Dallas Frazier, Country Songwriter Behind ‘Elvira,’ ‘Beneath Still Waters’ & More, Dies

Dallas Frazier, Country Songwriter Behind ‘Elvira,’ ‘Beneath Still Waters’ & More, DiesGoing on ‘indefinite Hiatus’ Following Coachella Performance

Dallas Frazier is a singer-songwriter from the United States who specializes in country music. Dallas Frazier, Songwriter of “Elvira,” “Beneath Still Waters,” and Other Successes, Passes Away Songwriter Dallas Frazier, renowned for writing hits including The Oak Ridge Boys’ 1981 classic “Elvira” and Gene Watson’s “Fourteen Carat Mind,” passed away on Friday (January 14). Frazier, who was 82 years old at the time, was killed in a car accident.

Spiro, Oklahoma, native Frazier was born on October 27, 1939. He started creating songs when he was 12 years old and won Ferlin Husky’s talent competition. When he was 14 years old, Frazier started recording for Capitol Records. When the Hollywood Argyles’ song “Alley Oop” became a pop smash in 1960, Frazier’s first breakthrough as a composer arrived. He went to Nashville three years after that.

The Country Music Association named Frazier’s “There Goes My Everything,” which was recorded by Jack Greene, song of the year in 1967.

Frazier also collaborated on songs with A.L. “Doodle” Owens, including Charley Pride’s first No. 1 hit, “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me),” which was released in 1969. “(I’m So) Afraid of Losing You Again,” “I Can’t Believe You’ve Stopped Loving Me,” and “Then Who Am I,” all No. 1 country songs for Pride, were written by Frazier and Owens.

Connie Smith and George Jones covered many of Frazier’s singles, notably Jones’ smash “If My Heart Had Windows” from 1967. Jones also recorded a full album of Frazier’s songs, Sings the Songs of Dallas Frazier.) “Ain’t Had No Lovin’,” “Run Away Little Tears,” “Ain’t Love a Good Thing,” and other Smith songs written by Frazier include “Ain’t Had No Lovin’,” “Run Away Little Tears,” “Ain’t Love a Good Thing,” and others.

Another of Frazier’s most well-known compositions, “Elvira,” was earlier covered by Rodney Crowell before becoming a major success for the Oak Ridge Boys in 1981. The Country Music Association honored the group’s track as a single of the year.

“There’s a thing called feel,” Frazier said writer Tom Roland in a 2018 interview. “I’ve observed this my whole life in music, and it’s beautiful when you get ahold of it.” “It might set or break a record.” It doesn’t matter whether you have a wonderful song or not; if it doesn’t feel right, it won’t work. That’s how ‘Elvira’ felt. What a great cut in The Oaks. It’s top class with Richard Sterban and the horns… It was so magical that it made the hairs on your arms stand on end.”

Frazier’s efforts on “There Goes My Everything,” “All I Have To Offer You (Is Me),” and “Elvira” earned him three Grammy nominations over his career.

In 1980, Frazier co-wrote Tanya Tucker’s first No. 1 success, “What’s Your Mama’s Name?” Frazier’s song “Beneath Still Waters” became Emmylou Harris’ first No. 1 country smash.

Frazier retired from composing in 1990 after being elected into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976. By 2008, he was back to songwriting and performing on the side.

Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, described Dallas Frazier as “one of the all-time great country composers.” “With ‘Elvira,’ he could transmit contagious enthusiasm before writing ‘Beneath Still Waters,’ which is profoundly sorrowful and honest.”Because of his songs, Connie Smith was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was a kind, gentle, and faith-filled young man who overcame a difficult life to bring joy to all of us. He was a beautiful guy with a beautiful brain and a beautiful life.”

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