Sanger D. (Whitey) Shafer
Induction Year: 1989
Birth Name: Sanger D. "Whitey" Shafer
Birth Date: October 24, 1934
Place of Birth: Whitney, TX
Biography
On writing with his wife, Lyndia: "She's a great co-writer. If I get hung up on a song somewhere, she has a great knack for coming through with just the right word or line. It's as if I have a built-in, live-in co-writer. I guess I need to get hung up more often so she can come to my rescue."
Education:
High School--Whitney High School (graduated in 1953)
Discography / Career Highlights
Career Milestones:
1967--moved to Nashville on September 3
1967--signed first publishing contract with Blue Crest Music publishing company (owned by Ray Baker)
1968--two out of three songs he brought to Blue Crest recorded by George Jones; "Between My House and Town" and "I'm A New Man In Town"
1972--"That's The Way Love Goes" became a #1 hit for Johnny Rodriguez
early 1970s--signed exclusive contract with Acuff-Rose Music (after Ray Baker sold his publishing company to Acuff-Rose)
1985--nominated for the CMA Song of the Year for "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind"
1987--nominated for the CMA Song of the Year for "All My Exes Live In Texas"
Catalog Highlights:
"The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" - Co-writer: Dallas Frazier, Artists: Johnny Russell, The Oak Ridge Boys
"Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong" - Co-writer: Dallas Frazier, Artists: George Jones
"I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today" - Co-writer: A.L. "Doodle Owens, Artists: Moe Bandy
"Bandy the Rodeo Clown" - Co-writer: Lefty Frizzell, Artists: Moe Bandy
"I Never Go Around Mirrors" - Co-writer: Lefty Frizzell, Artists: Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley
"Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" - Co-writer: Darlene Shafer, Artists: George Strait (1985)
"I Wonder Do You Think of Me" - Artists: Keith Whitley
"All My Exes Live in Texas" - Co-writer: Lyndia Shafer, Artists: George Strait (1986)
"That's the Way Love Goes" - Co-writer: Lefty Frizzell, Artists: Johnny Rodriguez, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard
"I Never Knew"- Artists: Connie Smith
"Dream Painter"- Artists: Connie Smith
"Lord Is That Me?" - Artists: Jack Greene
"Honky Tonk Amnesia" - Artists: Moe Bandy
"Soft Lights & Hard Country Music" - Artists: Moe Bandy
"I Can't Get Over You to Save My Life" - Co-writer: Lefty Frizzell
"You Babe" - Artists: Lefty Frizzell
"Lucky Arms" - Co-writer: Lefty Frizzell
"Overnight Success" - Artists: George Strait
"Birmingham Turnaround" - Artists: Keith Whitley
