Role

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Composer

Birth

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1930

 

Curly Putnam was an American country music songwriter and composer, born on November 20, 1930, in Princeton, Alabama. He was the son of a coal miner and grew up in a musical family. His father played the fiddle, and his mother sang in the church choir. Putnam learned to play the guitar at a young age and began writing songs in his teens. In the early 1950s, Putnam moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career in music. He worked as a session musician and songwriter, collaborating with some of the biggest names in country music, including George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton. Putnam's first big hit as a songwriter came in 1965 with "Green, Green Grass of Home," which was recorded by Porter Wagoner and later became a hit for Tom Jones. Throughout his career, Putnam wrote over 1,000 songs, many of which became hits for other artists. Some of his most famous compositions include "He Stopped Loving Her Today," which was recorded by George Jones and is considered one of the greatest country songs of all time, "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," which was recorded by Tammy Wynette, and "My Elusive Dreams," which was recorded by David Houston and Tammy Wynette. Putnam was known for his ability to write songs that were both emotionally powerful and commercially successful. He had a talent for capturing the struggles and joys of everyday life in his lyrics, and his songs often dealt with themes of love, heartbreak, and the ups and downs of relationships. In addition to his work as a songwriter, Putnam was also a talented composer. He wrote several pieces of classical music, including a symphony and a concerto for piano and orchestra. His classical compositions were influenced by his love of country music and often incorporated elements of folk and bluegrass. One of Putnam's most famous classical works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in 1990. The symphony is a four-movement work that showcases Putnam's skill as a composer. The first movement, "Fanfare," is a lively and energetic piece that sets the tone for the rest of the symphony. The second movement, "Lament," is a slow and mournful piece that features a haunting melody played by the strings. The third movement, "Dance," is a lively and upbeat piece that features a catchy melody played by the woodwinds. The final movement, "Finale," is a triumphant piece that brings the symphony to a rousing conclusion. Putnam's concerto for piano and orchestra is another notable work. The concerto was premiered by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in 1993 and features a solo piano part that is both technically challenging and musically expressive. The concerto is a three-movement work that showcases Putnam's ability to write music that is both accessible and sophisticated. Throughout his career, Putnam received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a songwriter and composer. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1993. He also received a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1980 for "He Stopped Loving Her Today." Putnam continued to write and perform music until his death on October 30, 2016, at the age of 85. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world. His contributions to both country music and classical music have earned him a place among the most important and influential composers of the 20th century.

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