Why are the great writers not remembered as much as the singers?

Question

We classic country music fans all have heard songs by the great writers such as Harlan Howard, Dallas Frazier, Tommy Collins, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant to name a few but few remember that like they do the singers. Reckon why it's like that?

Answer 1

Personally I think it depends on the person. Harlan Howard is a long distant cousin of mine, so I always think of him. However other songwriters that come to my mind are ones who not only write, but also sing their own songs. Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Johhny Cash, Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, etc

Answer 2

IN MY OPINION~ MY FRIEND.. THE LATE MAX D. BARNES (1936-2004)
WAS THE GREATEST SONG WRITER EVER!!!
I MADE SURE THAT THE WHOLE WORLD KNEW IT!!!

JUST LOOK AT THIS WORK OF ART...
If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)

Co-writer: Vern Gosdin


Artists: Vern Gosdin (1983)

Way Down Deep

Co-writer: Max Troy Barnes


Artists: Vern Gosdin (1983)

Chiseled In Stone

Co-writer: Vern Gosdin


Artists: Vern Gosdin (1988)

Don't Tell Me What To Do

Co-Writer: Harlan Howard


Artists: Pam Tillis (1991)

Look At Us

Co-Writer: Vince Gill


Artists: Vince Gill (1991)

If I Didn't Have You

Co-Writer: Skip Ewing


Artists: Randy Travis (1992)

Don't Take It Away

Co-writer: Troy Seals


Artists: Conway Twitty (1978)

Can't Love You Enough

Co-writer: Troy Seals


Artists: Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn (1979)

Red Neckin' Love Makin' Night

Co-writer: Troy Seals


Artists: Conway Twitty (1981)

Thank God For the Radio

Co-writer: Robert John Jones


Artists: The Kendalls (1984)

Drinkin' and Dreamin'

Co-writer: Troy Seals


Artists: Waylon Jennings (1985)

Joe Knows How to Live

Co-writer: Troy Seals, Graham Lyle


Artists: Eddie Raven (1986)

Ten Feet Away

Co-writer: Troy Seals, Billy Sherrill


Artists: Keith Whitley (1986)

Do You Believe Me Now

Artists: Vern Gosdin (1986)

Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes

Co-writer: Troy Seals


Artists: George Jones (1986)

I Won't Need You Anymore

Co-writer: Troy Seals


Artists: Randy Travis

Let Go Of the Stone

Co-writer: Max T. Barnes


Artists: John Anderson (1993)

Storms of Life

Co-writer: Troy Seals


Artists: Randy Travis (1982)

This Ain't My First Rodeo

Co-writer: Vern Gosdin


Artists: Vern Gosdin (1991)

I've Got It Made

Artists: John Anderson (1994)

Answer 3

Because sadly reading a book is not such a popular thing to do.... As having an Ipod fully filled of music...

Answer 4

The writers aren't out in front of audiences 200-plus times a year singing their songs.

You have to want the limelight to get noticed that way. These days, songwriters get much more credit thanks to websites and magazines.