John David Anderson(born December 13, 1954)[2]is an Americancountrysinger with a successful career that has lasted more than 40 years. Starting in 1977 with the release of his first single, "I've Got a Feelin' (Somebody's Been Stealin')", Anderson has charted more than 40 singles on theBillboardcountrymusic charts,including five number ones: "Wild and Blue","Swingin'","Black Sheep","Straight Tequila Night",and"Money in the Bank".He has also recorded 22 studio albums on several labels. His latest album,Years,was released on April 10, 2020, on the Easy Eye Sound label and was produced by Nashville veteran producerDavid FergusonandDan AuerbachofThe Black Keys.
John Anderson | |
|---|---|
 Anderson at the Pike County Fair, 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | John David Anderson[1] |
| Born | December 13, 1954 |
| Origin | Apopka, Florida,U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Labels | Warner Bros.,MCA,Capitol,RCA,BNA,Mercury,Columbia,Orpheus,Blu Mountain, Warner Bros./Raybaw,Broken Bow |
| Website | johnanderson |
Anderson was inducted to theNashville Songwriters Hall of Fameon October 5, 2014.[3]He waselectedinto theCountry Music Hall of Fameten years later in 2024.[4]
Early career
editRaised inApopka, Florida,Anderson's first musical influences were not country artists, butrock and rollmusicians such asJimi HendrixandThe Rolling Stones.[5]He played in a rock band until the age of 15, when he discovered the music ofGeorge JonesandMerle Haggardand turned to country music.[1]Anderson moved toNashville, Tennessee,in 1971, arriving unannounced at his sister's home, and took on odd jobs during the day – including one as arooferat theGrand Ole OpryHouse – while playing in clubs during the evenings.[6]
The club appearances finally paid off in 1977 when he signed his first recording contract withWarner Bros. Records.He first hit theBillboard Country chartin 1977 with the song "I've Got a Feelin' (Somebody's Been Stealin')",[5]then broke into the country Top 40 with "The Girl at the End of the Bar" the next year. Anderson's decidedly backwoods accent and distinctive vocal timbre helped land him in the forefront of the "New Traditionalist" movement with artists likeRicky SkaggsandGeorge Strait.[2]
A steady stream of singles through the late 1970s and early 1980s continued to build Anderson's name in the country genre. The song "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)"from the 1981 albumJohn Anderson 2netted Anderson aGrammy Awardnomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.[7]
"Swingin'" and mainstream success
editThe release of Anderson's fourth album,Wild & Blue,in 1982 led to his breakthrough to mainstream country when the single "Swingin'" hit the airwaves early the next year. Co-written with long-time writing partner, Lionel Delmore, the song broke into the country charts and reached Number One by March, while at the same time crossing over to the Billboard Hot 100, reaching a peak of Number 43.[8]The single became the biggest selling record in the history of Warner Bros. Records.[5]In the wake of "Swingin'", Anderson received five nominations forCountry Music Associationawards for the year. He was the winner of the Horizon Award, and the song was named Single of the Year; he also received nominations for Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year.[9]
Anderson's success withWild & Bluecarried on through several more albums, but none would match its chart numbers or sales. In 1986, Anderson and Warner Bros. parted ways.[1]
Seminole Windand later career
editAfter leaving Warner Bros., Anderson signed withMCA Recordsand released two albums under that label, followed by one withCapitol Recordsin 1990. Chart success was minimal throughout those years. However, that turned around in 1991 when Anderson joinedBNA Recordsand, working with legendary country producerJames Stroud,released the albumSeminole Wind.Powered by thetitle single,which rose to Number Two, and the Number One single "Straight Tequila Night",the album proved a resurgence for Anderson's career.[10]The album has been certified two timesplatinum,the highest of any of Anderson's albums, and he was nominated for three CMA Awards – Male Vocalist, Song of the Year and Album of the Year.[9]
The success ofSeminole Windbrought a fresh life to Anderson's career, and he released a number of albums that charted well, producing several more singles that pushed to the upper levels of the country charts. The 1993 albumSolid Groundproduced a Number One single, "Money in the Bank",which turned out to be the most recent chart-topper of Anderson's career. He recorded for BNA through 1996 before leaving the label.[2]In 1993, Anderson was awarded theAcademy of Country MusicCareer Achievement award.[11]
Anderson has recorded for several labels since his departure from BNA, with moderate chart success.[6]An album entitledBigger Hands,a return to working with Stroud as producer, was released in June 2009.[12]
Over his career, Anderson has collaborated with a number of different artists. He worked withWaylon Jenningson his last ever live album before Jennings's death in 2002,Never Say Die: The Final Concert,where he performed a duet with Jennings on the track Waymore's Blues. He has also worked withJohn RichofBig & Richon his 2007 albumEasy Money,[13]and co-wrote Rich's 2009 single "Shuttin' Detroit Down"[14]He has been named an honorary member of theMuzikMafia,of which Rich is also a member.[15]
Anderson lives inSmithville, Tennessee,his home for more than 30 years with his wife and two daughters.[13]
Discography
editBillboardnumber-one hits
edit- "Wild and Blue"(2 weeks, 1982)
- "Swingin'"(1 week, 1983)
- "Black Sheep"(1 week, 1983)
- "Straight Tequila Night"(1 week, 1991-1992)
- "Money in the Bank"(1 week, 1993)
Awards and nominations
editGrammy Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)" | Best Male Country Vocal Performance | Nominated |
American Music Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "Swingin'" | Favorite Country Single | Nominated |
Academy of Country Music Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | John Anderson | Top New Male Vocalist | Nominated |
| 1984 | "Swingin'" | Single Record of the Year | Nominated |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Wild & Blue | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| John Anderson | Top Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1993 | "Straight Tequila Night" | Single Record of the Year | Nominated |
| 1994 | John Anderson | Career Achievement Award | Awarded |
| Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1995 | John Anderson andTracy Lawrence | Top Vocal Duo of the Year | Nominated |
Country Music Association Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | John Anderson | Horizon Award | Nominated |
| 1983 | "Swingin'" | Single of the Year | Won |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Wild & Blue | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| John Anderson | Horizon Award | Won | |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 1993 | "Seminole Wind" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| John Anderson | Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1994 | Nominated | ||
| Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles | Album of the Year | Won |
References
edit- ^abcHuey, Steve."John Anderson biography".Allmusic.RetrievedMay 18,2009.
- ^abc"John Anderson bio".CMT.Archived fromthe originalon April 6, 2004.RetrievedMay 8,2009.
- ^[1]ArchivedOctober 24, 2014, at theWayback Machine,nashvillesongwritersfoundation, October 6, 2014; accessed January 3, 2015.
- ^Willman, Chris (March 18, 2024)."Toby Keith Elected Into Country Music Hall of Fame, in Voting That Wrapped Up Days Before His Death".Variety.
- ^abc"John Anderson is Takin' the Country Back... And Who Is Better Qualified".CMT.July 29, 1997. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2004.RetrievedMay 8,2009.
- ^ab"John Anderson bio".Billboard.RetrievedMay 8,2009.
- ^"John Anderson 2".johnanderson. Archived fromthe originalon April 1, 2009.RetrievedMay 8,2009.
- ^"He's as American as swinging on the porch".Kingman Daily Miner.April 8, 1983. p. 11.RetrievedMay 9,2009.[dead link]
- ^ab"CMA Awards: John Anderson".cmaawards.RetrievedMay 8,2009.
- ^"Heartland".UPI. December 6, 2002.RetrievedMay 9,2009.
- ^"John Anderson awards".CMT. Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2004.RetrievedMay 9,2009.
- ^"John Anderson Plans New Album With James Stroud".CMT News.CMT. April 10, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon April 14, 2009.RetrievedMay 9,2009.
- ^ab"Yahoo News".Yahoo Music. April 9, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon January 5, 2013.RetrievedMay 9,2009.
- ^"John Rich: Nation's Financial Crisis Inspired" Shuttin' Detroit Down "".CMT. April 1, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon April 5, 2009.RetrievedMay 9,2009.
- ^"MuzikMafia members".Archived fromthe originalon April 7, 2010.RetrievedMay 9,2009.