Johnny Carver

Johnny Carver
Born November 24, 1940
Origin Jackson, Mississippi, USA
Genres Country
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1959–present
Labels Imperial, Epic, ABC/Dot, Monument Records, United Artists Records
Associated acts Tony Orlando
Website Official Website

Johnny Carver (born November 24, 1940 in Jackson, Mississippi) is an American country music artist. Between 1968 and 1977, he charted fifteen Top 40 hits on the Billboard country charts. His highest-charting single was a cover of Tony Orlando's "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree", a cover that reached No. 1 for him in 1974. He also had cover success with his version of the Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight." Carver lives today in rural Wilson County, Tn.

Biography

Early Life & Rise to Fame

Carver grew up in a rural area near Jackson, MS, and sang in a local country gospel quartet with his family. He went on to form his own band, the Capital Cowboys, which were sponsored by an ice-cream company. Carver embarked on his first national tour in 1959, playing at clubs and fairs, and moved to Los Angeles in 1965, where he made regular appearances on local television and led the house band at the Palomino Club with such performers as Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Hoyt Axton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Carver was discovered by future Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famer, Del Shannon, who got Carver a deal with Imperial Records. His debut single, for Imperial, was "Think About Her All The Time" b / w "One Way Or The Other" (Imperial 66173) in mid-1966. Both sides were written, produced and arranged by Shannon, who was a longtime fan of Country music. Carver's composition "New Lips" was recorded by Roy Drusky in 1967. His self-titled debut album was released later that year, and contained the minor hit "Your Lily White Hands"; he had a few more modest successes with Country-pop offerings like 1968's "I Still Didn't Have the Sense to Go" and 1969's "That's Your Hang Up."

Later Career & Success

In 1972, he moved to ABC and had a major country hit with a version of Tony Orlando and Dawn's "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree." A string of Top 40 country hits followed over the next five years, including the Top Tens "You Really Haven't Changed" (1973), "Don't Tell (That Sweet Old Lady of Mine)" (1974), and another country cover of a pop hit, the Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight" (1976). Carver's last Top 40 hit was 1977's "Living Next Door to Alice," and his final charting single was a 1981 cover of ABBA's "S.O.S." He subsequently became a regular performer in Branson, MO.

Discography

Albums

Year Album US Country
1967 Really Country
1968 You're in Good Hands with Johnny Carver 31
1969 Leaving Again 41
Sweet Wine/Hold Me Tight
1973 I Start Thinking About You
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree 8
1974 Double Exposure 37
Please Don't Tell (That Sweet Ole Lady of Mine) 23
1975 Strings
1976 Afternoon Delight 28
1977 The Best of Johnny Carver 46

Singles

Year Single Chart Positions Album
US Country CAN Country
1968 "Your Lily White Hands" 21 You're in Good Hands with Johnny Carver
"I Still Didn't Have the Sense to Go" 48 Leaving Again
1969 "Hold Me Tight" 32 Singles only
"Sweet Wine" 26
"That's Your Hang Up" 41
1970 "Willie and the Hand Jive" 43
"Harvey Harrington IV" 68
1971 "If You See My Baby" 73
"If You Think That It's All Right" 34 I Start Thinking About You
1972 "I Start Thinking About You" 27
"I Want You" 35
1973 "Yellow Ribbon" 5 1 Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree
"You Really Haven't Changed" 6 11
1974 "Tonight Someone's Falling in Love" 12 19
"Country Lullabye" 27 Double Exposure
"Don't Tell (That Sweet Ole Lady of Mine)" 10 47 Please Don't Tell (That Sweet Ole Lady of Mine)
1975 "January Jones" 39
"Strings" 64 Strings
"Start All Over Again" 74
1976 "Snap, Crackle and Pop" 77 Afternoon Delight
"Afternoon Delight" 9 16
"Love Is Only Love (When Shared by Two)" 47
1977 "Sweet City Woman" 48
"Living Next Door to Alice" 29 32 The Best of Johnny Carver
"Down at the Pool" 36 Single only
"Apartment" 72 You're in Good Hands with Johnny Carver
1980 "Fingertips" 90 Singles only
1981 "S.O.S." 73

Awards

Critical response of Johnny Carver has always been positive. He has been awarded with many honors:

External links