Richard Leigh

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Virginia, Richard Leigh began writing songs at the age of 10.
He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University.
In 1978, then Nashville Mayor Richard Fulton presented Leigh with a Key To The City.
In 1988, he was honored with a space on the NARAS Star walk of Fame.
In 1994, twenty years and one month after arriving in Nashville. His peers elected him a member of the Nashville Songwriter's Hall Of Fame. (His greatest honor)
Richard Was a 3 term president for the NSAI (Nashville songwriters Association International)
In 1976 Crystal Gayle released "I'll Get Over You” It went 1 on Billboard's Country music Chart. It won The CMA ward for song of the year.
In 1979 Richard won the CMA's, song of the year for "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” It reached the number 1 position on both the Pop and Country charts. It remained on the charts for more than six months; and was nominated for Grammy Awards in both the Pop and Country "Best Song" categories. (A feat not repeated until 1993); “Don’t it Make my Brown Eyes Blue” won a Grammy for "Best Country Song"; It was a million selling single, and was named one of the ten most performed "Country Songs Of the Century" at the 1999 ASCAP Awards.
Richard Leigh has written or co-written eight. 1 singles:
"Somewhere in My Broken Heart” Billy Dean (written with Billy Dean) voted 1991 Song Of the Year by Nashville Songwriter's Association (NSAI), and also by the Academy Of Country Music (ACM);
"The Greatest Man I Never Knew" Reba McEntire (written with Layng Martine, Jr.) nominated at the 1993 for "Best Country Song);
"Come From The Heart" Kathy Mattea (written with Susanna Clark)
"That's The Thing About Love" Don Williams (written with Gary Nicholson);
"Life's Highway" Steve Wariner (written with Roger Murrah);
"Put Your Dreams Away" Mickey Gilley' (written with Wayland Holyfield);
"I'll Get Over You" Crystal Gayle.
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," Crystal Gayle. Both written by Leigh
Richard Leigh has had hits in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. His most recent top ten hit "Cold Day In July," recorded by The Dixie Chicks
In addition to his own Grammy Nominations, five of Richard’s songs have helped other artists reach pinnacles in their careers in the “Performance", "Record Of The Year" and “Vocal Event" categories.
Other artists who have recorded Leigh's songs include: Anne Murray, Martina McBride, George Jones, K.T. Oslin, Ronnie Milsap, B.J. Thomas, Bill Medley, Perry Como, Connie Francis, Debbie Boone, Conway Twitty, Alabama, Shenandoah, Tammy Wynette, The Bellamy Brother's, Suzy Boguss, Guy Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Lorrie Morgan, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Marie Osmond, Jerry Jeff Walker, Kitty Wells, Bobby Bare, the great Ray Charles, and many more.
Discography:
Number 1’s
“Only here for a little while” Billy Dean
“Somewhere in my broken heart” Billy Dean
“Put your dreams away “ Mickey Gilley
“That’s the thing about love” Don Williams
“The Greatest Man I never knew” Reba McEntire
“Come from the heart” Kathy Mattea
“Don’t it make my brown eyes blue” Crystal Gayle
“I’ll Get over you” Crystal Gayle
“Life”s Highway” Steve Wariner
Top 5’s
“In no time at all”- 5 Ronnie Milsap
“It’s all I can do” -5 Anne Murray
“Wish I had a heart of stone-“4 Baily and the boys
“Your old cold shoulder”-5 Crystal Gayle
Top 20’s
"Why Good bye"-9 Steve Wariner
"Cold day in July"9 Dixie chicks
"Ain’t gonna worry my mind"11 Ray Charles
"Stop the rain" Shenandoah
"When I get you alone" Mundo Earwood
"Who did they think he was" Conway twitty
"Heartmeander" Crystal Gayle
"Play me a memory" Zelle Lehr
These are some examples of some of Richards chart toppers. We would love to hear any memories you may have involving Richard”s songs.
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