Don Lee (musician)
Don Lee was an American country singer, song writer, producer and guitarist who recorded in the 1960s and 1970s. He had a hit on the country charts with "16 Lovin' Ounces to the Pound". He also wrote a couple more songs that became hits. One became a hit for Jerry Naylor.
Don Lee | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Donald Lee Tunison |
| Born | 25 Aug 1941 Dexter, Kansas, United States |
| Died | (aged 54) Valencia, California |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Years active | 1950s–1990s |
| Labels | Crescent, Crown Records, Custom Records, Album Concepts |
Background edit
In addition to his country music background, he was a guitarist who also had a rock background.[citation needed] He recorded material in the 1960s that was released on two albums.[1] Years later his album Keepin' It Country was released. There is speculation that he also had a connection to The Champs of "Tequila fame as well as being a member of Don Rich's group The Buckaroos.[citation needed]
Career edit
1960s to 1970s edit
Between 1967 and 1969, Lee had two albums released on the Custom and Crown labels. They were Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife and True Grit (And Other Pop Country Favorites).[2] He also released an album during the 1960s, I Love You So Much It Hurts And Other Country And Western Favorites under the pseudonym of Terry Lee.[3]
In October, 1974, Lee was appearing at the Country Western Jubilee festival which was held outside Los Angeles at Devonshire Downs between the 11th and 13th.[4] Two months later in December, a song he co-wrote with Robert L. Duncan, "Is This All There Is To A Honky Tonk"[5] and recorded by Jerry Naylor was released on a single. Backed with "You're The One" it was released on Melodyland 6003.[6][7] The song spent ten weeks on the Country charts, peaking at #31 on March 29, 1975.[8] In 1976, a song he co-wrote with Lloyd Goodson, "Jesus is the Same in California" was released on United Artists UA-XW891-Y. It became a hit for Goodson. Spending six weeks in the charts, it peaked at #80 on November 12, 1976.[9][10]
1980s edit
In 1981, his own single "I'm In Love With A Memory" bw "Cowley County" was released on Crescent 101. It was co-written with George R. White.[11][12] By July 1982, his song "16 Lovin' Ounces To The Pound" was released. It was produced by Lee himself and co-written with B. Duncan, B. R. Jones and J. R. Halper.[13] It stayed on the charts for three weeks peaking at #86 on September 18, 1982.[14]
Death edit
Lee died on December 8, 1995, at age 54.[15]
Compositions edit
| Composition | Artist | Release | Catalogue | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Is This All There Is To A Honky Tonk" | Jerry Naylor | "Is This All there is to a Honky Tonk" / "You're The One" | Melodyland 6003 | 1974 | [16][17][18] |
| "Dallas Champagne" "The Man That Fronts The Bandstand" | Bobby Wyld | "Dallas Champagne" /"The Man That Fronts The Bandstand" | Wytra WY 1002 | 1975 | [19][20] |
| "The Beartrap" "I'm Gonna Miss Me (In Your Arms Tonight" | Tex Williams | "The Beartrap" / "I'm Gonna Miss Me (In Your Arms Tonight)" | Denim 1005 | 1975 | [21][22] |
| "The More She Thinks About Him" | C. L. Goodson | "18 Yellow Roses" / "The More She Thinks About Him" | Island IS 1030-A / B | 1975 | [23] * [citation needed] |
| "Jesus is the Same in California" | Lloyd Goodson | "Jesus Is The Same In California" / "Wearin' Out The Patches On My Knees" | United Artists UA-XW891-Y | 1976 | [24][25][26] |
| "I'm in Love with a Memory" "Cowley County" | Don Lee | "I'm in Love with a Memory" / "Cowley County" | Crescent Records 101 | 1981 | |
| "16 Lovin' Ounces to the Pound" "All I Ever Wanted Was You (Here Lovin' Me)" | Don Lee | "16 Lovin' Ounces to the Pound"/ "All I Ever Wanted Was You (Here Lovin' Me)" | Crescent Records 103 | 1982 | [27] |
Discography edit
| Act | Release | Catalogue | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Lee | "I Found a Way" / "Time Will Stand Still" | ARCO Records 6607 | 196? | [citation needed] |
| Don Lee | "The Heaven We Shared" / "West Memphis Arkansas" | Newhall Records N 7105 | 197? | [28] |
| Don Lee | "I'm In Love With A Memory" / "Cowley County" | Crescent Records 101 | 1981 | |
| Don Lee | "16 Lovin' Ounces to the Pound" / "All I Ever Wanted Was You (Here Lovin' Me)" | Crescent Records 103 | 1982 | [29] |
| Don Lee Billy Lee Riley | "I Found a Way" / "St. James Infirmary" | FTM LTD DJ AVA 2014 | 2014 | Re-release B. side is Billy Lee Riley [citation needed] |
| Act | Release | Catalogue | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Lee | I Love You So Much It Hurts And Other Country And Western Favorites | Crown CST 558 | 196? | [30] |
| Don Lee | Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife | Custom CS 1126 | 1967 | |
| Don Lee | True Grit (And Other Pop Country Favorites) | Crown Records CST 593 | 1969 | [31] |
| Don Lee | Keepin' It Country | Album Concepts 4023 | [32] |
References edit
- ^ Praguefrank's Country Discography - Don Lee
- ^ Praguefrank's Country Discography - Don Lee
- ^ Discogs - Terry Lee (25), Discography
- ^ Billboard, October 12, 1974 - Page 40 Country, 3000 Miles Apart, Major Country Fests Set
- ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
Volume 28, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2
Music
Current and Renewal Registrations
July–December 1974 - Page 3992 - ^ Billboard, December 26, 1974 - Page 46 Billboards's Top Single Picks, Country, recommended
- ^ Global Dog Productions - 45 Discography for Melodyland/Hitsville Records
- ^ Billboard - HOT COUNTRY SONGS, The week of March 29, 1975
- ^ 45Cat - Lloyd Goodson - Discography, USA
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Country Singles, 1944-1988, Joel Whitburn - LLOYD GOODSON
- ^ 45Cat - Don Lee (Crescent) - Discography
- ^ Copyright Encyclopedia - I'm in love with a memory
- ^ Billboard Magazine, July 31, 1982 - Page 51 Billboards's Top Single Picks, Country, recommended
- ^ Billboard - Don Lee, Chart History, 16 Lovin' Ounces To The Pound
- ^ Find A Grave - Donald Lee Tunison
- ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
Volume 28, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2
Music
Current and Renewal Registrations
July–December 1974 - Page 3992 - ^ Billboard, December 26, 1974 - Page 46 Billboards's Top Single Picks, Country, recommended
- ^ Global Dog Productions - 45 Discography for Melodyland/Hitsville Records
- ^ 45Cat - Bobby Wyld (country) - Discography
- ^ Library of Congress. Copyright Office.. Catalog of Copyright Entries 1975 Music Jan-June 3D Ser Vol 29 Pt 5
Sec 2 (Volume Catalog of Copyright Entries 3D Ser Vol 29 Pt 5 Sec 2) online - (page 92 of 360), JUN. 1975, EU516728. - ^ 45cAT - Tex Williams - Discography, USA Page 2
- ^ Cash Box, November 27, 1976 - Page 27 CountrySinglesReviews ~ AlbumReviews
- ^ 45Cat - C. L. Goodson - Discography, Canada
- ^ 45Cat - Lloyd Goodson - Discography, USA
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Country Singles, 1944-1988, Joel Whitburn - LLOYD GOODSON
- ^ Cash Box, November 27, 1976 - Page 27 CountrySinglesReviews ~ AlbumReviews
- ^ 45Cat - Crescent (Beverly Hills, California) - Label Discography, USA
- ^ Discogs - Don Lee
- ^ 45Cat - Crescent (Beverly Hills, California) - Label Discography, USA
- ^ Discogs - Terry Lee (25), Discography
- ^ Praguefrank's Country Discography - Don Lee
- ^ Discogs - Don Lee, Discography
External links edit
- Music VF.com, Songs written by Don Lee
- Library of Congress. Copyright Office.. Catalog of Copyright Entries 1975 Music Jan-June 3D Ser Vol 29 Pt 5
Sec 2 (Volume Catalog of Copyright Entries 3D Ser Vol 29 Pt 5 Sec 2) online Don Lee compositions