Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2017, 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 Margie Singleton, which she submitted to this site on Wednesday 8 November 2017.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Margie Singleton who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Margie Singleton
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 8 November 2017.
‘I am more than happy to respond about Gene Watson.
I am a fan of his music, as well as being one of his peers.
I was honoured when Gene Watson recorded a song written by my husband Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013) and myself, ‘Walking Back to Birmingham’, which was included on ‘Gene Watson‘ (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973).
Leon had a hit on it also and it is on his last CD called ‘Laura, What’s She Got That I Ain’t Got’.
My favourite song of Gene’s is ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007)’
Thank you, Margie Singleton, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Margie Singleton…
Margie Singleton was born Margaret Louis Ebey in Coushatta, Louisiana on Saturday 5 October 1935, and is a legendary country music singer and songwriter, who was a pioneer at the forefront of country music in the 1950s and 1960s.
As a young child, Margie was influenced by blues and gospel music.
In 1949, when she was thirteen years old, she married Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009). They worked at a munitions plant near Shreveport, Louisiana during the Korean War. Margie Singleton began to play guitar and write songs as a teenager after the birth of her first child, Stephen Singleton, in 1950.
In 1955, Margie Singleton had her second son, Sidney Singleton.
In 1957, Margie Singleton signed with Starday Records, and saw the release of her first single, ‘One Step (Nearer to You)’. The flip-side of the single was called ‘Not What He’s Got’. Both of these songs were self-penned, but did not chart.
In 1958, Margie Singleton made her radio and professional debut on ‘Louisiana Hayride’. It was also in 1958 when Margie Singleton saw the release of another single, ‘Teddy’, which did not chart.
In 1959, Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘Nothing But True Love’, which was written by Paul Williams and Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009). This single was more successful, becoming a minor hit on the Billboard country music singles chart, reaching No.25.
In 1960, Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘Eyes of Love’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009), and reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart; the track, giving Margie Singleton her first major hit single, was included on ’20 Greatest Hits’ (Starway Records, 1960).
Margie Singleton regularly appeared on ‘Louisiana Hayride’ before moving to ‘Jubilee USA’ in 1960.
In the 1960s, Margie Singleton was a popular duet and solo recording artist, working with acclaimed country music artists, including George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996).
In 1961, Margie Singleton switched to Mercury Records, where her husband, Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009), was a producer.
With the help of Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009), Margie Singleton recorded a number of duets with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013).
In 1962, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) & Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘Duets Country Style’ (Mercury Records, 1962), which was produced by Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Did I Ever Tell You’ (written by Margie Singleton and Jerry Kennedy) (No.15, 1961)
‘Waltz of The Angels’ (written by Jack Rhodes and Dick Reynolds) (No.11, 1962)
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) & Margie Singleton‘s ‘Duets Country Style’ (Mercury Records, 1962) also included the following tracks:
‘Not Even Friends’ (written by Jimmy John)
‘Looking Back to See’, which was written by Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015) and Maxine Brown (Monday 27 April 1931 – Monday 21 January 2019)
‘Yearning (To Kiss You)’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Eddie Eddings
‘If You Don’t, Somebody Else Will’, which was written by Country Johnny Mathis (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 27 September 2011), Jimmy Fautheree and Geraldine Hamilton
‘When Two Worlds Collide’, which was written by Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) and Bill Anderson
‘I Want To Be Where You’re Gonna Be’, which was written by Margie Singleton, Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009) and Doyle Gantt
‘Are You Mine’ (written by Don Grashey, Jim Amadeo and Myrna Petrunka)
‘Baby, You’ve Got What It Takes’, which was written by Clyde Otis (Thursday 11 September 1924 – Tuesday 8 January 2008), Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988) and Murray Stein
‘I Don’t Hear You’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘Talk About Lovin’, which was written by Country Johnny Mathis (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 27 September 2011)
Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Lie To Me’ (co-written with Brook Benton) and included the track on ‘Singing The Blues’ (Mercury Records, 1962); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1962. This track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022).
Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘My True Confession’ (co-written with Bobby Stevenson) and included the track on ‘Singing The Blues’ (Mercury Records, 1962); the track reached No.22 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1963.
Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘I Got What I Wanted’ (co-written with Brook Benton) and included the track on ‘Singing The Blues’ (Mercury Records, 1962).
In 1963, Margie Singleton made her debut on the hallowed stage of country music’s most coveted show, The Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville.
It was also in 1963 when Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘Magic Star’, a non-album single; the track did not chart on the Billboard country music singles chart, but it did reach No.24 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart in 1963.
Teresa Brewer (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Wednesday 17 October 2007) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘He Understands Me’, which was co-written with Merle Kilgore (Thursday 9 August 1934 – Sunday 6 February 2005), and included the track on ‘Terrific Teresa Brewer’ (Philips Records, 1963).
Teresa Brewer (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Wednesday 17 October 2007) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Only Your Shadow Knows’ (co-written with Jerry Kennedy) and included the track on ‘Terrific Teresa Brewer’ (Philips Records, 1963).
Teresa Brewer (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Wednesday 17 October 2007) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘The Thrill is Gone’ (co-written with Jerry Kennedy) and included the track on ‘Terrific Teresa Brewer’ (Philips Records, 1963).
In 1964, Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘Old Records’, a non-album single, which reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart; the track was also a Top 10 smash on Cash Box and Record World, two of the most influential charts of the day.
In addition to being a solo and duet star, Margie Singleton also sang as a back-up vocalist with The Jordanaires.
In 1964, Margie Singleton teamed up with Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) and recorded ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’, which reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart, and became Margie Singleton’s biggest hit single.
The flip-side of the single, ‘No Thanks, I Just Had One’, reached No.40 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964.
In 1964, Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘Another Woman’s Man, Another Man’s Woman’, a non-album single; the track, which was a duet with Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996), reached No.38 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
By 1965, Margie Singleton was divorced from Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009).
It was also in 1965 when Margie Singleton married Leon Walton (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), who was known professionally as Leon Ashley.
Soon afterwards, Margie Singleton moved to United Artists Records, and saw the release of ‘Crying Time’ (United Artists Records, 1965), which was produced by Kelso Herston, and included the following tracks:
‘Crying Time’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘Too Many Rivers’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Togetherness’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Here Comes My Baby Back Again’, which was written by Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991) and Bill West (1933 – Thursday 19 September 2013)
‘You Took The Easy Way Out’, which was written by Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991), Bill West (1933 – Thursday 19 September 2013) and Stonewall Jackson (Sunday 6 November 1932 – Saturday 4 December 2021)
‘(I’d Be A) Legend in My Time’, which was written by Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003)
‘Dusk ‘Til Dawn’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘Someone’s Gotta Cry’ (written by Don Bowman)
‘My Permission To Lie’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘I’m Guilty This Time’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘What Would I Do’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘I Don’t Want To Be Hurt Anymore’ (written by Charlotte McCarthy)
In 1966, Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘How Can We Divide These Little Hearts’, a non-album single; the track, which was a duet with Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), was released as a single on the Billboard country music singles chart, but it did not chart.
In 1967, Margie Singleton moved to Ashley Records, a record label owned by her husband, Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013).
In November 1967, Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘Margie Singleton Sings Country Music With Soul’ (Ashley Records, 1967), which was produced by Don Tweedy and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the following tracks:
‘Sooner Or Later’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Paper Mansions’, which was written by Ted Harris (1937 – Sunday 22 November 2015)
‘There Goes My Everything’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘It’s Such A Pretty World Today’, which was written by Dale Emerson Noe (Saturday 31 December 1927 – Thursday 4 November 2004)
‘Your Elusive Dreams’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016)
‘All The Time’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and Wayne P. Walker
‘Woman In Me’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Goodbye Wheeling’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017)
‘It Seemed You’ve Never Been Gone’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘Your Conscience Sends Me Flowers’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Tears Don’t Look Good’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Leavin’ On Your Mind’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Silence’, which was co-written with Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the track on ‘Pride of Country Music’ (RCA Records, 1967).
In 1968, Margie Singleton appeared in the movie ‘Road To Nashville’, which also starred Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982).
Tom Jones recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got)’, which was co-written with Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the track on ‘Delilah’ (Decca Records, 1968).
In August 1968, Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘Harper Valley P.T.A.’ (Pickwick Records, 1968), which was produced by Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the following tracks:
‘Harper Valley P.T.A.’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021)
‘So Far, So Good’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Well’s Not Dry’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Next Heart You Break’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘If You Call That Love’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘Cheaters Win’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘Long, Long Way To Go’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘I Didn’t Have The Courage To Keep’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘It Seemed You’ve Never Been Gone’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘Talking My Heart Out of Love’ (written by Margie Singleton)
In 1969, Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013) & Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘New Kind of Country’ (Ashley Records, 1969), which was produced by Leon Ashley, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Ode To Billie Joe’ (written by Bobbie Gentry) (No.39, 1967)
‘Hangin’ On’ (written by Ira Allen and Buddy Mize) (No.54, 1967) / this track was a duet with Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Wandering Mind’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013) (No.52, 1968)
‘You’ll Never Be Lonely Again’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013) (No.55, 1968)
Margie Singleton’s ‘New Kind of Country’ (Ashley Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:
‘Four O’Clock In The Morning’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Petal From A Rose’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘She Picked Me Up’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013) / this track featured guest vocals from Leon Ashley
‘Parting of The Ways’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Big Boys Don’t Need Mamas’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Illusions of Life’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
In 1969, Gene Watson saw the release, on Wide World Records, of ‘Lie To Me’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988), and was a non-album single.
Gene Watson recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Walking Back To Birmingham’, which was co-written with Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the track on ‘Gene Watson‘ (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973).
In 1969, Margie Singleton & Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013) saw the release of ‘Ode To Billie Joe’ (Hilltop Records, 1969), which included the following tracks:
‘Ode To Billie Joe’ (written by Bobbie Gentry)
‘Four O’Clock In The Morning’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Petal From A Rose’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘She Picked Me Up’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Parting of The Ways’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Hangin’ On’ (written by Ira Allen and Buddy Mize)
‘Big Boys Don’t Need Mamas’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Illusions of Life’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘Wandering Mind’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
‘You’ll Never Be Lonely Again’, which was written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
In 1969, Margie Singleton saw the release of ‘You Gave Me A Mountain’ (Hilltop Records, 1969), which included the following tracks:
‘You Gave Me A Mountain’, which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982)
‘Y’All Come’ (written by Arlie Duff)
‘Have I Told You Lately That I Love You’ (written by Scott Wiseman)
‘Dusk ‘Til Dawn’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘Bright Lights Downtown’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘Mr. Walker, It’s All Over’ (written by Gene Crysler)
‘Dark Moon’, which was written by Ned Miller (Sunday 12 April 1925 – Friday 18 March 2016)
‘Your Old Love Letters’, which was written by Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 – Monday 12 June 1978)
‘I Knew I Would See Him Again’ (written by Margie Singleton)
‘Shake My Hand & Kiss Me On The Cheek’ (written by Margie Singleton)
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Enough of A Woman’, which was co-written with Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the track on ‘The Ways To Love A Man’ (Epic Records, 1970).
Hank Locklin (Friday 15 February 1918 – Sunday 8 March 2009) & Danny Davis (Friday 29 May 1925 – Thursday 12 June 2008) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got)’, 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).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘What’s A Little Rain?’, which was co-written with Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the track on ‘Woman To Woman’ (Epic Records, 1974).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got)’, which was co-written with Leon Ashley (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), and included the track on ‘Kenny Rogers’ (United Artists Records, 1977); the track reached No.19 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977.
Margie Singleton continued to record for her husband, Leon Ashley’s record label, but she enjoyed no further Billboard chart entries.
Margie Singleton toured with her husband, Leon Ashley, with Country Music Spectacular, and with his band, Strings of Nashville. Leon Ashley passed away on Sunday 20 October 2013.
In 2017, Margie Singleton returned to the recording studio and began work on a new Gospel album, as well as revisiting yesterday and re-recording some of her past hit singles and favourite songs. Margie Singleton also continues to play dates and enjoys writing.
It was also in 2017 when Margie Singleton saw the release of a hip new single and video, for a song she first wrote and recorded during her 1960’s heyday.
‘Jesus Is My Pusher’ is Margie Singleton’s most ambitious track and video to date, and it shows that Margie is nowhere near slowing down. The single was released to Christian and country radio stations in the United States, while the video is available on Margie Singleton’s Youtube channel.
Gene Watson recorded Margie Singleton’s ‘Lie To Me’, which was co-written with Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988), and included the track on ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022).
(Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013)
Leon Walton (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013), who was known professionally as Leon Ashley, has an important place in country music history as the first artist to write, record, release, distribute and publish his own material. The record, ‘Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got)’, is also part of Leon Ashley’s legacy, became a country music standard of the 1960s and 1970s, as it was recorded by a variety of artists, including Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982) and Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020).
Leon Ashley had more influence as a songwriter, not a performer. Nevertheless, Leon Ashley had a modestly successful performing career as a country-pop singer, which lasted through the 1960s and 1970s.
Leon Ashley began performing at an early age. When he was nine years old, Leon Ashley performed on a Covington, Georgia, radio station, and by the time he was eleven years old, he had his own show.
In 1960, Leon Ashley recorded his first single, ‘He’ll Never Go’. Released on Goldband Records, the record didn’t gain much attention. Leon Ashley signed with Imperial Records in 1961, releasing ‘Teen Age Angel’ and ‘It’s Alright Baby’ to a similar lack of attention.
In 1962, Leon Ashley returned to Goldband Records and recorded one more single, ‘Not Going Home’.
In 1964, Dot Records released Leon Ashley’s ‘You Gave Me Reason To Live’.
In 1966, Leon Ashley was paired with Margie Singleton to record ‘How Can We Divide These Little Hearts’.
In 1967, the duo married; they continued working together for the rest of their marriage.
The year 1967 was significant for Leon Ashley for another reason – he founded his own record label, Ashley Records. Surprisingly, Leon Ashley’s self-owned and operated record label was more successful for his career than any of the more-established labels he had previously recorded for.
‘Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got), the third release on Ashley Records, rocketed to No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart, and was followed by two other lesser hit singles later in 1967 – a duet with Margie Singleton called ‘Hangin’ On’ (No.54, 1967), and ‘Anna, I’m Taking You Home’ (No.28, 1967).
In 1968, Leon Ashley enjoyed two more hit singles, ‘Mental Journey’ (No.14, 1968) and ‘You’ll Never Be Lonely Again’ (No.55, 1968), the latter a duet with Margie Singleton.
In 1969, Leon Ashley enjoyed three more hit singles, ‘While Your Lover Sleeps’, which was written by Leon Ashley, William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) and Margie Singleton (No.25, 1969), ‘Walking Back To Birmingham’ (written by Margie Singleton and Leon Ashley) (No.23, 1969), and ‘Ain’t Gonna Worry’ (No.55, 1969).
However, that was the end of Leon Ashley’s brief period of chart success.
Leon Ashley had one more minor hit single, ‘Easy Up’, which was released in 1972.
For the remainder of the 1970s, Leon Ashley toured with Margie Singleton and their manager, Linda G. Denny, and Country Music Spectacular.
Although Leon Ashley no longer had hit singles, other performers regularly recorded Leon Ashley’s songs, including many co-written with Margie Singleton.
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