Razzy Bailey
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
personal data | |
---|---|
SURNAME | Bailey, Razzy |
ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Bailey, Rasie Michael |
SHORT DESCRIPTION | American country singer and songwriter |
BIRTH DATE | February 14, 1939 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Five Points , Alabama , United States |
DATE OF DEATH | August 4, 2021 |
PLACE OF DEATH | Goodlettsville , Tennessee |