Alan Jackson became a country music Hall of Famer singing them. But it was his long-time behind-the-scenes songwriting partner Jim McBride who was responsible for co-writing so many of his songs.
Jim McBride also co-wrote “She Don’t Get The Blues” and “Short Sweet Ride” for Alan Jackson’s debut album Here in the Real World (1990). McBride then co-wrote “That’s All I Need To Know,” “Someday,” and “Just Playin’ Possum” for Don’t Rock the Jukebox (1991). The for Jackson’s 1992 album A Lot about Livin (and a Little ’bout Love), Jim McBride co-wrote “(Who Says) You Can’t Have It All,” “Tropical Depression,” “If It Ain’t One Thing (It’s You),” along with a little song called “Chatahoochee.” “Chatahoochee” would go on to win the CMA for both Single of the Year and Song of the Year, as well as the ACM Single of the Year, and become one of the most beloved songs in country music history. McBride would continue to write songs with Jackson on subsequent albums as Alan minted a Hall of Fame career. Wade Hayes, Diamond Rio, Vern Gosdin, Pam Tillis, Johnny PayCheck, Kris Kristofferson, and many more also recorded Jim McBride songs at one time or another. His Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction came in 2017. Jim McBride passed away on January 6th at the age of 78, leaving behind a strong legacy of country songs that are sure to inspire and inform the next generation of writers, just like Jim was inspired listening to the Opry, reading about his heroes in magazines, and taking what he learned to pass the torch of touching people through country songs to the next generation. UPDATE: On January 8th, Alan Jackson said in tribute, “Jim was a good man and a great and genuine songwriter. He understood country music and touched many with his songs. Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don’t know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help, inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace. – AJ”– – – – – – – – – – –
Did a songwriters night with Jim and Kerry Kurt Phillips. Sat on the stool in between. I told them I felt like a slice of baloney between two pieces of homemade sourdough bread.
Nice tribute. I either read or heard an interview with McBride once where he said he turned down a writing appointment with a new-in-town Garth Brooks sometime in the mid 80s and he regretted that because he then never had a cut on a Garth album. But I can’t find that interview..
I met him once in a songwriter’s round. He was a genuine and kind person, taking time to talk to everyone that wanted to say hello. It was great to hear his songs and the stories behind them in a stripped-down acoustic environment.
Great tribute about a great songwriter. His co-writes with Alan created some all-timers. “(Who Says) You Can’t Have It All” might even be my favorite country song of all time. RIP
He also co-wrote “Angels In Waiting”, one of the most underappreciated country hits of the 21st century
I met Jim McBride in a round in Nashville Tennessee he will be missed he was husband to Martina McBride an has wrote music an co wrote with a lot of Nashville Tennessee musicians I’m deeply saddened by the new he co wrote with Alan Jackson on few of his sing an was very kind loveing person
Someday is such a great country song. Tropical Depression is probably Alan Jackson’s most under-rated song. Rose in Paradise is such a good story song. God Bless Jim McBride for giving us these songs and many more.
I opened up SCM tonight as I usually read it in the morning, but I’m on a business trip so it was the first chance I got to catch up. It’s almost midnight but I had this crazy thought, ” I hope nobody died. Trig’s had to write too many tributes lately. ” Damn. Loved Jim Mcbride and his songwriting abilities. Again, a wonderful tribute Trig and may Jim RIP.
Thanks for this tribute, Trigger. It was the most detailed and interesting of the three tributes to Jim that I read.
Source: savingcountrymusic.com