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Dallas Frazier
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Key Information
Dallas Frazier (October 27, 1939 – January 14, 2022) was an American country musician and songwriter who had success in the 1950s and 1960s.[1]
Life and career
[edit]Frazier was born in Spiro, Oklahoma, on October 27, 1939,[2] but was raised in Bakersfield, California.[2] As a teenager, he played with Ferlin Husky and on the program Hometown Jamboree; and released his first single, "Space Command", at age 14 in 1954.[1] As he told writer Edd Hurt in a 2008 profile for the music website Perfect Sound Forever, "We were part of The Grapes of Wrath. We were the Okies who went out to California with mattresses tied on the tops of their Model A Fords. My folks were poor. At twelve I moved away from home, with my folks' permission. Ferlin [Husky] offered me a job, and I started working with him when I was twelve. Then I recorded a side for Capitol Records when I was fourteen, and I did some country. I cut in the big circular building that's still out there on Hollywood and Vine."
Frazier's 1957 song "Alley Oop", later taken to No. 1 in the US by The Hollywood Argyles, was his first hit.[2] After Hometown Jamboree went off the air, Frazier moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and found work as a songwriter. Among his early successes was "Timber I'm Falling", a hit for Husky in 1964, and "There Goes My Everything", a big hit for Jack Greene in 1966,[2] that earned him a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Country Song.
In 1966, he released his solo debut album Elvira, containing his song "Elvira". His follow-up, Tell It Like It Is (1967), was also a success.[1]
While his singing success was limited, Frazier became an oft-covered songwriter.[2] His tunes were recorded by O.C. Smith, George Jones (who recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1968), Diana Ross, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jack Greene, Connie Smith (who also recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1972), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Carola, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Elvis Presley, Moe Bandy, Roy Head, Charlie Louvin, Rodney Crowell, Dan McCafferty, Poco and Ronnie Hawkins. In 1970, Frazier earned his second Grammy nomination for Best Country Song, which is awarded to the songwriter rather than the performer, for "All I Have to Offer You (Is Me), which became a No. 1 hit for Charley Pride. Many of the songs became hits into the 1980s; examples include the Oak Ridge Boys cover of "Elvira" and Emmylou Harris's version of "Beneath Still Waters".[2] The cover of "Elvira" by the Oak Ridge Boys was a crossover hit, peaking at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart and No. 5 on the all genre Billboard Hot 100; and earned Frazier his third Grammy nomination for Best Country song. Anne Murray with Glen Campbell, George Strait, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless have all also recorded Frazier tunes.[1] Frazier himself charted eight times on the U.S. country chart. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976.
In 1988, Frazier left the music industry and became a minister.[1] Frazier suffered two strokes in late 2021, and died from related complications at a care facility in Gallatin, Tennessee, on January 14, 2022, at the age of 82.[3]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Elvira | Capitol |
| 1967 | Tell It Like It Is | |
| 1970 | Singing My Songs | RCA Victor |
| 1971 | My Baby Packed Up My Mind and Left Me |
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US [4] |
CAN Country | CAN | |||
| 1954 | "Space Command" | — | — | — | — | single only |
| 1966 | "Elvira" | — | 72 | — | 27 | Elvira |
| "Just a Little Bit of You" | — | 108 | — | — | ||
| "Especially for You" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1967 | "My Woman Up't and Gone" | — | — | — | — | Tell It Like It Is |
| "Everybody Oughta Sing a Song" | 28 | — | 23 | — | singles only | |
| 1968 | "The Sunshine of My World" | 43 | — | — | — | |
| "I Hope I Like Mexico Blues" | 59 | — | — | — | ||
| 1969 | "The Conspiracy of Homer Jones" | 63 | 120 | — | — | |
| "California Cotton Fields" | 45 | — | — | — | Singing My Songs | |
| 1970 | "She Wants to Be Good" | — | — | — | — | |
| "The Birthmark Henry Thompson Talks About" | 45 | — | — | — | single only | |
| 1971 | "Big Mable Murphy" | 43 | — | — | — | My Baby Packed Up My Mind and Left Me |
| "My Baby Packed Up My Mind and Left Me" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "High Steppin' Mama" | — | — | — | — | singles only | |
| 1972 | "North Carolina" | 42 | — | 55 | — | |
| 1973 | "Let That Lonesome Fiddle Man Take the Lead" | — | — | — | — | |
References
[edit]- Notes
- ^ a b c d e Ankeny, Jason. "Dallas Frazier Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Country Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 146/7. ISBN 0-85112-726-6.
- ^ Friskics-Warren, Bill (January 16, 2022). "Dallas Frazier, Who Wrote Hits for Country Stars, Dies at 82". The New York Times. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2011). Top Pop Singles 1955–2010. Record Research, Inc. p. 339. ISBN 978-0-89820-188-8.
- Further reading
External links
[edit]- Dallas Frazier discography at Discogs
- Dallas Frazier at IMDb
- Interview with Dallas Frazier in International Songwriters Association's "Songwriter Magazine"
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
Dallas Frazier
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Early life
Birth and family background
Dallas Frazier was born on October 27, 1939, in Spiro, Oklahoma.[6] He was born to parents William Floyd Frazier and Eva Marie Laughlin Frazier, who worked as agricultural laborers, part of a working-class family in rural Oklahoma.[7][4] Frazier grew up in a modest household shaped by the agricultural economy of the region.[7] Frazier's family migrated to California around 1945 or 1946, when he was about six or seven years old, as part of the Dust Bowl-era exodus depicted in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, seeking better opportunities amid economic devastation in Oklahoma.[7] They initially settled in Kern County, living in makeshift accommodations such as a tent and an abandoned boxcar near Bakersfield, reflecting the hardships of migrant farm workers during this period.[7] The family's early years in California's San Joaquin Valley were marked by rural, working-class poverty and frequent moves between Oklahoma and California, though their situation gradually improved after about a year in Bakersfield.[7] This environment of economic struggle and agricultural labor in the fertile but demanding valley profoundly influenced Frazier's formative years.[7]Musical influences and beginnings
Frazier's early exposure to music came through the vibrant country scene in Bakersfield, California, where he grew up immersed in the sounds of the genre. His father introduced him to classic country artists by playing records of Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell on the jukebox at their local diner, fostering a deep appreciation for the honky-tonk style that defined the era.[4] This local environment, buzzing with transplanted Southern musicians, sparked Frazier's interest and shaped his initial musical tastes before he pursued performance opportunities.[5] At age 12 in 1952, Frazier entered and won a talent contest sponsored by country performer Ferlin Husky at Bakersfield's Rainbow Gardens, impressing the audience with his guitar skills and vocals.[8] Husky, recognizing his potential, invited the young performer to join his road show as a featured act, providing Frazier's first taste of professional engagements around the region.[1] With his parents' permission to travel and perform at such a tender age, this marked Frazier's transition from casual singing to semi-professional work, allowing him to hone his craft alongside established artists.[7] By age 14, Frazier expanded his visibility through regular appearances on the local television program Cousin Herb's Trading Post, hosted by Herb Henson on KERO-TV in Bakersfield.[9] Debuting around 1953, he performed as part of Henson's Trading Post Gang, singing country standards and gaining recognition among Central Valley audiences for his youthful energy and clear voice.[10] These early TV spots, combined with his road work, built a foundation of regional fame and connected him to the burgeoning Bakersfield sound community.[11]Professional career
Recording career as a singer
Dallas Frazier began his recording career as a teenager, signing with Capitol Records in 1954 at the age of 14 while based in Bakersfield, California.[1] His debut single that year was "Space Command" backed with "Ain't You Had No Bringin' Up At All," a novelty track reflecting his youthful perspective and rockabilly influences from the Bakersfield sound.[12] Follow-up releases included "I'm Gonna Move Over Yonder" b/w "Love Life At Fourteen" later in 1954, showcasing a playful, uptempo style suited to his early television appearances on programs like Hometown Jamboree.[13] These initial Capitol singles, produced in Hollywood, emphasized Frazier's raw vocal delivery and guitar skills but achieved limited commercial success, marking the start of sporadic recordings through the late 1950s and early 1960s.[14] In 1963, Frazier relocated to Nashville with his wife, seeking opportunities in the burgeoning country music hub, and rejoined Capitol Records for a more sustained phase of activity.[8] His recordings evolved from rockabilly-tinged teen fare to a blend of traditional country and soul-pop elements, evident in singles like "Elvira" (1966), which reached No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced his self-penned material to a wider audience.[15] Key albums during this Capitol period included Elvira (1966) and Tell It Like It Is! (1967), featuring tracks such as "Just a Little Bit of You" and "Everybody Oughta Sing a Song," the latter peaking at No. 28 on the Billboard country chart in 1967.[12][15] Other notable country chart entries included "The Sunshine of My World" at No. 43 in 1968 and "The Conspiracy of Homer Jones" at No. 63 in 1969, highlighting his growing comfort with heartfelt, narrative-driven country songs.[15] Frazier switched to RCA Victor in July 1969, where his style further solidified into polished traditional country with occasional countrypolitan touches.[1] His debut RCA single, "California Cotton Fields," climbed to No. 45 on the Billboard country chart that year, followed by albums like Singing My Songs (1970) and My Baby Packed Up My Mind and Left Me (1971), which included the near-Top 40 hit "Big Mable Murphy."[15][12] Over his career, Frazier released approximately 25 singles and five studio albums as a lead artist across Capitol and RCA, with his vocal performances often underscoring the storytelling prowess that defined his parallel songwriting endeavors.[16]Songwriting career and notable hits
Dallas Frazier began writing songs as a young teenager, composing his first original piece, "Space Command," at age 14 while growing up in Oklahoma and California.[10] He achieved an early breakthrough as a songwriter with "Alley-Oop" in 1960, a novelty rock hit for the Hollywood Argyles that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] After moving to Nashville in 1963, Frazier secured further success in country music with "There Goes My Everything," published in 1965 and released as a single by Jack Greene in 1966. The track topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for seven weeks in 1967, earning the Country Music Association's Song of the Year award, and became a standard covered by more than 100 artists across genres, including pop and international versions.[8][17] Frazier's catalog expanded rapidly in the late 1960s and 1970s, yielding multiple No. 1 country hits for prominent artists. In 1966, he wrote "Elvira," which achieved minor success on his own recording but exploded as a crossover smash when The Oak Ridge Boys took it to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1981, also reaching the pop Top 20.[4] His 1967 composition "Beneath Still Waters" was first recorded by George Jones for the 1968 album I'll Share My World with You, later becoming a No. 1 country hit for Emmylou Harris in 1980.[18] Frazier frequently collaborated with songwriter A.L. "Doodle" Owens, producing successes like "All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)," a 1969 No. 1 for Charley Pride. He also co-wrote "What's Your Mama's Name" with Earl Montgomery, Tanya Tucker's first chart-topper in 1973.[10] Over his career, Frazier penned more than 130 charting songs, many embodying the polished, emotive style of the Nashville Sound era with narrative-driven lyrics centered on themes of romantic loss, heartache, and redemption.[16] His work, characterized by vivid storytelling and emotional depth, influenced country music's transition toward more sophisticated production while remaining accessible to mainstream audiences.[4]Later years and ministry
Transition to religious work
Dallas Frazier became a born-again Christian in 1961, which profoundly influenced his life and career, prompting him to step away from the music industry in 1976 following his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.[19][8] This shift marked the beginning of his deeper commitment to Christianity, though he continued songwriting sporadically during this transitional period, and pastored a church for seven years.[20] By the late 1980s, Frazier had fully retired from full-time songwriting to dedicate himself to ministry, preparing for ordination as a non-denominational Christian minister.[10] In 1988, he and his wife Sharon relocated from Nashville to a farm in Gallatin, Tennessee, where he could focus on spiritual pursuits away from the demands of the music business.[10] Following his ordination, Frazier embarked on a preaching career centered on evangelism and church leadership, emphasizing personal faith and redemption in his messages.[7] From 1999 to 2006, Frazier served as pastor of Grace Community Fellowship, a non-denominational church near White House, Tennessee (in the Gallatin area), where he led congregational services and community outreach efforts.[21] After stepping down from pastoring in 2006, Frazier returned to music, releasing the gospel-influenced album Hymn Revival in 2011, before declining health, including strokes in late 2021, curtailed his activities. He maintained his devotion to ministry through occasional evangelistic work and incorporated Christian themes into the limited songwriting he pursued.[8][2]Honors and legacy
Dallas Frazier was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976, recognizing his prolific output of hits during the 1960s and 1970s.[8] This honor highlighted his role as one of the era's most successful country songwriters, with compositions that topped charts for artists like Jack Greene and Charley Pride.[22] Frazier received three Grammy nominations for his songwriting, including Best Country Song for "Elvira" in 1981, as well as nods for "There Goes My Everything" and "All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)."[23] These accolades underscored his contributions to country music's narrative style and emotional depth, earning him 23 BMI Country Awards and six BMI Pop Awards over his career.[22] Frazier's songs have endured through numerous covers, influencing generations of performers; for instance, Elvis Presley recorded his novelty hit "Alley Oop" in 1971, bringing it to new audiences.[24] His work, known for vivid storytelling and crossover appeal, inspired later country artists, with groups like the Oak Ridge Boys crediting him as a foundational influence on their career.[25] Following his death in 2022, Frazier received widespread posthumous tributes in country music circles, with obituaries and memorials praising his legacy as a "storytelling genius" whose compositions remain staples in genre histories.[10] His induction into the hall and Grammy recognitions continue to affirm his lasting impact on American songwriting.[4]Personal life
Marriage and family
Dallas Frazier married Sharon Rae Carpani in California in 1958, a union that lasted 63 years until his death in 2022.[26][10] Sharon, born in Glasgow, Montana, to Peter J. Carpani and Viola A. Nagode Carpani, shared a devoted partnership with Frazier, providing steadfast support throughout his transitions from secular music to ministry, including their establishment of a family farm in Gallatin, Tennessee, in 1975, where she embraced rural life and cared for goats.[26][10] In 1963, Frazier and Sharon moved to Tennessee with their young family, settling in Nashville and later Gallatin, where they built a stable home amid his evolving career.[19] The couple raised three daughters: Melody Morris, Robin Proetta, and Alison Thompson, who grew up in this supportive environment that balanced Frazier's professional demands with family priorities.[10][26] Sharon's unwavering presence was instrumental during Frazier's shift to religious work in the 1970s, helping maintain family unity as he pursued gospel music and preaching.[10] Sharon Rae Frazier passed away on October 2, 2024, at age 84 in Gallatin, leaving behind her daughters, grandchildren—including Matt Morris, Josh Morris, Dallas Morris, and Grace Johnson—and great-grandsons Arlo and Luca Morris.[26] The family continued to honor Frazier's legacy through their involvement in community and faith-based activities in Tennessee.[27]Death
Dallas Frazier died on January 14, 2022, at the age of 82, in a rehabilitation facility in Gallatin, Tennessee, following a period of declining health.[4] He had suffered two strokes since August 2021, and died from related complications.[4] His death was confirmed by his daughter, Melody Morris, who noted the family's gratitude for the support received during his final months.[4] Funeral arrangements were handled by Alexander Funeral Home in Gallatin, with a visitation held there on January 19, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.[19] A second visitation and the funeral service took place on January 20, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, where Frazier had been an active member in his later years.[19] The family announced his passing through the funeral home's obituary and requested donations to the Nashville Rescue Mission in lieu of flowers.[19] Frazier was survived by his wife of 63 years, Sharon, along with his daughters, grandchildren, and other family members.[19] The country music community quickly paid tribute to Frazier upon news of his death, highlighting his profound influence as a songwriter.[28] Jeannie Seely described the loss as "a major loss that will be felt for a long time," praising Frazier's songwriting partnership with Connie Smith as "pure magic."[28] BMI issued a statement mourning "one of music's most celebrated songwriters," emphasizing his role in creating enduring hits for artists like Charley Pride and the Oak Ridge Boys.[22] Other peers, including Zachariah Malachi and H. Jack Williams, shared personal reflections on his talent and mentorship, underscoring the immediate outpouring of grief and respect from the industry.[28]Discography
Albums
Frazier's recording career as a performer spanned primarily the late 1960s and early 1970s, during which he released four studio albums that highlighted his distinctive fusion of country, R&B, and soul elements. These works, issued on Capitol Records and later RCA Victor, often featured his own compositions alongside covers, reflecting his songwriting prowess while establishing his vocal style. None of the albums achieved significant positions on the Billboard country albums chart, though they supported his charting singles.[8][14] His debut studio album, Elvira, appeared in June 1966 on Capitol Records (catalog T/ST-2552). The release centered on upbeat, rock-influenced tracks, including the title song that reached No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[12][29][30] The follow-up, Tell It Like It Is!, followed in July 1967, also on Capitol (T/ST-2764). This collection continued the R&B-tinged country sound with a mix of originals and interpretations of contemporary hits, such as the title track originally by Aaron Neville.[12][29] After switching labels, Frazier issued Singing My Songs in May 1970 on RCA Victor (LSP-4338). Produced in Nashville, the album emphasized his self-penned material, including "Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" and "California Cottonfields," both of which became hits for other artists.[12][14] His final major secular studio album, My Baby Packed Up My Mind and Left Me / Big Mable Murphy, came out in July 1971 on RCA Victor (LSP-4569), produced by Chet Atkins and Ronny Light. It blended pop-rock energy with country storytelling, featuring tracks like the near-Top 40 single "Big Mable Murphy."[12][14] Following his transition to religious work in the late 1970s, Frazier largely stepped away from secular recordings until a brief return. In 2011, he self-released Writing & Singing Again on Dallas Frazier Productions, marking his first new material in decades and focusing on inspirational themes.[31] Post-retirement compilations have preserved his early output, notably The R&B Sessions: Elvira / Tell It Like It Is! (Raven RVCD-262) in 2008, which combined his two Capitol albums with bonus tracks and liner notes contextualizing his innovative style.[32]Singles
Dallas Frazier released over 25 singles as a performer from 1954 to 1975, starting with rockabilly-influenced tracks on Capitol Records during his teenage years and shifting to country material on labels like Mercury, Capitol, RCA Victor, and 20th Century Fox. His recordings often showcased his distinctive songwriting style, featuring witty narratives and emotional ballads, though his chart success as a singer was more modest compared to his songwriting achievements, with eight entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart between 1967 and 1972.[33] Early releases were regional or non-charting, reflecting his development from a child prodigy to a mature country artist, while later singles appeared on albums like Singing My Songs (1970) and My Baby Packed Up My Mind and Left Me (1971). The following table enumerates his known singles, including A-side and B-side pairings, release years, labels, and catalog numbers where available. Chart peaks are noted for those that entered the Billboard Hot Country Songs (formerly Hot C&W Sides) or Hot 100 charts, based on verified positions.| Year | A-Side b/w B-Side | Label | Catalog Number | Chart Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Ain't You Had No Bringin' Up At All b/w Space Command | Capitol | F2813 | - |
| 1954 | Love Life At Fourteen b/w I'm Gonna Move Over Yonder | Capitol | F2895 | - |
| 1954 | Jimmie-O The Brownie b/w My Birthday Comes On Christmas | Capitol | F2956 | - |
| 1956 | My Birthday Comes On Christmas / Jingle Bells / Jingle-O The Brownie / Up On The House-Top | Capitol | EAP 1035 (EP) | - |
| 1959 | When You Got Love b/w Can't Go On | Jamie | 1135 | - |
| 1961 | She Made Me Cry b/w There Goes My Bride | Musikron | 106 | - |
| 1962 | Farther Along b/w Keep On Preachin' | Audan | 126 | - |
| 1964 | Money Greases The Wheels b/w My Little Swing Broke Down | Mercury | 72279 | - |
| 1965 | King Of The Jungle b/w Make Believe You're Here With Me | Capitol | 5444 | - |
| 1965 | Elvira b/w There Ain't No Stuff | Capitol | 5560 | No. 72 (Billboard Hot 100)[30] |
| 1966 | Just A Little Bit Of You b/w Walkin' Yonder | Capitol | 5670 | - |
| 1966 | Especially For You b/w Tennessee Stuff | Capitol | 5728 | - |
| 1967 | My Woman Upt' And Gone b/w Clawhammer Clive | Capitol | 5862 | - |
| 1967 | Everybody Oughta Sing A Song b/w Only A Fool | Capitol | 2011 | No. 28 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)[15] |
| 1968 | The Sunshine Of My World b/w Lonelier And More In Love | Capitol | 2133 | No. 43 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)[15] |
| 1968 | I Hope I Like Mexico Blues b/w I Just Thought I Loved Her | Capitol | 2257 | No. 59 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)[15] |
| 1969 | The Conspiracy Of Homer Jones b/w Sundown Of My Mind | Capitol | 2402 | No. 63 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)[15] |
| 1969 | California Cotton Fields b/w Sweetheart Don't Throw Yourself Away | RCA Victor | 74-0259 | No. 45 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)[34] |
| 1970 | She Wants To Be Good b/w Harbor Girl | RCA Victor | 47-9820 | - |
| 1970 | The Birthmark Henry Thompson Talks About b/w If My Heart Had Windows | RCA Victor | 47-9881 | No. 45 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)[15] |
| 1971 | Big Mable Murphy b/w White Fences And Evergreen Trees | RCA Victor | 47-9950 | No. 43 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)[15] |
| 1971 | My Baby Packed Up My Mind And Left Me b/w I'm Finally Over You | RCA Victor | 47-9991 | - |
| 1971 | Common Broke Elastic b/w High Steppin' Mama | RCA Victor | 74-0569 | - |
| 1972 | North Carolina b/w The Last Time I Called Somebody Darling | RCA Victor | 74-0748 | No. 42 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)[15] |
| 1973 | Lonesome Fiddle Man b/w This Time The Hurtin's On Me | RCA Victor | 74-0903 | - |
| 1975 | Cash On Delivery Smith b/w Watchin' My World Walk Away | 20th Century Fox | TC-2171 | - |
| 1975 | Heaven Hanging Over My Head b/w Liberal Acres | 20th Century Fox | TC-2199 | - |
| 1975 | Harvey b/w I'm Sorry If My Love Got In Your Way | 20th Century Fox | TC-2233 | - |