#147 - John D. Loudermilk

John D. Loudermilk was a legendary songwriter who lived from 1934 and passed away in 2016. I was interested in interviewing him and was told by one of the foremost experts on Loudermilk that he does not give interviews and that's all there is to it. A letter sent to his home was replied to by telephone and he agreed to be interviewed. Although he did make records under his own name, Loudermilk's songs were most known by the versions other bands and recording artists made of them. One of his most successful songs, "Indian Reservation" was a number one hit for Paul Revere and the Raiders. His song "Ebony Eyes" was recorded by the Everly Brothers and "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" and "Abilene" were two of the most well known songs recorded by George Hamilton IV. Then there was David Lee Roth, stepping away from Van Halen to record the Loudermilk song "Tobacco Road." The songs of John D. Loudermilk were recorded by countless prominent artists including Johnny Cash, Marianne Faithful, Mose Allison, Stonewall Jackson, Chet Atkins, Jimmy Buffett, Jerry Lee Lewis, Norah Jones, Connie Francis, Roy Orbison and countless others.

Although John D. Loudermilk has passed away, it's my hope that this rare, in-depth interview is of interest to you. Furthermore, I hope it creates a greater interest in his very different and clever songs. It's here for the listening on this episode of The Paul Leslie Hour.

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