Merle Kilgore, born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, on 9 August 1934, is being remembered on the 92nd anniversary of his birth as one of country music's most influential songwriters. Though he also had his own recording career, Kilgore is best known for co-writing "Ring of Fire" with June Carter, which became a signature hit for Johnny Cash, alongside numerous other hits recorded by leading country artists of his era.

Raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Kilgore became house guitarist for The Louisiana Hayride at just 16 and later worked as a roadie for Hank Williams, before going on to manage Hank Williams Jr. His songwriting successes included "More and More" (a 10-week number one for Webb Pierce in 1954, later also a hit for Charley Pride), "Johnny Reb" for Johnny Horton, and "Wolverton Mountain", a chart-topper for Claude King. He also wrote "Happy to Be with You" for Johnny Cash and "Let Somebody Else Drive" for John Anderson, while his own recordings included the top-10 single "Love Has Made You Beautiful".