Country Johnny Mathis  

Country Johnny Mathis

‘Country’ Johnny Mathis, as he was labeled early in his career to distinguish himself from the other emerging singer of the same name, began his career as a recording artist on the StarTalent label in 1949. He would go on to record for a number of record labels during his music career including Chess, Columbia, D Records, Mercury, Decca, United Artists, Little Darlin’, Hilltop and Stonegate. As a part of the duet, Jimmy and Johnny, he scored a Top 5 Billboard Chart hit in 1953 with the song, “If You Don’t Somebody Else Will”, released on Chess Records. In 1955, on the heels of their chart success, Jimmy and Johnny were teamed with Elvis Presley for tour dates as both acts continued their weekend appearances on The Louisiana Hayride. Both Jimmy and Johnny and Elvis received Most Promising nominations in Billboard Magazine’s Most Promising Artists category for 1954. Johnny’s highest charting single as a soloist, “Please Talk To My Heart” (Billboard Hot Country Singles Top 15), occurred while recording for United Artists in 1963. (Mathis also recorded several Rockabilly sides for D Records under the name of Les Cole & The Echoes. The most notable being “Bee-Bopping Daddy”.) Johnny was a regular performer on The Louisiana Hayride during the 50′s, he also performed on the Big D Jamboree, The Grand Ole Opry, The Wilburn Brothers Show and TNN’s Nashville Now to name a few. Johnny contributed interview segments and his song “Let Me Go Back One More Time” was featured in the 1980′s Louisiana Hayride documentary, Cradle Of The Stars, narrated by Hank Williams Jr. As a songwriter, ‘Country’ Johnny Mathis had a notable body of songwriting work. His songs have been recorded by George Jones (over 20 cuts), Tammy Wynette, Johnny Paycheck, Charlie Pride, Johnny Horton, Ray Price, Jimmy Dean, George Hamilton IV, Freddy Fender, Melba Montgomery, Webb Pierce, The Whites, Carl Smith, Bobby Helms, Elvis Costello and many, many others. Mathis has been credited with writing over 500 songs, he landed songs on multiple Billboard Charting Country albums and Gold Records, multiple Billboard Charting Country singles and had a total of 10 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees record his music. His songs are still be recorded and utilized in albums and documentaries today.

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