Bill Anderson
One of the most successful songwriters in country music history, Bill Anderson was also a hugely popular singer in his own right, earning the nickname "Whispering Bill" for his gentle, airy vocal style and occasional spoken narrations. Anderson was born in Columbia, SC, in 1937 and grew up mostly in Atlanta. He studied journalism at the University of Georgia, with an eye toward sports writing, and worked his way through school as a radio DJ, during which time he first tried his hand at songwriting and singing. His composition "City Lights," written when he was just 19 years old, was recorded by Ray Price in 1958 and went all the way to the top of the country charts. Anderson took full advantage of his big break, moving to Nashville and landing a record contract of his own with Decca. His first chart hit came with 1959's "That's What It's Like to Be Lonesome," and he had his first Top Ten entry with 1960's "Tip of My Fingers." Early hits like "Po' Folks" (1961), "Mama Sang a Song" (his first number one, from 1962), and "8 X 10" (number two, 1963) still remain among his best-known. Anderson recorded his biggest hit and signature song, the partly spoken ballad "Still," in 1963, and it not only topped the country charts, but crossed over to the pop Top Ten as well.
Anderson remained a regular visitor to the country Top Ten through the late '70s, and reached the Top Five a total of 19 times through 1978. Among the highlights were the number ones "I Get the Fever" (1966), "For Loving You" (a 1967 duet with regular partner Jan Howard), "My Life (Throw It Away if I Want To)" (1969), "World of Make Believe" (1974), and "Sometimes" (1976). By that point, Anderson was working often with a new duet partner, Mary Lou Turner. He had also penned numerous hits for other artists, including Connie Smith, Hank Locklin, Porter Wagoner, Jim Reeves, and Faron Young, among many others. His final Top Ten country hit came with 1978's disco-tinged "I Can't Wait Any Longer," and by 1982, Anderson's inability to score a follow-up hit led him away from both songwriting and recording. Instead, he became a regular presence on television, hosting game shows (ABC's The Better Sex, TNN's Fandango) and spending several years in the cast of the soap opera One Life to Live; he also hosted the TNN talk show Opry Backstage.
When Steve Wariner hit the Top Five in 1992 with his cover of "Tip of My Fingers," Anderson was galvanized into a return to songwriting. He partnered with various Nashville pros and saw his songs new and old recorded by Kenny Chesney, Lorrie Morgan, Collin Raye, John Michael Montgomery, Mark Wills, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, and many others. In 1998, Anderson returned to recording as well, signing with Reprise for one album Fine Wine. In 2001 Anderson moved to the Varese label and released A Lot of Things Different, which featured Anderson's version of the title track (a hit for Kenny Chesney). The Way I Feel followed four years later.
© Steve Huey /TiVo
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My Life / But You Know I Love You
Country - Erschienen bei MCA Nashville am 30.06.1969
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Until the Light Comes on Again
Alternativ und Indie - Erschienen bei TWI Records, Inc. am 13.04.2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Billy Boy & Mary Lou
Bill Anderson, Mary Lou Turner
Country - Erschienen bei MCA Nashville am 01.09.1977
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Everybody Wants to Be Twenty-One
Country - Erschienen bei Digitally Sound am 17.08.2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mama Sang a Song (Billboard Hot 100 - No 89)
Country - Erschienen bei Music Manager am 23.10.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Give It Away
Country - Erschienen bei Digitally Sound am 10.07.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Abilene
Country - Erschienen bei Country Music Group am 29.01.2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Whiskey Lullaby
Country - Erschienen bei Digitally Sound am 17.07.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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It's a Good Day to Have a Good Day
Country - Erschienen bei Digitally Sound am 30.10.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
That's What It's Like to Be Lonesome: The Early Singles and More (1957-1962)
Country - Erschienen bei Jasmine Records am 24.02.2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Country Heart Songs
World Music - Erschienen bei TP4 Music am 06.01.2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Tip of My Fingers
Jazz - Erschienen bei Redwood Records am 10.03.2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Waffle House Christmas
Country - Erschienen bei Digitally Sound am 23.11.2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ultimate Collection
Country - Erschienen bei Rolled Gold Classics am 17.01.2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Hits Re-Imagined
Country - Erschienen bei Digitally Sound am 24.07.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bill Anderson - The Selection
Country - Erschienen bei Vintage Jukebox am 01.09.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo