Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight to feature Mel Tillis

On Sunday, November 29^th at 11 am, join me for the Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight featuring Mel Tillis by request. We get started at 9 am with the Country Classic radio show at 98.1 FM Minnesota’s New Country, online and on your mobile device.

Mel Tillis, a gifted country baritone, became a successful and respected Nashville songwriter in the 1950’s and 60’s. In the 1970’s and early 80’s he parlayed into a substantial recording career. He is also famous for his speech impediment, a chronic stutter which was the result of a childhood bout with malaria. His speech impediment does not affect his singing voice.

Mel Tillis wrote some very famous country songs including Detroit City, Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town, Tupelo Country Jail which was co-written with Webb Pierce, and Snakes Crawl a Night, written for Charley Pride.

Coca Cola Cowboy, a song written by Steve Doriff, Sandy Pinkard, Sam Atchley and Bud Dain and recorded by Mel Tillis was released in June of 1979. The song was featured in the film Every Which Way But Loose, starring Clint Eastwood. The song was Mel's fifth #1 on the country chart.

Throughout his career Mel has recorded more than 60 albums and is the father of country recording artist Pam Tillis and five other children. He also became the owner of several radio stations in the south and converted them to country music stations; all the stations were sold after a time for a healthy return.

In early March of 2014 Mel underwent heart surgery and made a full recovery.