Little David Wilkins

Last updated
Little David Wilkins
Little David Wilkins.jpg
Background information
Born (1940-05-18) May 18, 1940 (age 85)
Parsons, Tennessee
Genres Country
OccupationSinger
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Years active1969-current
Labels Sun Records
Plantation Records
MCA
Charly Records Sun/Plantation subsidiary
Playboy
Epic [16th Avenue Records][BearFamily Records Sun Records Vol #6]

Little David Wilkins (born May 18, 1940 [1] ) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and pianist. Between 1969 and 1977, he recorded for MCA Records with whom he released his greatest number of chart hits.

Contents

Wilkins performed at a nightclub in Parsons, Tennessee during the 1960s. He rose to fame as the writer of many songs that were performed by other artists; his first was Brenda Lee's 1966 hit single "Coming on Strong". Other artists who have recorded his songs include Charley Pride, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Jack Greene, Leroy Van Dyke, Stonewall Jackson, Sonny James, Ronnie Dove, Barbara Mandrell, and Percy Sledge. [2]

He was also the inspiration behind Elvis Presley's 1975 single "T-R-O-U-B-L-E". [3]

One of Wilkins' songs, "Georgia Keeps Pulling on My Ring", was later covered by Conway Twitty. [4]

After his success in songwriting for other artists brought him attention, Wilkins began recording his own songs, beginning with a 1969 single "Just Blow In His Ear".

In 2025 at age 85, Wilkins released a new song to all streaming outlets called "Bud Light Blues," which references the Dylan Mulvaney controversy relating to the Bud Light boycott. [5]

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US Country
Little David Wilkins
  • Release date: 1974
  • Label: MCA Records
31 [6]
King of All the Taverns
  • Release date: 1976
  • Label: MCA Records
48 [7]
Top 10 Hits Plus 3
  • Release date: April 12, 2004
  • Label: Aaron Records
Boogie Woogie Man
  • Release date: July 7, 2005
  • Label: Circle G Records
New Horizons
  • Release date: July 4, 2006
  • Label: Circle G Records
Farther Down the Road
  • Release date: July 4, 2014
  • Label: JAM Records

Singles

YearSingleChart PositionsAlbum
US Country [1] CAN Country [8]
1969"Just Blow in His Ear" (as David Wilkins)54singles only
1973"Love in the Back Seat"63
"Too Much Hold Back"4160Little David Wilkins
1974"Georgia Keeps Pulling on My Ring"50
"Not Tonight"77
"Whoever Turned You On Forgot to Turn You Off"148
1975"One Monkey Don't Stop No Show"1148King of All the Taverns
1976"The Good Night Special"1814
"Disco-Tex"/"Half the Way In, Half the Way Out"75
"The Greatest Show on Earth"88
1977"He'll Play the Music (But You Can't Make Him Dance)"2136singles only
"Is Everybody Ready"60
"Agree to Disagree"2132
1978"Don't Stop the Music (You're Playing My Song)"68
"Motel Rooms"74
1986"Lady in Distress"79
1987"Butterbeans" (with Johnny Russell)72
"It's Quittin' Time" (with Johnny Russell)

References

  1. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 462. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  2. Edwards, Joe (2 April 1977). "David Wilkins is now coming on strong". The Free-Lance Star . Associated Press . Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  3. "Story Behind the Song: T-R-O-U-B-L-E". Country Weekly . 3 December 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  4. Stambler, Irwin; Landon, Grelun; Stambler, Lyndon (2000). Country Music: The Encyclopedia. Macmillan. p. 510. ISBN   9780312264871.
  5. "Bud Light Blues". Spotify. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  6. "Chart listing for Little David Wilkins". Allmusic . Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  7. "Chart listing for King of All the Taverns". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  8. "Search results for Little David Wilkins". RPM . Retrieved 1 June 2011.