Sanger D. Shafer
Encyclopedia
Sanger D. "Whitey" Shafer (b. October 24, 1934) is an American country
songwriter and musician. He wrote numerous hits for stars such as George Jones
, Lefty Frizzell
, and George Strait
.
, Shafer's musical career began in his hometown of Whitney where he played in a school band. In the following years he toured the U.S., performing with, among others, the then-known Willie Nelson
. In 1967 Shafer moved to Nashville
, Tennessee
, where he signed with the Blue Crest Music Publishing Company. There he wrote two songs for George Jones
, "Between My House and Home" and "I'm a New Man in Town", along with many other tunes for lesser-known acts. Shafer signed contracts with Musicor
and RCA
as a singer, but he was never as successful as he was as a songwriter.
In the early 1970s Shafer signed an exclusive contract with Acuff-Rose Music
. In the following years he wrote many songs which went on to become successful on the U.S. country charts, including several #1's. His songs included "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" for Johnny Russell
, "Tell Me Lying Eyes Are Wrong" for George Jones, and a series of hits for Moe Bandy
. He had a longstanding friendship with Lefty Frizzell, whom he had met at his record label. He and Frizzell wrote the song "That's the Way Love Goes" together, a hit for Johnny Rodriguez
and also Merle Haggard
in 1983; they also wrote "I Never Go Around Mirrors". After Frizzell's death Shafer wrote the tribute song "Lefty's Gone".
Three divorces helped him with his song writing in the 1980s when Shafer wrote "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" (1985; with Darlene Shafer) and "All My Ex's Live in Texas
" (1987; with his fourth wife Lyndia J.). Both of these were #1 hits for George Strait
, and both were nominated for CMA
's Song of the Year. "All My Ex's Live in Texas" was also nominated for a Grammy Award
, for Best Country Song
(lost to: Paul Overstreet & Don Schlitz for "Forever and Ever, Amen").
In the middle of the 1980s Shafer released two albums, I Never Go Around Mirrors and So Good for So Long, containing his greatest hits. In 1989 Keith Whitley
chose two Shafer songs for his up coming album, "I Wonder Do You Think of Me", which was the first song released after his death and went to #1, and followed up with "I Never Go Around Mirrors". Also in 1989 he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Shafer continued to write for musicians such as John Michael Montgomery
, Lee Ann Womack
, and Kenny Chesney
. In 2004, Shafer's recording of "All My Ex's Live In Texas" appeared on the soundtrack to the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
.
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...
songwriter and musician. He wrote numerous hits for stars such as George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
, Lefty Frizzell
Lefty Frizzell
Lefty Frizzell , born William Orville Frizzell, was an American country music singer and songwriter of the 1950s, and a proponent of honky tonk music. His relaxed style of singing was an influence on later stars Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, George Jones and John Fogerty...
, and George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
.
Life
Born and raised in Whitney, TexasWhitney, Texas
Whitney is a town in Hill County in Central Texas. The population was 1,833 at the 2000 census.Whitney is a rural lakeside community, and site of the very first bass fishing tournament...
, Shafer's musical career began in his hometown of Whitney where he played in a school band. In the following years he toured the U.S., performing with, among others, the then-known Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
. In 1967 Shafer moved to Nashville
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...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, where he signed with the Blue Crest Music Publishing Company. There he wrote two songs for George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
, "Between My House and Home" and "I'm a New Man in Town", along with many other tunes for lesser-known acts. Shafer signed contracts with Musicor
Musicor Records
Musicor Records was a New York City based record label, active during the 1960s and 1970s. The label was founded by songwriter Aaron Schroeder and distributed by United Artists Records...
and RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
as a singer, but he was never as successful as he was as a songwriter.
In the early 1970s Shafer signed an exclusive contract with Acuff-Rose Music
Acuff-Rose Music
Acuff-Rose Music was an American music publishing firm formed by Roy Acuff and Fred Rose in Nashville, Tennessee. Acuff-Rose's honest behavior towards their writers set them apart from other music publishing firms at the time and lead them to fame throughout the 50's, 60's, 70's.-History:Acuff-Rose...
. In the following years he wrote many songs which went on to become successful on the U.S. country charts, including several #1's. His songs included "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" for Johnny Russell
Johnny Russell
John Bright "Johnny" Russell was an American country singer, songwriter, and comedian best-known for his song "Act Naturally", which was made famous by Buck Owens, who recorded it in 1963, and The Beatles in 1965...
, "Tell Me Lying Eyes Are Wrong" for George Jones, and a series of hits for Moe Bandy
Moe Bandy
Marion Franklin Bandy, Jr.–better known professionally as Moe Bandy– is a country music singer...
. He had a longstanding friendship with Lefty Frizzell, whom he had met at his record label. He and Frizzell wrote the song "That's the Way Love Goes" together, a hit for Johnny Rodriguez
Johnny Rodriguez
Johnny Rodriguez is an American country music singer. He was the first famous Latin American country music singer, infusing his music with Latin sounds, and even singing verses of songs in Spanish....
and also Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
in 1983; they also wrote "I Never Go Around Mirrors". After Frizzell's death Shafer wrote the tribute song "Lefty's Gone".
Three divorces helped him with his song writing in the 1980s when Shafer wrote "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" (1985; with Darlene Shafer) and "All My Ex's Live in Texas
All My Ex's Live in Texas
"All My Ex's Live In Texas" is the title of a song recorded by country singer George Strait. It was released in April 1987 as the second single from Strait's album, Ocean Front Property. A version of the song recorded by its co-author Sanger D...
" (1987; with his fourth wife Lyndia J.). Both of these were #1 hits for George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
, and both were nominated for CMA
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...
's Song of the Year. "All My Ex's Live in Texas" was also nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
, for Best Country Song
Grammy Award for Best Country Song
The Grammy Award for Best Country Song has been awarded since 1965. The award is given to the writer of the song.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...
(lost to: Paul Overstreet & Don Schlitz for "Forever and Ever, Amen").
In the middle of the 1980s Shafer released two albums, I Never Go Around Mirrors and So Good for So Long, containing his greatest hits. In 1989 Keith Whitley
Keith Whitley
Jackie Keith Whitley , known professionally as Keith Whitley, was an American country music singer. Whitley's brief career in mainstream country music lasted from 1984 until his death in 1989, but he continues to influence an entire generation of singers and songwriters...
chose two Shafer songs for his up coming album, "I Wonder Do You Think of Me", which was the first song released after his death and went to #1, and followed up with "I Never Go Around Mirrors". Also in 1989 he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was established by the Nashville Songwriters Foundation, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. A non-profit organization, its objective is to honor and preserve the songwriting legacy that is uniquely associated with music community in the city of...
.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Shafer continued to write for musicians such as John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery is an American country music artist. He has produced more than thirty singles on the Billboard country charts, including two of Billboard’s Number One country singles of the year: "I Swear" and "Sold "...
, Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack is an American country music singer and songwriter, who is best known for her old fashioned-styled country music songs that often discuss subjects such as cheating and lost love....
, and Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney
Kenneth "Kenny" Arnold Chesney is an American country music singer and songwriter. Chesney has recorded 15 albums, 14 of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S...
. In 2004, Shafer's recording of "All My Ex's Live In Texas" appeared on the soundtrack to the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
.