Bill Anderson (singer)

Bill Anderson ( born November 1, 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina; actually James William Anderson) is an American country singer and songwriter, who composed many number 1 hits in the 1960s and 1970s and often with sensitive ballads in was represented on the charts. His little powerful voice earned him the nickname " Whispering Bill" a.

Life

Bill Anderson grew up in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, on. As a teenager he began to write songs, which he presented as a member of a school band itself. At the University of Georgia, he studied journalism. His attempt to be professional baseball failed. After winning a Talentwettberwerbs he decided to become a musician. He first worked as a journalist for the prestigious daily newspaper Atlanta Constitution.

Already during his studies he had found as a disc jockey in the input scene. In a small label, he recorded the self-written song City Lights. A total of 500 singles were pressed, which he sold or gave away by hand. 1958 Ray Price heard this song randomly on the radio. He took it on himself and had therefore one of his biggest hits. Bill Anderson received after this success, a recording contract by Decca label, which wanted to win it, especially as a songwriter.

Career

In the early 1960s he had begun with Tips Of My Fingers, several top 10 hits. Even as a songwriter he was successful. Jim Reeves had with his I Missed Me a hit. 1961 Anderson made ​​her first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. A year later he succeeded with Mama Sang A Song, his first number - one hit. He had his breakthrough in 1963 with the sensitive ballad Still, the even managed to crossover into the pop charts, and is considered his most famous song. His followers consisted mainly of female fans. During these years he received the nickname " Wispering Bill " (Eng. " Whispering Bill "), which - though exaggerated - alluding to his quiet voice and his slow tempo song.

Also others were successful with his songs. His protege Connie Smith reached her first top hit with Once A Day. Among other things, Lefty Frizzell achieved, Hank Locklin, Porter Wagoner, Mickey Gilley and Roger Miller high chart positions. Bill Anderson was one of a new generation of country musicians with urban background and college degree, which gradually supplanted the old guard easier guys from the countryside. Other hits were: Five Little Finger (1964 ), Bright Lights And Country Music ( 1965), I Get The Fever ( number one, 1965), My Life ( Throw It Away If I Want To ) ( number one, 1969).

His success stopped in the 1970s. He scored numerous top 10 hits, reaching 1973 World Of Make Believe number one. A series of duets with Jan Howard and Mary Lou Turner later was just as successful. Throughout his career he received numerous awards for his compositions. In 1976, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. In the 1980s television appearances were in the foreground. Singles chart rankings remained the exception, but with his long-time backing band, the Po ' Boys, he was still in his typical gaudy outfit on stage.

15 May 2011 Bill Anderson got a star on the Music City Walk of Fame

Discography

The major awards

Pictures of Bill Anderson (singer)

125004
de