It took me years to appreciate Bill Anderson... excuse me, "Whispering Bill" Anderson. He is one of the most successful country songwriters ever, having written hits in the '60s for Porter Wagoner, Ray Price ("City Lights", which he wrote at age 19) and Connie Smith, all the way up to the 2000s, for artists including Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and George Strait ("Give It Away," 2006 song of the year). I don't know of any other writer who can make this boast. He's also had a tremendous career as a singer, with hits ranging from "Still" and "Bright Lights and Country Music" to "Tips Of My Fingers" and "I Got The Fever." In 2002, BMI named Anderson its first country music songwriting Icon, placing him alongside R&B legends Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and James Brown as the only recipients of that award. In 2008, the Academy of Country Music honored him with their inaugural Poets Award. Bill was a longtime game show and talk show host and, prior to singing, was a DJ, so his versatility is pretty remarkable. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a cast member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1961, Bill's self-described singing style is "whispering". He doesn't possess the most powerful voice, but it works for him and, at age 72, still has legions of fans, myself included. Here's Bill singing his signature, "Bright Lights and Country Music", plus Bill's protege, Miss Connie Smith, singing his song, "Once A Day", which catapulted her to stardom, and an early version of "City Lights" by Ray Price. Then, a link to Bill and Brad Paisley performing Bill's statement about today's country music, "Too Country?".
"Bright Lights and Country Music" (Bill Anderson)
"Once A Day" (Connie Smith)
"City Lights" (Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys")
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