From American Songwriter · Clayton Edwards · · 1m 20s
Ray Pennington's Legacy
Ray Pennington, songwriter and producer behind Waylon Jennings hits, died at 86.
In brief
Ray Pennington, songwriter and producer behind Waylon Jennings hits, died at 86. Ray Pennington, who produced hits for Waylon Jennings and Ricky Skaggs, died on October 7, 2020, at age 86. Originally reported by American Songwriter.
Ray Pennington's Death
On October 7, 2020, Ray Pennington died at 86 in his Hendersonville, Tennessee home after entering a garage that caught fire.
Early Career
Pennington began with the Western Rhythm Boys, signed with King Records in the late 1950s as Ray Starr, and disliked his own single so much he asked it be pulled.
King Records Work
He produced Hawkshaw Hawkins’ final album Lonesome 7-7203, one of the first country albums with Black and white musicians, and worked with the Stanley Brothers and Reno and Smiley.
Nashville Production
Pennington moved to Nashville in 1964, worked at Pamper Music, and produced sessions for Tex Williams and Kenny Price, whose hits included 'Walking on New Grass' and 'Happy Tracks'.
RCA Records
At RCA Records in 1971, Pennington produced sessions for Willie Nelson, Norma Jean, and Billy Walker, co-writing Walker’s hit song 'Don’t Stop in My World'.
Legacy with Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings took Pennington’s 'I’m a Ramblin’ Man' to No. 1 in 1974, and Ricky Skaggs sent 'Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown' to the top of the chart nine years later.
Here's the gist
Ray Pennington, who produced hits for Waylon Jennings and Ricky Skaggs, died on October 7, 2020, at age 86.
