Songwriter

Don Gibson was one of the most influential forces in the country music industry from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Few people around the English speaking world fail to remember Don’s two best known compositions, “Sweet Dreams” which became one of Patsy Cline’s most indelible hits, and the Ray Charles classic single “I Can’t Stop Loving You”. His third unforgettable country classic, “Oh, Lonesome Me” was later a crossover to rock and rockabilly band playlists. Don’s own recordings of these songs and over 510 others were enormously accomplished and successful. Don once said “I consider myself a songwriter who sings rather than a singer who writes songs.” That perspective is affirmed by the staggering evidence of his cross genre appeal and relevance which continues to this very day. Don Gibson, the Sad Poet, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973, an honor he shares with the likes of Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffet and Johnny Cash. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

Published in 2017

Don Gibson

Si Kahn, born April 23, 1944, is an American singer-songwriter, activist, and founder and former executive director of Grassroots Leadership. Most of the profits from Kahn's musical performances benefit this group. His grandfather, mother, and his father instilled a strong sense of the family's Jewish heritage as well as teaching him the rudiments of rhythm and harmony as a child. Kahn earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University. In 1995 he completed a Ph.D. in American Studies from the Union Institute. Kahn moved to the south as an activist in the Civil Rights Movement, and he now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Though Kahn writes songs about a variety of topics, he is especially known for songs about workers and their families, like "Aragon Mill" (1974). He frequently writes songs, and occasionally performs, with singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon. Kahn usually accompanies himself on a steel-string acoustic guitar, played with brass fingerpicks.

Published in 2015

Si Kahn

Part of the dynamic duo of Flatt and Scruggs, Lester Flatt helped to define the sound of traditional bluegrass music. Besides being well known for his singing and guitar playing abilities with such highly acclaimed groups as the Kentucky Pardners, Blue Grass Boys, Flatt and Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys and the Nashville Grass, Lester Flatt is also remembered for his library of compositions. The Flatt songbook looms titanic for any student of American acoustic music. Some of the songs Flatt wrote through the years were “My Cabin in Caroline,” “Come Back Darling,” “I’ll Never Shed Another Tear,” “Down the Road,” “Head Over Heels in Love with You”, and many others.

Published in 2013

Lester Flatt

Jim Lauderdale was born April 11, 1957, in Troutman, N.C. His father was a minister and his mother was a music teacher and choir director. He played drums in the school band and after graduation decided to become a solo performer in New York. He impressed record producer Pete Anderson while in the Los Angeles production of Pump Boys and Dinettes and was recorded for the compilation A Town South of Bakersfield, Volume 2. He then sang backing vocals for various artists including Carlene Carter and Dwight Yoakam.

Published in 2011

Jim Lauderdale

Arthur Smith was born in Kershaw, South Carolina and at an early age developed a love for music. His career as a recording artist began in 1936 when he wrote and recorded his first hit record “Guitar Boogie” in 1945. Arthur re-recorded “Guitar Boogie” for MGM in 1948, and it became the first guitar instrumental to climb the country charts. In 1943, Arthur moved to Charlotte North Carolina and took the job as a radio personality at WBT. With hit records and his notoriety in radio and television, Arthur’s career as an active performer spans more than 50 years. Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith passed away in 2014.

Published in 2009

Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith

Dolly Rebecca Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee. She is known world-wide as a country music singer, songwriter, author, actress and philanthropist. Her songwriting is of such high quality and impact that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer Award. Always dreaming and always looking forward, Dolly continues to flourish, remaining a superstar.

Published in 2008

Dolly Parton

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