Song:Older Women
Album:Greatest Hits
Ronnie McDowell started out as an Elvis Presley impersonator and struck gold with the 1977 hit The King Is Gone. But he was also a consistent country music hitmaker in the early 80s. Older Women was one of his two number one country hits. He was born Mar. 25, 1950 in Portland, TN. He started singing when he was in the US Navy in the Philippines. McDowell sounded so much like Elvis that he decided to record the Elvis tribute album The King Is Gone in 1977. The single The King Is Gone was a surprise top 20 pop hit. Remember this was around the time that Elvis died. So McDowell recorded three albums as an Elvis impersonator and contributed vocals to the 1979 TV movie Elvis starring Kurt Russell. But McDowell wanted to record his own music so he signed with Epic Records and veteran producer Buddy Killen. He had a string of top ten country hits in the early 80s. Older Women was his first number one country hit in 1981. He never crossed over to pop again but recording as himself gave him longevity. Older Women was written by Jamie O'Hara who went on to be one half of the 80s country group The O'Kanes. McDowell's other number one country hit was You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation in 1983. McDowell continued to have success until he left Epic for Curb Records in 1986 on the advice of mentor Conway Twitty. The two recorded the top ten country hit It's Only Make Believe in 1987. But McDowell faded in the late 80s though he continued to record for Curb for many years. His latest CD was released on his own label in May and McDowell is currently on tour. I noticed his son Ronnie McDowell Jr. runs his website. This comp has his 80s hits. The King Is Gone is not on this CD. Here's Ronnie McDowell performing Older Women 1981.
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