Seven decades. Let me say that again. Seven decades. Bill Anderson is the only songwriter in the history of country music to have a song on the charts for seven consecutive decades, and he’s not done.
The success of “Country”, penned by Anderson and performed by Curb recording artist Mo Pitney, is the epitome of love for the craft.
In 1958 Anderson garnered his first taste of the charts with Ray Price’s “City Lights”, while still in his teens. Over the years the South Carolina native has written for countless country legends such as Lefty Frizzell, Conway Twitty and Connie Smith, as well as modern icons the likes of Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Jamey Johnson. He is the most awarded songwriter in the genre.
That’s not all folks, Whisperin’ Bill as he is known, also enjoyed a career as an artist with Decca Records and in 1961 was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry. Over the years Anderson has hosted various television and radio shows and authored two books. In fact, an updated version of his autobiography is in the works now for a 2016 re-release.
With that list of laurels like that Bill Anderson could have rested on them for a long time. A lot of things can fade over seven decades but I’m glad to see that inspiration to do what you love is not one of them.
