Johnny "Country" Mathis (September 28, 1930 –
September 27, 2011) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is
credited with penning more than 500 tunes over the course of his long career.
John Mathis was born on September 28, 1930, in Maud, Texas. In
1949, he began singing professionally when he was signed to the Star Talent
Label with partner Jimmy Lee Fautheree, as the country duo Jimmy and Johnny.
Together they scored a Top 10 hit with "If You Don't Somebody Else
Will" (1953).
In 1955, Jimmy and Johnny were teamed with Elvis Presley and
the Louisiana Hayride stars for tours which increased their popularity. They
also appeared on the Big D Jamboree. In 1951 they were signed to Capitol
Records; they also recorded for Feature Records 
and Chess Records. Johnny was
later replaced by Jimmy's brother, Lynn Fautheree; but the name of the duo did
not change, as the producers feared a career slump.
and Chess Records. Johnny was
later replaced by Jimmy's brother, Lynn Fautheree; but the name of the duo did
not change, as the producers feared a career slump.
By the mid-'50s, Mathis went solo, recording a string of
records for Dallas' renowned D Records, (including a rockabilly single,
"Bee-Boppin' Daddy," under the name Les Cole & the Echoes),
Decca, United Artists, and Little Darlin.
Mathis also appeared in the Grand Ole Opry, The Wilburn
Brothers Show, Nashville Now, and other country music shows. In the following
years he wrote such hits as "Something In Your World", "Every
Time I Look At You", "You Can Tell The World", "I Owe It To
My Heart", and "I'm Gonna Thank Jesus".
In the early 1960s he signed with United Artists as a solo
act, billing himself as Country Johnny Mathis to avoid being confused with pop
singer Johnny Mathis, and had his biggest hit single with "Please Talk to
My Heart" in 1963.
He is credited with penning more than 500 tunes over the
course of his long career. Numerous artists have recorded his songs, including
George Jones, Charley Pride, Johnny Paycheck, Tammy Wynette, Wanda Jackson and
rocker Elvis Costello. Johnny also 
fell into the story of many Nashville
songwriters of those days as he would often sell his share of rights to songs
he had written, most still bare his name. His song accolades further include
gold records, Country radio hits and BMI airplay performance awards.
fell into the story of many Nashville
songwriters of those days as he would often sell his share of rights to songs
he had written, most still bare his name. His song accolades further include
gold records, Country radio hits and BMI airplay performance awards.
From the 1970s to
1990s, he spent most of his time evangelizing across the country, writing and
singing Gospel music.
Mathis suffered a massive stroke in February 1999, and was
no longer able to perform. The stroke left him in poor health until his death
from pneumonia, in Cornersville, Tennessee on September 27, 2011, on the eve of
his 81st birthday. (Compiled mainly from All Music & Wikipedia)
