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 during 2010, 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 Bill Anderson, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 4 November 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Bill Anderson who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Bill Anderson
This quote was submitted on Thursday 4 November 2010.
‘Gene Watson is a singer’s singer.
We all admire him and his talent greatly, and most of us wish we had just half the voice that he has.
He’s been very good to me over the years, recording several songs that I have written, and lending his talent to our Country’s Family Reunion shows every time he has the chance.
When Gene Watson sings a song, it has been sung.
I can pay him no greater compliment’
Thank you, Bill Anderson, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Bill Anderson…
Bill Anderson was born James William Anderson III on Monday 1 November 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina and was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Bill studied journalism at University of Georgia with an eye toward sports writing and worked his way through school as a radio disc jockey, when he first tried song-writing and singing.
Bill Anderson earned a degree in journalism from University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication and landed a job at Atlanta Constitution. Bill Anderson also became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Bill Anderson’s composition, ‘City Lights’, which was written when he was nineteen years old, while he was working in Commerce, Georgia at radio station WJJC-AM, was recorded by Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) in 1958; the song was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for thirteen weeks between October 1958 and January 1959. Bill Anderson took full advantage of his big break, moving to Nashville and landed a recording contract with Decca Records.
Before signing to Decca Records, Bill Anderson recorded for the small TNT record label between 1957 and 1959, where he saw the release of three singles which failed to hit the Billboard country music singles chart, including a version of ‘City Lights’. After signing with Decca Records in 1959, Bill Anderson left TNT.
Bill Anderson’s first chart hit single came with ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ in 1959, and he enjoyed his first Billboard Top 10 entry with ‘Tips of My Fingers’ in 1960.
One of the most successful songwriters in country music history, Bill Anderson was also a popular singer, earning the nickname, ‘Whispering Bill’, because of his soft vocal style and occasional spoken narrations.
Early hits like ‘Po’ Folks’ (1961), ‘Mama Sang A Song’ (his first No.1, in 1962) and ‘8 x 10’ (No.2, 1963) still remain among Bill Anderson’s best-known hit songs.
Bill Anderson recorded his biggest hit and signature song, the partly spoken ballad, ‘Still’, in 1963; the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in April / May 1963, No.8 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1963, and No.3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 1963.
Billboard Magazine subsequently named Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ as ‘Top Country Single’ for 1963.
Bill Anderson reached the Billboard country music Top 5 on a total of nineteen occasions through 1978; these hit singles included ‘I Get The Fever’ (No.1 for one week in November 1966), ‘For Loving You’ (No.1 for three weeks in December 1967 / January 1968), which was a duet with regular partner Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020), ‘My Life (Throw it Away If I Want To)’ (No.1 for two weeks in May 1969), ‘World of Make Believe’ (No.1 for one week in February 1974) and ‘Sometimes’ (No.1 for one week in February 1976) (a duet with Mary Lou Turner).
Bill Anderson hit the Billboard Top Ten country music singles chart for the last time in 1978 with ‘I Can’t Wait Any Longer’ (No.4, 1978) and, by 1982, he had stepped away from his country music career.
Bill Anderson has made several television appearances, including two stints as a game show host: ‘The Better Sex’ (with co-host Sarah Purcell) in 1977 and the country music-themed quiz show ‘Fandango’ (1983 – 1989) on The Nashville Network (TNN).
Bill Anderson has also hosted an interview show called ‘Opry Backstage’ and was a producer of a talent show called ‘You Can Be A Star’, which was hosted by fellow Opry member Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015), both shows on the former Nashville Network.
Bill Anderson has been voted and nominated ‘Songwriter of The Year’ six times, ‘Male Vocalist of The Year’, half of the ‘Duet of The Year’ with both Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) and Mary Lou Turner, has hosted and starred in the ‘Country Music Television Series of The Year’, seen his band voted ‘Band of The Year’ and, in 1975, was inducted into The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 1985, Bill Anderson was chosen as only the seventh living performer inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
In 1989, Bill Anderson’s autobiography, ‘Whisperin’ Bill’, was published by Longstreet Press; the book, which he personally wrote over three years, made bestseller lists all across the south of the United States.
In 1993, Bill Anderson was made a member of Georgia Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame.
In 1994, Bill Anderson was inducted into South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame.
In 1995, Billboard magazine named four Bill Anderson compositions – ‘City Lights’, ‘Once A Day’, ‘Still’ and ‘Mama Sang A Song’ – among the top twenty country songs of the past thirty-five years, more than any other songwriter.
In 1997, in Commerce, Georgia, Little Street was named as Bill Anderson Boulevard in honour of the singer / songwriter, who was formerly a disc-jockey at local radio station WJJC.
On Little Street, in Commerce, Georgia is a small hotel where Bill Anderson penned one of his memorable country songs. ‘City Lights’ was recorded by Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for thirteen weeks between October 1958 and January 1959. The track reached No.71 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1958 and was subsequently included on ‘Ray Price’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1961).
Bill Anderson ended the 1990s with a pair of hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, ‘Wish You Were Here’ (co-written with Skip Ewing and Debbie Moore) recorded by Mark Wills (No.1 for one week in May 1999) and the Grammy-nominated ‘Two Teardrops’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) recorded by Steve Wariner (No.2, 1999).
Bill Anderson’s song, ‘Too Country’ (co-written with Chuck Cannon), which was recorded by Brad Paisley, along with Bill Anderson, Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), was awarded the ‘CMA Vocal Event of The Year’ Award in 2001; the track, which reached No.58 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 2001, was also included on Brad Paisley’s ‘Part II’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2001).
It was also in 2001 when Bill Anderson received the ultimate honour; his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville.
On Tuesday 5 November 2002, BMI named Bill Anderson its first country song-writing ‘Icon’, placing him alongside R&B legends Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and James Brown as the only recipients of that award.
The video for ‘Whiskey Lullaby’, which was recorded by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, won Bill Anderson ‘Video of The Year’ and ‘Vocal Collaboration of The Year’ in 2004.
In 2005, Brad Paisley’s ‘Time Well Wasted’ (Arista Records, 2005) included the track ‘Cornography’, which featured James Burton & The Kung Pao Buckaroos, a group which included George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) and Bill Anderson, with Dolly Parton as ‘Miss Kitty’.
On Saturday 15 July 2006, Bill Anderson celebrated his 45th year as a member of The Grand Ole Opry. Bill Anderson also hosts a show on Sirius XM Radio, ‘Bill Anderson Visits With The Legends’, in which he interviews various country music legends.
Based on the 1958 release of the Bill Anderson written song, ‘City Lights’, in 2008, Sirius XM broadcast a special, and interviewed Bill to celebrate fifty years in county music.
According to BMI, various artists had recorded and released over four hundred different Bill Anderson written / co-written songs in that fifty year period.
Bill Anderson’s ‘Give It Away’, which was co-written with Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson, and performed by George Strait, won the Academy of Country Music (ACM) ‘Song of The Year’ Award for 2006; the track, which was included on George Strait’s ‘It Just Comes Natural’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2006), was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for one week in September / October 2006.
In November 2007, ‘Give It Away’ was named Country Music Association (CMA) ‘Song of The Year’, an award which goes to the songwriters, Bill Anderson being a co-writer.
Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson Sings Country Heart Songs’ (Decca Records, 1962) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Po’ Folks’ (No.9, 1962)
‘City Lights’
‘Mama Sang A Song’ (No.1, 1962) / this track also reached No.89 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1962
‘Walk Out Backwards’ (No.9, 1962)
‘Ninety Nine’
‘Tips of My Fingers’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ (Decca Records, 1963) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Still’ (No.1 for three weeks on the Billboard country music singles chart in April / May 1963) / this track also reached No.8 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1963
‘Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands’ (No.14, 1963)
‘Restless’, which was co-written with Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 – Sunday 19 September 2004)
‘Happiness’
‘I Wish it Was Mine’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Sings’ (Decca Records, 1964) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (No.14, 1964)
‘Five Little Fingers’ (No.5, 1964)
‘Eight By Ten’ (No.2, 1964) / this track also reached No.53 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1964
‘Best of Strangers’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006)
‘One Mile Over, Two Miles Back’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Showcase’ (Decca Records, 1964) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Three AM’ (No.8, 1964)
‘In Case You Ever Change Your Mind’
‘Cincinnati, Ohio’
‘Then & Only Then’
Bill Anderson’s ‘From This Pen’ (Decca Records, 1965) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Saginaw, Michigan’, which was co-written with Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011)
‘City Lights’
‘Once A Day’
‘I Missed Me’
‘Mama Sang A Song’ (No.1, 1962) / this track also reached No.89 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1962
‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ (No.12, 1965)
‘Riverboat’
‘Tips of My Fingers’ (No.7, 1962)
‘I’ve Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand’
‘Po’ Folks’ (No.9, 1962)
‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ (No.1, 1965) / this track also reached No.8 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1965
‘Still’ (No.1 for three weeks in April / May 1963) / this track also reached No.8 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1963
On Monday 21 May 2012, Hux Records released Bill Anderson’s ‘From This Pen’ (Decca Records, 1965), along with Bill Anderson’s ‘Get While The Gettin’s Good’ (Decca Records, 1967), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX 130).
Bill Anderson’s ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’ (Decca Records, 1965) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was co-written with Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985) (No.11, 1965)
‘I’ll Go Down Swinging’
‘Cocktails’
Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You Drops’ (Decca Records, 1966) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘I Love You, Drops’ (No.4, 1966)
‘Think I’ll Go Somewhere (& Cry Myself To Sleep)’
‘I Get The Fever’ (No.1, 1966)
‘Used To’
‘Next Time You’re In Alaska’
‘Nail My Shoes To The Floor’
‘Certain’ (No.12, 1966)
Bill Anderson’s ‘Get While The Gettin’s Good’ (Decca Records, 1967) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Get While The Gettin’s Good’ (No.5, 1967)
‘First Mrs. Jones’
‘Bad Seed’
‘Something To Believe In’
‘Born’
On Monday 21 May 2012, Hux Records released Bill Anderson’s ‘Get While The Gettin’s Good’ (Decca Records, 1967), along with Bill Anderson’s ‘From This Pen’ (Decca Records, 1965), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX 130).
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard‘s ‘For Loving You’ (Decca Records, 1967) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘I Thank God For You’ (co-written with Mike Cloer)
‘I’ll Be Waiting’ (co-written with Moneen Carpenter)
Bill Anderson’s ‘I Can Do Nothing Alone’ (Decca Records, 1967) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘I Can Do Nothing Alone’
‘Papa’ (No.64, 1967)
Bill Anderson’s Po’ Boys’ ‘Pick Again’ (Decca Records, 1967) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Nickels, Quarters & Dimes’, which was co-written with Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985)
‘Used To’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson’s Country Style’ (Vocalion Records, 1968) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Ninety-Nine’
‘Walk Out Backwards’
‘Thrill of My Life’
‘It’s Not The End of Everything’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Wild Weekend’ (Decca Records, 1968) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Wild Weekend’ (No.2, 1968)
‘Won’t It Ever Be Morning’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Happy State of Mind’ (Decca Records, 1968) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Happy State of Mind’ (No.2, 1968)
‘I Still Believe In Love’
‘Time’s Been Good To Me’
‘Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Better Than Today’
‘Part of My Heart (Will Always Be Yours)’
‘It Just Don’t Take Me Long To Say Goodbye’
Bill Anderson’s ‘My Life / But You Know I Love You’ (Decca Records, 1969) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘My Life (Throw It Away If I Want To)’ (No.1 for two weeks in May 1969)
‘Us’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Christmas’ (Decca Records, 1969) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Po’ Folks Christmas’ (No.18, 1969)
‘My Christmas List Grows Shorter Every Year’
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard‘s ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘If It’s All The Same To You’
‘Untouchables’
‘Who Is The Biggest Fool’
‘Tell It Like It Was’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Love Is A Sometimes Thing’ (Decca Records, 1970) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘I Don’t Have Anyplace To Go’
‘You & Your Sweet Love’
‘Shirt’ (co-written with Mike Strickland and George Bailey)
‘I’ll Live For You’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Where Have All Our Heroes Gone’ (Decca Records, 1970) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Where Have All Our Heroes Gone’ (co-written with Bob Talbert) (No.6, early 1971)
‘Loving A Memory’
‘It Can’t Go Anywhere, But Wrong’
‘I’ll Bring More Flowers’ (co-written with Bobby Runnell)
Bill Anderson’s ‘Always Remember’ (Decca Records, 1971) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Kind of Needin’ I Need’
‘You’re Still The Only One I’ll Ever Love’
‘I’m Alright’
‘Feel Free To Go’
‘Lonesome Is The Mother of Soul’
Bill Anderson’s Po’ Boys’ ‘That Casual Country Feeling’ (Decca Records, 1971) included the following Bill Anderson composition:
‘Bill’s Medley: I Get The Fever / Get While The Getting’s Good’
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard‘s ‘Bill & Jan or Jan & Bill’ (Decca Records, 1972) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Dis-satisfied’, which was co-written with Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) and Carter Howard (No.4, 1972)
‘Knowing You’re Mine’
‘No Thanks, I Just Had One’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Just Plain Bill’ (Vocalion Records, 1972) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Us’
‘It Just Don’t Take Me Long To Say Goodbye’
‘Won’t It Ever Be Morning’
‘Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Better Than Today’
‘Something To Believe In’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson Sings For All The Lonely Women In The World’ (Decca Records, 1972) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘All The Lonely Women In The World’
‘If I Loved You Too Much (I’m Sorry)’
‘Lonely Together’
‘It Was Time For Me To Move On Anyway’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Don’t She Look Good’ (Decca Records, 1972) included the following Bill Anderson composition:
‘Calgary’ (co-written with Michael Taylor)
Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill’ (MCA Records, 1973) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘If You Can Live With It (I Can Live Without It)’ (No.2, 1973)
‘Home & Things’
‘Corner of My Life’ (No.2, 1973)
Bill Anderson’s ‘Whispering Bill’ (MCA Records, 1974) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Gettin’ To Know You’
‘As Much As I Love You’
‘I’m Happily Married (& Plan On Staying That Way)’
‘Mercy’
‘We Made Love (But Where’s The Love We Made)’ (co-written with Becki Anderson)
‘It’s Just Gonna Take Some Getting Used To’
‘Best It’s Ever Been’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Every Time I Turn The Radio On / Talk To Me Ohio’ (MCA Records, 1975) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Every Time I Turn The Radio On’ (No.7, 1975)
‘I Still Feel The Same About You’
‘Country DJ’
‘Roller Coaster Ride’
‘Talk To Me, Ohio’
‘Concrete’
‘You Are My Story (You Are My Song)’
‘Only Way To Travel’
Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner‘s ‘Sometimes’ (MCA Records, 1976) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Sometimes’ (No.1 for one week in February 1976)
‘Can We Still Be Friends’
‘Without’
‘Let Me Take You Away’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Peanuts & Diamonds & Other Jewels’ (MCA Records, 1976) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Meanwhile, Back In Cleveland’
‘Let Me Whisper Darling One More Time’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006)
‘We’ve Got It All’
‘Sweet Texas’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Peanuts & Diamonds & Other Jewels’ (MCA Records, 1976) also included ‘Peanuts & Diamonds’ (written by Bobby Braddock), which reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976.
Bill Anderson’s ‘Scorpio’ (MCA Records, 1977) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Love Song For Jackie’
‘This Ole Suitcase’
‘You’re Worth Waiting For’
Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner‘s ‘Billy Boy & Mary Lou’ (MCA Records, 1977) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Just Enough To Make Me Want It All’, which was co-written with Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001)
‘Children’
‘We Made Love (But Where’s The Love We Made)’ (co-written with Becki Anderson)
Bill Anderson’s ‘Love & Other Sad Stories’ (MCA Records, 1978) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘I Can’t Wait Any Longer’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) (No.4, 1978)
‘How Married Are You, Mary Ann’
‘All That Keeps Me Going’
‘Joanna’
‘Whiskey Can’t Sing’
‘Summer Sun’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Ladies Choice’ (MCA Records, 1979) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Trust Me’
‘One More Sexy Lady’
‘Remembering The Good’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006)
‘I Can’t Wait Any Longer’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006)
‘Married Lady’
‘Double S’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) (No.30, 1978)
Bill Anderson’s ‘Nashville Mirrors’ (MCA Records, 1980) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Old Me & You’
‘More Than A Bedroom Thing’
‘I’m Used To The Rain’
‘Her Wedding Ring’s A One Man Band’ (co-written with Jerry Abbott)
‘She Made Me Remember’
‘I Want That Feeling Again’
‘Love Me & I’ll Be Your Best Friend’
Bill Anderson’s ‘Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow’ (Swanee Records, 1984) included the following tracks:
‘Pity Party’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.62, 1985)
‘This Is The Goodbye (To End All Goodbyes)’, which was written by Ron Hellard and Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016)
‘Wino The Clown’, which was written by Bucky Jones, Ron Hellard and Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) (No.58, 1985)
‘I Never Lie To Ruby’ (written by Ron Hellard and Bucky Jones)
‘Country Music Died Today’, which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016), Ron Hellard and Bucky Jones
‘When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back’, which was written by Steve Clark and Johnny MacRae (1929 – Wednesday 3 July 2013) (No.75, 1985)
‘With Her’ (written by Dallas Cody)
‘Lorene’, which was co-written by Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011) and Buck Moore
‘Second Thoughts’ (written by B. Robinson and B. Elkington)
‘The Years Fall Away’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) and Felice Bryant (Friday 7 August 1925 – Tuesday 22 April 2003)
‘Don’t She Look Good’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) (No.2, 1972) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1972
‘Still’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.1 for three weeks on the Billboard country music singles chart in April / May 1963) / this track also reached No.8 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1963
‘Double S’, which was written by Bill Anderson and Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) (No.30, 1978)
‘Wild Weekend’ (No.2, 1968)
‘Mama Sang A Song’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.1 on the Billboard Hot C&W Sides Chart, for seven non-consecutive weeks between Saturday 27 October 1962 and Saturday 22 December 1962) / this track also reached No.89 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1962
‘Quits’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.3, 1972) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1972
‘Golden Guitar’ (written by Billy Gray and Curtis Leach) (No.11, 1965)
‘Po’ Folks’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.9, 1962)
‘Five Little Fingers’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.5, 1964)
‘I Love You, Drops’ (No.4, 1966)
Bill Anderson’s ‘Country Music Heaven’ (Curb Records, 1993) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Country Music Heaven’, which was co-written with Eddie Dean (9 July 1907 – Thursday 4 March 1999) and Hal Southern
‘Footprints In The Sand’
Bill Anderson’s ‘A Lot of Things Different’ (Varese Records, 2001) included the following Bill Anderson compositions:
‘Love Is A Fragile Thing’ (co-written with Steve Wariner)
‘When A Man Can’t Get A Woman (Off His Mind)’ (co-written with Sharon Vaughn)
‘A Lot of Things Different’ (co-written with Dean Dillon)
‘Fine Line’ (co-written with Walt Aldridge)
‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
‘I Can’t Find An Angel’ (co-written with Jon Randall)
‘Back When He Was Hungry’
‘Death In The Family’
‘She’s A Mistake I Made’
‘Too Country’ (co-written with Chuck Cannon)
On Monday 8 April 2013, Hump Head Country / Wrasse Records released Bill Anderson’s ‘The Definitive Collection’ (Hump Head Country / Wrasse Records, 2013), a 2-CD set, which included the following tracks:
CD 1
‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘From This Pen’ (Decca Records, 1965), and reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965
‘The Tip of My Fingers’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘From This Pen’ (Decca Records, 1965), and reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962
‘Walk Out Backwards’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson Sings Country Heart Songs’ (Decca Records, 1962), and reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962
‘Po’ Folks’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson Sings Country Heart Songs’ (Decca Records, 1962), and reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962
‘Mama Sang A Song’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson Sings Country Heart Songs’ (Decca Records, 1962), and reached No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962; the track also reached No.89 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1962
‘Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ (Decca Records, 1963), and reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963
‘Happiness’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ (Decca Records, 1963), and was not released as a single / In 1964, in the United Kingdom, Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd, OBE (Tuesday 8 November 1927 – Sunday 11 March 2018) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Happiness’, for Columbia Records; the track reached No.31 on the UK pop music singles chart in 1964
‘Still’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ (Decca Records, 1963), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in April / May 1963, No.8 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1963, and No.3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 1963; the track became Bill Anderson’s biggest hit single and signature song, and Billboard Magazine named Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ as ‘Top Country Single’ for 1963
‘8 x 10’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Sings’ (Decca Records, 1964), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964; the track also reached No.53 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1964
‘Five Little Fingers’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Sings’ (Decca Records, 1964), and reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964
‘Three AM’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Showcase’ (Decca Records, 1964), and reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964
‘Me’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Showcase’ (Decca Records, 1964), and was not released as a single
‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Sings’ (Decca Records, 1964), and reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964
‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was written by Bill Anderson and Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’ (Decca Records, 1965), and reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965
‘Certain’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You, Drops’ (Decca Records, 1966), and reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘Golden Guitar’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’ (Decca Records, 1965), and reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘I Love You, Drops’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You, Drops’ (Decca Records, 1966), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘I Get The Fever’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You, Drops’ (Decca Records, 1966), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1966
‘Get While The Gettin’s Good’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Get While The Gettin’s Good’ (Decca Records, 1967), and reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967
‘No One’s Gonna Hurt You Anymore’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Wild Weekend’ (Decca Records, 1968), and was not released as a single
‘For Loving You’ (written by Steve Karliski and Rossini Pinto) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson & Jan Howard‘s ‘For Loving You’ (Decca Records, 1967), and reached No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967
‘Wild Weekend’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Wild Weekend’ (Decca Records, 1968), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968
‘Happy State of Mind’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Happy State of Mind’ (Decca Records, 1968), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968
‘My Life (Throw It Away If I Want To)’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘My Life / But You Know I Love You’ (Decca Records, 1969), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in May 1969
‘But You Know I Love You’ (written by Michael Ward Settle) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘My Life / But You Know I Love You’ (Decca Records, 1969), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969
CD 2
‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson & Jan Howard‘s ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in late 1969
‘Love Is A Sometimes Thing’ / this track, which featured Bill Anderson with The Po Boys, was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Love is a Sometimes Thing’ (Decca Records, 1970), and reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Where Have All The Heroes Gone’ (written by Bill Anderson and Bob Talbert) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Where Have All Our Heroes Gone’ (Decca Records, 1970), and reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1971
‘Someday We’ll Be Together’, which was written by John William Bristol (Friday 3 February 1939 – Sunday 21 March 2004), Robert Lewis ‘Jackey’ Beavers (Saturday 19 June 1937 – Tuesday 28 October 2008) and Harvey Fuqua (Saturday 27 July 1929 – Tuesday 6 July 2010) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson & Jan Howard‘s ‘Bill & Jan or Jan & Bill’ (Decca Records, 1972), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Always Remember’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Always Remember’ (Decca Records, 1971), and reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971
‘Quits’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson’s Greatest Hits, Volume 2’ (Decca Records, 1971), and reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971
‘Dis-Satisfied’, which was written by Bill Anderson, Carter Howard and Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson & Jan Howard‘s ‘Bill & Jan or Jan & Bill’ (Decca Records, 1972), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971
‘Come Sundown’ (written by Gordon Lightfoot) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Always Remember’ (Decca Records, 1971), and was not released as a single
‘All The Lonely Women In The World’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson Sings For All The Lonely Women In The World’ (Decca Records, 1972), and reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972
‘Don’t She Look Good’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Don’t She Look Good’ (Decca Records, 1972), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972
‘If You Can Live With It (I Can Live Without It)’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill’ (MCA Records, 1973), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘The Corner of My Life’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill’ (MCA Records, 1973), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘World of Make Believe’ (written by Pee Wee Maddux, Marian Carpenter and Pete McCord) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill’ (MCA Records, 1973), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1974
‘Every Time I Turn The Radio On’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Every Time I Turn The Radio On / Talk To Me, Ohio’ (MCA Records, 1975), and reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975
‘Can I Come Home To You’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Whispering Bill’ (MCA Records, 1974), and reached No.24 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974
‘I Still Feel The Same About You’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Every Time I Turn The Radio On / Talk To Me, Ohio’ (MCA Records, 1975), and reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975
‘Sometimes’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner‘s ‘Sometimes’ (MCA Records, 1976), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1976
‘Liars One, Believers Zero’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Peanuts & Diamonds & Other Jewels’ (MCA Records, 1976), and reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘Peanuts & Diamonds’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Peanuts & Diamonds & Other Jewels’ (MCA Records, 1976), and reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976
‘That’s What Made Me Love You’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner‘s ‘Sometimes’ (MCA Records, 1976), and reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976
‘Still The One’ (written by Johanna Hall and John Hall) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Scorpio’ (MCA Records, 1977), and reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘Head To Toe’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Scorpio’ (MCA Records, 1977), and reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘I Can’t Wait Any Longer’, which was written by Bill Anderson and Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Love & Other Sad Stories’ (MCA Records, 1978), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978
‘Smooth Southern Highway’ / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Love & Other Sad Stories’ (MCA Records, 1978), and was not released as a single
‘Three Times A Lady’ (written by Lionel Richie) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Ladies Choice’ (MCA Records, 1979), and was not released as a single
On Friday 14 September 2018, Bill Anderson saw the release of ‘Anderson’ (TWI records, 2018), which included the following tracks:
‘Old Things New’ (co-written with Paul Overstreet and Buddy Cannon)
‘Everybody Wants To Be Twenty-One’ / this track was a duet with Jamey Johnson
‘Dixie Everywhere I Go’
‘Dead To You’
‘Something To Believe In’
‘Watchin’ It Rain’
‘That’s What Made Me Love You’
‘Practice Laving Town’
‘The Only Bible’
‘Waffle House Christmas’
‘Thankful’
On Friday 24 July 2020, Bill Anderson saw the release of ‘The Hits Re-Imagined’ (TWI Records, 2020), which was produced by Bill Anderson and Thomm Jutz, and included a collection of his former hits, as well as compositions which had been hit singles for other country artists:
‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was written by Bill Anderson and Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985) / this track was originally recorded by Bill Anderson, who included it on ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’ (Decca Records, 1965); Bill Anderson’s version of the track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965
‘Whiskey Lullaby’ (written by Bill Anderson and Jon Randall) / this track, which was originally recorded by Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss, and included on Brad Paisley’s ‘Mud On The Tires’ (Arista Records, 2003), and Alison Krauss’ ‘A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection’ (Rounder Records, 2007), reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2004, and No.41 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2004
‘Po’ Folks’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally included on Bill Anderson’s ‘Bill Anderson Sings Country Heart Songs’ (Decca Records, 1962), and reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962
‘I’ll Wait For You’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Bill Anderson / the original version of this track was recorded by by Joe Nichols, who included it on ‘III’ (Universal South Records, 2005); Joe Nichols‘ version of the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2006, and No.71 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2006
‘City Lights’ (written by Bill Anderson) / the original version of this track was recorded, in June 1958, by Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), whose version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard magazine’s ‘Most Played C&W by Disc Jockeys Chart’
When Billboard introduced its all-encompassing chart for country music, ‘Hot C&W Sides’, on Monday 20 October 1958, ‘City Lights’ was the new chart’s first No.1 song, remaining at No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for twelve weeks between October 1958 and January 1959; the track, which also reached No.71 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1958, was subsequently included on Ray Price‘s ‘Ray Price’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1961)
‘City Lights’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was also recorded by Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022), who included it on ‘City Lights’ (Playboy Records, 1975); Mickey Gilley‘s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1975
‘Still’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was originally recorded by Bill Anderson, who included it on ‘Still’ (Decca Records, 1963); Bill Anderson’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in April / May 1963, No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1963, and No.3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 1963, and became Bill Anderson’s biggest hit single and signature song, and was named by Billboard Magazine as ‘Top Country Single’ for 1963
‘Give It Away’ (written by Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson) / the original version of this track was recorded by George Strait, who included it on ‘It Just Comes Natural’ (MCA Records, 2006); George Strait’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for one week in September / October 2006
‘The Tip of My Fingers’ (written by Bill Anderson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Roy Linwood Clark (Saturday 15 April 1933 – Thursday 15 November 2018), who included it on ‘Tips of My Fingers’ (Capitol Records, 1963); Roy Linwood Clark’s version of the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963, and was subsequently included on Roy Linwood Clark’s ‘Yesterday When I Was Young’ (Dot Records, 1969)
‘A Lot of Things Different’ (written by Bill Anderson and Dean Dillon) / the original version of this track was recorded by John Conlee, who included it on ‘Classics 2’ (Rose Colored Records, 2015)
‘Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn)’ (written by Bill Anderson and Vince Gill) / the original version of this track was recorded by Vince Gill, who included it on ‘When Love Finds You’ (MCA Records, 1994); Vince Gill‘s version of the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995
Bill Anderson’s ‘The Hits Re-Imagined’ (TWI Records, 2020) also included bonus tracks, all of which were instrumental versions:
‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was written by Bill Anderson and Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985) / this track was an instrumental version
‘Whiskey Lullaby’ (written by Bill Anderson and Jon Randall) / this track was an instrumental version
‘Po’ Folks’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was an instrumental version
‘I’ll Wait For You’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Bill Anderson / this track was an instrumental version
‘City Lights’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was an instrumental version
‘Still’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was an instrumental version
‘Give It Away’ (written by Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson / this track was an instrumental version
‘The Tip of My Fingers’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was an instrumental version
‘A Lot of Things Different’ (written by Bill Anderson and Dean Dillon) / this track was an instrumental version
‘Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn)’ (written by Bill Anderson and Vince Gill) / this track was an instrumental version
It has been said that Bill Anderson is the most recorded songwriter within the genre of country music – let’s see if that is true!
Here is a selection of artists, who have recorded Bill Anderson compositions in the 1960s.
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’; the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for thirteen weeks between October 1958 and January 1959.
Ray Price‘s recording of Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ also reached No.71 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1958, and was subsequently included on ‘Ray Price’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1961).
On Thursday 5 May 1960, Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Missed Me’; the track was subsequently included on ‘Distant Drums’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Riverboat’ and included the track on ‘Faron Young Sings The Best of Faron Young’ (Capitol Records, 1960).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Face To The Wall’ (co-written with Faron Young) and included the track on ‘Faron Young Sings The Best of Faron Young’ (Capitol Records, 1960).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Fickle Fun’ and included the track on ‘Seasons of My Heart’ (Decca Records, 1960).
On Tuesday 5 September 1961, Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Losing Your Love’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006); the track was subsequently included on ‘Distant Drums’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Leave All The Heartache To Me’ and included the track on ‘Heartbreak USA’ (Decca Records, 1961).
George Hamilton IV (Monday 19 July 1937 – Wednesday 17 September 2014) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘To You & Yours (From Me & Mine)’ and included the track on ‘To You & Yours’ (RCA Records, 1961); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1961.
George Hamilton IV (Monday 19 July 1937 – Wednesday 17 September 2014) re-recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘To You & Yours (From Me & Mine)’ and included the track on ‘In The Heart of Texas’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2011).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘My Name Is Mud’ and included the track on ‘A Slice of Life’ (RCA Victor Records, 1961).
During his time with Mercury Records, James O’Gwynn (Saturday 26 January 1928 – Wednesday 19 January 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘My Name Is Mud’; the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962, and was subsequently included on ‘The Best of James O’Gwynn’ (Mercury Records, 1962) and ‘James O’Gwynn’s Greatest Hits’ (Plantation Records, 1976).
Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘Country Side of Jim Reeves’ (RCA Records, 1962).
Hank Locklin (Friday 15 February 1918 – Sunday 8 March 2009) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Happy Birthday To Me’ and included the track on ‘Happy Journey’ (RCA Records, 1962).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Margie Singleton recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘Duets Country Style’ (Mercury Records, 1962).
Walter Andrew Brennan (25 July 1894 – Saturday 21 September 1974) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Mama Sang A Song’ and included the track on ‘Mama Sang A Song’ (Liberty Records, 1962); the track was subsequently included on ‘The Very Best of Walter Brennan’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Walter Andrew Brennan (25 July 1894 – Saturday 21 September 1974) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Green, Green Valley’ and included the track on ‘Mama Sang A Song’ (Liberty Records, 1962).
Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 – Sunday 19 September 2004) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘It Was Only A Heart’, which was co-written with Jerry Crutchfield (Friday 10 August 1934 – Tuesday 11 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Cloudy With Occasional Tears’ (RCA Records, 1963).
Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’ve Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand’ and included the track on ‘Good ‘n’ Country’ (RCA Records, 1963).
In 1963, Roy Linwood Clark (Saturday 15 April 1933 – Thursday 15 November 2018) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘Tips of My Fingers’ (Capitol Records, 1963); the track, which reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963, was subsequently included on ‘Yesterday When I Was Young’ (Dot Records, 1969).
Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘On & On & On’ and included the track on ‘The Heart & Soul of Ferlin Husky’ (Capitol Records, 1963).
On Thursday 29 August 1963, Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd, OBE (Tuesday 8 November 1927 – Sunday 11 March 2018) saw the release of ‘Still’ (written by Bill Anderson); the track, which was a non-album single released by Columbia Records, reached No.35 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart in 1963.
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘We Missed You’ and included the track on ‘Especially For You’ (Decca Records, 1964).
Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller, and included the track on ‘Roger Miller’ (RCA Records, 1964); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964.
Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Saginaw, Michigan’, which was co-written with Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011), and included the track on ‘Saginaw, Michigan’ (Columbia Records, 1964); the track, which was recorded on Monday 21 October 1963, was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in March 1964.
Brenda Lee recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘My Whole World Is Falling Down’, which was co-written with Jerry Crutchfield (Friday 10 August 1934 – Tuesday 11 January 2022), and included the track on ‘By Request’ (Decca Records, 1964); the track reached No.24 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1964.
The Louvin Brothers – Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) – recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Must You Throw Dirt in My Face’ and included the track on ‘Current Hits’ (Capitol Records, 1964); the track reached No.21 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964.
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Po’ Folks’ and included the track on ‘Story Songs For Country Folks’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Mama Sang A Song’ and included the track on ‘Story Songs For Country Folks’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ and included the track on ‘Light-Hearted & Blue’ (Capitol Records, 1964).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘Light-Hearted & Blue’ (Capitol Records, 1964).
On Thursday 23 July 1964, Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd, OBE (Tuesday 8 November 1927 – Sunday 11 March 2018) saw the release of ‘Happiness’ (written by Bill Anderson); the track, which was a non-album single released by Columbia Records, reached No.31 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart in 1964.
Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd’s recording of ‘Happiness’ (written by Bill Anderson) was arranged by Ivor Raymonde (Friday 22 October 1926 – Monday 4 June 1990). Although not one of Sir Kenneth Arthur Dodd’s biggest chart hit singles, it became known as the comedian’s signature song.
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and included the track on ‘Less And Less / I Don’t Love You Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1964).
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘Less And Less / I Don’t Love You Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1964).
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Think I’ll Live’, which was co-written with Moneen Carpenter and Jerry Crutchfield (Friday 10 August 1934 – Tuesday 11 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Less And Less / I Don’t Love You Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1964).
On Monday 26 January 2009, England’s Hux Records released Charlie Louvin’s ‘Less And Less / I Don’t Love You Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1964), along with Charlie Louvin’s ‘Lonesome Is Me’ (Capitol Records, 1966), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX 99).
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Saginaw, Michigan’, which was co-written with Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011), and included the track on ‘All Time Country Hits’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘Heartaches & Tears’ (Mercury Records, 1964).
Jimmie Rodgers recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘Crying In The Chapel & Other Great Country Hits’ (Dot Records / Contour Records, 1964).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ and included the track on ‘Love Life’ (Columbia Records, 1964).
The Wilburn Brothers – Doyle Wilburn (Monday 7 July 1930 – Saturday 16 October 1982) and Teddy Wilburn (Monday 30 November 1931 – Monday 24 November 2003) – recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and included the track on ‘Country Gold’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I May Never Get To Heaven’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), and included the track on ‘A Blue Million Tears’ (RCA Records, 1965).
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘Songs From My Heart’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and included the track on ‘Burning Memories’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tiny Blue Transistor Radio’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965); the track reached No.25 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965.
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart, for eight weeks, between November 1964 and January 1965.
‘Once A Day’ (written by Bill Anderson) remained on the Billboard country music singles chart for twenty-seven weeks and took Connie Smith into the record books as the first female country music artist to reach No.1 with her first release.
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Then & Only Then’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965.
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Threshold’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’m Ashamed of You’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965).
On Monday 27 March 2006, England’s Hux Records released Connie Smith‘s ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965), along with ‘Cute ‘n’ Country’ (RCA Records, 1965), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX 76).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and included the track on ‘Country Music Time’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Loving You Again’ and included the track on ‘The Hart of Country Music’ (Kapp Records, 1965).
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) & Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Our Hearts Are Holding Hands’ and included the track on ‘Mr & Mrs Used To Be’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Then & Only Then’ and included the track on ‘Blue Kentucky Girl’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 – Sunday 19 September 2004) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ and included the track on ‘Written By The Stars’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘It Comes & Goes’ and included the track on ‘My World’ (RCA Records, 1965).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Two Empty Arms’ and included the track on ‘Cute ‘n’ Country’ (RCA Records, 1965).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Not ‘Til You Come Back To Me’ and included the track on ‘Cute ‘n’ Country’ (RCA Records, 1965).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Can’t Remember’ (co-written with Becki Anderson) and included the track on ‘Cute ‘n’ Country’ (RCA Records, 1965); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965.
On Monday 27 March 2006, England’s Hux Records released Connie Smith‘s ‘Cute ‘n’ Country’ (RCA Records, 1965), along with Connie Smith‘s self-titled album, ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Records, 1965), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX 76).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’ll Go Down Swinging’ and included the track on ‘The Thin Man From West Plains’ (RCA Records, 1965).
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Have Any Place To Go’ and included the track on ‘The Many Moods of Charlie Louvin’ (Capitol Records, 1965).
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Think I’ll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep’ and included the track on ‘The Many Moods of Charlie Louvin’ (Capitol Records, 1965).
Johnny Wright (Wednesday 13 May 1914 – Tuesday 27 September 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was co-written with Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985), and included the track on ‘Hello Vietnam’ (Decca Records, 1965).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘Conway Twitty Sings’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ and included the track on ‘Conway Twitty Sings’ (Decca Records, 1966).
In 1966, Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992); the track was the ‘A’ side of a 45rpm vinyl single, which was released on TCF Hall Records in 1966.
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Nobody But A Fool (Would Love You)’ and included the track on ‘Country All The Way’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘Country All The Way’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Wilma Burgess (Sunday 11 June 1939 – Tuesday 26 August 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Think I’ll Go Somewhere (& Cry Myself To Sleep)’ and included the track on ‘Don’t Touch Me’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Wilma Burgess (Sunday 11 June 1939 – Tuesday 26 August 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You, Drops’ and included the track on ‘Don’t Touch Me’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 – Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘The Big Ones’ (Columbia Records, 1966).
Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘Somebody Like Me’ (RCA Records, 1966); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966, and No.43 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1966.
Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You, Drops’ and included the track on ‘Somebody Like Me’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) and Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Our Hearts Are Holding Hands’ and included the track on ‘Just Between The Two of Us’ (Capitol Records, 1966).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Have Any Place To Go’ and included the track on ‘Miss Smith Goes To Nashville’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Nobody But A Fool (Would Love You)’ and included the track on ‘Miss Smith Goes To Nashville’ (RCA Records, 1966); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966.
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘For Better Or For Worse’ (co-written with Moneen Carpenter) and included the track on ‘Miss Smith Goes To Nashville’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’ve Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand’ and included the track on ‘The Best of Porter Wagoner’ (RCA Records, 1966); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966.
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) and Ray Pillow recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Lonely Together’ and included the track on ‘I’ll Take The Dog’ (Capitol Records, 1966).
Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘With Spanish Guitars’ (RCA Records, 1966).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘I’m A People’ (Musicor Records, 1966).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and included the track on ‘I’m A People’ (Musicor Records, 1966).
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘If The Whole World Stopped Loving’ (Mercury Records, 1966).
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) and included the track on ‘If The Whole World Stopped Loving’ (Mercury Records, 1966).
Bobby Bare recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Saginaw, Michigan’, which was co-written with Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011), and included the track on ‘Streets of Baltimore’ (RCA Records, 1966).
Dave Dudley (Thursday 3 May 1928 – Monday 22 December 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ (co-written with Dave Dudley) and included the track on ‘Lonelyville’ (Mercury Records, 1966).
Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 – Thursday 15 March 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Think I’ll Go Somewhere (& Cry Myself To Sleep) and included the track on ‘There Goes My Everything’ (Decca Records, 1966).
The Browns – Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015), Maxine Brown (Monday 27 April 1931 – Monday 21 January 2019) and Bonnie Jean Brown (Sunday 31 July 1938 – Saturday 16 July 2016) – recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘Our Kind of Country’ (RCA Records, 1966); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966.
Jimmie Rodgers recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Nobody But A Fool’ and included the track on ‘Country Music 1966’ (Dot Records, 1966).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Get The Fever’ and included the track on ‘Bad Seed’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘Bad Seed’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bad Seed’ and included the track on ‘Bad Seed’ (Decca Records, 1966).
Dean Martin (Thursday 7 June 1917 – Monday 25 December 1995) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Nobody But A Fool (Would Love You)’ and included the track on ‘The Hit Sound of Dean Martin’ (Reprise Records, 1966).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘With All My Heart & Soul’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Vernon Oxford (Sunday 8 June 1941 – Friday 18 August 2023) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Forgetfulness For Sale’ and included the track on ‘Woman, Let Me Sing You A Song’ (RCA Victor Records, 1967).
Wilma Burgess (Sunday 11 June 1939 – Tuesday 26 August 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘Misty Blue’ (Decca Records, 1967).
Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cold Hard Facts of Life’ and included the track on ‘The Neon & The Rain’ (Kapp Records, 1967).
Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘If You Ever Want To Kill Me’ and included the track on ‘The Neon & The Rain’ (Kapp Records, 1967).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991) & The Heartaches recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘The Sound of Country Music’ (RCA Camden Records, 1967).
Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cold Hard Facts of Life’ and included the track on ‘What Am I Gonna Do Now’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Walk Out Backwards’ and included the track on ‘Liz Anderson Sings’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘It Comes & Goes’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You, Drops’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cincinnati, Ohio’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967.
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘It’s Not The End of Everything’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘My Whole World Is Falling Down’, which was co-written with Jerry Crutchfield (Friday 10 August 1934 – Tuesday 11 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s What Lonesome Is’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Walk Out Backwards’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘In Case You Ever Change Your Mind’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘On & On & On’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ and included the track on ‘Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ and included the track on ‘Now (Is A Lonely Time)’ (Mercury Records, 1967).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cincinnati, Ohio’ and included the track on ‘Queen of Honky Tonk Street’ (Decca Records, 1967).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The First Mrs. Jones’ and included the track on ‘The Cold Hard Facts of Life’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cold Hard Facts of Life’ and included the track on ‘The Cold Hard Facts of Life’ (RCA Records, 1967); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967.
Johnny Darrell (Tuesday 23 July 1940 – Tuesday 7 October 1997) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cold Hard Facts of Life’ and included the track on ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ (United Artists Records, 1967).
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Off & On’ and included the track on ‘I Forgot To Cry’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bad Seed’ and included the track on ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Bobby Bare & The Hillsiders recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You, Drops’ and included the track on ‘The English Country Side’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 – Thursday 15 March 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cincinnati, Ohio’ and included the track on ‘What Locks The Door’ (Decca Records, 1967).
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Thank God For You’ (co-written with Mike Cloer) and included the track on ‘For Loving You’ (Decca Records, 1967).
Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Get While The Getting’s Good’ and included the track on ‘Liz Anderson Sings Her Favourites’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Next Time You’re In Tulsa’ and included the track on ‘Hey Daddy’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Count Your Blessings, Woman’ and included the track on ‘Count Your Blessings, Woman’ (Decca Records, 1968); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968, and No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968.
Johnny Carver recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘You’re In Good Hands’ (Imperial Records, 1968).
Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 – Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Mama Sang A Song’ and included the track on ‘Speaker of The House’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Glen Harold Garrison (Saturday 13 June 1942 – Saturday 14 August 1971) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘If I Lived Here (I’d Be Home Now)’ and included the track on ‘If I Lived Here’ (Imperial Records, 1968).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘It Takes Me All Night Long’ (Kapp Records, 1969).
Diana Trask recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘From The Heart’ (Dot Records, 1969).
Warner Hensley McPherson Jr. (Warner Mack) (Friday 5 April 1935 – Tuesday 1 March 2022) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Happy State of Mind’ and included the track on ‘The Country Beat of Warner Mack’ (Decca Records, 1969).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Happy State of Mind’ and included the track on ‘Jan Howard’ (Decca Records, 1969).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Still Believe In Love’ and included the track on ‘Jan Howard’ (Decca Records, 1969); the track reached No.28 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968, and No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968.
Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 – Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Better Than Today’ and included the track on ‘Come On Home & Sing The Blues To Daddy’ (Epic Records, 1969).
Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘Songs That Made Country Girls Famous’ (Chart Records, 1969).
It has been said that Bill Anderson is the most recorded songwriter within the genre of country music – let’s see if that is true!
Here is a selection of artists, who have recorded Bill Anderson compositions, in the 1970s.
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘You & Your Sweet Love’ and included the track on ‘With Love’ (Capitol Records, 1970).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’ll Live For You’ and included the track on ‘A Woman’s Hand’ (Capitol Records, 1970).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘You & Your Sweet Love’ and included the track on ‘The Best of Connie Smith, Volume 2’ (RCA Records, 1970).
Hank Locklin (Friday 15 February 1918 – Sunday 8 March 2009) & Danny Davis (Friday 29 May 1925 – Thursday 12 June 2008) & The Nashville Brass recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’, which was co-written with Leon Walton/Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the track on ‘Hank Locklin, Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass’ (RCA Victor Records, 1970).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘You & Your Sweet Love’ and included the track on ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (RCA Records, 1970).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’, which was co-written with Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020), and included the track on ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (RCA Records, 1970); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Think I’ll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep’ and included the track on ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (RCA Records, 1970).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’, which was co-written with Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020), and included the track on ‘Forever Yours’ (RCA Records, 1970).
Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘Great Gibson’ (RCA Records, 1970).
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ and included the track on ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969, and No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969.
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The Untouchables’ and included the track on ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970).
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Who Is The Biggest Fool’ and included the track on ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970).
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tell It Like It Was’ and included the track on ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970).
Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’m Alright’ and included the track on ‘I’m Alright’ (Chart Records, 1970).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’, which was co-written with Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020), and included the track on ‘Your Love Is The Way’ (Decca Records, 1970).
Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’ (co-written with Roger Miller) and included the track on ‘A Trip In The Country’ (Mercury Records, 1970).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘You & Your Sweet Love’ and included the track on ‘Rock Me Back To Little Rock’ (Decca Records, 1970).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (co-written with Jan Howard) and included the track on ‘Rock Me Back To Little Rock’ (Decca Records, 1970).
Dean Martin (Thursday 7 June 1917 – Monday 25 December 1995) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ 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 Bill Anderson’s ‘The Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘My Woman, My Woman, My Wife’ (Reprise Records, 1970).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’, which was co-written with Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020), and included the track on ‘The First Lady’ (Epic Records, 1970).
Jimmie Rodgers recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘In An English Country Garden’ (Dot Records, 1970).
In 1970, Des O’Connor, CBE (Tuesday 12 January 1932 – Saturday 14 November 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and saw it released, on Columbia Records, as a non-album single, which reached No.15 on the England Singles Chart in 1970; the track was subsequently included on ‘Golden Hits of Des O’Connor’ (Music For Pleasure, 1983) and ‘The Very Best of Des O’Connor’ (EMI Records, 2005).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Must You Throw Dirt In My Face’ and included the track on ‘Singer of Sad Songs’ (RCA Records, 1970).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That Ain’t A Woman’s Way’ and included the track on ‘They’re Stepping All Over My Heart’ (Decca Records, 1971).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Two Empty Arms’ and included the track on ‘My Heart Has A Mind of It’s Own’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and included the track on ‘My Heart Has A Mind of It’s Own’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘It’s Not The End of Everything’ and included the track on ‘My Heart Has A Mind of It’s Own’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ and included the track on ‘My Heart Has A Mind of It’s Own’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘You’re Still The Only One I’ll Ever Love’ and included the track on ‘I’m Just Me’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 – Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Us’ and included the track on ‘These Hands’ (RCA Records, 1971).
In 1971, Sue Richards recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Feel Free To Go’; the track was released as a non-album single on Epic Records in 1971, and reached No.56 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971.
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘City Lights’ (RCA Records, 1972).
Dave Dudley (Thursday 3 May 1928 – Monday 22 December 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘My Body’s At Home (But My Heart’s On The Road)’ and included the track on ‘The Original Travelling Man’ (Mercury Records, 1972).
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Dis-Satisfied’ (co-written with Carter Howard and Jan Howard) and included the track on ‘Bill & Jan (Or Jan & Bill)’ (Decca Records, 1972); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970, and No.11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970.
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Knowing Your Mine’ and included the track on ‘Bill & Jan (Or Jan & Bill)’ (Decca Records, 1972).
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘No Thanks, I Just Had One’ and included the track on ‘Bill & Jan (Or Jan & Bill)’ (Decca Records, 1972).
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’, which was co-written with Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020), and included the track on ‘Is It Any Wonder That I Love You’ (RCA Victor Records, 1972).
• Ann M. Stuckey provided a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Saturday 25 January 2014
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Sure Do Enjoy Loving You’ and included the track on ‘Is It Any Wonder That I Love You’ (RCA Victor Records, 1972).
• Ann M. Stuckey provided a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Saturday 25 January 2014
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The Lord Knows I’m Drinking’ and included the track on ‘I’ve Found Someone of My Own’ (Decca Records, 1972); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in March 1973, and reached No.64 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973.
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome’ and included the track on ‘I’ve Found Someone of My Own’ (Decca Records, 1972).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Pass Souvent’ (‘Once A Day’ in French) and included the track on ‘Love Is The Look You’re Looking For’ (RCA Records, 1973).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘An Hour & A Six Pack’ and included the track on ‘Cal Smith’ (MCA Records, 1973).
Bobby G. Rice recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘If You Can Live With It (I Can Live Without It)’ and included the track on ‘You Lay So Easy On My Mind’ (Metromedia Records, 1973).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tiny Blue Transistor Radio’ and included the track on ‘Dream Painter’ (RCA Records, 1973).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Love You, Drops’ and included the track on ‘Dream Painter’ (RCA Records, 1973).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘Swinging Doors’ (Coral Records, 1973).
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The Lord Knows I’m Drinking’ and included the track on ‘I’ve Got All The Heartaches I Can Handle’ (Decca Records, 1973).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Slippin’ Away’ and included the track on ‘Slippin’ Away’ (United Artists Records, 1973).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Think I’ll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep’ and included the track on ‘Slippin’ Away’ (United Artists Records, 1973).
Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Corner of My Life’ and included the track on ‘Kindly Keep It Country’ (Dot Records, 1973).
Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The Lord Knows I’m Drinkin’ and included the track on ‘Kindly Keep It Country’ (Dot Records, 1973).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘At The Time’ and included the track on ‘I’ll Do Anything It Takes’ (United Artists Records, 1974).
The Statler Brothers recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘Thank You World’ (Mercury Records, 1974).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Between Lust & Watching TV’ and included the track on ‘Country Bumpkin’ (MCA Records, 1974); the track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974.
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘City Lights’ (Playboy Records, 1975); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1975.
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’m Alright’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘At The Time’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Slippin’ Away’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘It’s Enough To Make A Woman Lose Her Mind’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was co-written with Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985), and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘If You Can Live with It (I Can Live without It)’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Think I’ll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep’ and included the track on ‘Poor Sweet Baby’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Red Jenkins (Tuesday 11 November 1947 – Sunday 26 December 2021) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was co-written with Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985), and included the track on ‘A Texas Honky Tonk’ (GMP Records, 1975).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Still Feel The Same About You’ and included the track on ‘I Got A Lot of Hurtin’ Done Today’ (Columbia Records, 1975).
Connie Smith recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘The Song We Fell In Love To’ (Columbia Records, 1975).
Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Think I’ll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep’ and included the track on ‘Easy As Pie’ (ABC Records / Dot Records, 1976).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘You Can Be Replaced’, which was co-written with Jerry Crutchfield (Friday 10 August 1934 – Tuesday 11 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Til I Can Make It On My Own’ (Epic Records, 1976).
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Mercy’ and included the track on ‘Mercy / Ain’t Love Good’ (United Artists Records, 1976).
Moe Bandy recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘All The Beer & All My Friends Are Gone’ (co-written with Mary Lou Turner) and included the track on ‘I’m Sorry For You My Friend’ (Columbia Records, 1977).
Jody Miller (Saturday 29 November 1941 – Thursday 6 October 2022) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘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).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘That Young Feeling’ (Mercury Records, 1978).
Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘How Married Are You, Mary Ann’ and included the track on ‘See You When The Sun Goes Down’ (Columbia Records, 1979).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I May Never Get To Heaven’, which was co-written with Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), and included the track on ‘Cross Winds’ (MCA Records, 1979); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1979.
It has been said that Bill Anderson is the most recorded songwriter within the genre of country music – let’s see if that is true!
Here is a selection of artists, who have recorded Bill Anderson compositions, in the 1980s.
David Allan Coe recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands’ and included the track on ‘I’ve Got Something To Say’ (Columbia Records, 1980); the track, which was a duet with Bill Anderson, reached No.46 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980.
Ronnie Milsap recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘Out Where The Bright Lights Are Glowing’ (RCA Records, 1981).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bad Seed’ and included the track on ‘Stars of The Grand Ole Opry’ (First Generation Records, 1981).
Willie Nelson & Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’ (co-written with Roger Miller) and included the track on ‘Old Friends’ (Columbia Records, 1982).
Delia Bell (Tuesday 16 April 1935 – Friday 15 June 2018) & Bill Grant (Thursday 9 May 1929 – Tuesday 9 July 2019) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cold Hard Facts of Life’ and included the track on ‘A Few Dollars More’ (Rounder Records, 1985).
It has been said that Bill Anderson is the most recorded songwriter within the genre of country music – let’s see if that is true!
Here is a selection of artists, who have recorded Bill Anderson compositions in the 1990s.
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘Unconditional Love’ (Capitol Records, 1990).
Steve Wariner recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Tips of My Fingers’ and included the track on ‘I Am Ready’ (Arista Records, 1991); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.
James King (Tuesday 9 September 1958 – Thursday 19 May 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Slippin’ Away’ and included the track on ‘These Old Pictures’ (Rounder Records, 1993).
Rick Trevino recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Walk Out Backwards’ and included the track on ‘Rick Trevino’ (Columbia Records, 1994).
Chely Wright recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Nobody But A Fool’ and included the track on ‘Woman In The Moon’ (Polydor Records, 1994).
Vince Gill recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn)’ (co-written with Vince Gill) and included the track on ‘When Love Finds You’ (MCA Records, 1994); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Ricky Skaggs recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Can’t Control The Wind’ (co-written with Roger Pirtle and Pat Lovely) and included the track on ‘Solid Ground’ (Atlantic Records, 1995).
Tracy Byrd recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘You Lied To Me’ and included the track on ‘Love Lessons’ (MCA Records, 1995).
Elvis Costello recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Must You Throw Dirt In My Face’ and included the track on ‘Elvis Costello’s Kojak Variety’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1995) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Louvin Brothers – Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) – who included the track on ‘Their Current Hits’ (Capitol Records, 1964); The Louvin Brothers’ version of the track reached No.21 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1962
Ricochet recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The Truth Is, I Lied’ (co-written with Skip Ewing) and included the track on ‘Ricochet’ (Columbia Records, 1996).
Wade Hayes recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘It’s Over My Head’, which was co-written with Wade Hayes and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 – Friday 21 January 2022) and included the track on ‘On A Good Night’ (Columbia Records, 1996).
Alabama recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Christmas In Your Arms’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) and included the track on ‘Christmas 2’ (RCA Records, 1996).
Sara Evans recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Walk Out Backwards’ and included the track on ‘Three Chords & The Truth’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1997).
Bryan White recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘One Small Miracle’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) and included the track on ‘The Right Place’ (Asylum Records, 1997).
James Bonamy recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Roots & Wings’ (co-written with Skip Ewing) and included the track on ‘Roots & Wings’ (Epic Records, 1997).
Tammy Graham recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘More About Love’ (co-written with Gary Nicholson) and included the track on ‘Tammy Graham’ (Career Records, 1997); Career Records was a division of Arista Nashville Records.
Mark Wills recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ (co-written with Skip Ewing and Debbie Moore) and included the track on ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Mercury Records, 1998); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in May 1999.
Collin Raye recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Make Sure You Got It All’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) and included the track on ‘The Walls Came Down’ (Epic Records, 1998).
Gary Buck (Thursday 21 March 1940 – Tuesday 14 October 2003) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘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).
Steve Wariner recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Two Teardrops’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) and included the track on ‘Two Teardrops’ (Capitol Records, 1999).
Steve Wariner recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Talk To Her Heart’, which was co-written with Steve Wariner and Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021), and included the track on ‘Two Teardrops’ (Capitol Records, 1999); the track was a duet with Bryan White.
Steve Wariner recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’ll Always Have Denver’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) and included the track on ‘Two Teardrops’ (Capitol Records, 1999).
John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 – Tuesday 7 April 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on ‘In Spite of Ourselves’ (Oh Boy Records, 1999); the track featured guest vocals from Trisha Yearwood.
Jason Sellers recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Everybody’s Walking’ (co-written with Jason Sellers and Sharon Vaughn) and included the track on ‘A Matter of Time’ (BNA Records, 1999).
Jason Sellers recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘That’s Not Her Picture’ (co-written with Gary Burr) and included the track on ‘A Matter of Time’ (BNA Records, 1999).
It has been said that Bill Anderson is the most recorded songwriter within the genre of country music – let’s see if that is true!
Here is a selection of artists, who have recorded Bill Anderson compositions, between 2000 and 2022.
The Cornell Hurd Band recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘A Death In The Family’ and included the track on ‘A Stagecoach Named Desire’ (Behemoth Records, 2001); the track featured guest vocals from Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020).
Craig Morgan recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When A Man Can’t Get A Woman (Off His Mind)’ (co-written with Sharon Vaughn) and included the track on ‘Craig Morgan’ (Atlantic Records, 2000).
Craig Morgan recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Hush’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon and Craig Morgan) and included the track on ‘Craig Morgan’ (Atlantic Records, 2000).
Gene Watson recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The Truth Is, I Lied’ (co-written with Skip Ewing) and included the track on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
Brad Paisley recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Too Country’ (co-written with Chuck Cannon) and included the track on ‘Part II’ (Arista Records, 2001); the track featured guest vocals from Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006), Bill Anderson and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013).
Diamond Rio recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Make Sure You Got It All’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) and included the track on ‘Completely’ (Arista Records, 2002).
Kenny Chesney recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘A Lot of Things Different’ (co-written with Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems’ (BNA Records, 2002).
Elizabeth Cook‘s ‘Don’t Bother Me’ included a narration by Bill Anderson and was included on Elizabeth Cook’s ‘Hey Y’all’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2002), an album to which Bill Anderson added background vocals.
Justin Trevino recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Then & Only Then’ and included the track on ‘The Scene of The Crying’ (Lone Star Records, 2002).
Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Whiskey Lullaby’ (co-written with Jon Randall); the track, which was included on Brad Paisley’s ‘Mud On The Tires’ (Arista Records, 2003), and Alison Krauss’ ‘A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection’ (Rounder Records, 2007), reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2004, and No.41 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2004.
Gene Watson recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Make Sure You Got It All’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) and included the track on ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003).
Gene Watson recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When A Man Can’t Get A Woman (Off His Mind)’ (co-written with Sharon Vaughn) and included the track on ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003).
Tracy Byrd recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Baby, Put Your Clothes On’ (co-written with Paul Overstreet and Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ‘Truth About Men’ (RCA Records, 2003).
Con Hunley recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Still’ and included the track on ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2004, but it did not chart.
Justin Trevino recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Face To The Wall’ and included the track on ‘Too Many Heartaches’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2005); the track featured guest vocals from Darrell McCall.
Joe Nichols recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’ll Wait For You’, which was co-written with Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011), and included the track on ‘III’ (Universal South Records, 2005); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2006, and No.71 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2006.
Jon Randall recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Whiskey Lullaby’ (co-written with Jon Randall) and included the track on ‘Walking Among The Living’ (Epic Records, 2005).
Jimmie Dale Gilmore recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Saginaw, Michigan’, which was co-written with Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011), and included the track on ‘Come On Back’ (Rounder Records, 2005).
The Knitters recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’ll Go Down Swinging’ and included the track on ‘The Modern Sounds of The Knitters’ (Zoe Records, 2005).
The Insiders recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘It Hurts Me More The Second Time Around’ and included the track on ‘Me & My Heart & My Shoes’ (CWR Records, 2005).
James King (Tuesday 9 September 1958 – Thursday 19 May 2016) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Saginaw, Michigan’, which was co-written with Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011), and included the track on ‘The Bluegrass Storyteller’ (Rounder Records, 2005).
George Strait recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Give It Away’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson) and included the track on ‘It Just Comes Natural’ (MCA Records, 2006); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for one week in September / October 2006.
Bobby Osborne recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Certain’ and included the track on ‘Try A Little Kindness’ (Rounder Records, 2006).
Van Morrison recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘Pay The Devil’ (Lost Highway Records, 2006).
John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 – Tuesday 7 April 2020) & Mac Wiseman (Saturday 23 May 1925 – Saturday 23 February 2019) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Saginaw, Michigan’, which was co-written with Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011), and included the track on ‘Standard Songs For Average People’ (Oh Boy Records, 2007).
Kenny Chesney recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Key Lime Pie’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates’ (BNA Records, 2007).
Sugarland recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Joey’ (co-written with Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush) and included the track on ‘Love On The Inside’ (Mercury Records, 2008); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2009.
Joe Nichols recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Old Things New’ (co-written with Paul Overstreet and Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ‘Old Things New’ (Universal South Records, 2009).
Joe Nichols recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Cheaper Than A Shrink’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson) and included the track on ‘Old Things New’ (Universal South Records, 2009).
Brad Paisley recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘No’ (co-written with Brad Paisley and Jon Randall) and included the track on ‘American Saturday Night’ (Arista Records, 2009).
Dottie Jack recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track on ‘With Every Heartbeat’ (StarTex Records, 2009).
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).
Johnny Rodriguez & Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘You Lied To Me’ and included the track on ‘Texas Legends’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2009).
Jamey Johnson recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘The Guitar Song’ (co-written with Jamey Johnson and Vicky McGehee) and included the track on ‘The Guitar Song’ (Mercury Records, 2010); the track featured guest vocals from Bill Anderson.
Teea Goans recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Walk Out Backwards’ and included the track on ‘The Way I Remember It’ (Crosswind Records, 2010).
George Hamilton IV (Monday 19 July 1937 – Wednesday 17 September 2014) re-recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘To You & Yours (From Me & Mine)’ and included the track on ‘In The Heart of Texas’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2011); George Hamilton IV had originally recorded the track for ‘To You & Yours’ (RCA Records, 1961), when the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1961.
Jody Nix recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was co-written with Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985), and included the track on ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’ (Hillside Records, 2011).
Billy Ray Cyrus recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Old Army Hat’ (co-written with James Walton ‘Walt’ Aldridge Jr.) and included the track on ‘I’m American’ (Buena Vista Records, 2011).
Sammy Sadler recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I’ll Always Have Denver’ (co-written with Steve Wariner) and included the track on ‘Heart Shaped Like Texas’ (S Records, 2012); the track was a duet with Steve Wariner.
Randy Travis recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Saginaw, Michigan’, which was co-written with Don Wayne (Tuesday 30 May 1933 – Monday 12 September 2011), and included the track on ‘Influence, Volume 1: The Man I Am’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 2013).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Once A Day’ and included the track, on disc 2, of a 2-CD set, ‘Only Me’ (Upper Management Music, 2014).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’, which was co-written with Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985), and included the track, on disc 2, of a 2-CD set, ‘Only Me’ (Upper Management Music, 2014).
Clint Black recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Beer’ (co-written with Clint Black and Bob DiPiero) and included the track on ‘On Purpose’ (Thirty Tigers Records / Black Top Records, 2015).
John Conlee recorded Bill Anderson’ ‘A Lot of Things Different’ (co-written with Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Classics 2’ (Rose Colored Records, 2015).
James House recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Bring It On‘ (co-written with James House) and included the track on ‘Songwriters Serenade’ (Victor House Recordings, 2015).
Gene Watson re-recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When A Man Can’t Get A Woman (Off His Mind)’ (co-written with Sharon Vaughn) and included the track on ‘Real.Country.Music‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016); Gene Watson had originally recorded this track in 2003, when he included it on ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003).
Moe Bandy recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Everything Hank Williams Did But Die’ and included the track on ‘Lucky Me’ (Moe Bandy Music, 2016).
Courtney Granger recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When A Man Can’t Get A Woman (Off His Mind)’ (co-written with Sharon Vaughn) and included the track on ‘Beneath Still Waters’ (Valcour Records, 2016).
Mo Pitney recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Country’ (co-written with Mo Pitney and Bobby Tomberlin) and included the track on ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2016); the track reached No.40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2014, and No.35 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 2014.
Tony Jackson recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘I Didn’t Wake Up This Morning’ (co-written with Mo Pitney and Bobby Tomberlin) and included the track on his self-titled debut album, ‘Tony Jackson’ (DDS Entertainment, 2017).
Tony Jackson recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘They Lived It Up’ (co-written with Lance Miller and Bobby Tomberlin) and included the track on his self-titled debut album, ‘Tony Jackson’ (DDS Entertainment, 2017).
Moe Bandy recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘A Love Like That’ (co-written with Mo Pitney and Bobby Tomberlin) and included the track on ‘A Love Like That’ (Spur Records, 2020), which was produced by Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020).
Moe Bandy recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘What If’ (co-written with Bobby Tomberlin) and included the track on ‘A Love Like That’ (Spur Records, 2020), which was produced by Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020).
Moe Bandy recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘City Lights’ and included the track on ‘A Love Like That’ (Spur Records, 2020), which was produced by Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020).
Wyatt Massingille recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘When A Man Can’t Get A Woman (Off His Mind)’ (co-written with Sharon Vaughn) and included the track on ‘Wyatt Massingille’ (Wyatt Massingille Independent Release, 2022).
Mike Hughes recorded Bill Anderson’s ‘Walk Out Backwards’ and included the track on ‘Warm Red Wine’ (Big Bear Creek Music, 2023).
• Visit Bill Anderson’s official site at billanderson.com