The SHOF was saddened to learn of the passing of 2014 inductee Jim Weatherly.
Jim Weatherly began writing songs as a teenager, forming his own bands while attending high school and the University of Mississippi, which he attended on a football scholarship. Although being a star quarterback at Ole Miss, he subsequently chose a career in music over football and went on to write songs for almost 50 years.
His real success began in the early 70's after meeting Larry Gordon who became his publisher and manager. With Larry's guidance his songwriting began to flourish." Neither One of Us", recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, became his first number one pop record in both Cashbox Magazine and Record World Magazine., as well as a number one R&B record. It was followed by "Where Peaceful Waters Flow"," Midnight Train to Georgia", and "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me", all pop and R&B hits. Gladys and The Pips recorded 12 of his songs.
At the same time, Ray Price had a number one country record with "You're The Best Thing" and Bob Luman had a top 5 record with "Neither One of Us". Ray Price went on to record 38 of Weatherly's songs. As an artist, Weatherly had a pop and A/C hit with "The Need to Be" and a country hit with "I'll Still Love You".
Other artist who have recorded Weatherly songs include Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers Neil Diamond, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks, just to name a few. His songs have been used in movies and TV shows such as Broadcast News, The Deerhunter, Modern Family, Chicago Hope and Ally McBeal as well as many others.
Weatherly was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and ASCAP's Country Songwriter of the Year in 1974. He also is in the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame and Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame.
Jim Weatherly is survived by his wife, Cynthia; two children, Brighton and Zack; and several brothers and sisters.
