Wayland Holyfield Died At The Age Of 82: Know More Here

Wayland Holyfield, a songwriter with a long list of hit tunes, gained recognition in the country music industry. He passed away. The well-known lyricist passed away on Monday, May 6, at the age of 82, according to Music Row.

Holyfield’s birthplace is Little Rock, Arkansas. The songwriter started to establish his fame as a songwriter in the mid-1970s, not long after relocating from Arkansas to Nashville to follow his musical goals, according to ASCAP, of which he was a member for 43 years.

Throughout his career, Holyfield penned 14 No. 1 hits and had over 40 songs land in the Top 10.

A staggering array of the industry’s top performers—including George Strait, George Jones, the Judds, Don Williams, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Crystal Gayle, Conway Twitty, Barbara Mandrell, Charley Pride, the Oak Ridge Boys, John Anderson, Waylon Jennings, and many others—recorded Holyfield’s songs.

Don Williams recorded and published “You’re My Best Friend,” which gave Holyfield a No. 1 hit in 1975. Williams also recorded “‘Til the Rivers All Run Dry,” “She Never Knew Me,” and “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend,” which was another 1978 No. 1 hit.

Among the other well-known songs by Holyfield was Anne Murray’s “Could I Have This Dance,” a No. 1 success in 1980 that was used as the romantic theme for the popular movie Urban Cowboy. Holyfield declared that song to be his favourite of his compositions, and it went on to win a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

Serving on the ASCAP Board for almost 20 years, the popular songwriter was also a fervent supporter of the Nashville songwriting community. At one point, he chaired the board of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation and served as president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Holyfield’s lobbying included, among other things, testifying on behalf of songwriters before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees in Washington, D.C.

Among Holyfield’s professional achievements were the CMA Triple Play honour, the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Presidential Award, and the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year honour. In 1992, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The cause of Wayland Holyfield’s passing is still unknown. Plans are still being made for the funeral.