He chose music over law school, and he was recording R&B-tinged pop for New York's famed Scepter label by 1965 that year he enjoyed a minor hit with "Never Had It So Good." A 1968 move to Memphis led him to Chips Moman's hot American Studio and a regular gig at "the jumping nightclub-T. Despite harsh treatment, he blossomed musically, learning the school's classical techniques while absorbing pop styles available on radio. At age six, having heard gospel music at church and country music via radio, he entered the State School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2014, Ronnie Milsap was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.īorn blind into an Appalachian family named Millsaps, he went to live with grandparents at age one. Greatest Hits Volume 2 was platinum, and Greatest Hits double-platinum.
As of 2014, Milsap had seven albums certified gold by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA). An exemplar of the country-pop sound of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the energetic and versatile performer kept scoring hits into the youth-driven country boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is one of country's most successful artists, with six Grammy awards for Best Male Country Vocal performance, four CMA awards, and thirty-five #1 hits. His command of country, country-pop, rock & roll, rhythm & blues, funk, pop, and classical music made the singer-keyboardist a formidable entertainer who defies narrow classification. Ronnie Milsap's passionate vocals and rousing showmanship made him a favorite concert attraction for decades, celebrating 50 years in the music industry. It was produced by Milsap and Rob Galbraith and released on Milsap's 2019 album, The Duets. In 2019 Milsap released a new version of the song featuring American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton (with additional lyrics written by Parton). Lawmakers read a resolution celebrating Milsap's "story of a special, enduring love of a Tennessee sweetheart." The decision adds more prestige to an American classic. In 2010, the Tennessee General Assembly named "Smoky Mountain Rain" the eighth official state song of Tennessee. In 2014, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Smoky Mountain Rain" number 96 in their list of the 100 greatest country songs. Such a feat proved that the already cool Milsap was certifiably popular beyond Music Row.
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In addition to topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it claimed the top spot on the Adult Contemporary chart and even cracked the overall top 25.
The song became an instant crossover hit. With the beautiful instrumental tones including Milsap's vastly talented piano accompaniment combined with his legendary voice and a touching story of a man coming back to his home in East Tennessee to find his true love, this song holds a special place in the heart and soul of the American music tapestry. written by Dennis Morgan and Kyle Fleming it was released in September of 1980, it was the first new single release from his Greatest Hits Compilation album. "Smoky Mountain Rain" is considered a national treasure and still remains one of Ronnie Milsap's best known and loved songs. Signed by Ronnie Milsap, Signed by Dennis Morgan and co-writer Kye Fleming The lyrics reads in part "I can't blame her for letting go a woman needs someone warm to hold." Click To Request A Pre-Sale Condition ReportĪ sheet of paper with Little Shop of Morgansongs letterhead at the top with lyrics for the song "Smoky Mountain Rain" handwritten and signed by songwriter Dennis Morgan in ballpoint pen in the top left corner and signed by co-writer Kye Flemming in ballpoint pen in the top right corner, and Ronnie Milsap in black marker across the front.