"TEDDY BEAR"
Writer's-Billy Joe Burnette-Dale Royal-Red Sovine-Tommy Hill
Influences
'Teddy Bear' sung by Red Sovine / Writer's, Billy Joe Burnette/Dale Royal
It has to be one of the most touching songs ever written. It's a story about a handicapped lil boy who's father was a truck driver. Out of loneliness after the death of his father, he reached out via his father's CB, this song is about a collective 'random act of kindness' by caring truckers. If you've never heard this song - you've missed out on something special I think.
The 1 hit Teddy Bear - was (of course!) nominated for single of the year by the Country Music Association in 1976. It was also rated 4 on the 1976 Radio & Records All-Time Charts.
The song didn't end with "Teddy Bear" however, a song " Teddy Bear's Last Ride" by Diana Williams followed. "Last Ride.." was about the death of Teddy Bear.
Sounds Like
Billy Joe Burnette, Lead singer for The Legends on Warner Brothers
The Legends -- Milwaukee's Legends, that is -- have become precisely that in their hometown and neighboring parts of Wisconsin, and with good reason. They started out in 1961, or possibly a little earlier, playing a tough brand of rockabilly-flavored rock & roll, and when the British Invasion hit three years later, they were able to switch gears without losing a beat, to a slightly heavier guitar sound and three-part harmony singing that emulated the work of the Beatles and, even more so, the Searchers. Of course, blessed as they were musically, Billy Joe Burnette Lead Singer carried them into the last hits, they had on Warner Brother. With their punchy rockabilly style, was enough to put them into the record books as the first local band from Milwaukee to get a national recording contract. Their single, "HERE COMES THE PAIN" & "DON'T BE ASHAMED.
Career in music began with Rockabilly ROANOKE TIMES August 15, 2009 By Tad Dickens Roanoke native Billy Joe Burnette had a national hit with "Teddy Bear" in 1976. The song received a BMI award for songwriting. The rockabilly music craze didn't last long in Virginia or elsewhere in the country. Roanoke's Billy Barnette found out the hard way, after writing the single "Marlene," released in 1961 on Philadelphia's Parkway Records. "Marlene" got a high score on "American Bandstand," during the rate-a-record segment. Barnette said he was asleep on his couch during the episode, but that show host Dick Clark called him later to say, "It looks like you're on your way." About the same time, R&B singles started hitting the charts, dwarfing his lone release on Parkway, a label that scored big the next year with Chubby Checker's "The Twist," according to notes in the two-CD collection, "Virginia Rocks! The History of Rockabilly in the Commonwealth." The collection includes a single Barnette co-wrote in 1962 with a Salem mentor, Dr. A.J. Russo. Barnette recorded the song, "Stomp, Shake and Twist," in Salem. It wasn't a national hit, but it was in steady rotation on WROV-AM radio, according to the CD notes. Burnette talks about his music career and the Roanoke scene of the mid- to late-1950s The lack of major early success didn't stop Barnette. He stayed in the business, eventually making his way to Hollywood, where he took the stage name Billy Joe Burnette. He would go on to co-write the song "Teddy Bear," a smash hit in 1976, combining trucker culture, CB radios and a paralyzed little boy into a tearjerker of a national crossover song. The million-selling tune received a BMI award for songwriting, as well as Grammy and Country Music Association award nominations. Related Exhibit at Ferrum College shines a long-dimmed spotlight on Virginia acts that jumped aboard the rockabilly train Burnette, a music producer who continues to write songs and performs at least 50 dates a year nationwide, is proud of that success. But he said that his inclusion on the "Virginia Rocks!" CD set and exhibit at Blue Ridge Institute and Museum in Ferrum means more to him. "I was so honored. ... Out of everything I've ever done, even 'Teddy Bear' and taking all the awards, this one here means more to me than all of it, because it's home," he said by phone from his home in Nashville, Tenn. Burnette and other players from that era in Virginia rock history will be honored at the institute's Oct. 24 Blue Ridge Folklife Festival. Burnette is not sure if performances are scheduled. "If there's not, I'll set up outside," he said, joking.
IF YOU ARE A SINGER, SUMIT 3-4 SONGS, BIO, PICTURE, INFO, TO: ROSS AGENCY/DIVISION OF OGLE-ATTENTION-BILLY JOE BURNETTE-9 MUSIC SQUARE SOUTH-P.O. BOX 120-NASHVILLE, TN. 37203-3286
Award Writer of the song , "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine 7 million ALBUM sales crossing over from Country to the Pop Charts
Nominated for a Grammy. Received BMI Award in both Pop & Country.
Voted Producer & Label of the year in Cashbox Magazine Produced over 50 artist that have made it to Number 1 in Europe. Many have toured International. Along with having been on Major T.V. Shows. 15 number 1 Indie charted artist in U.S. Voted number 1 Video in Billboard Magazine with Artist Jerry Cooper
Voted International Producer of the Year Award in 1998
Billy Joe just came off of a top 30 major charted CD with an independent artist. He is now currently recording artist all over the country for his label. Billy Joe Burnette (writer, producer, National/International Recording Artist)
For more information, contact Billy Joe Burnette at: RossAgency@aol.com
Myspace sight created by Natalie at lilnatalie93@aol.com
Billy we have great appreciation for all your talents. Love the songs. I never got to hear you sing in person but once and it was in Atlantic city opening with Coop. I was so busy I just got to hear a word or two. WoW That was a great show and what turn out.
You have shared a lot with us and we are so Blessed to know you my friend . keep up the good work and remember you are loved and God has plans beyond wonder for us all.
Billy Joe Burnette! Well, I can't tell you how honored I am to be counted among your friends. You're one of the honest-to-goodness good guys in this business, along with being a legendary songwriter and performer. Much obliged! Dave Younger
To all concerned: Billy Joe Burnette is a very serious man and I love Him like a Brother. He gives one hundred and ten percent to everything he does.
He is among the top singers on earth. A great producer, songwriter and performer. He is My friend and He'll be your friend if you'll let Him. He helped Me take a bite out of Nashville. So say hello to Billy Joe and tell Him Lee Morris sent You.
**** Receive God**** God's Judgement is here. God is calling us back to him. Renounce the Law of the wicked. God is angry with the wicked everyday. Repent, The Kingdom of God is at Hand.
(Jeremiah 8:7) Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
DaChosen1~ We are Touching The Nations Questions or Comments; Text Me @ 832-607-6372
BILLY JOE....ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED SINGERS I EVER BACKED UP..KEEP ROCKIN MAN.IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG MATE.LET'S DO THAT BLUES ROCK ALBUM SOON IT'S LONG OVER DO.WISHING YOU ALL THE SUCCESS LIFE HAS TO OFFER..YOU ARE A SUPER TALENT... LET'S TEAM UP AND KICK SOME ASS.YOUR NUMBER 1 GUITAR PLAYER AND FRIEND..WRITER/GUITARIST DENIEL EDWARDS..7/19/09
Hello Billy Joe, thank you so much for the friendship, pleasure and an honour to have you as a friend, I remember "Teddy Bear" very well, great song, very well put together and you deserved the hit, I thank you for your great contribution to music and please keep in touch, if you ever perform in Ireland please look me up, thanks Billy Joe, peace and much love, Will.
Hi Billy Joe,Through music I would hope to spread love throughout the world. In New Orleans we have a way we do things, and I would like to extend my hand of friendship. Always, Melvin
d to know you my friend . keep up the good work and remember you are loved and God has plans beyond wonder for us all.
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