Mel Tillis 1932-2017

Mel Tillis was born in Tampa Florida in 1932. In the 1950’s he was in the American Air force where he started to write country music. When he left the services, he did a number of jobs and continued to write. However, he had developed a stutter as a child, when he had an attack of malaria. The stutter didn’t affect him while singing but it mean he was less likely to get work as a singer. His songs were hits for other artistes, particularly “Detroit city” which was a big hit for Bobby Bare and also for Tom Jones. Another song that was a success for another artiste was “Ruby Don’t Take your Love to Town”, which he wrote for Kenny Rogers. This is still one of Kenny’s “big songs” and has been associated with him all his life. It is about a Korean War veteran who is injured, and in a wheelchair who is begging his wife not to be unfaithful. Detroit City is also hard edged, about a southerner who (like many men from the south during the 1950s)–has had to leave his family and loved ones, to go to Detroit to look for work, and how he longs to return home. Mel’s songs did very well for other singers but he wanted to perform himself. He also was on shows like Heehaw and began, like many singers, to have an acting career. He had a turn for comedy and used his stutter as a comic device. In later years, he joined with Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings and Jerry Reed, to form a group called the Old Dogs, who did an album about the funny side of growing older. The songs were written by comedy and writing genius Shel Silverstein. Some of the songs were about male problems, in getting old – “Lord Ain’t it hard when it ain’t” and “Too Old to cut the mustard”, and “Couch Potato” and “She’d rather be homeless”. Mel continued performing and built up a portfolio of business interests, as he grew older. He had several children, including song writer Pam Tillis. His health began to decline in the last year or so but he had a long and productive life. he passed away at the age of 85. May he rest in peace