He was recognized as a terrific vocalist, true to country music and admired for his talent.
I know other writers with songs on that album and we were all delighted to be included.
He did a great and honest rendition’
Lewis Anderson was is a successful songwriter, guitarist, music publisher, A&R executive, and copyright consultant – Lewis Anderson is all of these.
Lewis Anderson began his musical career in his home state of Louisiana, where be began at the age of 16 playing guitar at clubs, fraternities, and concerts from Florida to Oklahoma in various bands, the most notable being Swampfox.
Lewis Anderson moved, at the age of 21, to Los Angeles, and soon had his first major recordings.
With recordings by a wide range of artists, such as The Carpenters, Seals & Crofts, Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993), Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024), and Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn) to name just a few, Lewis Anderson has, for many years, been one of Music Row and America’s leading and most respected songwriters and a strong advocate for songwriter’s rights.
Lewis Anderson’s songs have been recorded through the years by a diverse group of artists in country music, pop music, and rhythm & blues.
Lewis Anderson is known for crafting compelling, memorable melodies, some of which poignantly examine life.
Though often a co-writer, it is Lewis Anderson’s ability to successfully write a great song alone that make him all the more unique in the music world today.
Accomplishments in Lewis Anderson’s career include winning eight BMI awards, an NSAI song award, an NSAI President’s award, and the coveted BMI Country Songwriter of the Year award.
In 2004, Lewis Anderson he also founded Legacyworks LLC to serve the songwriting community in copyright termination, contract, royalty and career issues.
In addition to writing achievements, Lewis Anderson served for five years as exclusive A&R consultant to MCA Records Nashville.
Lewis Anderson also opened the first office in Nashville for the Chrysalis Music Group, Inc., and served on the board of NSAI, the songwriter organization, for nine years and was integral to the changes that modernized and vitalized the organization.
As a creator, Lewis Anderson’s songs have been recorded through the years by a diverse group of artists, both in country music and pop music.
Lewis Anderson
Songwriter
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘I’ll Be Your Audience’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Becky Hobbs’ (MCA Records, 1974), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Love Shortage’ and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Becky Hobbs’ (MCA Records, 1974), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Sorry To Bring Your New World Down’ and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Becky Hobbs’ (MCA Records, 1974), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘In The South’ and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Becky Hobbs’ (MCA Records, 1974), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘My Heart Is Like Snow’ and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Becky Hobbs’ (MCA Records, 1974), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Chinatown’ and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Becky Hobbs’ (MCA Records, 1974), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Whatcha Gonna Do About It’ and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Becky Hobbs’ (MCA Records, 1974), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Helen Reddy (Saturday 25 October 1941 – Tuesday 29 September 2020) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘I’ll Be Your Audience’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘Free & Easy’ (Capitol Records, 1974); the track was subsequently included on ‘Helen Reddy: Live In London’ (Capitol Records, 1979).
Shirley Bassey recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘I’ll Be Your Audience’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘Good, Bad, But Beautiful’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘I’m In Love Again’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘From The Heartland’ (Tattoo Records, 1976), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Lonely Man, Lovely Man’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘From The Heartland’ (Tattoo Records, 1976), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘One More Time’ and included the track on ‘From The Heartland’ (Tattoo Records, 1976), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Sisters & Brothers’ and included the track on ‘From The Heartland’ (Tattoo Records, 1976), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Can Never Go Home’ and included the track on ‘From The Heartland’ (Tattoo Records, 1976), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Complicated My Life’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘From The Heartland’ (Tattoo Records, 1976), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Wanna Be Loved’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘From The Heartland’ (Tattoo Records, 1976), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
The Carpenters – Karen Carpenter (Thursday 2 March 1950 – Friday 4 February 1983) and Richard Carpenter – recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘One More Time’ and included the track on ‘A Kind of Hush’ (A&M Records, 1976).
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Safe With Me’ and included the track on ‘Everyday’ (Tattoo Records, 1977), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘That I Love You, You Love Me Too, Love Song’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘Everyday’ (Tattoo Records, 1977), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘That I Love You, You Love Me Too, Love Song’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘Everyday’ (Tattoo Records, 1977), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Best Thing I Can Do’ and included the track on ‘Everyday’ (Tattoo Records, 1977), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Becky Hobbs recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘All That I Am’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘Everyday’ (Tattoo Records, 1977), which was produced by Richard Bennett.
Jane Olivor recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Wanna Be Loved’ (co-written with Becky Hobbs) and included the track on ‘Chasing Rainbows’ (Columbia Records, 1977).
Seals & Crofts – James Eugene Seals (Saturday 17 October 1942 – Monday 6 June 2022) and Darrell George ‘Dash’ Crofts (Sunday 14 August 1938 – Wednesday 25 March 2026) – recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘One More Time’ and included the track on ‘Takin’ It Easy’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978).
Tanya Tucker recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Crossfire of Desire’ (co-written with Casey Kelly and Julie Didier) and included the track on ‘Tear Me Apart’ (MCA Records, 1979).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Turn The Light On’ (co-written with Stephen Geyer) and included the track on ‘Kenny’ (United Artists Records, 1979).
America recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Only Game In Town’ (co-written with Casey Kelly and Julie Didier) and included the track on ‘Silent Letter’ (Capitol Records, 1979).
David Houston (Monday 9 December 1935 – Tuesday 30 November 1993) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Best Friends Make The Worst Enemies’ (co-written with Casey Kelly and Julie Didier) and included the track on ‘From The Heart of Houston’ (Derrick Records, 1979).
Irma Thomas recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Safe With Me’ and included the track on ‘Safe With Me’ (RCS Records, 1979).
Irma Thomas recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Don’t Stop’ and included the track on ‘Safe With Me’ (RCS Records, 1979).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘When The Feelin’s Right’ and included the track on ‘Rest Your Love On Me’ (MCA Records, 1980).
Susie Allanson recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Just Between The Two of Us’ and included the track on ‘Susie’ (United Artists Records, 1980).
George Burns (20 January 1896 – Saturday 9 March 1996) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘It’s Good To See You Smiling Again’, which was co-written with Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014), and included the track on ‘George Burns In Nashville’ (Mercury Records, 1980).
Tommy Cash (Friday 5 April 1940 – Friday 13 September 2024) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Empty Arms Hotel’ and included the track on ‘Cashin’ In’ (Brylen Records, 1982).
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Don’t You Be Foolin’ With A Fool’ and included the track on ‘Put Your Dreams Away’ (Epic Records, 1982).
The Kendalls – Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) & Jeannie Kendall -recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Cheater’s Prayer’ and included the track on ‘Stickin’ Together’ (Mercury Records, 1982); the track reached No.30 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982.
Joe Stampley recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Backslidin’ ‘, which was co-written with Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014), and included the track on ‘Backslidin’ ‘ (Epic Records, 1982); the track reached No.25 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982.
In 1983, Bobby Bare & Lacy J Dalton recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Caught In The Spotlight’ (co-written with Fred Koller); the track, which was the ‘B-side’ of ‘It’s A Dirty Job’ (written by Don Cook and Rafe Van Hoy), which reached No.30 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983, was subsequently included on Bobby Bare‘s ‘Bare Tracks: The Columbia Years’ (Koch Records, 1999).
B.J. Thomas (Friday 7 August 1942 – Saturday 29 May 2021) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Whatever Happened To Old-Fashioned Love’ and included the track on ‘New Looks’ (Columbia Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1983, No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1983, No.93 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1983, and No.13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 1983.
B.J. Thomas’ recording of Lewis Anderson’s ‘Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love’ was produced by legendary record producer and steel guitarist, Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 – Friday 29 July 1988), who was the person who brought the song to B.J.’s attention.
Charly McClain recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Fly Into Love’ and included the track on ‘Paradise’ (Epic Records, 1983); the track reached No.20 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983, and No.20 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1983.
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Wish You Were Mine Again’ (co-written with Don Lowery) and included the track on ‘Fool For Your Love’ (Epic Records, 1983).
On Monday 2 May 1983, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Where Did You Learn To Love Like That’ (co-written with Mark Wright); the track was remixed and issued for the first time, on CD, on ‘Sad Songs & Waltzes’ (Rounder Records, 2000).
Bill Anderson recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Turn The Light On’ (co-written with Stephen Geyer) and included the track on ‘Southern Fried’ (Southern Tracks Records, 1983); the track reached No.42 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982.
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Lost In The Feeling’ and included the track on ‘Lost In The Feeling’ (MCA Records, 1983); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1983.
Michael Martin Murphey recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Will It Be Love By Morning’ (co-written with Fred Koller) and included the track on ‘The Heart Never Lies’ (Liberty Records, 1983); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1984, and No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in early 1984.
T.G. Sheppard recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Somewhere Down The Line’ (co-written with Casey Kelly) and included the track on ‘Slow Burn’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
Steve Wariner recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Midnight Fire’ (co-written with Dave Gibson) and included the track on ‘Midnight Fire’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
In March 1984, Lorrie Morgan saw the release, on MCA Records, of Lewis Anderson’s ‘Don’t Go Changing’ (co-written with Casey Kelly), a 45rpm vinyl single, which reached No.69 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
Lee Greenwood recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Streamline’ (co-written with Brent Mason) and included the track on ‘Streamline’ (MCA Records, 1985); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
Diana Trask recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Whatever Happened To Old-Fashioned Love’ and included the track on ‘Footprints’ (Hammard Records, 1985).
Pinkard & Bowden – James ‘Sandy’ Pinkard (Thursday 16 January 1947 – Saturday 26 July 2025) and Richard Bowden – recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Elvis Was A Narc’ (co-written with Fred Koller) and included the track on ‘PG-13’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985).
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Wounded Heart’ and included the track on ‘Billie Jo Spears’ (Dot Records / MCA Records, 1986).
William Lee Golden (of The Oak Ridge Boys) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Turn The Light On’ (co-written with Stephen Geyer) and included the track on ‘American Vagabond’ (MCA Records, 1986).
Tanya Tucker recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Could Change My Mind’ and included the track on ‘Girls Like Me’ (Capitol Records, 1986).
Moe Bandy recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Between Us’ (co-written with Michael Bonagura) and included the track on ‘You Haven’t Heard The Last of Me’ (MCA Records, 1987).
Dann Rogers recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Wounded Heart’ and included the track on ‘Still Runnin’ ‘ (MCA Records, 1987).
Tanya Tucker recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Playing For Keeps’ (co-written with Lisa Silver) and included the track on ‘Strong Enough To Bend’ (Capitol Records, 1988).
Kix Brooks recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘A Little Magic On My Mind’ (co-written with Kix Brooks) and included the track on his self-titled debut album, ‘Kix Brooks’ (Capitol Records, 1989), which was produced by Rafe Van Hoy and Kix Brooks.
Fred Koller recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Caught In The Spotlight’ (co-written with Fred Koller) and included the track on ‘Where The Fast Lane Ends’ (Alcazar Records, 1990).
The Forester Sisters – Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester – recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Can’t Have A Good Time Without Me’, which was co-written with Lisa Silver and Russell Smith (Friday 17 June 1949 – Friday 12 July 2019), and included the track on ‘Come Hold Me’ (Warner Nashville Records, 1990).
Mark Chesnutt recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Too Good A Memory’ (co-written with Mark Wright) and included the track on ‘Too Cold At Home’ (MCA Records, 1990).
Gene Watson recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘She’s Leavin’ Looking Good’ and included the track on ‘At Last’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
Doug Stone recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Sailing Home For Christmas’ and included the track on ‘The First Christmas’ (Epic Records, 1992).
Freddy Cole (Thursday 15 October 1931 – Saturday 27 June 2020) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Somewhere Down The Line’ (co-written with Pat DiNizio and Casey Kelly) and included the track on ‘This Is The Life’ (Muse Records, 1993).
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Talking To God’ (co-written with Layng Martine Jr.) and included the track on ‘A Bridge I Didn’t Burn’ (Columbia Records, 1993).
Larry Stewart recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Brittany’ and included the track on ‘Down The Road’ (RCA Records, 1993).
Tracy Byrd recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘That’s The Thing About A Memory’ (co-written with Keith Stegall and Tracy Byrd) and included the track on ‘Tracy Byrd’ (MCA Records, 1993); the track reached No.71 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992, and No.64 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992.
Ronnie Milsap recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘I’m Praying For You’ (co-written with Keith Stegall) and included the track on ‘True Believer’ (Liberty Records, 1993); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993, but it did not chart
Daniel O’Donnell recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Whatever Happened To Old-Fashioned Love’ and included the track on ‘Especially For You’ (Ritz Records, 1994); the track reached No.15 on the Irish Singles Chart in 1993, and No.21 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart in 1993.
Wayne Newton recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘The Music That We Made’, which was co-written with Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022), and included the track on ‘Moods & Moments’ (Curb Records, 1994).
Mark Collie recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Those Days Are Gone’ (co-written with Mark Collie) and included the track on ‘Tennessee Plates’ (Giant Records, 1995).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Christmas Rock’ and included the track on ‘Christmas To Christmas’ (Mercury Records, 1995).
Pam Tillis recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Can’t Have A Good Time Without Me’, which was co-written with Lisa Silver and Russell Smith (Friday 17 June 1949 – Friday 12 July 2019), and included the track on ‘All of This Love’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1995).
Raybon Brothers (Marty Raybon and Tim Raybon) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Hello Love’, which was co-written with Tim Raybon and Sam Hogin (Monday 6 March 1950 – Monday 9 August 2004), and included the track on ‘Raybon Brothers’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1997).
Raybon Brothers (Marty Raybon and Tim Raybon) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Just Tryin’ To Keep The Woman I Got’ (co-written with Don Cook) and included the track on ‘Raybon Brothers’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1997).
Wade Hayes recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘This Is My Heart Talking Now’ (co-written with Jason Sellers) and included the track on ‘When The Wrong One Loves You Right’ (Columbia Records Nashville, 1998).
Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn) recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Texas & Norma Jean’ (co-written with Kix Brooks) and included the track on ‘Tightrope’ (Arista Records, 1999), which was produced by Kix Brooks, Don Cook, Ronnie Dunn and Byron Gallimore.
Ty Herndon recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Steam’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Steam’ (Sony Records / Epic Records, 1999); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999, No.19 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1999, and No.83 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1999.
Michael Peterson recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘I Owe It All To You’ (co-written with Michael Peterson) and included the track on ‘Being Human’ (Reprise Records, 1999).
Mark Wills recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘I Want To Know (Everything There Is To Know About You)’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Permanently’ (Mercury Records, 2000); the track reached No.33 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000.
Mark Chesnutt recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Lost In The Feeling’ and included the track on ‘Lost In The Feeling’ (MCA Records, 2000); the track reached No.59 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000.
Lisa Angelle recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Sin’ (co-written with Lisa Angelle) and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Lisa Angelle’ (DreamWorks Records, 2000).
Wade Hayes recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘You Were, You Are, You’ll Always Be’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Monument Records, 2000).
Trick Pony – Heidi Newfield (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica), Keith Burns (lead guitar, vocals) and Ira Dean (bass guitar, vocals) – recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Stay In This Moment’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Trick Pony’ (Warner Bros. Records / Curb Records / Permian Records, 2001).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Think of Me’ (co-written with Paul Nelson) and included the track on ‘Strong’ (DreamWorks Records, 2004).
The Hard Travelers – Russell Smith (bass vocals), Mike Munford (banjo), Sam Bush (mandolin, fiddle) and Duncan Cameron (guitar, keyboard, Dobro) – recorded Lewis Anderson’s ‘Close To Home’ (co-written with Fred Koller) and included the track on ‘Silver & Gold’ (The Hard Travelers Independent Release, Year Unknown).
Visit Lewis Anderson’s official site at lewisanderson.com
