Mel Tillis

Country music legend, Mel Tillis started performing in the early ‘50’s with a group called "The Westerners" while serving as a baker in the United States Air Force.  In 1956, Webb Pierce recorded a song written by Mel entitled “I’m Tired”, and it launched Mel’s musical career.  In 1976, Mel Tillis was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame, and that same year, he was named Country Music Association’s (CMA) Entertainer of the Year.  Also, for six years in the 70’s Mel won "Comedian of the Year."  On September 21, 1999, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) named Mel the Songwriter of the Decade for two decades.  In 2001, he was the recipient of the Golden Voice Entertainer Award as well as the Golden R.O.P.E. Songwriter Award.  On June 9, 2007, the Grand Ole Opry inducted Mel Tillis as its newest member.

Photo by Scott Reed