Razzy Bailey

Razzy Bailey (2010)

Rasie Michael "Razzy" Bailey (born February 14, 1939 in Five Points , Alabama , † August 4, 2021 in Goodlettsville , Tennessee ) was an American country singer and songwriter .

Life

Beginnings

Razzy grew up in a poor family on a farm in rural Alabama. His father, a hobby musician, gave him a used guitar as a present. As a schoolboy he played in a band and released his first record at the age of 19. After graduating from school, he married early and became a father several times. After that, he initially got by with odd jobs. At the same time he played in a country band.

In 1966 he wrote the song 9,999,999 Tears and introduced him to producer Bill Owery . A single was recorded with well-known studio musicians such as Joe South and Billy Joe Royal , but it only sold poorly. In 1974 he recorded the single I Hate Hate .

Career

It was not until the second half of the 1970s that he made his breakthrough in the music scene. During this time he played in various bands and recorded some unsuccessful singles. In 1976 Dickey Lee had a number 1 hit with 9,999,999 tears . Two years later he had a top 10 hit hit with another Bailey song, Peanut Butter . Because of these successes, Bailey received offers from several major record companies. In 1978 he signed with the RCA label.

His first single on the new label, What Time Do You Have To be Back In Heaven , made it into the top 10. More high placements followed before he succeeded in 1980 with Lovin 'Up A Storm, the first of a series of number 1 hits. His albums were also successful. In 1981 he was named Best Country Singer of the Year by Billboard Magazine . With his mix of country, blues and soul paired with a hoarse, high-pitched voice, he continued to be successful.

In 1984 he moved to MCA . The sales of his records gradually decreased. His songs remained in demand and were interpreted by many established country musicians. In 1987 he founded his own label, SOA Records (Sounds Of America), but his heyday was over. He didn't hit the headlines again until 1993 when his wife Sandra committed suicide shortly after the release of his album Fragile, Handle With Care .

Discography

Albums

year	title	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, rankings, weeks, awards, notes)		Remarks
		US	Country
1979	If Love Had a Face	-	Country33 (11 weeks) Country
1980	Razzy	-	Country12 (43 weeks) Country
1981	Makin 'friends	US183 (2 weeks) US	Country8 (29 weeks) Country
1982	Feelin 'right	US176 (4 weeks) US	Country10 (22 weeks) Country
	A Little More Razz	-	Country59 (6 weeks) Country
1983	Greatest hits	-	Country33 (8 weeks) Country
1984	The midnight hour	-	Country36 (10 weeks) Country
1985	Cut From A Different Stone	-	Country38 (12 weeks) Country

More albums

• 1974: I Hate Hate
• 1981: If Love Had A Face (RCA)
• 1986: Arrival
• 1993: Fragile, Handle With Care (SOA)
• 2005: Razzy Unwrapped (SOA)
• 2009: Damned Good Time (SOA)

Singles

year	Title album	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChartsChart placements (Year, title, album , rankings, weeks, awards, notes)	Remarks
		Country
1976	Keepin 'Rosie Proud of Me	Country99 (2 weeks) Country
1978	What Time Do You Have to Be Back to Heaven If Love Had a Face	Country9 (15 weeks) Country
	Tonight She's Gonna Love Me (Like There Was No Tomorrow) If Love Had a Face	Country6 (14 weeks) Country
1979	If Love Had a Face, If Love Had a Face	Country6 (12 weeks) Country
	I Ain't Got No Business Doin 'Business Today If Love Had a Face	Country10 (14 weeks) Country
	I Can't Get Enough of You Razzy	Country5 (14 weeks) Country
1980	Too Old to Play Cowboy Razzy	Country13 (14 weeks) Country
	Loving Up a Storm Razzy	Country1 (15 weeks) Country
	I keep coming back razzy	Country1 (16 weeks) Country
1981	Friends makin 'friends	Country1 (16 weeks) Country
	Midnight Hauler Makin 'Friends	Country1 (18 weeks) Country
	She Left Love All Over Me Feelin 'Alright	Country1 (20 weeks) Country
1982	Everytime You Cross My Mind (You Break My Heart) Feelin 'Alright	Country10 (15 weeks) Country
	Love's Gonna Fall Here Tonight A Little More Razz	Country8 (17 weeks) Country
	Poor Boy A Little More Razz	Country30 (14 weeks) Country
1983	After the Great Depression Greatest Hits	Country19 (13 weeks) Country
	This Is Just the First Day Greatest Hits	Country62 (10 weeks) Country
1984	In the Midnight Hour Cut from a Different Stone	Country14 (17 weeks) Country
	Knock on Wood Cut from a Different Stone	Country29 (14 weeks) Country
	Touchy Situation Cut from a Different Stone	Country43 (13 weeks) Country
1985	Modern Day Marriages Cut from a Different Stone	Country51 (10 weeks) Country
	Fightin 'Fire with Fire Arrival	Country78 (4 weeks) Country
	Old Blue Yodeler Arrival	Country48 (9 weeks) Country
1986	Rockin 'in the Parkin' Lot Arrival	Country63 (7 weeks) Country
1987	If Love Ever Made a Fool	Country69 (5 weeks) Country
1988	Unattended Fire	Country58 (6 weeks) Country
	Starting all over again	Country73 (6 weeks) Country
1989	But you will	Country65 (5 weeks) Country

More singles

• 1966: 9,999,999 Tea (as Razzy)
• 1991: Fragile (Handle with Care)

Web links

• Razzy Bailey at Discogs
• Razzy Bailey in the Internet Movie Database (English)
• Razzy Bailey at billboard.com (English)
• Razzy Bailey at cmt.com (English)

swell

1. ↑ ^{a b} Chart sources: US