Richard is best known for penning “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” (sung by Crystal Gayle). In 1978 he received a Grammy Award for “Best Country Song” for it. It was nominated in both pop and country categories and reached number one on both charts. His first number one song was “I’ll Get Over You” also sung by Crystal Gayle. Other prominent singers who have brought his songs number one status over the years include Billy Dean, Mickey Gilley, Reba McEntire, Steve Wariner, and Don Williams. Kathy Mattea had another number one hit with “Come From The Heart ” in 1990. In 1999 the Dixie Chicks recorded Leigh’s “Cold Day in July” for their album Fly, reaching Number 9 on the country music charts in 2000.
He has been nominated for songwriter of the year seven times and in 1994 he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Foundation Hall of Fame.
Arlos Smith
Arlos had his first #1 hit with John Michael Montgomery’s ‘Home To You’ and was named Songwriter of the Year back in 2000. Smith hit #1 again in 2004 with Rascal Flatt’s ‘Mayberry’, which gained him SESAC’s Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. He has also had cuts with Michael Peterson and Canadian country singer, Jessica Robinson.
“I have been lucky enough to make a living writing songs for folks like John Michael Montgomery, Rascal Flatts, Trent Tomlinson, James Otto, Michael Peterson, Steve Holy, David Kersh, Neal McCoy, etc. But, I believe the real reason I came to Nashville is to “think out loud” with the other “wonderful misfits” that gravitate here!!!
My favorite funny quote? “Never,never, EVER!…moon a werewolf!!!!!!!”
My favorite original quote? “Sometimes I look so hard at how far I have too go that I can’t see how far I’ve come!”
Amen, Arlos.
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