Johnny Russell

Induction Year: 2001

Birth Name: John Bright Russell
Birth Date: January 23, 1940
Place of Birth: Sunflower County, MS
Deceased: July 23, 2001
Place of Death: Nashville, TN

Biography

"Here’s a song I hope you’ll remember. (Pause) I hope I remember it." -- This "introduction" was a fixture of the late Johnny Russell’s comic stage patter. But the rotund singer/songwriter’s favorite line was, "Can everybody see me all right?"

Discography / Career Highlights

Career Milestones:

1958—Records "In A Mansion Stands My Love," which becomes his entrée to Nashville
1959—Jim Reeves covers "In A Mansion Stands My Love," using it as the flipside of what would turn out to be his million-selling single, "He’ll Have To Go."
1963—Buck Owens records Russell’s "Act Naturally," which goes No. 1 on country charts
1965—The Beatles have Top 50 pop hit with "Act Naturally"
1971—Moves to Nashville and signs to RCA Records
1971—Charts first single, "Mr. And Mrs. Untrue"
1972—Has first hit single, "Catfish John," which goes to No. 1
1973—"Rednecks, White Socks And Blue Ribbon Beer" goes No. 4, becoming the biggest hit of Russell’s recording career
1980s—Appears regularly on Hee Haw
1985—Joins the Grand Ole Opry

Awards:

2001—Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Catalog Highlights:

"In A Mansion Stands My Love" - Artists: Johnny Russell (1958), Jim Reeves (1959)

"Act Naturally" - Co-writer: Voni Morrison, Artists: Buck Owens (1963), The Beatles (1965), Buck Owens and Ringo Starr (1989)

"You’ll Be Back (Every Night In My Dreams)" Co-writer: Wayland Holyfield, Artists: Johnny Russell (1978), The Statler Brothers (1982)

"Making Plans" - Co-writer: Voni Morrison, Artists: Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton (1980), Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt (1988)

"Let’s Fall To Pieces Together" - Co-writers: Dickey Lee, Thomas Rocco Jr., Artist: George Strait (1984)

"Got No Reason Now For Going Home" - Artist: Gene Watson (1985),