AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Johnny Tillotson

Artist:Johnny Tillotson
Song:Poetry In Motion
Album:Golden Classics





Johnny Tillotson was one of several early 60s singers who could best be described as teen idols appearing in 16 Magazine and appealing to teenage girls. Tillotson had four top ten hits with Poetry In Motion the most successful in 1961. He was born Apr. 20, 1938 in Jacksonville, FL. His father owned a gas station and was a country music DJ. As a teen, he had his own local TV show. While he was attending the University Of Florida in 1957, a local DJ sent a tape of his singing to a Pet Milk sponsored talent contest. He made the finals and performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. He didn't win but he got a record contract with Cadence Records owner Archie Bleyer. He was having a lot of success at the time with The Everly Brothers. Tillotson released some singles which didn't catch on and he went back to college and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Communications. Then he moved to New York City. By 1960, The Everly Brothers left Cadence for Warner Bros. and Bleyer was hoping Tillotson would replace them. After several singles, they finally got a hit when Poetry In Motion reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. The song was written by Nashville songwriters Mike Anthony and Paul Kaufman after watching high school girls go by their office window. It was also recorded in Nashville featuring sax legend Boots Randolph and pianist Floyd Cramer. Tillotson's other top ten hits were Without You and It Keeps On A-Hurting. He wrote the latter song and it has become a country music standard. Tillotson appeared in teen magazines and also did films. Things came to an abrupt halt when Bleyer closed Cadence in 1964 and sold all the recordings to Andy Williams. You can get Tillotson's Cadence hits on this Collectables comp. Tillotson signed with MGM Records and Talk Back Trembling Lips was his final top ten hit in 1964. No doubt Beatlemania affected Tillotson's singing career adversely. He continued to record and act without much success. He recorded for Amos, Buddah and United Artists in the 70s. Johnny Tillotson continues to tour the oldies circuit today. Here's Johnny Tillotson performing Poetry In Motion in the 80s.