Charlie Black

"Like many writers, when I first came to Nashville I thought I wanted to be a singer. Then someone said 'You know, you can make a living by songwriting alone.' My wife and I thought that sounded like a good idea. Turns out songwriting is the best job around! You just can't beat hearing your words and music on the radio, or going #1 or staying #1 (Shadows...was #1 5 weeks) or writing the first top ten for a new act like Blackhawk (Goodbye Says It All). But being elected to the Hall of Fame by my peers--that was THE thrill--and for doing what I love--writing songs."

Birth Name: Charlie Black
Induction Year: 1991
Date of Birth: 11/23/1949
Place of Birth: Cheverly, MD

 

 

Former Occupations:
produce delivery and sales
janitor
construction worker

Education:
Grade School--Happy Acres Elementary (from 1955-1961)
High School--Bladensburg High School (from 1964-1967)
Maryland University (from 1967-1970)

Career Milestones:

1970--moved from Cheverly, MD to Nashville, TN

1971--first cut, "Girl You Came and Eased My Mind" recorded by Tommy Overstreet at Clements Studio on January 13

1971--first #1, "I Don't Know You (Anymore) recorded by Tommy Overstreet

1977--signed with Chappell Music

Awards:

1979--SESAC\Country Music Writer of the Year
1983--ASCAP\Country Music Writer of the Year
1984--ASCAP\Country Music Writer of the Year
1981--SESAC\Country Single of the Year\Do You Love As Good As You Look (co-writer)
1980--SESAC\Most Recorded Country Single\Love Is a Cold Wind (co-writer)
1980--SESAC\Best Album Cut\Let's Get Married Again (co-writer)
1980--NSAI\I Know a Heartache When I See One
1980--NSAI\Shadows in the Moonlight
1984--Music City News\A Little Good News
1990--NSAI\You Lie

Catalog Highlights:

I Don't Know You (Anymore)

  • Co-writer: Ricci Mareno

  • Artists: Tommy Overstreet (1971)

Shadows in the Moonlight

  • Co-writer:Rory Bourke

  • Artists: Anne Murray (1979)

Love Is a Cold Wind

  • Co-writer: Rory Bourke

  • Artists: Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, B.J. Thomas, Bobby Bare, Andy Williams

Blessed Are the Believers

  • Co-writer: Rory Bourke

  • Artists: Anne Murray (1983)

A Little Good News

  • Co-writer: Rory Bourke, Tommy Rocco

  • Artists: Anne Murray (1983)

Slow Burn

  • Co-writer: Tommy Rocco

  • Artists: T.G. Sheppard (1984)

100% Chance of Rain

  • Co-writer: Austin Roberts

  • Artists: Gary Morris (1985)

Honor Bound

  • Co-writer: Tommy Rocco, Austin Roberts

  • Artists: Earl Thomas Conley (1986)

Do You Love As Good As You Look

  • Co-writer: Jerry Gillespie, Rory Bourke

  • Artists: Bellamy Brothers (1980)

Strong Heart

  • Co-writer: Tommy Rocco, Austin Roberts

  • Artists: T.G. Sheppard (1985)

You Lie

  • Co-writer: Bobby Fischer, Austin Roberts

  • Artists: Reba McEntire (1990)

Come Next Monday

  • Co-writer: K.T. Oslin, Rory Bourke

  • Artists: K.T. Oslin (1990)

Another Sleepless Night

  • Co-writer : Rory Bourke

  • Artists: Anne Murray (1982)

Lucky Me

  • Co-writer: Rory Bourke

  • Artists: Anne Murray (1980)

I Know a Heartache When I See One

  • Artists: Jennifer Warnes (1979)

Sounds Like Love

  • Artists: Johnny Lee (1983)

Be There For Me Baby

  • Artists: Johnny Lee (1982)

Lonely But Only For You

  • Artists: Sissy Spacek (1983)

It's Who You Love

  • Artists: Kiernan Kane (1982)

 

Comments:

Received 26 BMI performance awards