John D. Loudermilk 1934 – 2016

You may not know his name but you’ve certainly heard his songs.

Loudermilk was one of the most prolific songwriters of the 60s, penning country and pop hits for the Nashville Teens, Everly Brothers, Johnny Tillotson, Chet Atkins, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Johnny Cash, Marianne Faithfull, Stonewall Jackson, Sue Thompson and others.

He made records under his own name, but perhaps because he looked like an extra from Sgt. Bilko, most of his hits came from other artists.

Perhaps the most famous Loudermilk song is Tobacco Road. Originally written and recorded by John D. himself in 1960, it became a big hit for the Nashville Teens in 1964 and went on to become a massive blues rock standard.

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