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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Until the Light Comes on Again
Alternative & Indie - Released by TWI Records, Inc. on 13 Apr 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Billy Boy & Mary Lou
Bill Anderson, Mary Lou Turner
Country - Released by MCA Nashville on 1 Sep 1977
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Everybody Wants to Be Twenty-One
Country - Released by Digitally Sound on 17 Aug 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mama Sang a Song (Billboard Hot 100 - No 89)
Country - Released by Music Manager on 23 Oct 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Give It Away
Country - Released by Digitally Sound on 10 Jul 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Abilene
Country - Released by Country Music Group on 29 Jan 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Whiskey Lullaby
Country - Released by Digitally Sound on 17 Jul 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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It's a Good Day to Have a Good Day
Country - Released by Digitally Sound on 30 Oct 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 - Released by Jasmine Records on 24 Feb 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Tip of My Fingers
Jazz - Released by Redwood Records on 10 Mar 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Waffle House Christmas
Country - Released by Digitally Sound on 23 Nov 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ultimate Collection
Country - Released by Rolled Gold Classics on 17 Jan 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Hits Re-Imagined
Country - Released by Digitally Sound on 24 Jul 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bill Anderson - The Selection
Country - Released by Vintage Jukebox on 1 Sep 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -