| Birth: | Jul. 23, 1940 | | Death: | Oct. 7, 1997 | 
Country Musician. Real name Eddie Ray White. Under the pseudonym Johnny Darrell, he recorded the songs, "The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp" in 1967, and "As Long The Wind Blows" in 1968. Both recordings were chart top successes for him. A native of Hopewell, Alabama, but raised in Marietta, Georgia, Darrell became interested in music following a brief stint in the United States Army. After moving to Nashville, following his leave from the army, Darrell took a job working at a local Holiday Inn. He soon came to the attention of United Artists music producer Kelso Hairston through his friend Bobby Bare. Hairston, who liked Darrell's brand of songwriting quickly signed the musician to a contract with United Artists in 1964. A year later in 1965, Darrell released his first single entitled, "Green Green Grass Of Home" (the single was also a hit for Tom Jones). This was followed two years later by Darrell's second single, "As Long As The Wind Blows", which would go onto be a Top 30 hit. That same year, he released the Top Ten hit, "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town" (the song written by Mel Tillis would also be a hit for Kenny Rogers). As a singer-songwriter Darrell established a trend of songs that would become country standards that were recorded not only by him, but other talented musicians alike. His next two chart toppers were "The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramps" in 1968, and the pop chart single, "Pen In Hand", recorded by Vicki Carr. In the 1970s, Darrell continued his association with friend Bobby Bare, and also became part of the outlaw country movement by joining the Grand Ole Opry's Party Night. The eventt was an English concert that celebrated the birthday of a now defunct Opry magazine. The lineup of performers included Nat Stuckey, Hank Snow, Wes Buchanan, and Willie Nelson, among others. At this time he also released two more singles, "Orange Blossom Special", and "Dakota The Dancing Bear." These were both two of Darrell's singles before his career started to wane by the late 1970s. In the 1980s and 1990s, he made a brief comeback, but his new found success was cut short by his death in 1997. In 2000, three years after his death the album, "Singin' It Lonesome: The Very Best...1965-1970", was released in his memory. The album included all of Darrell's chart topping successes. (bio by: K)
Search Amazon for Johnny Darrell | | | Burial:
Pine Ridge Memorial Park
Kennesaw
Cobb County
Georgia, USA |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Originally Created by: K
Record added: Sep 09, 2007
Find A Grave Memorial# 21458126 |
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Added by:
katzizkidz
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Added by:
K
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Evening Blues
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