Sometime, it takes three to come up with a hit that'll take over the Hot Country Billboard chart. Even tho the song only lasted one week, it still counts as a success for Debi Cochran, John Jarrard, and Monty Powell. All three together, co-wrote "My Kind of Girl" which was recorded by Collin Raye on his Extremes album. The song was released as a single on November 29, 1994, and met the #1 for the week of February 18, 1995. Becoming Raye third #1 single. The producers were John Hobbs, Ed Seay, and Paul Worley.
Raye album, Extremes, was also his third album as well and was released on January 25, 1994 (funny how his third single went to #1 a little over a year since the release of his third album). The record was produced from Epic Records and peaked at #12 on the album chart. "My Kind of Girl" is Raye only #1 single out of the 5 singles released from the album. However, the other 4 singles still made a smash hit for Raye, which they were, "That's My Story", "Man of My Word", "If I Were You", and (my favorite) "Little Rock". if you have the album, you may have noticed the song, "Dreaming My Dreams with You" sounds familiar. It is because the song is a cover of Waylon Jennings.
Monty Powell actual name was Richard Belmont Powell, Jr. and is a native of Georgia. He got his start by writing a jingle (short slogan, verse, or tune designed to be easily remembered, especially as used in advertising) for an Allstate commercial. Then in the 1990s, Powell moved to Nashville to be a staff writer. Some of the songs he's written were recorded by artists such as Diamond Rio, Tracy Byrd, Chris Cagle, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tim McGraw, and Restless Heart. Powell had it good with Diamond Rio since he used to be college roomate with their lead singer, Marty Roe. Powell had won the CMA triple play award for having written 3 #1 songs in one calendar year (mainly recorded by Keith Urban). Powell is still active in the music industry and has been since 1980. He was 19 at the time of the start.
When it comes to being in the music industry, especially when it comes to songwriting, it's a very risky "all or nothing" business. takes a lot of encouragements and to try out. Just ask John Jarrard. It took his girlfriend to get him to go to a convention in Nashville in 1974 to get his career started. Jarrard was born on May 7, 1953 and unfortunately is no longer with us. He is also a native of Georgia as well and have written song for Alabama, George Strait, and Don Williams. When Jarrard first started to work (before the songwriting), he was a disc jockey. So it's no wonder he had the idea of what people wanted to hear. Then again, I'm sure there's a lot more than that as well. I mean after all, Alabama (having 35 #1 hits consecutive), George Strait ( having well over 50 #1 hits), the two artist/band that has the biggest impact on country music. You can't go wrong with John Jarrard (Sorry Jimmy Buffet). I'm not saying Jarrard wrote all their songs, but still, impressive. While in Nashville, Jarrard worked at a motel until 1979 when diabetes started causing him complication. He ended up losing his eye sights, and then came the total kidney failure. He underwent transplant, however, his 2nd kidney transplant cost him both of his legs in 1991. and then on February 1, 2001, respiratory failure took him. Jarrard had up to 11 #1 hits with, "Nobody but You" being his first one. Which was recorded by Don William.
So is the third songwriter also from Georgia? In this case, no. Debi Cochran is actually a native of Arkansas. Where she had sent most of her childhood life with her grandma, who had a piano at the time. Cochran also sang at church regularly. On top of the Piano, Cochran also plays bass as well as a mountain dulcimer (see picture below). She spend her time being a mentor to songwriters in-person and online. Just check her webpage out if you're interested in taking lessons from her. After all, she did help write Collin Raye 3rd #1 hit.
So, with great minds working together, this is one proof that the smell of success can always occur. Happy 20th anniversary to Collin Raye's, "My Kind of Girl", and with this, I bid you farewell until next time.
Resource
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Kind_of_Girl
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Powell
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Jarrard
- http://www.montypowell.com/about-monty/
- http://www.discogs.com/artist/659427-Monty-Powell?noanv=1
- http://www.debbiecochran.com/bio.php
- http://www.nashvillesongmentoring.com/bio/
- http://www.usmasters.com/montypowell.htm
- http://www.nashvillesongmentoring.com/bio/
- http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail-pf.php?n=230185
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