Crystal Gayle is an American country music singer widely known for her 1977 hit "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". Initially, Gayle's management and record label were the same as that of her oldest sister, Loretta Lynn. Not finding success with the arrangement after several years, and with Lynn's encouragement, Gayle decided to try a different approach. She signed a new record contract and began recording with Nashville producer Allen Reynolds. Gayle's new sound was sometimes referred to as middle-of-the-road (MOR) or country pop, and was part of a bigger musical trend by many country artists of the 1970s to appeal to a wider audience. Subsequently, Gayle became one of the most successful crossover artists of the 1970s and 80s. She is known for her floor-length hair.
"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by the Jackson 5. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes; however, Motown decided it would be better for the Jackson 5. It was the first single released from the group's 1971 album Maybe Tomorrow, and was one of the group's most successful records. It has been covered numerous times, most notably in 1974 by Gloria Gaynor and in 1987 by British pop group The Communards.
Crystal is the third studio album by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. The album rose to the number 7 spot on the Billboard Country Albums chart. It was released on August 6, 1976. It contained four charting singles, including two number 1 hits: "You Never Miss a Real Good Thing " and "Ready for the Times to Get Better." Another single, "I'll Do It All Over Again," just barely missed being the third chart-topper, stalling out at number 2, while "One More Time (Karneval)" could only rise to number 31.
Miss the Mississippi is the seventh studio album by American country music singer Crystal Gayle. Released in September 1979, it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" is a song written by Richard Leigh, and recorded by American country music singer Crystal Gayle. It was released in June 1977 as the first single from Gayle's album We Must Believe in Magic.
"I'll Get Over You" is a song written by Richard Leigh, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in March 1976 as the second single from the album Somebody Loves You. The song was Gayle's seventh chart hit and her first number-one country hit in 1976.
"Talking in Your Sleep" is a song written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood. The first recorded version of the song is by the band Marmalade, produced by Cook's longtime collaborator Roger Greenaway; Marmalade's version was also released as single in 1978 but failed to chart.
"Half the Way" is a song written by Ralph Murphy and Bobby Wood, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in September 1979 as the first single from the album Miss the Mississippi.
Aimee Mayo is a Grammy Award-nominated songwriter from Gadsden, Alabama.
"It's Like We Never Said Goodbye" is a song written by Roger Greenaway and Geoff Stephens, and recorded by American country music singer Crystal Gayle. It was released in February 1980 as the second single from the album Miss the Mississippi. The song was number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the charts.
"How Can I Help You Say Goodbye" is a song written by Karen Taylor-Good and Burton Banks Collins. It was first recorded by American country music singer Patty Loveless for her 1993 album, Only What I Feel and released in March 1994 as the fourth single. A version by American singer, songwriter, and actress Laura Branigan was released later the same year on her final studio album, Over My Heart, also being released as a single. The song was later included on Branigan's 1995 greatest hits album, The Best of Branigan.
Robert Lee McDill is a retired American songwriter, active from the 1960s until 2000. During his career he wrote or co-wrote 31 number one country hits. His songs were also recorded by popular artists of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, including The Grateful Dead, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Anne Murray, and B. J. Thomas. His music credits in film include Primary Colors, The Thing Called Love, Texasville, and the documentary Grizzly Man. In addition to four Grammy nominations McDill received Songwriter of the Year awards from Broadcast Music Incorporated, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. In October 2012, McDill was awarded ASCAP's Golden Note Award in recognition of his "extraordinary place in American popular music." In September 2015 he received the Academy of Country Music's Poet's Award for lifetime achievement. In April 2023 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He is the author of two books: Tales of the Old River Rod and Gun, Bloody Mary Society andGentleman's Club and The Ancestors and Descendants of Robert Nathanial McDill.
"That's the Way Love Goes' is a song written by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. Shafer and recorded by American country music artist Johnny Rodriguez. It was released in December 1973 as the second single from the album All I Ever Meant to Do Was Sing. The song was Rodriguez's fourth hit on the U.S. country chart and third number one in a row. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of 14 weeks on the chart.
"Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again" is a song recorded by American country and pop music artist Debby Boone. It was released in February 1980 as the first single from the album Love Has No Reason. The song was written by Debbie Hupp and Bob Morrison.
"'Till I Gain Control Again" is a country song written by Rodney Crowell and originally recorded by Emmylou Harris in 1975. The song was included on her 1975 studio album Elite Hotel. The song is most known by the No. 1 single version recorded by Crystal Gayle on her 1982 album, True Love.
"The Sound of Goodbye" is a song written by Hugh Prestwood, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in October 1983 as the first single from her album Cage the Songbird. The song was Gayle's thirteenth number one country single as a solo artist. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the country chart.
Charles Burgess Kelley is an American singer, songwriter and lead singer and founding member of the country music trio Lady A, which was formed in 2006 and are signed to Big Machine Records.
"A Long and Lasting Love" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Michael Masser and first recorded by Jane Olivor on her 1980 album, The Best Side of Goodbye. The following year, Billy Preston and Syreeta recorded it on their 1981 album, Billy Preston & Syreeta. The song is best known from the cover recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in August 1985 as the second single from the album Nobody Wants to Be Alone. The song reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
American country artist Crystal Gayle has released 25 studio albums, 17 compilation albums, two video albums, one live album, one soundtrack album, and has appeared on 16 additional albums. Gayle signed with United Artists Records in 1974 and began recording albums. Her self-titled debut album was issued in 1975, peaking at number 25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. After releasing two similar studio albums, Gayle issued We Must Believe in Magic in 1977. Reaching number two on the country albums chart and number 12 on the Billboard 200, it became the first album by a female country artist to be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. When I Dream (1978) also peaked in the second position of the Top Country Albums survey and was certified platinum in the US. Her seventh studio album, Miss the Mississippi (1979), was issued on Columbia Records and certified gold in the United States. These Days achieved similar status in 1980. Her ninth studio album entitled Hollywood, Tennessee (1981) contained several cover versions of pop music songs. In 1983, Gayle issued her first greatest hits compilation, Crystal Gayle's Greatest Hits before leaving Columbia. The album was certified gold from the RIAA a decade later.
American country music artist Crystal Gayle has released 15 music videos and 68 singles, including six as a collaborative artist, four as a featured artist, and six promos. Gayle's debut single was 1970's "I've Cried " via Decca Records, which reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Encouraged by her sister to develop her own musical style, Gayle signed with United Artists Records where she began recording country pop material. That year "Wrong Road Again" reached number 6 on the country chart, launching several major hits including "I'll Do It All Over Again" and her first #1 hit, "I'll Get Over You". She released "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" in 1977 which became her signature song and brought her crossover pop success. It topped the country chart, reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became an international hit. Its success elevated her career and was followed by three more number-one country singles: "Ready for the Times to Get Better", "Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For", and the top-twenty pop hit "Talking in Your Sleep".
