Johnny Russell
John Bright "Johnny" Russell (January 23, 1940 – July 3, 2001) was an Ameri… Read Full Bio ↴John Bright "Johnny" Russell (January 23, 1940 – July 3, 2001) was an American country singer, songwriter, and comedian famous for his song Act Naturally, which was made famous by Buck Owens, who recorded it in 1963, and The Beatles in 1965.
Born in Moorhead, Mississippi, he moved with his family at age 11 to Fresno, California, where he began writing songs and entering talent contests while still in high school, graduating in 1958. He had his first song published that year, In a Mansion Stands My Love, which was recorded by Jim Reeves as the "B" side of his 1960 hit He'll Have to Go.
His recording of his song Rednecks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer was his only top 10 hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart in October 1973. The song was nominated later that year for a Grammy Award. Russell is also known for hits such as The Baptism of Jesse Taylor, Catfish John, and Hello, I Love You.
He is also known for being the first one to record He Stopped Loving Her Today, in some surveys named as the greatest country song of all time and the biggest hit for George Jones in 1980, but his label refused to release it. Years later, George Strait topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with Russell's song Let's Fall to Pieces Together. In 1987, Russell hosted his first annual concert in Moorhead, MS at the MS Delta Community College Coliseum. These went on for 13 years, his final on April 29, 2000.
By 2001, Russell's health had been in a state of decline (for years, he had used his obesity as a running joke on the Grand Ole Opry), and in April 2001, both of his legs were amputated because of diabetes. Russell died in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 61 from diabetes-related complications.
Born in Moorhead, Mississippi, he moved with his family at age 11 to Fresno, California, where he began writing songs and entering talent contests while still in high school, graduating in 1958. He had his first song published that year, In a Mansion Stands My Love, which was recorded by Jim Reeves as the "B" side of his 1960 hit He'll Have to Go.
His recording of his song Rednecks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer was his only top 10 hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart in October 1973. The song was nominated later that year for a Grammy Award. Russell is also known for hits such as The Baptism of Jesse Taylor, Catfish John, and Hello, I Love You.
He is also known for being the first one to record He Stopped Loving Her Today, in some surveys named as the greatest country song of all time and the biggest hit for George Jones in 1980, but his label refused to release it. Years later, George Strait topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with Russell's song Let's Fall to Pieces Together. In 1987, Russell hosted his first annual concert in Moorhead, MS at the MS Delta Community College Coliseum. These went on for 13 years, his final on April 29, 2000.
By 2001, Russell's health had been in a state of decline (for years, he had used his obesity as a running joke on the Grand Ole Opry), and in April 2001, both of his legs were amputated because of diabetes. Russell died in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 61 from diabetes-related complications.
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Johnny Russell Lyrics
"Rednecks, White Socks And Blue Ribbon Beer" There's no place that I'd rather be than right here With…
Act Naturally They're gonna put me in the movies They're gonna make…
Ain't You Even Gonna Cry Well I'm leaving now. We always knew it would end…
Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain In the twilight glow I see them Blue eyes cryin' in…
Catfish John Momma said don't go near that river Don't be hangin' 'round…
Good Hearted Woman A long time forgotten Are dreams that just fell by the…
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) Today I passed you on the street And my heart fell…
Jambalaya Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me-oh-my-oh Me gotta go pole the…
King Of The Road Trailers for sale or rent Rooms to let, 50cents No phone, no…
Making Plans MAKING PLANS WITH DOLLY PARTON Writers Johnny Russell, Voni …
Red necks white socks and blue ribbon beer There's no place that I'd rather be than right here With…
Red Necks White Socks Blue Ribbon Beer There's no place that I'd rather be than right here With…
Red Necks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer There's no place that I'd rather be than right here With…
The Baptism of Jesse Taylor They baptized Jesse Taylor in Cedar Creek last Sunday Jesus …