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Vern Gosdin History
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Vern Gosdin biography, awards and credits. |
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 Read all about Vern Gosdin a.k.a. The Voice of Country Music. Biography, awards and credits of a legacy that started on the West Coast in 1968.
As the sixth child in a family of nine, Vern Gosdin began singing in a church in Woodland, Al. where his mother played piano.   In 1961 he moved to California where he joined the West Coast Country music movement, first as a member of the Golden State Boys, then the Hillmen before forming The Gosdin Brothers with brother Rex. The duo hit the charts in the late 60s with Hangin On on the Bakersfield International label, then with "Till The End" on Capitol Records. He moved to Atlanta during the 70s, retired from performing and operated a glass company, but before the end of the decade he was back in the studio recording with Emmylou Harris and Janie Frickie . He signed with Compleat Records in the early 80s, and in 1984 released "There Is A Season", picked by the Los Angeles Times as "Best Country Album" of that year. He made the Top Ten consistently in the early '80s, really hitting his stride when he teamed with Max D. Barnes as a songwriting collaborator. The pair specialized in songs of cheating and barroom romance, often delivering an over-the-top emotionalism that got Gosdin compared to the ultimate legend of honky tonk vocals of George Jones . In 1983, Gosdin had two Top Five hits — If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right) and Way Down Deep and was voted CMA's Artist of the Year. The following year he had his first number one single with I Can Tell by the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight) and had two additional Top Ten hits. After Compleat Records went bankrupt, Gosdin signed with Columbia in 1987. He had success right off the bat with Do You Believe Me Now he hit number one once again with the perennially popular Ernest Tubb tribute Set 'Em Up Joe . Gosdin's Chiseled in Stone , co-written with Barnes, won the Country Music Association's Song of the Year award in 1989. His 1989 album Alone was a rarity: a concept album in a traditional country style. It chronicled the dissolution of Gosdin's marriage. Recently Is it raining at your house, written by Gosdin was re-recorded and released by Brad Paisley.
~ Gosdin Brothers's ~
Despite a strong association with the Byrds , the Gosdin Brothers' progressive blend of bluegrass and country-rock never found its way to a popular audience, though Vern Gosdin would later become one of country's more acclaimed vocalists. Vern and Rex Gosdin grew up on a farm in Woodland, AL -- two of nine children -- and started singing together after discovering the Louvin Brothers . They performed regularly on local radio as teenagers, and moved to the Los Angeles area in 1961, where they joined a bluegrass group called the Golden State Boys. Chris Hillman was a member prior to joining the Byrds, and the group later changed its name to the Hillmen. When Hillman departed, the Gosdin Brothers teamed up to form their own outfit, and sometimes served as the Byrds' opening act. Additionally, when Gene Clark left the Byrds for a solo career, he teamed up with Vern and Rex to record the 1966 album Gene Clark With the Gosdin Brothers, an influential proto-country-rock effort. The Gosdin Brothers subsequently scored a deal with Capitol, and had their only chart single with 1967's Hangin On. Their first and only album, Sounds of Goodbye, was released in 1968, and its brand of country owed much to Clark and the Byrds' influence. The Gosdins opened for Merle Haggard on tour, and the Byrds recorded Vern's Someone to Turn To for the soundtrack of Easy Rider in 1969, but the overall lack of exposure proved too frustrating, and the brothers disbanded in 1970. Vern moved to Atlanta and ran a glass business before returning to music in 1976; this time the charts were kinder, and he ran off a string of country hits that lasted into the early '90s, when health problems curtailed his performing activities. Rex, too, mounted a solo career, but was less successful, and passed away in 1983. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
 2005 Inducted into the Alabama Country and Gospel Music Association for Best Album,"Back in the Swing of Things and Lifetime Achievement Awards
2005 Inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame
1998 Hook It Music inducted into the Music Publishers Hall of Fame
1991 ASCAP Award - "Right In The Wrong Direction" 1991 ASCAP Award - "Is It Rainin' At Your House" (Writer)
1991 ASCAP Award - "Is It Rainin' At Your House"
1990 ASCAP Award - "I'm Still Crazy"
1990 ASCAP Award - "Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time"
1990 ASCAP Award - "That Just About Does It"
1989 ASCAP Award - "Set 'Em Up Joe"
1989 ASCAP Award - "Chiseled In Stone"
1989 ASCAP Award - "Do You Believe Me Now?"
1989 CMA Song of the Year - "Chiseled In Stone" (Max D. Barnes & Vern Gosdin)
1988 Nashville Songwriters Association Song of the Year - "Chiseled In Stone"
1988 CMA #1 Song - "Set 'Em Up Joe"
1988 CMA Album of the Year - "Chiseled In Stone" (Nomination)
1988 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year (Nomination)
1987 CMA #1 in the Nation - "Today My World Slipped Away"
1987 ASCAP #1 Club - "Today My World Slipped Away"
1984 CMA Horizon Award (Nomination)
1983 AMI's First Top Ten Single - "Today My World Slipped Away"
1983 CMA Song of the Year - "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right) (Nomination) (Vern Gosdin & Max D. Barnes)
1983 CMA Horizon Award (Nomination)
1983 Billboard Country Awards - "New Male Artist of the Year"
Billboard as a Songwriter
| Song Title | Recording Artist | Chart* | Year | | I'm Still Crazy | Vern Gosdin | 1 | 1989 | | Set 'Em Up Joe | Vern Gosdin | 1 | 1988 | | Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time | Vern Gosdin | 2 | 1989 | | Today My World Slipped Away | George Straight | 3 | 1998 | | Do You Believe Me Now | Vern Gosdin | 4 | 1987 | | That Just About Does It | Vern Gosdin | 4 | 1990 | | If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right) | Vern Gosdin | 5 | 1983 | | Chisled In Stone | Vern Gosdin | 6 | 1988 | | Wonder Where We'd Be Tonight | Vern Gosdin | 10 | 1983 | | Slow Burning Memory | Vern Gosdin | 10 | 1984 | | Is It Raining At Your House | Vern Gosdin | 10 | 1990 | | Right In The Wrong Direction | Vern Gosdin | 10 | 1990 |
*Chart position is based on Billboard Magazine Pop, Country, R&B, & A/C Charts. Other music industry charts may have shown higher chart positions.
Billboard Singles Chart Billboard Singles Chart| Song Title | Year | Chart* | | Back When Hot | 1993 | 67 | | A Month Of Sundays | 1992 | 54 | | I Knew My Day Would Come | 1991 | 64 | | Is It Raining At Your House | 1991 | 10 | | The Garden | 1991 | 51 | | Right In The Wrong Direction | 1990 | 10 | | Tanqueray | 1990 | 75 | | That Just About Does It | 1990 | 4 | | This Ain t My First Rodeo | 1990 | 14 | | I m Still Crazy | 1989 | 1 | | Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time | 1989 | 2 | | Chiseled In Stone | 1988 | 6 | | Do You Believe Me Now | 1988 | 4 | | Set 'Em Up Joe | 1988 | 1 | | It s Only Love Again | 1986 | 68 | | Time Stood Still | 1986 | 51 | | Was It Just The Wine | 1986 | 61 | | Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud Loud Music) | 1985 | 20 | | I Know The Way To You By Heart | 1985 | 35 | | Slow Burning Memory | 1985 | 10 | | Can Tell By The Way You Dance (You re Gonna Love Me Tonight) | 1984 | 1 | | What Would Your Memories Do | 1984 | 10 | | I Wonder Where We d Be Tonight | 1983 | 10 |
*Chart position is based on Billboard Magazine Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart.
Other music industry charts may have shown higher chart positions.
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Year  |
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Album |
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Artist |
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Credit |
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1967 |
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Younger Than Yesterday |
The Byrds |
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Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar |
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1970 |
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Hillmen |
The Hillmen |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1971 |
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Hillmen |
Chris Hillman |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1977 |
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Till the End |
Vern Gosdin |
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Harmonica, Vocals (bckgr) |
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1979 |
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Legend and the Legacy [Edsel] |
Ernest Tubb |
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Performer |
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1983 |
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If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right) |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1983 |
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Today My World Slipped Away |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1984 |
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If Jesus Comes Tomorrow |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1984 |
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There Is a Season |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1986 |
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Vern Gosdin's Greatest Hits |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1987 |
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Country Greats Sing Gospel |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1988 |
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Billboard Top Country Hits: 1988 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1988 |
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Chiseled in Stone |
Vern Gosdin |
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Vocals, Vocals (bckgr) |
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1988 |
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Don't Close Your Eyes |
Keith Whitley |
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Vocals (bckgr) |
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1989 |
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Ernest Tubb Collection |
Ernest Tubb & Guests |
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Vocals |
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1989 |
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Great Country Hits of the 80's: 1988 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1989 |
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Swingin' Country Favorites |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1990 |
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10 Years of Greatest Hits: Newly Recorded |
Vern Gosdin |
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Vocals (bckgr) |
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1990 |
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Alabama & Other Stars |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1990 |
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Country's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1: Blazin' Country |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1990 |
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Country's Greatest Hits, Vol. 3: Ten Gallon Country |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1990 |
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Heroes and Friends |
Randy Travis |
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Vocals, Performer, Duet, Guest Appearance |
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1991 |
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Contemporary Country: The Mid '80s |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1991 |
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Friends in High Places |
George Jones |
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Vocals |
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1991 |
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Greatest Country Hits of the 80's: 1989 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1991 |
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Greatest Country Hits of the 90's, Vol. 1 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1991 |
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Greatest Country Hits of the 90's, Vol. 2 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1991 |
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Hot Country Rock, Vol. 2 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1991 |
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Out of My Heart |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1992 |
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Friday Night Feeling |
Vern Gosdin |
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Harmony Vocals |
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1992 |
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Greatest Country Hits of the 90's: 1991 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1992 |
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Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1992 |
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It's Not Over |
Vern Gosdin |
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Vocals |
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1992 |
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Legendary [Box Set] |
Ernest Tubb & Friends |
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1992 |
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Legendary, Vol. 4: Rainbow at Midnight |
Ernest Tubb & Friends |
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Performer |
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1992 |
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Texas Collection |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1993 |
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30 Years of #1 Hits, Vol. 18 |
Various Artists |
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Vocals, Performer |
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1993 |
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30 Years of #1 Hits, Vol. 20 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1993 |
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Behind Closed Doors |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1993 |
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Greatest Country Hits of the 90's: 1992 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1993 |
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Nickels & Dimes & Love |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1994 |
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Country Super Hits |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1994 |
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Super Hits |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1994 |
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Truly Great Hits |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Producer |
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1995 |
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80s Country [1998 Sony Special Products] |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1995 |
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Gospel Album |
Vern Gosdin |
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Producer |
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1995 |
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Hot Country Hits of the 90's, Vol. 3 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1995 |
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Set 'Em Up |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1995 |
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That Christmas Cheer [Sony Special Products] |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1996 |
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Die Hard Country |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1996 |
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Gospel According to Country |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1996 |
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Honky Tonk Super Hits |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1996 |
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No. 1 Country Stars, Vol. 5 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1996 |
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No. 1 Country Stars, Vol. 7 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1996 |
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Power Country |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1996 |
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Warning: Contains Country Music (The Great Ballads of |
Vern Gosdin |
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Producer |
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1997 |
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24 Karat Heartache |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals, Producer |
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1997 |
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80's Country: 1984-1986 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1997 |
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Country Gospel Hymns |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1997 |
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Country Greats Sing Gospel, Vol. 2 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1997 |
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Country Jukebox Favorites |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1997 |
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Country's #1's |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1997 |
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Legends of the Silver Eagle |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1997 |
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Shakin' Things Up |
Lorrie Morgan |
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Vocals (bckgr) |
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1997 |
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Silver Eagle Cross Country Presents Live: Vern Gosdin |
Vern Gosdin |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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1997 |
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Super Hits of the '80s [Sony] |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1998 |
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70s & 80s Country, Vol. 7 |
Karaoke |
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Performer |
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1998 |
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Clinch Mountain Country |
Ralph Stanley & Friends |
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Performer |
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1998 |
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Country Hit Kickers |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1998 |
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Heartbreak Hotel [Laserlight] |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1998 |
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Super Hits: Cryin' Time |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1998 |
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Time Stood Still |
Vern Gosdin |
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Producer, Harmony Vocals |
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1998 |
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Voice |
Vern Gosdin |
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Vocals (bckgr), Producer |
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1999 |
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Legends of Rock: Acoustic Superstars |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1999 |
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New Country Classics: Honky Tonk Party |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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1999 |
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New Country Classics |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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2000 |
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Country Favorites [Madacy 2000] |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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2000 |
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Country Favorites: 80's, Vol. 2 |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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2000 |
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Heartbreak Hotel: 34 Country Hits |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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2000 |
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I'll Be There |
Karen Pendley |
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Vocals, Harmony Vocals |
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2000 |
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Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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2001 |
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Live Country Rock |
Various Artists |
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Performer |
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2004 |
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Back in the Swing of Things |
Vern Gosdin |
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Vocals (bckgr), Producer |
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2006 |
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16 Biggest Hits |
Keith Whitley |
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Harmony Vocals |
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2006 |
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Sugar Hill Records: A Retrospective [Box Set] |
Various Artists |
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Guitar, Vocals |
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2008 |
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40 Years of The Voice - VGM(R)/TMN(R)
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Vern Gosdon
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Guitar, Vocals, Prod.
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