RIP Billy Sherrill

[sweetest punch]

http://www.tennessean.com/story/enterta ... /31110363/

Legendary producer Billy Sherrill dies

Producer, songwriter, arranger and Country Music Hall of Famer Billy Sherrill passed away in his home late Tuesday morning at the age of 78 following a short illness, according to his daughter Catherine Lale. He's known for producing hits like Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" (which they cowrote), Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors," and George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," considered by many to be the greatest country song of all time.

Billy Norris Sherrill was born November 5, 1936 in Phil Campbell, Alabama. As a child, he'd often accompany his evangelist father on the piano at revivals.

In 1962 he moved to Nashville after being hired by Sun Records' Sam Phillips as a producer-engineer. A year later, he began producing for Epic Records, where he worked with acts like the Staple Singers.

One of his first successes came in 1966 when David Houston's recording of "Almost Persuaded," which Sherrill co-wrote with Glenn Sutton and produced, spent nine weeks atop Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. It would go on to win three Grammy Awards: Best Country and Western Song, Best Country and Western Recording and Best Country and Western Vocal Performance: Male.

Mr. Sherrill's contributions to country music were numerous. He was a pioneer of the smooth "countrypolitan" sound. One of his most notable partnerships was with Tammy Wynette. In 1966, he signed the young singer to Epic Records. More than three dozen of her Sherrill-produced, and frequently Sherrill-penned songs made the Top 10; 20 topped the charts, like "Stand By Your Man," which they co-wrote. Mr. Sherrill also spent nearly 20 years producing hits for George Jones, including the classic "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "Yesterday's Wine," and "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes."

Mr. Sherrill worked with several artists over the course of his career, including Charlie Rich, Johnny Paycheck, Shelby Lynne, Elvis Costello and Ray Charles. In 2008 he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum; two years later he would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Charlene, his daughter Catherine Lale and her husband George, and two grandchildren, Samantha and Matthew.

[charliestumpy]

Apt commiserations suitably to all concerned with departed.

I admit that the 1st time I HEARD-READ of Mr. Sherrill was when on its release 1981 I bought EC 'Almost Blue' vinyl.

[bronxapostle]

surely EC will play an ALMOST BLUE song or two tonight