Artist Biography - Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson


	Home Biographies On The Fringe Artist Profile Archives News Flash Message Board Reader's Poll Fan Pics Photo Album Merchandise Artist Websites Related Sites Website Resources Contact Us Get the latest Countrypolitan news! Join our mailing list today! Click Here				There's an old saying: "If you want someone's attention, whisper." Bill Anderson has been using that philosophy for over thirty years to capture the attention of millions of country music fans around the world, en route to becoming one of the most popular and most enduring entertainers of our time. He's known, in fact as "Whispering Bill", a nickname hung on him years ago as a result of his breathy voice and his warm, soft approach to singing a country song. His credentials, however, shout his prominence: One of the most awarded songwriters in the history of country music, a million selling recording artist many times over, television game show host, network soap opera star, spokesman for a nationwide restaurant chain, and a consummate onstage performer. His back-up group, The Po' Folks Band, has long been considered one of the finest instrumental and vocal groups in the business. Bill Anderson was born in Columbia, South Carolina, but spent most of his growing-up years around Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from the University Of Georgia with a degree in journalism, having worked his way through college as a disc jockey on nearby radio stations. It was while he was still in school that he began performing and writing songs. At the age of nineteen he composed the country classic, "City Lights," and began rapidly carving his place in musical history. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, secured a recording contract with Decca Records, and began turning out hit after hit with songs like "Po' Folks," "Mama Sang A Song," "The Tips Of My Fingers," "8X10," and the unforgettable country and pop smash, "Still." His compositions were recorded by such diverse musical talents as Ray Price, Porter Wagoner, Debbie Reynolds, Ivory Joe Hunter, Kitty Wells, Faron Young, Lawrence Welk, Dean Martin, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Walter Brennan, and many others. Bill has been voted Songwriter Of The Year six times, Male Vocalist of the Year, half of the Duet Of The Year with both Jan Howard and Mary Lou Turner, has hosted and starred in the Country Music Television Series Of The Year, seen his band voted Band Of The Year, and in 1975 was voted membership in the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame. Ten years later, the State Of Georgia honored him by choosing him as only the 7th living performer inducted into the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame. In 1993, he was made a member of the Georgia Broadcasters' Hall Of Fame. In 1994, South Carolina inducted him into their Music and Entertainment Hall Of Fame. In 1995, Billboard magazine named four Bill Anderson compositions - "City Lights", "Once A Day", "Still", and "Mama Sang A Song" - among the Top 20 Country Songs of the past 35-years. No other songwriter had as many songs listed. An entertainer in every sense of the word, Bill Anderson was the first country artist to host a network game show, starring on ABC-TV's, "The Better Sex." He also appeared for three years on ABC's Daytime soap opera, "One Life To Live." For six years he hosted a country music game show on The Nashville Network called "Fandango," and somehow found time to be co-producer of another TNN Show called "You Can Be A Star." In addition, Bill has appeared frequently as a guest star on television's top variety and game shows, including The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Match Game, Family Feud, Hee Haw, and others. Bill Anderson's autobiography, "Whisperin' Bill," was published by Longstreet Press in 1989 and relates the fascinating details of his life and lengthy career in show business. The book, which Bill personally wrote over a period of three years, made best seller lists all across the south and is now in it's fourth printing. Bill's second book, a humorous look at the music business titled, "I Hope You 're Living As High On The Hog As The Pig You Turned Out To Be," was published in late 1993 and is currently in its third printing. Bill Anderson continues to paint a broad stroke across the Nashville music scene. He has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1961 and performs there regularly. In addition, he hosts the popular "Opry Backstage" TV show for TNN. He received rave reviews for his 1998 album, "Fine Wine," which was produced by Steve Wariner and released on Warner Brothers' Reprise/Nashville label. "Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits Volume I & II" have been released on Varese-Sarabande Records along with "The Best Of Bill Anderson" on Curb. Despite his hectic schedule and the demands of his multi-faceted business enterprises, Bill has made a renewed commitment to his first love - songwriting. "I feel like I've come full-circle," he smiles, "because songwriting is what got me to Nashville in the first place." Anderson began 1999 with a pair of #1 hits, "Wish You Were Here" by Mark Wills and the Grammy nominated "Two Teardrops" by Steve Wariner. His songs can also be heard on recent releases by Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan, Collin Raye, Tracy Byrd, Ricochet, Bryan White, Alabama, and others, serving notice that the first thirty-plus years may well have been only the beginning. *From Bill Anderson's Official Website.*

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