Johnny Darrell

Johnny Darrell (July 23, 1940 – October 7, 1997) was an American country music artist. Darrell was born in Hopewell, Alabama but grew up in Marietta, Georgia.[2] 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. In his recording career, Darrell established a trend of introducing "lyrically adventurous" songs that later became major hits for other artists.[3]

Johnny Darrell
Background information
Birth name	Eddie Ray White[1]
Born	July 23, 1940 Hopewell, Alabama, U.S.
Died	October 7, 1997 (aged 57) Kennesaw, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Country
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	196?–1997
Labels	United Artists Capricorn

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.[4] 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.[2] 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", 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"	—	—	—

Notes

1. "Johnny Darrell". Find A Grave. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
2. AMG Biography
3. Alabama Music Hall of Fame: Johnny Darrell Archived August 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
4. Wadey, Paul (November 15, 1997). "Obituary: Johnny Darrell". The Independent. Retrieved June 13, 2020.

External links

• Johnny Darrell at AllMusic