Jimmy Payne

Sometimes in this life you meet someone who in genuine, sweet and humble. Jimmy was all of things and more. He had mega success as a songwriter and great success as a recording artist, yet his greatest loves were his wife Jo, family and sharing his songs at songwriter nights. In his later years, Jimmy adored sharing his songs and telling his stories to new songwriters. He never met anyone he wouldn’t later call friend. Jimmy passed away today and hearts are literally breaking all over Tennessee tonight. Read on for hearts breaking all over Tennessee from the passing of beloved hit songwriter Jimmy Payne.

Songwriting successes

Women Women was without a doubt Jimmy’s biggest songwriting success. He co-wrote this song with Jim Glaser. It has been recorded by all the artists below.

“Woman Woman“
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Richard Barnes, Glen Campbell Orchestra, Ace Cannon, Lofton Cline, Roy Drusky, John Farnham, Frankie Ford, John Gary, Jim Glaser, Tompall & The Glaser Brothers, Robert Goulet, Lloyd Green, Ted Heath Orchestra, Rick Hertless, Engelbert Humperdinck, Charlie Jordan, The Lettermen, Sherwin Linton, Mary K. Miller, Jimmy Payne, The Roadrunners, David Roberts, John Wesley Ryles, Santo & Johnny, Cliff Seaman, Levi Stubbs/Tops, Ed Sullivan Orchestra, Cathy Taylor.

Jimmy has songs of his recorded by the following artists:

1. Tompall & the Glaser Brothers;
2. Jim Glaser;
3. Bill Anderson;
4. Tammy Wynette;
5. Dottie West;
6. Ray Price;
7. Grandpa Jones;
8. Jeanne Pruet;
9. Charley Pride;
10. Connie Smith;
11. Jo-El Sonnier;
12. Daniel O’Donnell;
13. Hank Snow

Those are just some of the major names in country music who have recorded songs written by Jimmy Payne. Dottie West recorded “And I’m Still Missing You” on the 1970 RCA album “Forever Yours.” She also recorded it as a duet with Jimmy Dean and Jimmy recorded it on his 1971 RCA album “These Hands.”

Jimmy the Recording Artist

Jimmy recorded several of his own songs during his RECORDING ARTISTS days. Chuck Glaser arranged a live audition between Jimmy and Billy Sherrill. After one song, Billy signed Jimmy to a five year contract with Epic Records. Jimmy had National chart success with “ L.A. Angels”, “Ramblin’ Man”, “Where Has All The Love Gone”, “Turnin’ My Love On” and others. He entered the British pop charts with his version of “Sweet Fantasy”.

Jimmy has record deals with Epic, RCA, VeeJay, Vanguard, Cinnamon, Password and others. He has released six albums, two CD’s and numerous singles.

On Jimmy’s debut performance at The Grand Ole Opry, the audience rewarded him with three encores. In 2007 he received the honor of being inducted into the Traditional Country Hall of Fame in Anita, Iowa.

Songwriter Nights

In Conclusion

It always seemed that Jimmy’s favorite thing to do was perform at songwriters nights in Nashville.  Jimmy’s smile was contagious and his stories of days gone by were always well received and enjoyed thoroughly but tourists and other singer songwriters. Jimmy passed away today with his family and pups surrounding him in love. To say Jimmy will be missed in an absolute understatement.  He will be forever remembered. Songwriter nights will be a little less joyous for a very long time. Until we meet again Jimmy.  You were one of a kind.