简介：bySteveHuey Oneofthemostrespectedvocaliststoemergeduringtheurbancowboyera,JohnConleewasknownforhissuperbtasteinmaterialandhisdistinctivelymelancholyvoice.ConleewasbornandraisedonatobaccofarminVersailles,KY,in1946,andtookuptheguitarasachild,performingonlocalradioatageten.Hewentontosingwiththetownbarbershopchorus,butdidntinitiallypursuemusicasacareer,insteadbecomingalicensedmortician.Healsoworkedasadiscjockeyatnumerousarearadiostations,andmadeimportantindustryconnectionsviathatareawhenhemovedtoNashvillein1971.Fiveyearslater,ConleesdemotapegothimacontractwithABC.Hereleasedafewsingles,butdidntfindacceptanceuntil1978sRoseColoredGlasses,asonghedcowrittenwithanewsmanathisradiostation,rocketedintothecountryTopFive.Conleespentthenextdecadeorsoscoringhitafterhit,nearlyallofthemhelmedbyproducerBudLogan.Hehadtwonumberonesin1979alone—LadyLayDownandBacksideofThirty—andfournumbertwohitsthrough1981,whichincludedBeforeMyTime,FridayNightBlues,SheCantSayThatAnymore,andMissEmilysPicture.Conleereturnedtothetopofthechartsthreetimesover19831984withCommonMan,ImOnlyinItfortheLove,andInMyEyes,andhadhislastnumberonein1986withGotMyHeartSetonYou.Alltold,ConleemadetheTopTen19timesthrough1987,whenhemovedfromMCAtoColumbiaandreachedtheTopFivewithDomesticLife.Nevermuchfortouring,Conleesubsequentlycurtailedhisrecordingactivitiesaswell,insteaddevotinghistimetocharitywork(oftenonbehalfofAmericanfarmers),raisinghisfamily,andrunninghisownfarmoutsideNashville.