reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971
‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (MGM Records, 1974), reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974
‘Commercial Affection’ (written by Mel Tillis) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Arms of A Fool / Commercial Affection’ (MGM Records, 1971), reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Midnight, Me & The Blues’ (written by Jerry House) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (MGM Records, 1974), reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘Woman In The Back of My Mind’ (written by Ronal McCown and Roger Jaudon) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Best Way I Know How’ (MGM Records, 1975), reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975
‘Sawmill’ (written by Mel Tillis and Horace Whatley) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (MGM Records, 1973), reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘The Arms of A Fool’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Arms of A Fool / Commercial Affection’ (MGM Records, 1971), reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Neon Rose’ (written by Rory Bourke and Gayle Barnhill) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (MGM Records, 1972), reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972
‘Take My Hand’ (written by Les Acton, Helen Acton and Shirley Price) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis & Sherry Bryce’s ‘Living & Learning / Take My Hand’ (MGM Records, 1971), reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971
‘Heaven Everyday’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘One More Time’ (MGM Records, 1970), reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Memory Maker’ (written by Mel Tillis and Kent Westberry) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (MGM Records, 1972), reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974
‘Mental Revenge’ (written by Mel Tillis) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘M-M-Mel’ (MGM Records, 1975), reached No.15 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976
BR5-49 recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Honky Tonk Song’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘BR5-49’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1996).
BR5-49 recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’, which was co-written with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on ‘BR5-49’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1996).
Gary Buck (Thursday 21 March 1940 – Tuesday 14 October 2003) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘Western Swing & Country’ (Broadland International Records, 1998).
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Foolish Pride’ (co-written with Ernie Rowell) and included the track on ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ (Audium Records, 2000).
On Tuesday 6 March 2001, Pam Tillis saw the release of ‘Thunder and Roses’ (Arista Records, 2001); one of the included tracks was ‘Waiting On The Wind’ (written by Tony Haselden), which was a duet with Mel Tillis.
Justin Trevino recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Old Faithful’ and included the track on ‘The Scene of The Crying’ (Lone Star Records, 2002).
On Tuesday 3 September 2002, Pam Tillis saw the release of ‘It’s All Relative: Tillis Sings Tillis’ (Epic Records / Lucky Dog Records, 2002), which included the following tracks:
‘Burning Memories’ (written by Mel Tillis and Wayne P. Walker)
‘So Wrong’, which was written by Carl Perkins (Saturday 9 April 1932 – Monday 19 January 1998), Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008) and Mel Tillis
‘Unmitigated Gall’ (written by Mel Tillis)
‘The Violet & A Rose’, which was written by Theresa Auge, John Reinfeld, Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) and Mel Tillis
‘I Ain’t Never’, which was written by Mel Tillis and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991)
‘Not Like It Was With You’ (written by Mel Tillis)
‘Mental Revenge’ (written by Mel Tillis)
‘Heart Over Mind’ (written by Mel Tillis)
‘Goodbye Wheeling’ (written by Mel Tillis)
‘Emotions’ (written by Mel Tillis and Ramsey Kearney)
‘Honey (Open That Door)’ (written by Mel Tillis)
‘Detroit City’, which was written by Mel Tillis and Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008)
‘Come On & Sing’ (written by Mel Tillis)
Pam Tillis’ ‘It’s All Relative: Tillis Sings Tillis’ (Epic Records / Lucky Dog Records, 2002) reached No.54 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2002.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Detroit City’, which was co-written with Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008), and included the track on ‘Hits I Missed…& One I Didn’t’ (Bandit Records, 2005), which was produced by Keith Stegall.
On Tuesday 28 June 2005, Trick Pony saw the release of ‘R.I.D.E.’ (Asylum Records / Curb Records, 2005); one of the included tracks was ‘Ain’t Wastin’ Good Whiskey On You’ (written by Wally Wilson and Buck Moore), which featured background vocals from Tracy Byrd, Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020), Mel Tillis, Tanya Tucker and Darryl Worley, and reached No.42 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2005.
Hacienda Brothers – Chris Gaffney (Tuesday 3 October 1950 – Thursday 17 April 2008), Dave Gonzalez, Dave Berzansky, Dale Daniel and Hank Maninger – recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Mental Revenge’ and included the track on ‘Hacienda Brothers’ (Proper Records, 2005).
The Tom Travis Bluegrass Band recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (co-written with Horace Whatley) and included the track on ‘Rootin’ For Roots’ (Redeye Acoustic Records / Proper Distribution UK, 2006).
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Stick With Me, Baby’ and included the track on ‘Raising Sand’ (Rounder Records, 2007).
Marty Stuart & The Fabulous Superlatives recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘A Honky Tonk Song’, which was co-written with Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Cool Country Favourites’ (Superlatone Records, 2008).
Annette Hawkins & Kim Copedo recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Who’s Laughing Now’ (co-written with Tom Littlefield and Richard Rowell) and included the track on ‘Something Between Us’ (Annette Hawkins & Kim Copedo Music, 2008).
On Tuesday 9 June 2009, Darryl Worley saw the release of ‘Sounds Like Life’ (Stroudavarious Records, 2009); one of the included tracks was ‘Don’t Show Up (If You Can’t Get Down)’ (written by Jim ‘Moose’ Brown, Kevin Grantt and Darryl Worley), which featured guest vocals from Bill Anderson, John Anderson, Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017), Jamey Johnson, and Smash Mouth (Steve Harwell).
Lorrie Morgan recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Alright, I’ll Sign The Papers’ and included the track on ‘A Moment In Time’ (Stroudavarious Records / Country Crossing Records, 2009).
Cory Walker recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Memory Maker’ (co-written with Kent Westberry) and included the track on ‘Cory Walker’ (Walker Records, 2010).
Jamey Johnson recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Mental Revenge’ and included the track on ‘The Guitar Song’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2010).
Amber Digby recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘There Must Be Another Way To Live’ and included the track on ‘Another Way To Live’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2010).
Lonesome River Band recorded Me Tillis’ ‘Goodbye Wheeling’ and included the track on ‘Still Learning’ (Rural Rhythm Records, 2010).
Lorrie Morgan & Pam Tillis recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘I’m Tired’, which was co-written with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) and Aubrey Ross ‘Buck’ Peddy (Thursday 23 April 1908 – Tuesday 13 March 1990), and included the track on ‘Dos Divas’ (Red River Entertainment, 2013).
Justin Trevino recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘Live At London Dance Hall’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2015).
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Mental Revenge’ and included the track on ‘It’s About Time’ (Nashville Icon Records, 2016).
Landon Dodd recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘What Comes Natural To A Fool’ and included the track on ‘What Comes Natural To A Fool’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2016).
Jeff Woolsey recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Memory Maker’ (co-written with Kent Westberry) and included the track on ‘The Real Me’ (Shuffle One Records, 2016).
Teea Goans recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Heart Over Mind’ and included the track on ‘Swing, Shuffle & Sway’ (Crosswind Corporation, 2017).
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘Goodbye Wheeling’ and included the track on ‘Original’ (Compass Records, 2017).
On Sunday 19 November 2017, Mel Tillis passed away at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida. The probable cause, according to Mel Tillis’ publicist, was respiratory failure. Mel Tillis was 85 years old.
On Monday 27 November 2017, commencing at 3:00pm, a funeral service for Mel Tillis was held at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee.
On Wednesday 31 January 2018, at 10:00am, a memorial service for Mel Tillis was held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
The memorial service, which was free and open to the public, featured performances by Kenyon Lockry, Brenda Lee, Alison Krauss with Street Corner Symphony, Jamey Johnson, Ricky Skaggs, Collin Raye, Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018), Lorrie Morgan, Ira Dean, Ray Stevens, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Pam Tillis, Sonny Tillis and Carrie April Tillis.
Mel Tillis’ band, The Statesiders (named after his 1966 single ‘Stateside’), accompanied select performances.
Gene Watson Mourns Passing of Mel Tillis
‘Mel was a true country legend. A singer, a songwriter and entertainer.
Like Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), Mel was a forerunner in bringing a big band to country with 3 fiddles.
As big as he was, he made time to come visit when I was in the studio.
When I was in Branson, he would often drop by.
I recorded Mel’s song ‘Burning Memories’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) for Resco Records in 1972.
He was just a genuine nice guy and we will all miss him dearly’
Gene Watson statement courtesy of Adkins Publicity
On Friday 2 February 2018, Hump Head Country / Wrasse Records released Mel Tillis’ ‘Memory Maker: Best of The MGM Years’ (Hump Head Country / Wrasse Records, 2018), a 2-CD set, which included 50 tracks, many of which had never before been available on CD:
CD 1
‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (MGM Records, 1974), reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974
‘Sawmill’ (written by Mel Tillis and Horace Whatley) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (MGM Records, 1973), reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘The Arms of A Fool’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Arms of A Fool / Commercial Affection’ (MGM Records, 1971), reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Neon Rose’ (written by Rory Bourke and Gayle Barnhill) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (MGM Records, 1972), reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972
‘Don’t Let Go’ (written by J. Stone) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis & Sherry Bryce’s ‘Let’s Go All The Way Tonight’ (MGM Records, 1974), reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974
‘Commercial Affection’ (written by Mel Tillis) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Arms of A Fool / Commercial Affection’ (MGM Records, 1971), reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Gonna Burn Some Bridges’ (written by Mel Tillis) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘One More Time’ (MGM Records, 1970), was not released as a single
‘Thank You For Being You’ (written by Kent Westberry and Hal Harbour) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (MGM Records, 1973), reached No.21 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘Best Way I Know How’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Best Way I Know How’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘Stolen Wine’ (written by S. Ammons) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Would You Want The World To End’ (MGM Records, 1972), was not released as a single
‘Woman In The Back of My Mind’ (written by Ronal McCown and Roger Jaudon) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Best Way I Know How’ (MGM Records, 1975), reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975
‘Somebody Gave Lucy A Drink’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (MGM Records, 1974), was not released as a single
‘Take My Hand’ (written by Les Acton, Helen Acton and Shirley Price) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis & Sherry Bryce’s ‘Living & Learning / Take My Hand’ (MGM Records, 1971), reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971
‘Mr. Right & Mrs. Wrong’ (written by Kent Westberry and Hal Harbour) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis & Sherry Bryce’s ‘Let’s Go All The Way Tonight’ (MGM Records, 1974), reached No.32 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975
‘Brand New Wrapper’ (written by Mel Tillis) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘One More Time’ (MGM Records, 1970), was not released as a single
‘Mental Revenge’ (written by Mel Tillis) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘M-M-Mel’ (MGM Records, 1975), reached No.15 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976
‘Brand New Mister Me’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Very Best of Mel Tillis’ (MGM Records, 1972), reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971
‘Cheap Imitation’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (MGM Records, 1973), was not released as a single
‘Your Memory Sure Gets Around’ (written by Ronal McCown) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Mel Tillis: Live At The Sam Houston Coliseum’ (MGM Records, 1971), was not released as a single
‘Eve’s Garden’ (written by Neal Davenport) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Would You Want The World To End’ (MGM Records, 1972), was not released as a single
‘Veil of White Lace’ (written by Damon Gale Black) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘One More Time’ (MGM Records, 1970), was not released as a single
‘Borrowed Angel’, which was written by Mel Street (Saturday 21 October 1933 – Saturday 21 October 1978) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (MGM Records, 1973), was not released as a single
‘Midnight, Me & The Blues’ (written by Jerry House) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (MGM Records, 1974), reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘Memory Maker’ (written by Mel Tillis and Kent Westberry) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (MGM Records, 1972), reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974
‘Wine Me Up’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Arms of A Fool / Commercial Affection’ (MGM Records, 1971), was not released as a single
CD 2
‘I Ain’t Never’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (MGM Records, 1972), was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in September / October 1972
‘Moanin’ The Blues’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Best Way I Know How’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ (written by Mel Tillis) (‘live’) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Mel Tillis: Live At The Sam Houston Coliseum’ (MGM Records, 1971), was not released as a single
‘Come On Home’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Welcome To Mel Tillis Country’ (MGM Records, 1976), was released as a single in 1976, but it did not chart
‘Rainy Day Woman’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘M-M-Mel’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘If I Throw Away My Pride’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Sawmill’ (MGM Records, 1973), was not released as a single
‘Anything’s Better Than Nothing’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis & Sherry Bryce’s ‘Living & Learning / Take My Hand’ (MGM Records, 1971), was not released as a single
‘My Bad Girl Treats Me Good’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘M-M-Mel’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘Detroit City’ (written by Mel Tillis) (‘live’) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Mel Tillis: Live At The Sam Houston Coliseum’ (MGM Records, 1971), was not released as a single
‘Who’s Julie’ (‘live’) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Mel Tillis: Live At The Sam Houston Coliseum’ (MGM Records, 1971), was not released as a single
‘Storms Never Last’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘M-M-Mel’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘She Still Loves Me’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘M-M-Mel’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘You Never Tried To Clip My Wings’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘M-M-Mel’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘It’s My Love (& I’m A Gonna Give It)’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘I Ain’t Never’ (MGM Records, 1972), was not released as a single
‘Always Just A Memory Away’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Welcome To Mel Tillis Country’ (MGM Records, 1976) was not released as a single
‘That Woman of Mine’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Welcome To Mel Tillis Country’ (MGM Records, 1976) was not released as a single
‘You Only Think of Me (When You’re Lonely)’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Best Way I Know How’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘Would You Want The World To End’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Would You Want The World To End’ (MGM Records, 1972), was not released as a single
‘Untouched’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘The Very Best of Mel Tillis’ (MGM Records, 1972), was not released as a single
‘Lookin’ For Tomorrow (& Finding Yesterdays)’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘M-M-Mel’ (MGM Records, 1975), was not released as a single
‘Living & Learning’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis & Sherry Bryce’s ‘Living & Learning / Take My Hand’ (MGM Records, 1971), was not released as a single
‘Let’s Go All The Way Tonight’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis & Sherry Bryce’s ‘Let’s Go All The Way Tonight’ (MGM Records, 1974), was not released as a single
‘Hang My Picture In Your Heart’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘Stomp Them Grapes’ (MGM Records, 1974), was not released as a single
‘You Are The One’ / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis & Sherry Bryce’s ‘Let’s Go All The Way Tonight’ (MGM Records, 1974), was not released as a single
‘Heaven Everyday’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) / this track, which was originally included on Mel Tillis’ ‘One More Time’ (MGM Records, 1970), reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
Connie Smith recorded Mel Tillis’ ‘All The Time’ (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on ‘The Cry of The Heart’ (Fat Possum Records, 2021).
• Visit Mel Tillis’ official site at meltillis.com