Leon Payne   Birth Name: Leon Roger Payne Induction Year: 1970 Date of Birth: 6/15/1917 Date of Death: 9/11/1969 Place of Birth: Alba, TX   Education: Grade School-High School--Texas School For the Blind (from 1924-1935) Career Milestones: mid 1930s--began performing in public (played guitar, piano, organ, trombone and drums) 1935--started radio career on KWET (Palestine, TX) 1938--joined Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys 1939--began recording career 1948-1949--joined Jack Rhodes and His Rhythm Boys 1949--formed his own group, the Lone Star Buddies early 1950s--featured with Lone Star Buddies on the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport and Dallas' Big D Jamboree mid 1950s-60s--signed a publishing contract with  Hill and Range; later signed with Acuff-Rose Music Catalog Highlights You've Still Got a Place in My Heart Artists: George Jones, Con Hunley I Love You Because Artists: Leon Payne, Elvis Presley, Ernest Tubb, Clyde Moody, Johnny Cash, Carl Smith, Jim Reeves, Don Gibson, Roger Whittaker Blue Side of Lonesome Artists: Jim Reeves More Than Anything Else in the World Artists: Carl Smith Take Me Co-writer: George Jones Artists: George Jones (1966), George Jones & Tammy Wynette (1972) You Can't Pick a Rose in December Artists: Ernie Ashworth (1960) Lost Highway Artists: Hank Williams, Don Gibson, James Storie They'll Never Take Her Love From Me Artists: Hank Williams (1950) Things Have Gone to Pieces Artists: George Jones Fools Rush In Artists: Elvis Presley Doorstep to Heaven Artists: Carl Smith, Leon Payne Empty Arms Artists: Sonny James You Are the One Comments: Also recorded under the name Rock Rogers Was blind since early childhood Received a BMI 1 million performance award for "You've Still Got a Place in My Heart," "I Love You Because