Born Aug. 2, 1935 in Isola, Mississippi, USA, died Jul. 15, 2010 in Hendersonville, Tenn., USA. Nashville singer & songwriter who has penned many famous country songs, and whose songs have been recorded by country music’s biggest stars, as well as pop artists. Inducted into the America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame (2005), Country Music Hall of Fame (2014) Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1974). Member of the California Hayride