Billy Edd Wheeler an
American singer-songwriter, playwright, and musician of repute was 91 years
when he succumbed to death on September 16, 2024, in Swannanoa, North Carolina.
Wright, Billy Edd Wheeler was born on December 9, 1932, in Boone County, West Virginia,
songs like ‘Jackson,’ ‘It’s Midnight,’ the ‘Coward of the County’ created by
this wonderful lyricist to be known one of the best in country and folk.
Billy Edd Wheeler entered the
world of country music in 1960s and within few years his impact was solidified
with the help of his works with some of the legends of country music. Several
of his songs are considered classics today with special mention to “Jackson,”
which he co-wrote with Jerry Leiber, this song became an even bigger hit for
Johnny Cash when he recorded it with June Carter in 1967. The song brought
Wheeler a lot of fame, and this song is today still one of the most famous
country and western duets. Billy Edd Wheeler's writing had humor, passion, and heartland as
with the story of a man torn between right and wrong or a man at a cross road,
exemplified in Kenny Rogers’ hit ‘Coward of the County. ‘
However, writing music
was not the only area where Billy Edd Wheeler excelled as he was also a playwright,
telling story in different platforms. Apart from being a song writer Billy Edd Wheeler was a
playwright whose work was staged in theater houses throughout the country for
several decades. Billy Edd Wheeler was seen in recording artist’s Milt Okun’s book Something
to Sing About in 1968 siting the traditional folk song Turtle Dove (Fare Thee
Well) as Wheeler best music choice.
Even though Billy Edd Wheeler withdrew from performing in 2012, his contribution to music, and the theatre in
general, cannot be ignored. Billy Edd Wheeler sings with such a simplicity yet with the
substance in his vocals that still unites the people globally. It is sad that
he is no more, but his music and storytelling is immortal, which has been
passed on through generations even up to this date through the voice of
different artists.
The album is great and
its author Billy Edd Wheeler should not be forgotten just because he authored
folk and country music masterpieces. Billy Edd Wheeler passed on left behind a respectable
body of work which, if not in popularity as it was when written, offers about as
much sociopolitical impact as it used to.
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