Bobby Braddock (When asked about writing from personal experience) "That's really an easy way to write a song. The subject matter's right before you. All you have to do is give it meter and rhyme." "I think there's something inside you that just says 'You gotta write a song. Whether you want to or not.'  I think most of the time, I start writing with a feel. As for inspiration, well, personal feelings about members of the opposite sex, I think, inspire most of the songs I write." Favorite songs that were recorded: "I Believe the South is Gonna Rise Again" (various versions) and "Would They Love Him Down in Shreveport" (various versions) Favorite recordings of songs he wrote: "He Stopped Loving Her Today," George Jones 1980, "Womanhood," Tammy Wynette 1978, "Nashville Tears," John Anderson 1993 Birth Name: Robert Valentine Braddock Induction Year: 1981 Date of Birth: 8/5/1940 Place of Birth: Lakeland, FL Former Occupations: agricultural work sales Education: Grade School--Auburndale (Fla.) Elementary (from 1946-1954) High School--Auburndale High School (from 1954-1958) College--Florida Southern College (from 1961-1962) Career Milestones: 1964--moved to Nashville in September 1965--joined Marty Robbins' band as a pianist in February 1966--first chart record (in January), "While You're Dancing," recorded by Marty Robbins 1966--first (of five) recording contracts with major labels (MGM, Columbia, Mercury, Elektra, and RCA), beginning in July 1966--signed exclusive song publishing deal with Tree Publishing Company 1968--first #1 hit (in June), "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," recorded by Tammy Wynette 1981--special country week (in October): Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction, CMA Song of the Year for second straight year ("He Stopped Loving Her Today"), and tied for most BMI awards for the second time (also happened in 1977) 2001--Produced Blake Shelton’s debut album Awards: 1977--BMI\Citations of Achievement\Golden Ring\Thinkin' of a Rendezvous\Her Name Is...\Peanuts and Diamonds 1980--Country Music Association\Song of the Year\He Stopped Loving Her Today 1981--Country Music Association\Song of the Year\He Stopped Loving Her Today\second time in CMA history that a song won in this category for a second consecutive year 1981--Academy of Country Music\Song of the Year\He Stopped Loving Her Today 1981--Music City News\Songwriter of the Year 1981--Nashville Songwriters Association\Song of the Year\He Stopped Loving Her Today Catalog Highlights D-I-V-O-R-C-E Co-writer: Curly Putman Artists: Tammy Wynette (1968), Billy Connolly (1975) Did You Ever Artists: Charlie Louvin and Melba Montgomery (1971), Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood (1971) Golden Ring Co-writer: Rafe Van Hoy Artists: George Jones and Tammy Wynette (1976) Her Name Is... Artists: George Jones (1976) Thinkin' of a Rendezvous Co-writer: Sonny Throckmorton Artists: Johnny Duncan (1976) Womanhood Artists: Tammy Wynette (1978) He Stopped Loving Her Today Co-writer: Curly Putman Artists: George Jones (1980), Johnny Russell Hard Times Artists: Lacy J. Dalton (1980) I Feel Like Loving You Again Co-writer: Sonny Throckmorton Artists: T.G. Sheppard (1980) Would You Catch a Falling Star Artists: Jon Anderson (1982) Faking Love Co-writer: Matraca Berg Artists: T.G. Sheppard and Karen Brooks (1982) Old Flames Have New Names Co-writer: Rafe Van Hoy Artists: Mark Chesnutt (1992) They Call It Making Love Artists: Tammy Wynette (1979) Fadin' In, Fadin' Out Co-writer: Sonny Throckmorton Artists: Tommy Overstreet (1978) Something to Brag About Artists: Mary Kay Place with Willie Nelson (1978) Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half As Bad as Losing You) Artists: George Jones (1973) I Believe the South Is Gonna Rise Again Artists: Tanya Tucker (1975) Come On In Artists: Jerry Lee Lewis (1978) Ruthless Artists: Statler Brothers (1967) Country Music Lover Co-writer: Sonny Throckmorton Artists: "Little" Jimmy Dickens (1967) Peanuts and Diamonds Artists: Bill Anderson (1976) Texas Tornado Artists: Tracy Lawrence (1995) Time Marches On Artists: Tracy Lawrence (1996) I Wanna Talk About Me Toby Keith (2001) Comments: Received 29 BMI performance awards