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Johnny Darrell ? Country Music Singer

Johnny Darrell Biography

Claim to Fame: Country Music Singer
DOB: July 23, 1940
Date of Death: Oct. 7, 1997
Diabetes Type: unknown

Johnny Darrell was born in Hopewell, Alabama on July 23, 1940 but he grew up in Marietta, a little town in Georgia. Johnny was always a musically motivated individual, even as a child. He taught himself to play the guitar at the young age of 14, and went on to put this talent to use entertaining troops while serving in the U.S. Army.

After completing his service, Johnny moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his music career. He landed a day job as the manager at a Holiday Inn near Music Row; an area just a bit southwest of Downtown Nashville that houses hundreds of businesses related to the country, gospel, and Christian music industries.

It was here that Johnny got the attention of United Artists producer Kelso Herston. He had heard about Johnny’s unique brand of songwriting and was immediately impressed. Johnny signed with UA as a country performer and released his first single in 1965, “Green Green Grass of Home.”

Some of Johnny’s chart topping country hits were, “As Long as the Wind Blows,” “Dakota the Dancing Bear,“ “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “Orange Blossom Special,” and “The Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp.” He later released the single “Pen in Hand” and crossed over to the top of the pop charts. He was truly a multi-talented musician with his unique brand of lyrics, great vocals, and guitar skills.

By the 1970’s Johnny was a full-fledged member of the outlaw country movement, probably due to his being linked with Bobby Bare. He participated in an English concert celebrating the birthday of Opry magazine with Willie Nelson, Hank Snow, Nat Stuckey, and Wes Buchanan, fellow country music outlaws.

Johnny Darrell passed away in October of 1997, at the age of 57 due to complications from diabetes.

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