Johnny Russell (singer)

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Johnny Bright Russell (born January 23, 1940 in Sunflower , Mississippi , † July 3, 2001 ) was an American country musician and songwriter .

Beginnings

Johnny grew up in rural Mississippi, where he came into intensive contact with country music from an early age. When he was eleven years old, his family moved to Fresno , California . He successfully participated in talent competitions and worked as a disc jockey for a local radio station. Appearances in the local club scene followed.

In 1958 he recorded a single with a self-written song: In a Mansion Stands My Love . Chet Atkins picked this track as the B-side of Jim Reeves' single He'll Have to Go , which went on to become a huge hit.

Career

Russell was initially unable to translate his newfound popularity into record success and therefore concentrated on writing songs. His final breakthrough as a songwriter came in 1963 when his act Naturally, interpreted by Buck Owens , became a number one hit . Notably, the Beatles even recorded this piece a little later . Others were also successful with his songs, including established stars like Loretta Lynn , Del Reeves and Patty Page .

In 1971 he made another attempt as an interpreter and signed a record deal with RCA. His first top 20 placement came in 1973 with Catfish John . In the same year he achieved his greatest success with Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer . The single moved up to number four on the country charts and is considered his most famous song. In the years that followed, he rarely managed to get beyond the middle region of the Top 100.

In 1980 he switched to the Mercury label, but his records didn't sell very well here either. Other interpreters, however, were more successful with his songs. In 1982 the Statler Brothers achieved top hits with his You'll Be Back (Every Night in My Dream) and in 1984 George Strait with Let's Fall to Pieces Together . Johnny Russell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1985 , where he appeared as both a singer and a comedian.

The overweight musician was increasingly affected by health problems. He suffered from diabetes and had multiple heart attacks in the late 1980s . He also suffered from leukemia , from which he died on July 3, 2001.

Discography (albums)

  • 1971 - Mr. & Mrs. Untrue
  • 1973 - Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer
  • 1974 - She's in Love with a Rodeo Man
  • 1975 - Here Comes Johnny Russell

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Russell, Johnny
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Russell, Johnny Bright (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American country musician and songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH January 23, 1940
PLACE OF BIRTH Sunflower , Mississippi , USA
DATE OF DEATH July 3, 2001