NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Whisperin’ Bill Anderson boasts a renowned career that has seen extraordinary milestones, including his Country Music Hall of Fame induction; 59 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and 80 top-charting songs—37 of which were Top Ten hits in addition to seven No. 1 singles. Anderson’s record-breaking songwriting has made him the only writer to chart country songs in seven consecutive decades. The songwriting titan has received more than 50 BMI Awards, three CMA Awards and two ACM Awards; and in 2018 he was inducted into the all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame. Anderson continues to make his indelible mark on country music history with the release of his 73rd album, The Hits Re-Imagined, available today. To stream or download, click HERE.
“A 10-song journey, Re-Imagined, spans Anderson’s career from his formative years before earning a place as a Grand Ole Opry staple in the 1960s to a second wave of songwriting success he unearthed in the 21st century.” (Mathew Leimkuehler/ The Tennessean) The Country Music Hall of Famer adds “his familiar, comforting croon” (Mathew Leimkuehler / The Tennessean) to his songs made famous by George Strait, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and more. In addition to these fresh, re-imagined hits, the album, which was co-produced by Anderson and Thomm Jutz, includes instrumental versions of each track.
As remarked by Rolling Stone Country, “Whisperin Bill’s vocal style remains subdued in the present but his legendary gift for songwriting, which first garnered attention in 1958 with Ray Price’s rendition of ‘City Lights,’ continues to resonate throughout country music.” (Stephen L. Betts / Rolling Stone Country) Anderson’s more than 60 years of hits show no signs of slowing down, as he continues to collaborate with artists like fellow Grand Ole Opry member Brad Paisley, who recorded Anderson’s hit “Whiskey Lullaby.” As described by The Boot, “The tragic, heart-wrenching song became the impetus for a new album from Anderson, of re-recorded versions of some of his biggest and best-loved songs, both those he’s written for others and those he’s recorded himself.” (Angela Stefano / The Boot)
“I’ve heard it said that if you want somebody to lean in and listen to what you have to say, you should whisper. Bill Anderson’s been doing that for well over 200 years! In all seriousness, country music wouldn’t be the same if Bill Anderson had never picked up a pen and whispered his way into history. I’m so lucky to be friends with this legend. And to have benefited from his art,” shared Paisley.
The Hits Re-Imagined Track List
1. Bright Lights and Country Music
2. Whiskey Lullaby
3. Po’ Folks
4. I’ll Wait for You
5. City Lights
6. Still
7. Give It Away
8. The Tips of My Fingers
9. A Lot of Things Different
10. Which Bridge to Cross (Which Bridge to Burn)
11. Bright Lights and Country Music (Instrumental)
12. Whiskey Lullaby (Instrumental)
13. Po’ Folks (Instrumental)
14. I’ll Wait for You (Instrumental)
15. City Lights (Instrumental)
16. Still (Instrumental)
17. Give It Away (Instrumental)
18. The Tips of My Fingers (Instrumental)
19. A Lot of Things Different (Instrumental)
20. Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn) (Instrumental)
For more information on Bill Anderson visit BillAnderson.com or follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT BILL ANDERSON:
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry titan Bill Anderson is the rare songwriter whose first major label cut went to No. 1 on the charts, was named Song of The Year and sparked a writing career that is currently in its seventh decade. The song, “City Lights,” was written when Anderson was a 19-year old Georgia disc jockey and became a career-defining hit for Ray Price in 1958. The song opened doors for him in Nashville, leading him to signing with BMI and Tree Publishing. Anderson was far from a one-hit wonder. He followed “City Lights” with country standards like “Tips Of My Fingers,” the GRAMMY-nominated “Once A Day,” “Saginaw, Michigan,” “That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome,” “I Missed Me,” “Cold Hard Facts Of Life,” which earned him another GRAMMY nomination, “Mama Sang A Song,” the crossover smash, “Still,” and countless others. He was voted country Songwriter of the Year six times during his first decade in Music City. His success continued into the 1970’s with award-winning hits like “Slippin’ Away,” “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” “I May Never Get To Heaven,” and the disco-flavored, “I Can’t Wait Any Longer.” The 1980’s saw Anderson’s chart-topping career take a hiatus as he became a TV network game show host, spokesman for a national restaurant chain and a nonstop touring Grand Ole Opry performer. In the 1990’s he came roaring back with a vengeance, however, as he seriously turned to co-writing for the first time. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, his collaborations with the newer generation of Nashville tunesmiths resulted in hits like “Wish You Were Here,” the GRAMMY-nominated “Two Teardrops,” “A Lot Of Things Different,” for Kenny Chesney, “Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn),” for Vince Gill and two CMA Song Of The Year trophies for “Whiskey Lullaby,” with Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and George Strait’s “Give It Away,” in 2005 and 2007 respectfully. He continues to write today with songs like Brad Paisley’s “Dying To See Her.” For more information, visit BillAnderson.com.
