Mel Tillis – Country Legend

Mel Tillis has been a country star for several decades, and we're still enjoying  his songwriting and performing talents today.  I'll plan to feature one of Mel's hits today at 11:30 am during my Big Frog 104 "Country Classic Double".

According to Mel Tillis' website:

"Country music legend, Mel Tillis, started performing in the early ‘50’s with a group called The Westerners while serving as a baker in the United States Air Force, stationed in Okinawa. In 1956, Webb Pierce recorded a song written by Mel entitled “I’m Tired”, and it launched Mel’s musical career.

Awards: In 1976, Mel Tillis was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame, and that same year, he was named Country Music Association’s (CMA) Entertainer of the Year. Also, for six years in the 70’s, Mel Tillis won Comedian of the Year.

On September 21, 1999, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) named Mel Tillis the Songwriter of the Decade for two decades.

Mel was the recipient of the Golden Voice Entertainer Award for 2001. He also won the 2001 Golden R.O.P.E. Songwriter Award

The Grand Ole Opry inducted Mel Tillis as its newest member on June 9, 2007.

In October of 2007, Mel Tillis became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Songwriting: Mel has written well over 1,000 songs, and approximately 600 have been recorded by major artists. The following is a list of a few of those songs and artists:

"Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town" Kenny Rogers

"Detroit City" Bobby Bare

"Emotions" Brenda Lee

"I Ain’t Never" Webb Pierce

"Burning Memories" Ray Price

"Thoughts of a Fool" George Strait

"Honey (Open That Door)" Ricky Skaggs

Mel Tillis has been in the music/entertainment business now for 50 plus years. He and his band, the Statesiders, have worked concerts all over the 50 states, Canada, England, and other countries.

One of Mel’s hobbies – painting – has turned into a charitable event. 1000 limited edition signed and numbered prints of his painting “Masonic America” are being sold with all profits going to the Scottish Rite Foundation which benefits speech and hearing clinics all over this great nation."