Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Mel Tillis: May 2005

Gene Watson's peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!

All of Gene Watson's Peers who were contacted during 2005 were most gracious with their time and words. It is here, within this special part of the Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Mel Tillis, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 25 May 2005.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Mel Tillis who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.

Mel Tillis
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 25 May 2005.

'I have to say that Gene Watson, along with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 - Tuesday 28 April 2009), is one of the best country music singers to come along since Hank Williams Senior, and I ain't kidding'.

Thank you, Mel Tillis, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Mel Tillis...

Mel Tillis was born Lonnie Melvin Tillis in Tampa, Florida on Monday 8 August 1932; it is believed his stuttering was the result of a bout with malaria at the age of three.  As a child, he learned guitar and in high school studied both the violin and the drums.  At the age of sixteen, Mel Tillis first performed publicly at a local talent show and after graduation he entered the military.  While stationed in Okinawa, Japan he formed a group called The Westerners, which played local clubs.

After exiting the service in 1955, Mel Tillis went to college and held odd jobs until moving to Nashville the following year.  He found little success as a writer or performer there and soon returned to Florida.

Then, in 1957, Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) reached No.3 with Mel Tillis' composition 'I'm Tired', which earned the aspiring artist a song-writing contract with Pierce's Cedarwood Music.  After playing with the likes of Minnie Pearl and Judy Lynn, Mel Tillis cut his first single, a cover of the standard 'It Takes A Worried Man To Sing A Worried Song', in 1957; the b-side, the self-penned 'Honky Tonk Song', quickly became a chart-topper for Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991).

After a few excursions into rock and roll territory, Mel Tillis earned his first Billboard Top 40 country hit with 'The Violet And A Rose' for Columbia Records in 1958.

While Mel Tillis continued to chart singles like 'Finally' in 1959, along with a pair of duets with Bill Phillips namely 'Sawmill' and 'Georgia Town Blues', his greatest success at the turn of the decade remained as a songwriter.  Mel Tillis continued supplying Webb Pierce with hit after hit, including the 1959 hit singles 'I Ain't Never' and 'No Love Have I', along with 'Crazy Wild Desire' in 1962 and 'Sawmill' in 1963.

Artists also covering Mel Tillis' songs at this time were Bobby Bare ('Detroit City'), Ray Price ('One More Time', 'Burning Memories' and 'Heart Over Mind'), Stonewall Jackson ('Mary Don't You Weep'), Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 - Thursday 15 March 2013) ('All The Time') and Little Jimmy Dickens ('The Violet And A Rose'), which was also recorded by Wanda Jackson.

In 1962, Mel Tillis saw the release of his first album, 'Heart Over Mind' (Columbia Records, 1962); a year later, he teamed up with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) for the hit 'How Come Your Dog Don't Bite Nobody But Me'.

In 1965, Mel Tillis recorded his first Billboard Top 15 hit, a song called 'Wine'.  A string of successes followed, including 'Stateside' in 1966, 'Life Turned Her That Way' (the title cut from his 1967 album) and his first Top Ten hit, 'Who's Julie' in 1968.

At the same time, Mel Tillis' stature as a songwriter continued to grow, thanks to hit covers of 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' (recorded by both Johnny Darrell and Kenny Rogers & First Edition), and 'Mental Revenge', which was recorded by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002).

At the end of the 1960s, Mel Tillis and his esteemed new backing band The Statesiders came into their own as performers; after two 1969 Top Ten hits, 'These Lonely Hands Of Mine' and 'She'll Be Hanging Around Somewhere', Mel scored back-to-back Billboard Top Five hits in 1970 with 'Heart Over Mind' and 'Heaven Everyday'.

In 1971, Mel Tillis began a successful string of duets with Sherry Bryce, which included 'Take My Hand' and 'Living And Learning'; he also saw the release of the album 'Live At The Sam Houston Coliseum'.

Mel Tillis enjoyed his first Billboard No.1 song in 1972 with 'I Ain't Never' (No.1 for two weeks in September/October 1972).  Most of the 1970s turned out to be a very fertile period for Mel Tillis as an artist, as evidenced by a series of Billboard Top Five smashes, including 'Neon Rose', 'Sawmill', 'Midnight, Me And The Blues', 'Stomp Them Grapes' and 'Memory Maker'.

On Monday 11 October 1976, which was Gene Watson's 33rd birthday, Mel Tillis was awarded the Country Music Association (CMA) 'Entertainer of the Year' Award.

Between 1976 and 1980, Mel Tillis scored five more number ones on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Good Woman Blues' (No.1 for two weeks in November/December 1976)
'Heart Healer' (No.1 for one week in March 1977)
'I Believe In You' (No.1 for one week in July 1978)
'Coca Cola Cowboy' (No.1 for one week in August 1979)
'Southern Rains' (written by Roger Murrah) (No.1 for one week in February 1981)

Mel Tillis also appeared in a number of films, including 'W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings' in 1975 (with Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed (Saturday 20 March 1937 - Sunday 31 August 2008) and Don Williams), 'The Villain' in 1977 (starring Kirk Douglas and Arnold Schwarzenegger), Clint Eastwood's 'Every Which Way but Loose' in 1979 (which included Mel's No. 1 'Coca Cola Cowboy' on the soundtrack) and 'Smokey And The Bandit II' in 1980.

Although Mel Tillis continued to work in films (co-starring in both 'Cannonball Run' pictures) and notched the occasional Billboard Top Ten hit, such as 'A Million Old Goodbyes' in 1981 and 'In The Middle Of The Night' in 1983), his days as a superstar were over.

Still, Mel Tillis remained a popular songwriter, especially among younger country music artists.  His 'Honey (Open That Door)' was a Billboard No.1 hit for Ricky Skaggs (No.1 for one week in June 1984).

Mel Tillis also continued as a successful road act and, in the early 1990s, his daughter Pam Tillis emerged to become one of country music's biggest stars.

Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis' 'I'm A Poor Boy' (co-written with Buck Peddy and Faron Young) and included the track on 'Sweethearts Or Strangers' (Capitol Records, 1957).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Violet And A Rose' (co-written with Bud Auge and John Reinfield) and included the track on 'Webb' (Decca Records, 1958).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Tupelo County Jail' (co-written with Webb Pierce) and included the track on 'Webb' (Decca Records, 1958); the track was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1958.

Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 - Monday 17 November 2003) recorded Mel Tillis' 'As Much' and included the track on 'That Gibson Boy' (RCA Records, 1958).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis' 'All The Time' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker); the single reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959 and was subsequently included on 'Golden Favourites' (Decca Records, 1961).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'I Ain't Never' (co-written with Webb Pierce) and included the track on 'Webb With A Beat' (Decca Records, 1960); the track was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960.

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'I'll Never Have To Be Alone' and included the track on 'Webb With A Beat' (Decca Records, 1960).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'No Love Have I' and included the track on 'Webb With A Beat' (Decca Records, 1960); the track was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960.

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'I'm Tired' (co-written with Webb Pierce and Buck Peddy) and included the track on 'Webb With A Beat' (Decca Records, 1960).

Ray Price recorded Mel Tillis' 'Heart Over Mind'; the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1961 and was subsequently included on 'The Essential Ray Price: 1951 - 1962' (Columbia Records, 1991).



The Everly Brothers (Don and Phil Everly) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Stick With Me Baby' and included the track on 'A Date With The Everly Brothers' (Warner Bros. Records, 1961).

Brenda Lee recorded Mel Tillis' 'Emotions' (co-written with Ramsey Kearney) and included the track on 'Emotions' (Decca Records, 1961).

Brenda Lee recorded Mel Tillis' 'Crazy Talk' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Emotions' (Decca Records, 1961).

Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 - Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Make The Waterwheel Roll' (co-written with Marijohn Wilkin) and included the track on 'Big Bad John' (Columbia Records, 1961).

Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 - Sunday 19 September 2004) and Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 - Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Sorrow's Tearing Down The House' (co-written with Kent Westberry) and included the track on 'Sing Duets' (RCA Records, 1962).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Heart Over Mind' and included the track on 'Queen of Country Music' (Decca Records, 1962).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis' 'One More Time' and included the track on 'Queen of Country Music' (Decca Records, 1962).

Little Jimmy Dickens recorded Mel Tillis' 'Violet And A Rose' (co-written with Bud Auge and John Reinfield) and included the track on 'Out Behind The Barn' (Columbia Records, 1962).

Little Jimmy Dickens recorded Mel Tillis' 'Twenty Cigarettes' (co-written with Buck Peddy) and included the track on 'Out Behind The Barn' (Columbia Records, 1962).

Ben Colder recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City No.2' (co-written with Danny Dill and Sheb Wooley) and included the track on 'Wine, Women & Song' (MGM Records, 1962).

Jimmy C. Newman recorded Mel Tillis' 'Guess I Fooled Everybody (Everybody But Me)' and included the track on 'Jimmy C. Newman' (Decca Records, 1962).

Jimmy C. Newman recorded Mel Tillis' 'Finally' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Jimmy C. Newman' (Decca Records, 1962).



Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 - Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Stand Up, Sit Down, Shut Your Mouth' and included the track on 'The Unpredictable Simon Crum' (Capitol Records, 1963).

Bobby Bare recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City' (co-written with Danny Dill) and included the track on 'Detroit City' (RCA Records, 1963); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963.

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Sooner Or Later' (co-written with Webb Pierce) and included the track on 'I've Got a New Heartache' (Decca Records, 1963).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'One More Time' and included the track on 'I've Got a New Heartache' (Decca Records, 1963).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'If I Could Come Back' (co-written with Webb Pierce and Buck Peddy) and included the track on 'I've Got a New Heartache' (Decca Records, 1963).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'If I Lost Your Love' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'I've Got a New Heartache' (Decca Records, 1963).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Georgia Town Blues' (co-written with Buck Peddy) and included the track on 'I've Got a New Heartache' (Decca Records, 1963).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis' 'I Can't Help Wondering' and included the track on 'The Kitty Wells Story' (Decca Records, 1963).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis' 'All The Time' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'The Kitty Wells Story' (Decca Records, 1963).

Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City' (co-written with Danny Dill) and included the track on 'Songs of the Cities' (Mercury Records, 1964).

Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Sawmill' (co-written with Horace Whatley) and included the track on ''Story Songs For Country Folks' (Mercury Records, 1964).

Jean Shepard recorded Mel Tillis' 'Violet And A Rose' (co-written with Bud Auge and John Reinfield) and included the track on 'Light-hearted & Blue' (Capitol Records, 1964).

David Houston (Monday 9 December 1935 - Tuesday 30 November 1993) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Snakes Crawl At Night' (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on 'New Voice From Nashville' (Capitol Records, 1964).

Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Heart Over Mind' and included the track on 'All Time Country Hits' (Mercury Records, 1964).

Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Burning Memories' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Yesterday's Gone' (Mercury Records, 1964).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City' (co-written with Danny Dill) and included the track on 'Sands of Gold' (Decca Records, 1964).

Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Honky Tonk Song' (co-written with Buck Peddy) and included the track on 'Country Dance Favourites' (Mercury Records, 1964).

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Holiday For Love', which was co-written with Wayne P. Walker and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on 'I Get Lonely In A Hurry' (United Artists Records, 1964).

Little Jimmy Dickens recorded Mel Tillis' 'Sorrow's Tearing Down The House' (co-written with Kent Westberry) and included the track on 'Handle With Care' (Columbia Records, 1965).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Burning Memories' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Burning Memories' (Decca Records, 1965).

Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded Mel Tillis' 'That's Where My Money Goes' (co-written with Buck Peddy) and included the track on 'Memory No.1' (Decca Records, 1965).

Bill Anderson recorded Mel Tillis' 'Wine' and included the track on 'Bright Lights and Country Music' (Decca Records, 1965).

Bobby Bare recorded Mel Tillis' 'So Soon' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Constant Sorrow' (RCA Records, 1965).

Ray Price recorded Mel Tillis' 'Burning Memories' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on (Columbia Records, 1965); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965.

Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Burning Memories' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Pen and Paper' (Mercury Records, 1965).

Dave Dudley (Thursday 3 May 1928 - Monday 22 December 2003) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Wreck Of The Old Slow Binder' (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on 'Truck Drivin' Son of a Gun' (Mercury Records, 1965).

Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Wine' and included the track on 'Conway Twitty Sings' (Decca Records, 1966).

Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Mel Tillis' 'You're Gonna Wonder About Me' and included the track on 'Leavin' Town' (RCA Records, 1966).

Charley Pride recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City' (co-written with Danny Dill) and included the track on 'Country' (RCA Records, 1966).

Charley Pride recorded Mel Tillis' 'Snakes Crawl At Night' (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on 'Country' (RCA Records, 1966).

Charley Pride recorded Mel Tillis' 'Atlantic Coastal Line' (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on 'Country' (RCA Records, 1966).

Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Love of the Common People' (RCA Records, 1967).

Charley Pride recorded Mel Tillis' 'I'll Wander Back To You' (co-written with Fred Burch and Danny Dill) and included the track on 'The Country Way' (RCA Records, 1967).

Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Unmitigated Gall' and included the track on 'Unmitigated Gall' (Mercury Records, 1967).

Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 - Thursday 15 March 2013) recorded Mel Tillis' 'All The Time' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'All The Time' (Decca Records, 1967); the single was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for five weeks in June/July 1967.

Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002) recorded Mel Tillis' 'I'm Tired', which was co-written with Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) and Buck Peddy, and included the track on 'Mr. Songwriter' (RCA Records, 1967).

Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Walkin' in the Sunshine' (Smash Records, 1967).

Johnny Darrell recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' (United Artists Records, 1967).

Johnny Darrell recorded Mel Tillis' 'Mental Revenge' and included the track on 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' (United Artists Records, 1967).

Margie Singleton recorded Mel Tillis' 'All The Time' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Sings Country Music With Soul' (Ashley Records, 1967).

Margie Singleton recorded Mel Tillis' 'Goodbye Wheeling' and included the track on 'Sings Country Music With Soul' (Ashley Records, 1967).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis' 'All The Time' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Queen of Honky Tonk Street' (Decca Records, 1967).

Merle Haggard recorded Mel Tillis' 'I Could Have Gone Right' and included the track on 'Mama Tried' (Capitol Records, 1968).

Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 - Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City' (co-written with Danny Dill) and included the track on 'Just For You' (Capitol Records, 1968).

Johnny Darrell recorded Mel Tillis' 'Goodbye Wheeling' and included the track on 'The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp' (United Artists Records, 1968).

Eddy Arnold recorded Mel Tillis' 'All The Time' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'The Ever Lovin' World of Eddy Arnold' (RCA Records, 1968).

Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 - Sunday 28 October 2007) and Dolly Parton recorded Mel Tillis' 'Sorrow's Tearing Down The House' (co-written with Kent Westbury) and included the track on 'Just Between You & Me' (RCA Records, 1968).

Jim Ed Brown recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City' (co-written with Danny Dill) and included the track on 'Country's Best On Record' (RCA Records, 1968).

Charley Pride recorded Mel Tillis' 'All The Time' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'Songs of Pride...Charley That Is' (RCA Records, 1968).

Jean Shepard recorded Mel Tillis' 'Alright, I'll Sign The Papers' and included the track on 'A Real Good Woman' (Capitol Records, 1968).

Jean Shepard recorded Mel Tillis' 'All The Time' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on 'A Real Good Woman' (Capitol Records, 1968).

Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 - Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Last Foxhole' (co-written with Fred Burch) and included the track on 'Will You Visit Me On Sundays' (Capitol Records, 1968).

Cal Smith recorded Mel Tillis' 'Old Faithful' and included the track on 'It Takes Me All Night Long' (Kapp Records, 1968).

Little Jimmy Dickens recorded Mel Tillis' 'Can You Build Your House (On Another Man's Grave)' and included the track on 'Comes Calling' (Decca Records, 1969).

Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Wine Me Up' (Mercury Records, 1969).

Red Sovine (Wednesday 17 July 1918 - Friday 4 April 1980) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Old Faithful' and included the track on 'Closing Time Til Dawn' (Starday Records, 1969).

Red Sovine (Wednesday 17 July 1918 - Friday 4 April 1980) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Normally Norma Loves Me' and included the track on 'Closing Time Til Dawn' (Starday Records, 1969).

Bobby Bare recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Margie's At The Lincoln Park Inn' (RCA Records, 1969).

Bobby Bare recorded Mel Tillis' 'Cincinnati Jail' and included the track on 'Margie's At The Lincoln Park Inn' (RCA Records, 1969).

Red Sovine (Wednesday 17 July 1918 - Friday 4 April 1980) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Who Am I' (Starday Records, 1969).

Cal Smith recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Country Hit Parade' (Kapp Records, 1970).



Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 - Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Heart Over Mind' and included the track on 'Country Girl' (Capitol Records, 1970).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Heart Over Mind' and included the track on 'Your Love Is The Way' (Decca Records, 1970).

Eddy Arnold recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Loving Her Was Easier' (RCA Records, 1971).

Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 - Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Heart Over Mind' and included the track on 'One More Time' (Capitol Records, 1971).

Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 - Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'Everybody Knows' (RCA Records, 1971).

The Wilburn Brothers recorded Mel Tillis' 'Heart Over Mind' and included the track on 'That She's Leaving Feeling' (Decca Records, 1971).

Jerry Reed (Saturday 20 March 1937 - Sunday 31 August 2008) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town' and included the track on 'When You're Hot, You're Hot' (RCA Records, 1971).

Mel Street (Saturday 21 October 1933 - Saturday 21 October 1978) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Heart Over Mind' and included the track on 'The Town Where You Live' (Metrologic Records, 1973).

Dave Dudley (Thursday 3 May 1928 - Monday 22 December 2003) recorded Mel Tillis' 'I Keep Looking Back' and included the track on 'Special Delivery' (United Artists Records, 1975).

Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Mel Tillis' 'Honky Tonk Song' (co-written with Bucky Peddy) and included the track on 'Georgia Keeps Pulling On My Ring' (MCA Records, 1978).

Dolly Parton recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City' (co-written with Danny Dill) and included the track on '9 to 5 and Odd Jobs' (RCA Records, 1980).

Ricky Skaggs recorded Mel Tillis' 'Honey (Open That Door)' and included the track on 'Don't Cheat In Our Hometown' (Epic Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in June 1984.

Ricky Skaggs recorded Mel Tillis' 'I'm Tired', which was co-written with Buck Peddy and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on 'Comin' Home To Stay' (Epic Records, 1987); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.

Suzy Bogguss recorded Mel Tillis' 'As If I Didn't Know' (co-written with Hal Bynum) and included the track on 'Moment of Truth' (Liberty Records, 1990).

Dude Mowrey recorded Mel Tillis' 'Honky Tonk Song' (co-written with Buck Peddy) and included the track on 'Honky Tonk' (Capitol Nashville Records, 1991).

George Strait recorded Mel Tillis' 'Thoughts Of A Fool' (co-written with Wayne P. Walker) and included the track on (the soundtrack album) 'Pure Country' (MCA Records, 1992).

Holly Dunn recorded Mel Tillis' 'No Love Have I' and included the track on 'Getting It Dunn' (Warner Bros. Records, 1992).

Bill Anderson recorded Mel Tillis' 'Detroit City' (co-written with Danny Dill) and included the track on 'I Wonder If God Likes Country Music' (Fat Boy Records, 1995).

Ronnie Reno & The Reno Brothers (Don Wayne Reno and Dale Reno) recorded Mel Tillis' 'I'm So Dog Gone Used To Lovin' You' (co-written with Wayne Carson) and included the track on 'Swing West' (Pinecastle Records, 1995); the track namechecks Merle Haggard.

Ricky Van Shelton recorded Mel Tillis' 'Foolish Pride' (co-written with Ernie Rowell) and included the track on 'Fried Green Tomatoes' (Audium Records, 2000).

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss recorded Mel Tillis' 'Stick With Me Baby' and included the track on 'Raising Sand' (Rounder Records, 2007).

Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives recorded Mel Tillis' 'A Honky Tonk Song' (co-written with Buck Peddy) and included the track on 'Cool Country Favourites' (Superlatone Records, 2008).

Jamey Johnson recorded Mel Tillis' 'Mental Revenge' and included the track on 'The Guitar Song' (Mercury Nashville Records, 2010).

Visit Mel Tillis' Official Site