Song:Blanket On The Ground
Album:The Ultimate Collection
Blanket On The Ground was the only number one country music hit for Billie Jo Spears. She had a total of five top ten hits and when her recording career faded in the early 80s, she continued to be a live draw in England. She was born Billie Jean Spears Jan. 14, 1937 in Beaumont, TX. At 13 years of age, she recorded the single Too Old For Toys, Too Young For Boys as Billie Jean Moore for Jack Rhodes' Abbot label. After recording some demos with guitarist Pete Drake, Billie Jo moved to Nashville looking for a record deal in 1964. She signed with United Artists Records house producer Kelso Herston. When he moved to Capitol a couple of years later, she went with him. Billie Jo had little success until Mr. Walker, It's All Over reached #4 on the Country Music Singles chart in 1969. Just when she was getting some momentum, Billie Jo was diagnosed with polyps on her vocal cords and had surgery to remove them. She returned to United Artists in 1975 and Blanket On The Ground topped the Country Music Singles chart. This tale of a married couple trying to get their mojo back was written by Roger Bowling who also co-wrote Lucille and Coward In The County for Kenny Rogers who also recorded for United Artists. The song was also a top ten hit in the UK. Billie Jo Spears had three more top ten hits with What I've Got In Mind and Misty Blue in 1976 and If You Want Me in 1977. By 1981, she faded and was dropped around the time Capitol bought United Artists. This 2CD comp is the only one that has all of Billie Jo's top ten hits. Billie Jo continued to remain a popular live act in England and has been called The Queen Mother Of Country Music. She had triple bypass surgery in 1993 and continues to tour England today. She lives in Texas. Here's Billie Jo Spears performing Blanket On The Ground on Music Shop 1975.
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