Vern Gosdin
| Vern Gosdin | |
|---|---|
 Vern Gosdin performing on TNN (1999) | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Vernon Gosdin |
| Born | August 5, 1934 |
| Origin | Woodland, Alabama, USA |
| Died |
April 28, 2009 (aged 74) Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| Genres | Country, Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1967–2009 |
| Labels |
Elektra Ovation AMI A&M Compleat Columbia Records VGM |
| Associated acts |
Emmylou Harris George Jones George Strait |
Vernon "Vern" Gosdin (August 5, 1934 – April 28, 2009) was an American country music singer. Known as "The Voice" he had 19 top-10 solo hits on the country music charts from 1977 through 1990. Three of these hits went to number one: "I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)", "Set 'Em Up Joe" and "I'm Still Crazy".[1]
Career
Early years
As the sixth child in a family of nine,[2] Vern Gosdin began singing in Bethel East Baptist Church in Woodland, Alabama, where his mother played piano. Gosdin and two brothers sang gospel on Birmingham radio station WVOK.[2] Gosdin later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he operated the D&G Tap. He idolized The Louvin Brothers and The Blue Sky Boys as a young man.
1960s - West Coast Country music movement
In 1961, Gosdin moved to California, where he joined the West Coast Country music movement, first as a member of the Golden State Boys, which became The Hillmen, and included Chris Hillman.[2] Gosdin then formed The Gosdin Brothers with brother Rex. The duo appeared on the charts in the late 1960s with a song titled "Hangin' On" on the Bakersfield International label, then with "Till The End" on Capitol Records. During the same time period, the Gosdin Brothers were featured on Hillman's former Byrds mate Gene Clark's first solo album, the 1967 well-regarded Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers, singing backing vocals on all of the tracks behind the lead vocals of Clark and lead guitars of Clarence White, Glen Campbell, and Bill Rinehart (later of the Merry-Go-Round).
1970s - Retirement and comeback
Gosdin retired from performing during the 1970s and moved to Cartersville, Georgia, where he operated a glass company.[2] In 1976, he signed with Elektra Records and his first hit was a remake of "Hangin' On", which featured Emmylou Harris on harmony vocals and peaked at No. 16. His next single, "Yesterday's Gone", which also featured Harris, became his first Top 10 hit in 1977. Several more hits followed between 1977 and 1979 with the biggest of these hits being a remake of "Till the End" and a cover of The Association's "Never My Love" which also featured harmony vocals from Janie Frickie.
1981-1983: Today My World Slipped Away
In 1981, Gosdin signed with Ovation Records and scored a Top 10 hit with "Dream of Me". After Ovation Records closed their doors later in 1981, Gosdin signed with A.M.I. Records where he scored a Top 10 hit in 1982 with "Today My World Slipped Away". (This song later became a number-three hit for George Strait).
'Tennessee Courage': First released by Gosdin in 1983, Tennessee Courage was written by Louis Brown, Gosdin and Max D. Barnes. The song would also be recorded by Keith Whitley and many others over the years and is considered a favorite among fans of traditional country music. Barnes and Brown were both notable Nashville songwriters each with hundreds of songwriting credit Barnes would eventually win over 42 songwriting awards in his career. Brown would go on to write as a staff writer for 'Tree Publishing' and 'Stoney Lonesome Music Publishing' both headquartered on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee.
Gosdin, meanwhile, signed with Complete Records in the early 1980s, and, in 1984, released "There Is A Season," picked by the Los Angeles Times as best country album of the year. The early 1980s also found a great combination of talent as Gosdin traveled from coast to coast opening shows for George Jones. During this time, George Jones's manager, Gerald Murray, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama had the same home office for the two singers. Jones lived in Muscle Shoals at the time, and the duo's office facility became a pivot location for great writers and other entertainers, including Hank Williams Jr.
1983-1985: If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right) and There Is a Season
Gosdin made the top 10 consistently in the early '80s, really hitting his stride when he teamed with Barnes as a songwriting collaborator. The pair specialized in songs of cheating and barroom romance, often delivering an over-the-top emotionalism that got Gosdin compared to the ultimate legend of George Jones. In 1983, Gosdin had two top 5 hits — "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)" and "Way Down Deep." The following year, he had his first No. 1 single with "I Can Tell by the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)",[1] which had previously been recorded by Gary Morris.[2]
1987-1989: Chiseled in Stone
After Compleat Records went bankrupt, Gosdin signed with Columbia in 1987. He had success right off the bat with "Do You Believe Me Now." He hit No. 1 once again with a tribute to Ernest Tubb called "Set 'Em Up Joe."[1] Gosdin's "Chiseled in Stone", co-written with Barnes, won the Country Music Association's Song of the Year award in 1989.
1989-1990: Alone
Gosdin's 1989 album Alone was a concept album in a traditional country style. It chronicled the dissolution of Gosdin's marriage and included his final number-one hit: "I'm Still Crazy".[1] From 1989-1991, he released a number of songs and three more made the Billboard top 10: "Right in the Wrong Direction," "That Just About Does It" and "Is It Raining at Your House." "Raining" has been covered by Brad Paisley and Lorrie Morgan, and "That Just About Does It" by Willie Nelson.
2007 book
In 2007, Gosdin's manager, Dr. Gerald Murray of Muscle Shoals, Alabama wrote "True Life Stories About 'The Voice'." The book told of the life and times the two had together and about some of the many people in Gosdin's life. Murray was a part of Gosdin's life for some 30 years and referred to Gosdin as a father, brother and friend.
Later years
Gosdin continued writing and singing up until April 28, 2009, despite his battle and recovery from his first stroke in 1998. The final four songs he wrote and recorded were with a co-writer Joe Sins in 2009 of the country music duo The Sins. His final songs "There's a Fire in Our Bedroom", "Let's Get Down to Business", "Santa's Driving a Chevrolet This Year" and "Dixie on My Mind" were a testament of his continued talent to the end. Vern was often seen at the Cracker Barrel and Santa Fe restaurants on Music Valley Drive, and loved to visit with his fans.
Death
Gosdin, who suffered a stroke in early April 2009, died at a Nashville hospital the evening of April 28, 2009 at the age of 74.[3] His remains were buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
Discography
References
- Hines, Geoffrey (1998). "Vern Gosdin". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 206–7.