Johnny Darrell

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Johnny Darrell
Johnny Darrell.jpg
Background information
Birth nameEddie Ray White[1]
Born(1940-07-23)July 23, 1940
Hopewell, Alabama, U.S.
DiedOctober 7, 1997(1997-10-07) (aged 57)
Kennesaw, Georgia, U.S.
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1960s–1997
LabelsUnited Artists
Capricorn

Johnny Darrell (July 23, 1940[2] – October 7, 1997)[3] was an American country music artist. Darrell was born in Hopewell, Alabama but grew up in Marietta, Georgia.[4] After a stint in the army, he moved to Nashville and began managing a Holiday Inn near Music Row, when he was discovered by Kelso Herstin, a producer working for United Artists, on the recommendation of Bobby Bare.[2] In his recording career, Darrell established a trend of introducing "lyrically adventurous" songs that later became major hits for other artists.[3]

His first single, a version of Curly Putman's "Green Green Grass of Home" was issued in 1965, followed by "As Long as the Wind Blows" in 1966, which made the country Top 30 and saw Darrell being named "Most Promising Male Artist" by Cashbox.[5] He was the first to record the Mel Tillis song "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town", which became a top ten hit for him in 1967 and later a hit for Kenny Rogers.[4] This was followed by his performance of Dallas Frazier's "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" in 1968, and the crossover hit "With Pen in Hand",[2] which would later become a hit for Vikki Carr. In the 1970s, Darrell was associated with the Outlaw country movement. Darrell suffered from diabetes, a disease which would impair his health and ability to perform. Darrell died from the disease at age 57 in Kennesaw, Georgia, and was survived by his wife Jody.[3]

Discography[]

Albums[]

Year Album Chart Positions Label
US Country US
1966 As Long as the Winds Blow United Artists
1967 Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town 37
1968 The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp 37
With Pen in Hand 23
1969 Why You Been Gone So Long 33 172
1970 California Stop Over
The Best of Johnny Darrell
1975 Water Glass Full of Whiskey Capricorn
2000 Singin' It Lonesome: The Very Best...1965–1970 Raven
2002 The Complete Gusto/Starday/King Recordings King

Singles[]

Year Single Chart Positions Album
US Country US CAN Country
1965 "Green Green Grass of Home" As Long as the Winds Blow
"As Long as the Wind Blows" 30
1966 "Johnny Lose It All" 44
"She's Mighty Gone" 72 Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town
1967 "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" 9
"My Elusive Dreams" 73 The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp
"Come See What's Left of Your Man" 37 Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town
"The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" 22 The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp
1968 "With Pen in Hand" 3 126 With Pen in Hand
"I Ain't Buying" 27 Why You Been Gone So Long
"Woman Without Love" 20
1969 "The Coming of the Roads" (with Anita Carter) 50 single only
"Why You Been Gone So Long" 17 Why You Been Gone So Long
"River Bottom" 23 12
"Trouble Maker" single only
1970 "Mama Come'n Get Your Baby Boy" 68 California Stop Over
"Brother River" 75
"They'll Never Take Her Love from Me" 74 singles only
1971 "Look Out Cleveland"
"Don't It Seem to Rain a Lot"
1973 "Crazy Daddy"
"Dakota the Dancing Bear" 66
1974 "Orange Blossom Special" 63 Water Glass Full of Whiskey
1975 "Glendale Arizona"
"Rose Colored Gin"

References[]

  1. ^ "Johnny Darrell". Find A Grave. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Country Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 106/7. ISBN 0-85112-726-6.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Alabama Music Hall of Fame: Johnny Darrell". Archived from the original on August 7, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Johnny Darrell | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  5. ^ Wadey, Paul (November 15, 1997). "Obituary: Johnny Darrell". The Independent. Retrieved June 13, 2020.

External links[]

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