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Home • Interviews • Writing A Song • Menu International Songwriters Association ISA Hall of Fame Obituaries Honouring the Songwriters and Composers who have been inducted into the International Songwriters Association Songwriter Hall Of Fame Click here for the ISA's Hall Of Fame home page Larry Bastian Born September 1st 1934 into a family of farmers in the fertile San Joaquin Valley near the city of Porterville, California, Larry Bastian's early years were in agriculture and cowboying, experiences that would later deeply influence his songwriting. After completing his college education, Larry spent fifteen years working as a biologist but also dabbled in songwriting, posting his early compositions to the leading country music publishers. Finally, at the age of forty, having received encouraging feedback from several acts including Bonnie Owens and Buck Owens, he decided to concentrate on music, although he himself would visit, but never live in Nashville. One of his most notable collaborations was with Garth Brooks. Together with Pat Alger, they co-wrote "Unanswered Prayers," a song that became a significant hit for Brooks. The song, inspired by a real-life encounter Brooks had with his high school sweetheart, explores themes of gratitude and reflection on past desires. Of the song, Garth said: "Pat Alger and I worked on this song quite a long time without a hook, without the line. We passed it by Larry Bastian and it was as if it was meant to be. Larry, his wife Myrna and I were taking a walk down 18th Avenue, and he looked at me and said, 'Oh, that's simple. This song should be called 'Unanswered Prayers' because some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.' This is probably the truest song I have ever been involved with as a writer. Every time I sing this song, it teaches me the same lesson... happiness isn't getting what you want, it is wanting what you've got." Another standout composition by Larry was "Rodeo," which he solely penned. Initially titled "Miss Rodeo" and intended for a female artist, the song underwent a transformation when Brooks decided to record it himself. Released in August 1991 as the lead single from the album "Ropin' the Wind," "Rodeo" resonated with audiences, capturing the essence of the rodeo lifestyle. Garth would later write: "If one looks down the list of music's greatest writers of all time, I couldn't imagine the list being complete without the name of Larry Bastian. The song 'Rodeo' was originally titled 'Miss Rodeo.' It was a female song, where the artist sang about how she could not compete with the sport of rodeo. I tried to get every female I know in the industry to cut this song. When the last told me she just didn't hear it, I began to wonder if that meant I was supposed to do something with it." Larry's songwriting prowess extended beyond collaborations with Brooks. He co-wrote "Yard Sale" with Dewayne Blackwell, a poignant track recorded by Sammy Kershaw. Released in June 1992 as part of Kershaw's album "Don't Go Near the Water," the song delves into the emotional aftermath of a broken relationship, using the metaphor of a yard sale to depict sorting through remnants of a shared past. In addition to these, Larry co-wrote "If You're Gonna Walk, I'm Gonna Crawl" with Buddy Cannon. This song was recorded by Sammy Kershaw and released in March 1995 as part of the album "Feelin' Good Train." It achieved a peak position of #18 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Larry also collaborated with Pat Alger on "Cowboy Bill," a track that reflected his deep connection to cowboy culture, while other songs became hits for such Nashville luminaries as Buck Owens, George Jones, Moe Bandy, Tammy Wynette, Tracy Byrd, Janie Fricke, Eddie Arnold, Marle Haggard, Lacy J Dalton, Conway Twitty and Vern Gosdin. In all he had songs on 70 hit albums, and earned four Gold Disks. Throughout his career, Larry's authentic storytelling ability and deep-rooted experiences in farming and cowboying enriched the country music genre, leaving a lasting legacy. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. At the age of 90, on the 6th April 2025, in Springville, California, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Johnny Tillotson Johnny Tillotson, who was both an ISA Member and a member of the International Songwriters Association's Hall Of Fame, was born on April 20, 1938, in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in the small town of Palatka, the county seat of Putnam County. From an early age, he displayed a deep interest in music, performing publicly while still a teenager and gaining exposure through local radio. He began writing songs at the age of 13, and his talent quickly caught the attention of industry professionals. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Florida, where he studied journalism, but his growing interest in music gradually pulled him toward a full-time career in the entertainment industry. His early musical influences ranged from country to pop, and he developed a clean-cut image that aligned well with the teen idol market of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He achieved his first national recognition in 1958 when he became a finalist on the television show The Original Amateur Hour. That same year, he signed a contract with Cadence Records and released several singles that began to draw attention, charting nationally in 1958 with his first self-penned release "Dreamy Eyes". Johnny's real breakthrough came in 1960 with the song "Poetry in Motion," a pop hit that rose to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in the UK. Though the song had been written by Paul Kaufman and Mike Anthony, it became forever associated with Tillotson’s smooth vocals and youthful appeal. Around this time, he also began recording more of his own material, contributing significantly to his growing catalogue. One of his notable self-penned songs was "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'," released in 1962. The deeply emotional ballad, written in response to the death of his father, became one of his biggest hits. It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard chart and was later covered by numerous artists, including Elvis Presley, Billy Joe Royal, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Slim Whitman, and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Country & Western song for 1962 but lost to Burl Ives' "Funny Way of Laughing". However, vocalists flocked to cover it, securing its place as a country-pop standard. Throughout the early 1960s, Johnny remained a fixture on the charts with a string of hits, including “Talk Back Trembling Lips,” a country-influenced number that demonstrated his versatility as a performer. Although he was not the writer of this song - it was penned by John D. Loudermilk - Johnny’s rendition brought it to wide popularity. His string of hits included a mix of pop and country offerings, covers and self-penned tunes, including such titles as "Earth Angel", "Pledging My Love", "Without You", "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)", "Out of My Mind", "You Can Never Stop Me Loving You", "Funny How Time Slips Away", "She Understands Me", "Heartaches by the Number", "You're the Reason", "Tears on My Pillow" and "What Am I Living For". As the British Invasion reshaped the American pop music landscape mid-decade, his chart presence began to wane, but he continued to perform, record and occasionally chart with songs that blended country and pop influences. He moved to MGM Records in the mid-1960s following the closure of Cadence, and continued to release quality singles, although the changing tides of popular music made it harder for him to replicate the massive success of his earlier years. Nevertheless, he maintained a loyal fanbase and frequently appeared on television shows, variety specials, while performing in concerts around the world. Over time, his songwriting played an increasingly important role, even if his own recordings did not dominate the charts as they once had. In later years, Johnny remained active in the music scene, participating in oldies tours celebrating the legacy of early rock and roll and pop music. His own contributions as both a performer and songwriter were recognised for their craftsmanship and emotional resonance. Songs like “It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’” stand as a testament to his ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level. Johnny Tillotson combined youthful charm, a sincere vocal style, and songwriting talent which enabled him to carve out a significant place in the history of American popular music. His career, though most prominent in the early 1960s, endured for decades, marked by the enduring appeal of his songs and his dedication to his craft. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. At the age of 86, on the 1st April 2025, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of complications from Parkinson's disease. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane Troy Seals Born on November 16, 1938, in Bighill, Kentucky, USA, Troy Seals came from a family with deep musical roots—his cousins included well-known musicians like Dan Seals, Jim Seals and Johnny Duncan, all of whom achieved success in pop and country music. From an early age, Troy was immersed in the sounds of traditional country and gospel, and he soon began performing, playing guitar, and writing songs, eventually carving out a multifaceted career that spanned decades. Seals first entered the music scene as a performer, playing in various bands and working as a session musician in Nashville. In the 1960s and 70s, he recorded as a solo artist and as part of groups like The Seals Brothers and Seals and Crofts (in early iterations before the duo’s commercial peak without him). Although his performing career saw modest success, it was his talent for songwriting that ultimately defined his legacy. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Seals became one of Nashville’s most respected songwriters. His songs, often written in collaboration with other prolific writers such as Max D. Barnes, Waylon Jennings, and Eddie Setser, were recorded by many of the biggest names in country music. One of his best-known compositions, “Seven Spanish Angels,” co-written with Eddie Setser, became a major hit for Ray Charles and Willie Nelson in 1984. The song’s blend of gospel and western themes, combined with its poignant narrative and haunting melody, earned it enduring acclaim and helped solidify Seals’ reputation as a masterful storyteller. Another significant success came with the song “Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night),” which Seals co-wrote with Mike Reid. Recorded by Ronnie Milsap, the track became a number one country hit in 1985 and won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year. It showcased Seals’ knack for blending nostalgia with contemporary appeal, a trait that made his songs resonate across generations. In addition to these hits, Seals contributed to numerous other chart-topping songs. He co-wrote “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” recorded by George Jones, a poignant reflection on the legacy of country legends that struck a deep chord with fans of traditional country music. Another collaboration with Jones yielded “The Right Left Hand,” a love song penned with Max D. Barnes, celebrating enduring devotion. Seals also worked with artists like Conway Twitty, Vince Gill, and Alabama, contributing to songs that often emphasized strong narratives, emotional depth, and melodic richness. Though not always in the spotlight himself, Seals' work quietly helped define the sound of modern country. His contributions earned him multiple accolades, and in recognition of his impact, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1988. That honour placed him among the most esteemed figures in the craft, acknowledging a career built on heartfelt, enduring music. Later in life, Seals continued to write and mentor younger artists, maintaining a presence in the industry even as the music evolved around him. His songs remained staples of country radio and were frequently covered by newer generations of performers. Through his thoughtful lyrics and deep understanding of the genre’s emotional core, Troy Seals played a crucial role in shaping the voice of American country music. His work stood as a testament to the power of storytelling in song, securing him a lasting place in the history of the genre. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member. At the age of 86, on the 6th March 2025, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA, of undisclosed causes. International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane The Earlier Obituaries January 2025 to Today July 2024 to December 2024 January 2024 to June 2024 July 2023 to December 2023 January 2023 to June 2023 January 2020 to December 2022 January 2018 to December 2019 January 2011 to December 2017 January 2004 to December 2010 Obituaries Prior To 2004 ISA • International Songwriters Association (1967) internationalsongwriters@gmail.com Cookies Policy • Privacy Policy • Copyright Legal Notice This site is published by the International Songwriters Association, and will introduce you to the world of songwriting. It will explain music business terms and help you understand the business concepts that you should be familiar with, thus enabling you to ask more pertinent questions when you meet with your accountant/CPA or solicitor/lawyer. 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