INFLUENCED
INFLUENCED: James Otto and Ronnie Milsap
Singer-songwriter James Otto is making a name for himself in the world of music with a soulful mixture of country and rhythm and blues, a sound he has crafted due to the inspiration of one of the regular fixtures on the radio in the 1970s and 1980s – Ronnie Milsap. James tells The Boot, “He’s the guy I point to most often when I bring up my style of music, because he is the guy who bridged the gap between those types of music.”
In fact for Otto’s album Shake What God Gave Ya, available now, Ronnie joins in on one particular song “Good Thing Gone Bad.” James shares, “That was one of my favorite parts of making this record – being able to collaborate with one of my favorite artists of all time, a guy I consider the godfathers of country soul.” Otto’s fans may recognize the tune as one they’ve heard during one of his shows. Often James pays tribute to Milsap in the midst of the tune with a rendition of Ronnie’s hit “Stranger in My House.”
Check out more about James Otto at his official website.
Ronnie Milsap may be one of the most unique stories in country music as he rose to fame facing adversity due to the fact that he is blind. He was born in the rural town of Robbinsville, North Carolina which sits amongst the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. When he was only six, Ronnie moved to Raleigh to attend the Morehead State School for the Blind where he received classical training on the violin and piano by day, but by night he would listen to his favorite types of music – country, R&B; and gospel.
By the time he completed his schooling there, Milsap had decided to pursue higher education and work towards obtaining a law degree, but fate had other things in mind when he met the great Ray Charles backstage at one of the legend's concerts. He shared with Ray his desires to be in the music business and ended up playing him three songs on the piano in the dressing room. After Ronnie’s impromptu performance, Charles advised him to follow his heart and that’s exactly what Milsap did as he moved to Memphis, Tennessee in the late 1960s and begin doing session work as a musician. Elvis Presley’s “Kentucky Rain” and “Don’t Cry Daddy” are just two of the songs that include Ronnie’s piano playing.
Learn more about Ronnie Milsap at his official website.
In 1973, Milsap decided it was time for him to shine in his own right as an artist and made his way to Nashville. Soon, he was on the roster at RCA Records and releasing his debut single “I Hate You” which became his first Top 10 hit. By his third single release – “Pure Love” – in 1974, he was topping the charts. Throughout the 1970s, he continued to collect number one hits with songs like “(I’d Be a) Legend in My Time,” “Daydreams About Night Things” and “(I’m a) Stand By My Woman Man,” and in 1977, Ronnie began having the first of many crossover hits with “It Was Almost Like a Song.” His knack for recording chart-toppers continued throughout the 1980s with “Smokey Mountain Rain,” “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me,” “Any Day Now” and “Lost in the Fifties Tonight” before he had his final number one hit in 1989 with “A Woman in Love.” By the time he reached that point, Milsap had amassed a total of 40 number one hits, an impressive feat even today as he ranks third behind George Strait and Conway Twitty for having the most chart-toppers during their careers.
Not only is Ronnie known for his extraordinary collection of hits, he also is a notable entertainer who was named Entertainer of the Year in 1977 by the Country Music Association. Among his 12 CMA Awards are four trophies for Male Vocalist of the Year, a title he also earned from the Academy of Country Music for his R&B; driven vocals. Milsap also snagged six Grammy Awards between 1975 and 1988, as well as became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1976. He also has given back by forming the Ronnie Milsap Foundation which aids those who are visually impaired. Today, Ronnie continues to record and tour. His most recent work is 2009’s Then Sings My Soul, a collection of gospel songs.
Image courtesy of Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Adapted from "Ronnie Milsap." Grand Ole Opry. Gaylord Entertainment, n.d. Web. 29 Jul 2010. <http://www.opry.com/artists/m/Milsap_Ronnie.html>.
Nikita Palmer for Citadel Digital © 2010
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