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The story behind today's "Great Song" is almost as dramatic as the song itself!
Songwriter Roger Bowling composed a number of great country tunes, including "Lucille," the Kenny Rogers hit we highlighted back on 12/19/19 (See link below). At the 1977 Country Music Association Awards, "Lucille" won "Song of the Year." Larry Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers band loved the song and tracked down Roger to congratulate him. For some unknown reason--at least to Larry--Roger greeted him with with a profanity-filled diatribe that ended with an angry, "F--k off, Gatlin!" Larry was stunned...and angered...but eventually put it out of his mind... Until... In 1979, Roger teamed up with Billy Ed Wheeler, and together they wrote "Coward of the County" which Kenny Rogers turned into an even bigger hit than "Lucille." Released in late '79, and crossing into 1980, the song became a triple-chart-topper in Canada, where it went to #1 on the Country, Top 40, and Adult Contemporary charts. Here in the US, it did almost as well, reaching #1, #3 & #5 on the matching charts. It was also a #1 hit in the UK and Ireland, and a top 10 smash in 5 other countries! "Coward of the County" was a "Great Song," but Larry Gatlin was, let's say, "a bit miffed." Here's why: The song is about a boy named Tommy, whose father died in prison. On his death-bed, he urged Tommy to be a pacifist, telling him, "You don't have to fight to be a man." Tommy grows up walking away from every fight that comes his way-- earning the reputation of being a coward. But one day, his girlfriend Becky is gang-raped by the three GATLIN BOYS...and Tommy has to decide whether to retaliate or not. Well, of course, in real life, there were three Gatlin Brothers, Larry, Steve and Rudy...and at concerts, people started heckling them about being rapists. (True!) The Gatlins took the high road, and didn't retaliate, but they never figured out what Roger had against them. Roger committed suicide in 1982 after trying unsuccessfully to fight off cancer. He was 38. As for Billy Ed Wheeler, he claimed that "Gatlin" just sounded right lyrically, and no disrespect was intended. Few believed him. As for Kenny, he knew the Gatlins, but never dreamed what was behind the lyric until Larry told him. Kenny was appalled, embarrassed, and apologized profusely. He was quickly forgiven. Whew! But all "backstage" drama aside, "Coward of the County" remains a "Great Story" and a "Great Song of 1979-80." "Coward:"
"Lucille" Blog Entry:
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/127724735367649
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