Johnny Darrell (July 23, 1940 – October 7, 1997) was an American country music artist.
Darrell was born in Hopewell, Alabama, but grew up in Marietta, Georgia. After a stint in the army, he moved to Nashville and began managing a Holiday Inn near Music Row, when he was discovered by Kelso Herston, a producer working for United Artists, on the recommendation of Bobby Bare. In his recording career, Darrell established a trend of introducing "lyrically adventurous" songs that later became major hits for other artists.
His debut single, the first recording of the Curly Putman-penned "Green, Green Grass of Home" (later made famous by Porter Wagoner and Tom Jones), was issued in 1965, followed by "As Long as the Wind Blows" in 1966, which made the country top 30 and saw Darrell being named "Most Promising Male Artist" by Cashbox. He was the first to record the Mel Tillis song "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town", which became a top-10 hit for him in 1967 and later a hit for Kenny Rogers. This was followed by his performance of Dallas Frazier's "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" in 1968, and the crossover hit "With Pen in Hand", which later became a hit for Vikki Carr. In the 1970s, Darrell was associated with the outlaw country movement. Darrell was married to his wife Jody. He suffered from diabetes, a disease that impaired his health and ability to perform. Darrell died from the disease at age 57 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Discography Albums Year Album Chart Positions Label US Country US 200 1966 As Long as the Winds Blow — — United Artists 1967 Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town 37 — 1968 The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp 37 — With Pen in Hand 23 — 1969 Why You Been Gone So Long 33 172 1970 California Stop Over — — The Best of Johnny Darrell — — 1975 Water Glass Full of Whiskey — — Capricorn 2000 Singin' It Lonesome: The Very Best...1965–1970 — — Raven 2002 The Complete Gusto/Starday/King Recordings — — King
Singles Year Single Chart Positions Album US Country US Pop CAN Country 1965 "Green Green Grass of Home" — — — As Long as the Winds Blow "As Long as the Wind Blows" 30 — — 1966 "Johnny Lose It All" 44 — — "She's Mighty Gone" 72 — — Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town 1967 "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" 9 — — "My Elusive Dreams" 73 — — The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp "Come See What's Left of Your Man" 37 — — Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" 22 — — The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp 1968 "With Pen in Hand" 3 126 — With Pen in Hand "I Ain't Buying" 27 — — Why You Been Gone So Long! "Woman Without Love" 20 — — 1969 "The Coming of the Roads" (with Anita Carter) 50 — — single only "Why You Been Gone So Long!" 17 — — Why You Been Gone So Long! "River Bottom" 23 — 12 "Trouble Maker" — — — single only 1970 "Mama Come'n Get Your Baby Boy" 68 — — California Stop Over "Brother River" 75 — — "They'll Never Take Her Love from Me" 74 — — singles only 1971 "Look Out Cleveland" — — — "Don't It Seem to Rain a Lot" — — — 1973 "Crazy Daddy!" — — — "Dakota the Dancing Bear" 66 — — 1974 "Orange Blossom Special" 63 — — Water Glass Full of Whiskey 1975 "Glendale Arizona" — — — "Rose Colored Gin" — — —
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