Veteran Nashville songwriter Charlie Black, the mind behind 15 No. 1 country songs, passed away on Friday, April 23 at age 71.
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The Tennessean confirmed Black's death on Monday (April 26) through Nashville Songwriters Association International.
Black was raised in Washington D.C. suburb Cheverly, Maryland. The University of Maryland graduate moved to Nashville at age 21 to chase his songwriting dream.
His first taste of Music Row success came when Tommy Overstreet cut multiple Black compositions, including "Girl, You Came and Eased My Mind," "I Don't Know You (Anymore)" and "If I Miss You Again Tonight."
Black and Rory Bourke co-write "Shadows in the Moonlight" became a No. 1 adult contemporary and country hit in 1979 for Anne Murray. A later Murray hit co-written by Black, 1983's "A Little Good News," won both a Grammy award and the CMA prize for Single of the Year.
Other Black co-writes of note include Jennifer Warnes' "I Know a Heartache When I See One," Reba McEntire's "You Lie," K.T. Oslin's "Come Next Monday," Alan Jackson's "Right on the Money," Collin Raye's "Little Red Rodeo," T.G. Sheppard's "Slow Burn," Blackhawk's "Goodbye Says It All," Earl Thomas Conley's "Honor Bound," The Bellamy Brothers' "Do You Love as Good as You Look," Gary Morris' "100% Chance of Rain" and Phil Vassar's "Carlene" and "Six-Pack Summer."
Other stars to cut Black's songs include Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle and Kenny Rogers.
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Black was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Additional industry honors include SESAC Country Songwriter of the Year (1979) and ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year (1983 and 1984).
Black lived in Port St. Joe, Florida with his wife, fellow country songwriter Dana Hunt Black. Her credits include two of George Strait's best-known hits, "Write This Down" and "Check Yes or No."
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