Mel Tillis
Lonnie Melvin "Mel" Tillis (August 8, 1932 – November 19, 2017) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He recorded songs since the late 1950s. His biggest success occurred in the 1970s, with a long list of Top 10 hits. His biggest hits include "I Ain't Never", "Good Woman Blues", and "Coca-Cola Cowboy".
Mel Tillis | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Lonnie Melvin Tillis |
Born | Dover, Florida, United States | August 8, 1932
Origin | Tampa, Florida, United States |
Died | November 19, 2017 Ocala, Florida, United States | (aged 85)
Genres | Country Outlaw country |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 1958–2017 |
Labels | Columbia Records Kapp Records MGM Records MCA Records Elektra Records Radio Records |
Associated acts | Pam Tillis, Nancy Sinatra, Roger Miller, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Bill Anderson, Old Dogs, Dude Mowrey |
Website | http://www.meltillis.com/ |
Awards and recognitions
On February 13, 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Tillis the National Medal of Arts for his contributions to country music.[1] He also has won the CMA Awards' most coveted award, Entertainer of the Year. He was also known for his stutter, which does not affect his singing voice. His daughter is country music singer Pam Tillis.
Tillis died on November 19, 2017 of respiratory failure complicated by sepsis in Ocala, Florida at the age of 85.[2]
Mel Tillis Media
References
- ↑ "President Obama Awards the 2011 National Medals of Arts and Humanities at the White House".
- ↑ "Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis dead at 85". Tennessean. November 19, 2017.
Other websites
- Official website
- Mel Tillis at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Archived 2010-04-14 at the Wayback Machine