 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2017) |
Mel Tillis | |
|---|---|
 Tillis at the Grand Ole Opry, 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lonnie Melvin Tillis |
| Born | August 8, 1932 Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | November 19, 2017 (aged 85) Ocala, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1958–2017 |
| Labels | Columbia, Decca, Kapp, MGM, MCA, Elektra, Radio Records |
| Formerly of | Old Dogs |
| Website | www |
Lonnie Melvin Tillis (August 8, 1932[1] – November 19, 2017)[2] was an American country music singer and songwriter. Although he recorded songs since the late 1950s, his biggest success occurred in the 1970s as part of the outlaw country movement, with a long list of Top 10 hits.
Tillis' biggest hits include "I Ain't Never", "Good Woman Blues", and "Coca-Cola Cowboy". On February 13, 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Tillis the National Medal of Arts for his contributions to country music.[3] He also won the Country Music Association Awards' most coveted award, Entertainer of the Year. Tillis was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Country Music Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was known for his stutter, which did not affect his singing voice. His daughter is 1990s country hitmaker Pam Tillis.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
LarkinCountrywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Erin Nyren; Chris Willman (November 19, 2017). "Mel Tillis, Singer-Songwriter and Country Music Hall of Famer, Dies at 85". Variety.com. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "President Obama Awards the 2011 National Medals of Arts and Humanities at the White House". whitehouse.gov (Press release). February 13, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2019 – via National Archives.