Ricky Van Shelton
Encyclopedia
Ricky Van Shelton is a currently retired American country music
artist. Active between 1986 and 2006, he has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. This figure includes ten Number One hits: "Somebody Lied
", "Life Turned Her That Way
", 'Don't We All Have the Right
", "I'll Leave This World Loving You
", "From a Jack to a King
" (a cover of the Ned Miller
hit), "Living Proof
", "I've Cried My Last Tear for You
", "Rockin' Years
" (a duet with Dolly Parton
), "I Am a Simple Man
", and "Keep It Between the Lines
". Besides these, seven more of his singles have landed in the Top Ten on the same chart. He has also released nine studio albums, of which his first four have all been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America
.
to Jenks and Eloise Shelton in 1952, but was raised in Grit, Virginia and went to High school in Gretna, Virginia. Although "Van" is a common portion of surnames derived from people of Dutch origin, "Van" in this case is Ricky's middle name.
Shelton's father sang Gospel music
while he was still a child, and from this Shelton also sang Gospel, but he also liked Pop music
. He was soon in church, singing Gospel music
. When he was a teenager, however, Shelton discovered Country music
. He soon started singing in his brother's band, singing Country music, and performed at any local gathering he could.
, Shelton started performing in area clubs and also worked a series of jobs. In 1984, Bettye Witt, his girlfriend at the time (and, since August 4, 1986, wife) found a job in Nashville, Tennessee
(the Country music capital), and Shelton went along with her. In Nashville, Shelton tried to land a deal with a recording contract, and worked in area nightclubs. In 1986, Jerry Thompson, a newspaper columnist, heard one of Shelton's demos, and arranged an audition with Columbia Records
. Soon thereafter, Shelton was offered a recording contract with CBS, with Jerry Thompson serving as his manager. In that same year, he recorded his first album, Wild-Eyed Dream
. The title track was released as a single, and reached #24 on the Country charts.
. The album ended up being very successful for Shelton and his record label. The next song from the album, "Crime of Passion" gained him an even bigger hit on the Country charts, when it reached the Top 10 early that year. The follow-up was an even bigger success. This next song was called "Somebody Lied", and in December 1987 it became his first No. 1 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Nine other songs would make it to No. 1 on the Country charts during his career. He had a pair of other No. 1 singles from his debut album: "Life Turned Her That Way" and "Don't We All Have the Right". His album reached the No. 1 spot on the Top Country Albums chart in 1987, was one of the biggest-selling Country albums of the year, and it made Shelton one of the most successful male vocalists of that year.
, and it too was a No. 1 Billboard Country album. The album spawned three No. 1 hits for Shelton. These songs were, "I'll Leave This World Loving You" (for two weeks in November 1988), "From a Jack to a King" (in March 1989), and "Living Proof
" (in October 1989). "From a Jack to a King" was a remake of the original by Ned Miller
. By this time in Country music, Neo-Traditionalism was in its peak, and because of this, so was Shelton's career, just like so many of his counterparts, like Clint Black
, Garth Brooks
, Randy Travis
, and Dwight Yoakam
, to name a few.
, this album spawned only one No. 1 single, called "I've Cried My Last Tear For You". Although this was his only No. 1 from the album, two singles came close, "Statue of a Fool" and "I Meant Every Word He Said", both of which reached number 2 on the Country charts. By now in his career, Shelton was one of Country music's most successful male vocalists, playing the game along with the other big male names in the business. All his albums around this time had been certified by the RIAA as Platinum
, and were also all No. 1 albums on the "Top Country Albums" chart. In 1990, he recording a Christmas
album entitled Ricky Van Shelton Sings Christmas
.
Around the same time, Shelton wrote a series of Children's books. The first two titles of his books were, Tales From a Duck Named Quacker and Quacker Meets Mrs. Moo. The series also contains "Quacker meets Canadian goose" and were all illustrated by Shan Williams Burklow.
" with Dolly Parton
(which also went to No. 1), as well as a new album, entitled, Backroads
. The album featured his last No. 1 hits, along with a number 13 hit called "After the Lights Go Out". His hit streak continued up until this year, and his album was just as successful as his songs.
album of all his Gospel material entitled Don't Overlook Salvation
, which sold quite well.
However, in 1992, Shelton was also battling another problem. He admitted to the public he was an alcoholic, and led to some serious problems in his personal life. However, he decided to get help, and soon enough, Shelton was sober
.
album, Shelton decided to leave Columbia Records
, saying he was fed up with the label.
After being under Columbia Records
, Shelton was absent from the Country charts for a long period of time. However, Columbia continued to release Greatest Hits collections to the public. Shelton continued to work on other projects during this time, which didn't mean giving up performing.
. Shelton financed the project himself however, and worked out to release his album only to Wal-Mart
stores.
, which spawned his first single in over five years called "The Decision", but it failed to make a substantial impact on the Country charts.
Country Music Association
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist. Active between 1986 and 2006, he has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. This figure includes ten Number One hits: "Somebody Lied
Somebody Lied
"Somebody Lied" is a country music song written by Joe Chambers and Larry Jenkins. First recorded by Conway Twitty on his 1985 album Don't Call Him a Cowboy, it was later recorded by American country music singer Ricky Van Shelton...
", "Life Turned Her That Way
Life Turned Her That Way
"Life Turned Her That Way" is the title of a song written by Harlan Howard and first recorded by American Country Music artist Little Jimmy Dickens in 1965. Mel Tillis would record it in 1967 and release it as a single. Ricky Van Shelton would also later record it and release it as a single. It was...
", 'Don't We All Have the Right
Don't We All Have the Right
"Don't We All Have the Right" is a song written and recorded by Roger Miller in 1970 and featured on his album, Trip in the Country, released as a double A-side with "South." It was later recorded by Ricky Van Shelton...
", "I'll Leave This World Loving You
I'll Leave This World Loving You
"I'll Leave This World Loving You" is a country music song written by Wayne Kemp and Mack Vickery. Kemp released it in 1980 on the Mercury Records label.The song was later covered by Ricky Van Shelton in 1988...
", "From a Jack to a King
From a Jack to a King
From a Jack to a King is a country music song. Originally a crossover hit for artist Ned Miller, who also wrote "Dark Moon", "A Falling Star", and many other Country songs. Elvis Presley recorded it in 1969 but it did not chart on Billboard. It has been covered extensively by country music artists...
" (a cover of the Ned Miller
Ned Miller
Henry Ned Miller is an American country music artist. Active as a recording artist from 1956 to 1970, he is known primarily for his hit single, "From a Jack to a King", a crossover hit in 1962 which reached Top 10 on the country music, adult contemporary, and Billboard Hot 100 charts...
hit), "Living Proof
Living Proof (Ricky Van Shelton song)
"Living Proof" is a song made famous by country music singer Ricky Van Shelton. Written by Steve Clark and Johnny MacRae, the song — a ballad paying tribute to long-standing love — was released in 1989, and became Shelton's sixth No...
", "I've Cried My Last Tear for You
I've Cried My Last Tear for You
"I've Cried My Last Tear for You" is a country music song written by Tony King and Chris Waters, and recorded by American country music singer Ricky Van Shelton. Released as the second single from his 1989 album, RVS III, the song became Shelton's seventh number-one single on the Billboard Hot...
", "Rockin' Years
Rockin' Years
"Rockin' Years" is a song written by Floyd Parton and released as a single in 1991 by American country music artists Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton...
" (a duet with Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
), "I Am a Simple Man
I Am a Simple Man
"I Am a Simple Man" is a song written by Walt Aldridge and recorded by American Country Music artist Ricky Van Shelton. It was released as the second single in 1991 from his album, Backroads...
", and "Keep It Between the Lines
Keep It Between the Lines
"Keep It Between the Lines" is the title of a song written by Russell Smith and Cathy Louvin, and recorded by American country music singer Ricky Van Shelton...
". Besides these, seven more of his singles have landed in the Top Ten on the same chart. He has also released nine studio albums, of which his first four have all been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
.
Early life
He was born at Danville Regional Medical Center in Danville, VirginiaDanville, Virginia
Danville is an independent city in Virginia, United States, bounded by Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Caswell County, North Carolina. It was the last capital of the Confederate States of America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Danville with Pittsylvania county for...
to Jenks and Eloise Shelton in 1952, but was raised in Grit, Virginia and went to High school in Gretna, Virginia. Although "Van" is a common portion of surnames derived from people of Dutch origin, "Van" in this case is Ricky's middle name.
Shelton's father sang Gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
while he was still a child, and from this Shelton also sang Gospel, but he also liked Pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
. He was soon in church, singing Gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
. When he was a teenager, however, Shelton discovered Country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. He soon started singing in his brother's band, singing Country music, and performed at any local gathering he could.
Move to Nashville
After he graduated high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, Shelton started performing in area clubs and also worked a series of jobs. In 1984, Bettye Witt, his girlfriend at the time (and, since August 4, 1986, wife) found a job in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
(the Country music capital), and Shelton went along with her. In Nashville, Shelton tried to land a deal with a recording contract, and worked in area nightclubs. In 1986, Jerry Thompson, a newspaper columnist, heard one of Shelton's demos, and arranged an audition with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Soon thereafter, Shelton was offered a recording contract with CBS, with Jerry Thompson serving as his manager. In that same year, he recorded his first album, Wild-Eyed Dream
Wild-Eyed Dream
Wild-Eyed Dream is the title of the debut album of Country Music artist Ricky Van Shelton. The first singles released from the album from 1986 to 1988 were "Wild-Eyed Dream" and "Crime of Passion", which charted at #24 and #7, respectively. The last three singles, "Somebody Lied", "Life Turned Her...
. The title track was released as a single, and reached #24 on the Country charts.
1986-1988: Wild-Eyed Dream
By 1987, Shelton released his debut album, Wild-Eyed DreamWild-Eyed Dream
Wild-Eyed Dream is the title of the debut album of Country Music artist Ricky Van Shelton. The first singles released from the album from 1986 to 1988 were "Wild-Eyed Dream" and "Crime of Passion", which charted at #24 and #7, respectively. The last three singles, "Somebody Lied", "Life Turned Her...
. The album ended up being very successful for Shelton and his record label. The next song from the album, "Crime of Passion" gained him an even bigger hit on the Country charts, when it reached the Top 10 early that year. The follow-up was an even bigger success. This next song was called "Somebody Lied", and in December 1987 it became his first No. 1 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Nine other songs would make it to No. 1 on the Country charts during his career. He had a pair of other No. 1 singles from his debut album: "Life Turned Her That Way" and "Don't We All Have the Right". His album reached the No. 1 spot on the Top Country Albums chart in 1987, was one of the biggest-selling Country albums of the year, and it made Shelton one of the most successful male vocalists of that year.
1988-1989: Living Proof
He achieved equal success the next year with a new album and a new single. The album was entitled Loving ProofLoving Proof
Loving Proof is the second album of Country Music artist Ricky Van Shelton. The Singles, "I'll Leave This World Loving You", "From a Jack to a King", and "Living Proof" all reached number one on the charts."Hole In My Pocket" reached number 4...
, and it too was a No. 1 Billboard Country album. The album spawned three No. 1 hits for Shelton. These songs were, "I'll Leave This World Loving You" (for two weeks in November 1988), "From a Jack to a King" (in March 1989), and "Living Proof
Living Proof (Ricky Van Shelton song)
"Living Proof" is a song made famous by country music singer Ricky Van Shelton. Written by Steve Clark and Johnny MacRae, the song — a ballad paying tribute to long-standing love — was released in 1989, and became Shelton's sixth No...
" (in October 1989). "From a Jack to a King" was a remake of the original by Ned Miller
Ned Miller
Henry Ned Miller is an American country music artist. Active as a recording artist from 1956 to 1970, he is known primarily for his hit single, "From a Jack to a King", a crossover hit in 1962 which reached Top 10 on the country music, adult contemporary, and Billboard Hot 100 charts...
. By this time in Country music, Neo-Traditionalism was in its peak, and because of this, so was Shelton's career, just like so many of his counterparts, like Clint Black
Clint Black
Clint Patrick Black is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and occasional actor. Signed to RCA Records in 1989, Black made his debut with his Killin' Time album, which produced four straight Number One singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country...
, Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks
Troyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
, Randy Travis
Randy Travis
Randy Travis is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, 22 of which were number one hits...
, and Dwight Yoakam
Dwight Yoakam
Dwight David Yoakam is an American singer-songwriter, actor and film director, most famous for his pioneering country music...
, to name a few.
1989-1991: RVS III, Christmas album and children's books
His albums continued to win him praise and keep him high on the charts. His third album was no different. Titled RVS IIIRVS III
RVS III is the third album by Country Music artist by Ricky Van Shelton. The Singles released from the album were "Statue of a Fool" , "I've Cried My Last Tear for You", "I Meant Every Word He Said" , and "Life's Little Ups and Downs" . The album was certified platinum by the RIAA on April 8,...
, this album spawned only one No. 1 single, called "I've Cried My Last Tear For You". Although this was his only No. 1 from the album, two singles came close, "Statue of a Fool" and "I Meant Every Word He Said", both of which reached number 2 on the Country charts. By now in his career, Shelton was one of Country music's most successful male vocalists, playing the game along with the other big male names in the business. All his albums around this time had been certified by the RIAA as Platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
, and were also all No. 1 albums on the "Top Country Albums" chart. In 1990, he recording a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
album entitled Ricky Van Shelton Sings Christmas
Ricky Van Shelton Sings Christmas
Ricky Van Shelton Sings Christmas is the first Holiday album by country music artist Ricky Van Shelton.It was released following the success of his first two albums. The album includes versions of traditional and popular Christmas songs, along with two older country Christmas songs, Willie Nelson's...
.
Around the same time, Shelton wrote a series of Children's books. The first two titles of his books were, Tales From a Duck Named Quacker and Quacker Meets Mrs. Moo. The series also contains "Quacker meets Canadian goose" and were all illustrated by Shan Williams Burklow.
1991-1992: Backroads
Shelton continued his success as the decade began to progress. The next year, 1991, proved another successful year for Shelton. He duetted on the song, "Rockin' YearsRockin' Years
"Rockin' Years" is a song written by Floyd Parton and released as a single in 1991 by American country music artists Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton...
" with Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
(which also went to No. 1), as well as a new album, entitled, Backroads
Backroads (Ricky Van Shelton album)
Backroads is the fifth Studio Album by Country Music artist Ricky Van Shelton. The first three singles released from the album, "Rockin' Years" , "I Am a Simple Man", and "Keep It Between the Lines" all were number 1 hits. "After the Lights Go Out" and "Backroads" charted at #13 and #2, respectively...
. The album featured his last No. 1 hits, along with a number 13 hit called "After the Lights Go Out". His hit streak continued up until this year, and his album was just as successful as his songs.
1992-1993: Greatest Hits Plus, Don't Overlook Salvation and alcoholism
By 1992, Shelton's success on the Country charts was tapering off, and fast. He enjoyed one last Top 10 hit (which actually reached number 5) entitled "Wild Man", which was put on his newest album, called Greatest Hits Plus, which had all his biggest hits since he first jumped into the Country spotlight in 1987. Another single, "Just As I Am," was featured on his Greatest Hits album, but it only made the Top 30 that year. He also released a Gospel musicGospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
album of all his Gospel material entitled Don't Overlook Salvation
Don't Overlook Salvation
Don't Overlook Salvation is an album of gospel music by American country music singer Ricky Van Shelton. No Singles Were released from this album. Despite its lack of singles, the album was certified gold by the RIAA...
, which sold quite well.
However, in 1992, Shelton was also battling another problem. He admitted to the public he was an alcoholic, and led to some serious problems in his personal life. However, he decided to get help, and soon enough, Shelton was sober
Sobriety
Sobriety is the condition of not having any measurable levels, or effects from, alcohol or other drugs that alter ones mood or behaviors. According to WHO "Lexicon of alcohol and drug terms..." sobriety is continued abstinence from alcohol and psychoactive drug use...
.
1993-1994: Love and Honor and departure from Columbia
By 1993, it was clear that Shelton was winding farther and farther away from the Top 10 on the Country charts. In 1994, he had his last Top 20 hit with "Where Was I". After 1994's Love and HonorLove and Honor (Ricky Van Shelton album)
Love and Honor is the seventh studio album by Country Music artist Ricky Van Shelton and his last album for Columbia Records. This is also his first album of his career not to be produced by Steve Buckingham. Two singles released from this album, "Wherever She Is", and "Lola's Love" charted...
album, Shelton decided to leave Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, saying he was fed up with the label.
After being under Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, Shelton was absent from the Country charts for a long period of time. However, Columbia continued to release Greatest Hits collections to the public. Shelton continued to work on other projects during this time, which didn't mean giving up performing.
1997-1999: Making Plans and label formation
In 1997, Shelton formed his own label entitled, RVS Records (which stands for his initials). That same year, he released his first album in three years entitled Making PlansMaking Plans
Making Plans is the Eighth studio album of Country Music artist Ricky Van Shelton. This album was released exclusively through Wal Mart so it was unable to chart and no singles were released...
. Shelton financed the project himself however, and worked out to release his album only to Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
stores.
2000-2001: Fried Green Tomatoes
In 2000, Shelton signed with the Audium label, where he made another album called Fried Green TomatoesFried Green Tomatoes (Ricky Van Shelton album)
Fried Green Tomatoes is the ninth and latest studio album by country music artist Ricky Van Shelton. Of the two singles released, "The Decision" charted at number 71 while "Call Me Crazy" failed to chart. This was his only release for the Audium label. "All I Have to Offer You Is Me" is a cover of...
, which spawned his first single in over five years called "The Decision", but it failed to make a substantial impact on the Country charts.
2006-present: Retirement
In May 2006, Ricky announced that he would be retiring from touring to spend more time with his family.Industry Awards
Academy of Country MusicAcademy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
- 1987 Top New Male VocalistAcademy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
Country Music Association
Country Music Association
The Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre...
- 1988 Horizon AwardCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
- 1989 Male Vocalist of the YearCountry Music Association AwardsThe Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...