Bill Anderson

James William Anderson III (born November 1, 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina) is an American country music singer and songwriter, nicknamed "Whisperin' Bill". Arguably his biggest hit was th

James William Anderson III (born November 1, 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina) is an American country music singer and songwriter, nicknamed "Whisperin' Bill". Arguably his biggest hit was the 1963 single "Still". He also wrote the country standard "Once A Day" for Connie Smith. The song has subsequently been covered by a large number of artists, including Martina McBride, Van Morrison, and The Triffids.

Although Bill was born in Columbia, he was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Anderson had actually been writing songs since high school and he wrote Ray Price's classic 1958 hit "City Lights" when he was just nineteen. "City Lights" b/w "No Song To Sing" were recorded and produced by a fellow disc jockey, Bob Ritter. Some say these early recordings are his best. He attended college at the University of Georgia and earned a degree in journalism. He also attended the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he got his Bachelor's Degree. Eventually, he landed a job for the Atlanta Constitution. During the same he landed this job, he signed with Decca Records and soon began recording with the legendary producer Owen Bradley. Bradley has been considered one of the founders of the Nashville Sound and had worked with many famous singers like Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. As a recording artist, he landed his first single in 1959 with "That's What It's Like To Be Lonesome". In 1960,he scored his first top 10 with "Walk Out Backwards". In 1961,he released what would become his trademark song, "Po' Folks"(which would become the name of his band called the Po' Boys in the 60's and beginning in the mid 70's changed to the Po' Folks when he added female members to his band) That same year, he would become a member of the Grand Ole Opry which he remains a member to this day. In 1962,he would score his 1st #1 with "Mama Sang A Song". His next single "Still" would become his biggest hit in 1963 not only reaching number 1 on the country charts but number 8 on the pop charts as well and became his best known recording to date and became one of the biggest hits in Country music. Other songs in the 60's that were major hits for Bill included, "I Get The Fever"(1966), "I Love You Drops"(1966), "Get While The Gettin's Good"(1967), "Wild Weekend"(1968), "Happy State Of Mind"(1968), "My Life(Throw It Away If I Want To)"(1969) and "But You Know That I Love You"(1969)