"Country" Johnny Mathis facts for kids

"Country" Johnny Mathis (born September 28, 1930 – died September 27, 2011) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He was a successful solo artist. He was also part of the music duo called Jimmy & Johnny. Johnny Mathis wrote more than 500 songs during his long career.

About Johnny Mathis

John Mathis was born in Maud, Texas, in the United States. He started his music career in the early 1950s. From 1953 to 1960, he performed on a famous radio show called Louisiana Hayride. He sang by himself and also with the duo Jimmy & Johnny. His partner in the duo was Jimmy Lee Fautheree.

His Solo Career

In the mid-1950s, Johnny Mathis decided to sing on his own. He released many songs as a solo artist. These songs came out on labels like D Records, Decca, and United Artists. His last song to appear on the music charts was "Please Talk to My Heart" in 1963.

A Talented Songwriter

Johnny Mathis was also very good at writing songs for other artists. He wrote popular songs for many famous country singers. Some of these singers included Johnny Paycheck, Faron Young, George Jones, Charley Pride, and Webb Pierce. For many years, he focused on singing country gospel music. He also spent time with his family.

Later Life

In February 1999, Johnny Mathis had a stroke. This made it hard for him to perform music anymore. He passed away in Cornersville, Tennessee, on September 27, 2011. He was almost 81 years old. His wife, Jeannie Mathis, passed away in 2019. His daughter, Sherry Craver, passed away in 2020. He is survived by his three sons: John Jr., Bill, and James Mathis.

Popular Songs

Here are some of the songs Johnny Mathis released:

• "I've Been Known to Cry"
• "Just Do the Best You Can"
• "Welcome Home"
• "Country Music Keeps on Growing"
• "Make Me One More Memory"
• "Harbor of Love"
• "Please Talk to My Heart" (1963) – This song reached No. 14 on the U.S. Country music charts.

More Information

• [ Johnny "Country" Mathis profile] on AllMusic