Lacy J. Dalton

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Lacy J. Dalton
Lacy J. Dalton playing guitar.jpg
Dalton in 2005.
Background information
Birth nameJill Lynne Byrem
Also known asJill Croston
Born (1946-10-13) October 13, 1946 (age 78)
Origin Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Country
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1978–present
LabelsHarbor, Columbia, Universal, Capitol, Liberty, Shop Records, Song Dog
Website Official website

Lacy J. Dalton (born Jill Lynne Byrem; October 13, 1946) [1] is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is known for her gritty, powerful vocals, which People Magazine likened to a country equivalent of Bonnie Raitt. [2]

Contents

Dalton had a number of hits in the 1980s, including "Takin' It Easy", "Crazy Blue Eyes", and "16th Avenue". Though absent from the U.S. country charts since 1990, she still continues to record and perform, having most recently released three independently recorded albums: Wild Horse Crossing on Shop Records in 1999; The Last Wild Place on Song Dog Records in 2004; and her 2010 self-released Here's To Hank. [3]

When asked about her musical influences, she replied: "Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin, Robert Johnson, Karen Dalton, Fred Koller, Big Mama Thornton, Billie Holiday, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette and J. J. Cale." [4]

Personal life

Dalton has taken an interest in saving Nevada's wild horses after she found some of them roaming around Virginia City. In her "Mustang Messenger", Lacy's Let 'em Run Foundation newsletter she writes:

...the New Year will find me attempting to view the restoration of horse slaughter for human consumption in some sort of light that will keep my head from exploding. Our wonderful vet here said "at least they won't be going to Mexico as much, where slaughter methods are unspeakable ... I was moved to write a song which we'll soon share with you on YouTube; for now, here are the lyrics: “ODE TO SLAUGHTERHOUSE SUE AND THE BUTCHERIN’ CREW [5] [6] [7]

What kind of cowgirl eats horses?
What kind of Rodeo Queen?...
What kind of cowboy eats horses?
When he’s spent his whole life raisin' beef...

For many years Dalton resided in the mountains of Santa Cruz, California, notably a retired Boy Scout Camp owned by Janice Papa in Ben Lomond, California

Discography

Albums

YearTitle US Country Label
1978Jill CrostonHarbor
1980Lacy J. Dalton11Columbia
Hard Times18
1981Takin' It Easy12
198216th Avenue23
1983Dream Baby20
Greatest Hits63
1985Can't Run Away from Your Heart33
1986Highway Diner32
1987Blue Eyed Blues
1989Survivor31Universal
1990Lacy J.26Capitol
1991Crazy Love
1992Chains on the WindLiberty
1993The Best of Lacy J. Dalton
1995Somethin' SpecialSony
1998Pure Country
1999Wild Horse CrossingShop Records
2000AnthologyRenaissance
2001Country ClassicsEMI
2004The Last Wild PlaceSong Dog
2006The Last Wild Place Anthology
2010Here's To HankLacy J Dalton

Singles

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
US Country CAN Country
1979"Crazy Blue Eyes"17Lacy J. Dalton
1980"The Tennessee Waltz"1843
"Losing Kind of Love"1457
"Hard Times"716Hard Times
"Hillbilly Girl with the Blues"810
1981"Whisper"1012
"Takin' It Easy"22Takin' It Easy
"Everybody Makes Mistakes"528
1982"Slow Down" [A] 1316th Avenue
"16th Avenue"713
1983"Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)"910Dream Baby
"Windin' Down"54
1984"If That Ain't Love"1515Can't Run Away from Your Heart
1985"You Can't Run Away from Your Heart"2020
"The Night Has a Heart of Its Own"58
1986"Don't Fall in Love with Me"4346
"Working Class Man"1619Highway Diner
"This Ol' Town"3335
1989"The Heart"13*Survivor
"I'm a Survivor"57
"Hard Luck Ace"3875
1990"Black Coffee"1519Lacy J.
"Where Did We Go Right" [B]
"Lonesome (As the Night Is Long)"71
1991"Forever in My Heart" [8] Crazy Love
"Lightnin' Strikes a Good Man" [9]
"The Deal" [10]
1992"Bye Bye Love" (with Eddie Rabbitt)69Chains on the Wind
2004"Slip Away"The Last Wild Place
2013"Next to Me"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart
* denotes unknown peak positions

Charted B-sides

YearSinglePeak positionsOriginal A-side single
US Country CAN Country
1982"Wild Turkey"flip33"Everybody Makes Mistakes"

Guest singles

YearSingleArtistPeak positionsAlbum
US Country CAN Country
1983"It's a Dirty Job" Bobby Bare 30Non-album single
1985"Size Seven Round (Made of Gold)" George Jones 1911 Ladies' Choice
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

YearSingleDirector
1989"I'm a Survivor"Jim May/Clarke Gallivan
1990"Black Coffee" Michael Salomon
1991"Lightnin’ Strikes A Good Man" Deaton-Flanigen Productions

Notes

References

  1. "Biography". Lacyjdalton.org. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  2. "Official Biography". Lacy J. Dalton Productions, LLC. Archived from the original on 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2012-07-16.
  3. "Lacy J. Dalton - Biography, Albums, Streaming Links - AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. Questions and answers Archived 2013-06-04 at the Wayback Machine , Lacy J Dalton Official Website, retrieved and quoted with permission on June 1, 2013
  5. Lacy's Let 'em Run Foundation's newsletter Archived 2013-07-12 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved and quoted with permission on June 1, 2013
  6. See also: "Lacy J. Dalton - Girls from Santa Cruz DVD". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2013-06-01. for more on the plight of the Comstock's Wild Horses.
  7. An article from the Virginia City News Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine : (April 21, 2008) - mentions that legend Willie Nelson, with Ms. Dalton, and "a growing legion of country recording artists" have started a national radio campaign to save Nevada's wild horses that might be sold for slaughter.
  8. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . March 2, 1991.
  9. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . July 20, 1991.
  10. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . November 9, 1991.
  11. "Hot Country Radio Breakouts" (PDF). Billboard. July 28, 1990.