10 Years Ago Today, the World Lost the Legendary Songwriter Behind Career-Defining Hits for George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton
Curly Putman, the songwriter behind hits recorded by George Jones, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton, died on 30 October 2016, aged 85. Though his name was less familiar to many country fans, his songs helped shape the careers of several major artists.
Putman’s first hit came in 1960, and he moved to Nashville four years later to work as a song plugger and songwriter. His songs included “Green, Green Grass of Home”, “Dumb Blonde” and Tammy Wynette’s first No. 1, “My Elusive Dreams”. Co-written with Bobby Braddock, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” revived Jones’s career and won Song of the Year honours from both the ACM and CMA.
In short
- Curly Putman died aged 85 on 30 October 2016.
- His songs became hits for country music stars.
- “He Stopped Loving Her Today” helped revive George Jones’s career.
Explained simply
Curly Putman was an American country songwriter whose songs were made famous by singers including George Jones, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton. Songwriters often work behind the scenes, writing material that performers record and audiences come to associate with them.
Putman began having hits in 1960 and moved to Nashville, the centre of the US country music business, in 1964. His songs included “Green, Green Grass of Home” and “My Elusive Dreams”, which became Tammy Wynette’s first number one.
His best-known work with co-writer Bobby Braddock was “He Stopped Loving Her Today”, a song that helped revive Jones’s career. Putman’s story shows how a songwriter’s work can shape the public image and success of several artists, even when the songwriter is less widely recognised.