"If I Ever" is a song that was composed by Otha Young. It was recorded by Juice Newton & Silver Spur and included on their album in 1976. In 1979, the song was recorded by Randy Gurley and released as a single. It became a minor hit for her on the country chart that year.
Background The song appears on side one of the 1976 album After the Dust Settles by Juice Newton & Silver Spur. The composer, Otha Young, played on the album as well.Catalog of Copyright Entries Third series, 1977 - Page 1893 JUL. - DEC. 1976 EU709001. If I everPopsike - JUICE NEWTON & SILVER SPUR After The Dust Settles SEALED PROMO LP 1976 APL1-1722 Juice Newton & Silver Spur also released the song as a promo single.45Cat - Juice Newton - Discography, USA, Juice Newton And Silver Spur, If I Ever
Randy Gurley version
History Randy Gurley recorded the song with Roy Dea handling the production.Billboard, September 29, 1979 - Page 71 Billboard's Top Single Picks, recommended, RANDY GURLEY-If I Ever It was backed with the Jonathan Edwards composition "How Long" and released on RCA Records in September 1979.45Cat - Randy Gurley - Discography
Reception The single was a Country Single Pick in the September 29, 1979, issue of Record World. The reviewer noted the slow and easy start of the song with it then building into the chorus. Gurley's expressive style was noted with the reviewer saying that it could be her strongest single.Record World, September 29, 1979 - Page 171 Country Single Picks RANDY GURLEY-RCA PB -11726 IF I EVER It was a recommended record in the Billboard Top Single Picks for the week ending September 29, 1979. It was also a Single to Watch in the October 6 issue of Cash Box.Cash Box, October 6, 1979 - Page 36 COUNTRY, SINGLES TO WATCH, RANDY GURLEY (RCA PB-11726) If I Ever
Airplay According to the October 12 issue of Radio & Records, her single was added to the playlist of WBAM in Montgomery, Alabama.Radio & Record, October 12, 1979 - Page 65 REGIONAL ADDS & HOTS, SOUTH, WBAM Montgomery, Al In Marie Ratliff's Country Hotline column on the October 27 issue of Record World, it was shown that the single was getting good attention at various radio stations across the United States.Record World, October 27, 1979 - Page 80 COUNTRY HOTLINE By MARIE RATLIFF
Charts The song made its debut on the Billboard Hot Country chart the week ending October 27, 1979. It spent three weeks on the chart, peaking at no. 92.#Records And Charts - 2 If I Ever
Subsequent versions UK country pop singer Barbara Allen recorded a version which appeared on her album, Staying Power, released by Hawk Records in 1986.Second Hand Songs - ARTIST Barbara Allen (GB), HIGHLIGHTSm POPULAR COVERS BY BARBARA ALLEN (GB), If I EverDiscogs - Barbara Allen – Staying Power
References
External links Discogs - Randy Gurley – If I Ever 45Cat - Randy Gurley - If I Ever Munx channel, May 3, 2012 - Randy Gurley - If I Ever (audio)