Instruments Piano | Name George Richey Years active 1960s–1990s | |
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Nominations Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year Similar People Tammy Wynette, Norro Wilson, Billy Sherrill, Glenn Sutton, Tamala Georgette Jones | ||
George Richey roasts Norro Wilson 1999
George Richey (November 30, 1935 – July 31, 2010), born George Baker Richardson, was an American songwriter and record producer. He was born in Arkansas, but raised in Malden, Missouri.
Richey was married to country legend singer/songwriter Tammy Wynette from 1978 until her death in 1998. They had no children. He married Dallas Cowboys cheerleader turned television producer Sheila Slaughter in 2001 with whom he had a daughter, Tatum. He remained married to Slaughter until his death 2010. Tim McGraw sang at their intimate wedding outside of Nashville.
Richey was a mainstay of the Nashville country music community since the 1960s through his songwriting and record production. In the 1970s, he co-wrote Keep Me in Mind, a No. 1 country hit for Lynn Anderson in 1973. He also wrote hits for future wife Tammy Wynette and Wynette's then-husband, George Jones, including Jones' "A Picture of Me (Without You)" and "The Grand Tour," and Wynette's "'Til I Can Make It On My Own" and "You and Me", among many other artists.
Richey served as the musical director for the television show Hee Haw from 1970 to 1977. Upon marrying Wynette, Richey served as Wynette's manager during the 1980s.
Richey retreated from public life after marrying Slaughter, and became a social media advocate with his highly popular Facebook page "DON'T SMOKE, DON'T SMOKE, DON'T SMOKE, IT WILL DESTROY YOUR LIFE".
Richey died on July 31, 2010, following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There was no public memorial per his request, and he was buried in Texas near his home.