Wayne Carson facts for kids

Wayne Carson (born Wayne Carson Head; May 31, 1943 – July 20, 2015) was an American musician and songwriter. He was also a record producer. He played many instruments like drums, piano, guitar, and bass. Wayne Carson wrote some very famous songs. These include "The Letter" and "Always on My Mind". He sometimes used the name Wayne Carson Thompson.

The Life of Wayne Carson

Wayne Carson was born in Denver, Colorado. His parents, Odie and Olivia Head, were also musicians. They used the stage names "Shorty and Sue Thompson." They worked at a radio station in Nebraska. Later, they moved to Springfield, Missouri. There, they joined the music team at radio station KWTO.

When Wayne was about 14, he wanted to learn guitar. He heard music by Merle Travis and was inspired. But he also loved the new sound of rock 'n' roll. As a young man, he led bands in different cities. In 1962, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. This city is famous for music.

Starting His Music Career

Wayne first used his parents' stage name, becoming Wayne Carson Thompson. Later, he just used Wayne Carson. In the mid-1960s, he went back to Springfield. He started working with a music publisher named Si Siman. They tried to get their songs heard for years.

Finally, their luck changed. Si Siman's friend, producer Chet Atkins, liked a song called "Somebody Like Me." He wanted Eddy Arnold to record it. Eddy Arnold was a very successful country singer. Wayne was surprised when Arnold called him.

His First Big Hit Song

Eddy Arnold told Wayne he loved the song. But he said it needed another verse. Wayne quickly wrote the third verse right there over the phone! This song, "Somebody Like Me," became Wayne's first number one hit. It stayed at the top of the country music charts for four weeks in late 1966.

Writing "The Letter" and Other Hits

In 1967, Wayne wrote another huge hit, "The Letter." His father had sent him some lyrics that inspired the song. "The Letter" became a worldwide hit for The Box Tops. Later, Joe Cocker and Leon Russell also had success with it. The song was even nominated for two Grammy awards. Wayne also wrote "Neon Rainbow" and "Soul Deep" for The Box Tops.

Awards for "Always on My Mind"

Wayne Carson's song "Always on My Mind" won many awards. In 1983, it won two Grammy awards. These were for Song of the Year and Best Country Song. In 1982, it reached number one on the Billboard Country charts.

The Country Music Association named it Song of the Year in both 1982 and 1983. The Nashville Songwriters Association International also called it Song of the Year in 1982. The Academy of Country Music named it Single of the Year that same year.

Later Life

In 1997, Wayne Carson was honored. He was added to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. This is a special place for great songwriters. Wayne Carson passed away on July 20, 2015, at the age of 72. He had been sick for some time.

Songs Written by Wayne Carson

Here are some of the famous songs Wayne Carson wrote:

• "Somebody Like Me" – Eddy Arnold
• "Always On My Mind" – Brenda Lee, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Pet Shop Boys, Michael Buble, Julio Iglesias, The Stylistics, West End Girls, Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson, John Wesley Ryles
• "The Letter" – The Box Tops, The Beach Boys, Dionne Warwick, Joe Cocker featuring Leon Russell, Al Green, Johnny Rivers, The Arbors, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Bobby Darin, Amii Stewart, and Don Williams.
• "Keep On" – Bruce Channel
• "Who's Julie" – Mel Tillis, Joe Simon
• "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)" – Gary Stewart, Wade Hayes, Ronnie Dunn
• "Neon Rainbow" – The Box Tops, Petula Clark
• "Soul Deep" – The Box Tops, Clarence Carter, Gary U.S. Bonds, Tina Turner, Eddy Arnold, Gin Blossoms, Barbara Lynn
• "The Clown" – Conway Twitty
• "He's Got A Way With Women" - The Crickets
• "Slide Off Your Satin Sheets" – Johnny Paycheck
• "Whiskey Trip" – Gary Stewart
• "No Love At All" – Lynn Anderson, B.J. Thomas
• "Drinkin' Thing" – Gary Stewart, Wade Hayes
• "Barstool Mountain" – Moe Bandy, Wayne Carson, Johnny Paycheck
• "Cussin' Cryin' and Carryin' On" – Ike & Tina Turner
• "You Got What You Wanted" – Ike & Tina Turner
• "I'm Gonna Do All I Can (To Do Right By My Man)" – Ike & Tina Turner
• "That's The Only Way To Say Good Morning" – Ray Price
• "A Horse Called Music" – Willie Nelson, Randy Travis
• "Dog Day Afternoon" – Shelby Lynne
• "I See the Want To in Your Eyes" – Conway Twitty, Gary Stewart
• "(Don't Let The Sun Set On You In) Tulsa" – Waylon Jennings
• "Something's Wrong In California" – Waylon Jennings
• "I Want Some More" – Dan Auerbach, Jon & Robin and the In Crowd
• "I Couldn't Spell !!*@!" – Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Homer & Jethro
• "Hollywood" - Alabama
• "Instant Reaction" - Clarence Carter, Bruce Channel
• "Mr Busdriver" - Bruce Channel
• "Things Go Better With You" - The April Fools
• "You Won't Be There" - The April Fools
• "Do It Again a Little Bit Slower" - Jon & Robin and the In Crowd
• "Dr Jon (the Medicine Man)" - Jon & Robin and the In Crowd
• "Honey Bee" - Robin of Jon & Robin
• "The Grapes in Mary's Vineyard" - Claude King aka The Grapes in Martha's Vineyard
• "Sandman" - B. J. Thomas, The Box Tops
• "Nine Pound Steel" - Joe Simon

"The Letter", "Neon Rainbow", and "Soul Deep" were all Top 40 hits for The Box Tops. "The Letter" even reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in September 1967. "Do It Again A Little Bit Slower" was also a top 20 pop hit in June 1967.