Country music singer and songwriter Mel Tillis dies at age 85
Again the whole country music industry is mourning the death of yet another country music legend. Mel Tillis, a country music singer and songwriter passed away November 19, 2017 in Florida at the age of 85.
According to a statement from his publicist, Tillis had been ill for quite some time after suffering a bout of diverticulitis in January 2016 that required surgery, following which he spent weeks in intensive care fighting sepsis.
Tillis passed away in Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida. The suspected cause of death was respiratory failure.
He leaves behind his longtime partner, Kathy Demonaco, his six children, songwriter Mel (Sonny) Tillis Jr., singersongwriter Pam Tillis, Carrie April Tillis, Connie Tillis, Cindy Tillis, Hannah Tillis and six grandchildren.
Country music singer Mel Tillis, had Mel Tillis performs at the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert at the Gaylord Family-oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla on July 6, 2013.
a career that spawned over six-decade, he recorded more than 60 albums and scored 36 singles. He also penned many songs for other artists.
Born Lonnie Melvin Tillis in Tampa, Florida in 1932, Tillis had malaria as a child, leaving him with a speech disorder for which he was mocked in his youth but he embraced as an adult, incorporating it into his performances for comic effect.
Tillis displayed musical talent at a young age, he learned the drums as well as guitar and at age 16, won a local talent show. He attended the University of Florida but dropped out to join the United States Air Force.
While stationed as a baker on Okinawa, Japan he formed a band called The Westerners, which played at local nightclubs. The band also performed on the radio. Music was in his life to stay.
After leaving the Air Force in 1955, Tillis returned to Florida where he worked a number of different jobs, eventually finding a job with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Tampa, Florida.
He used his railroad pass to visit Nashville where he eventually met and auditioned for Wesley Rose of the famous Nashville publishing house Acuffrose Music. Rose encouraged Tillis to return to Florida and continue to improve his songwriting skills.
Tillis eventually moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and began writing songs fulltime.
His first big hit as a songwriter was ‘I’m Tired,’ recorded by Webb Pierce, who went on to hit the charts with several more of Tillis’s compositions. On the strength of his songwriting successes, Tillis himself secured a recording deal in 1958. Among his best-known hits as a singer-songwriter were ‘Good Woman
Blues,’ ‘Wine,’ and ‘Coca-cola Cowboy.’
Tillis also penned hits for artists, including Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Rogers and Randy Travis just to name a few. Tillis is the one who wrote the classic Ruby (Don't Take Your Love to Town) (recorded by Kenny Rogers). He also wrote the song ‘Coca Cola Cowboy’ for Clint Eastwood movie, ‘Every Which Way but Loose.’
In addition to being a successful songwriter and recording artist, Tillis frequently gave live performances on the radio and television, and acted in minor roles in movies such as Smokey and the Bandit II and The Cannonball Run.
In 1976, Tillis received Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Following his heyday in the 1970’s, Tillis remained a popular songwriter in the 1980’s. He also wrote his autobiography called Stutterin' Boy.
Tillis continued to record and have occasional hits through the decade, with his last top-10 hit coming in 1984 and his last top-40 country hit in 1988; like most country artists of the classic era, his recording career was hurt by changes in the country music industry in the early 1990’s.
He built a theater in Branson, Missouri, where he performed on a regular basis until 2002. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
Tillis also appeared in television shows such as ‘Hee Haw’ and ‘Hollywood Squares.’ Former President Barack Obama awarded Tillis the National Medal of Arts in 2012. Mel Tillis was a talented artist and he will be missed.
CMA Country Christmas, November 27, 2017
After seven years with Jennifer Nettles as their host, CMA Country Christmas enlisted Reba Mcentire to host its eighth annual showcase. The two-hour holiday music celebration, which was taped at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, will air on ABC on November 27 at 8 p.m. ET.
The lineup of artists who performed at this year’s event included Reba, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Dan & Shay, Brett Eldredge, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Cece Winans, Trisha Yearwood and Chris Young.
Highlights will include Reba’s ‘Holly Jolly Christmas,’ Ballerini’s ‘White Christmas,’ Luke Bryan’s ‘O Holy Night,’ Brett Eldrege’s ‘Winter Wonderland,’ Lady Antebellum’s ‘Silver Bells,’ Trisha Yearwood’s, ‘Hard Candy Christmas’ and more. Don’t miss it.
Just an important reminder to bring non-perishables items for Moisson Estrie
Firehouse Productions Inc. in collaboration with CFLX 95.5 FM’S Club Country radio show hosts Jessie Aulis and Annie Plante are asking those who will attend the Washboard Union concert to bring some non-perishable items or a donation to help less fortunate members of our community.
These contributions will be handed over to Moisson Estrie. Consequently, the evening of November 26 will be combining great Canadian country music and the will to share with others who are less fortunate.
If you are not attending the concert, you can still stop by, the night of the show and bring your donation to The Centennial. In order to thank the donors, Firehouse Productions will give each donor a coupon to enter a special contest to win a pair of tickets for the next FPI show as well as promotion items. The winner will be named the same night.
Tickets are now available at Bishop’s University’s Centennial Theatre box office (819 822-9692) and via ovation.ca for $38.