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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMcDOWELL, Ronnie(b 26 March 1950, Fountain Head TN) Country-pop singer, songwriter and guitarist with uncanny vocal resemblance to Elvis Presley. He started a singing career in the U.S. Navy; moved to Nashville and worked as sign painter, a club singer by night, also landed a writer's contract with songs cut by Billy Walker, Roy Drusky etc; he charted both pop and country with his 'The King Is Gone' tribute to Presley on Scorpion '77 and had further country success with 'I Love You, I Love You, I Love You' '78, more minor hits on Scorpion and Epic until '81 when 'Wandering Eyes' at no. 2 started six years of top ten hits including 'Older Women' '81 and 'You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation' '83 at no. 1. He sang on the soundtrack for the TV movie Elvis '79; his band the Rhythm Kings included Doug Phelps and Greg Martin who went on to form the Kentucky Headhunters; he joined MCA/Curb '86 but the hits slowed down (except for top ten 'It's Only Make Believe' '88, featuring his idol Conway Twitty) as he concentrated on his slick, choreographed live show. Later albums included Older Women And Other Greatest Hits on Epic; American Music '89, Unchained Melody and Your Precious Love '91, All Tied Up, When A Man Loves A Woman '92, I'm Still Missing You and Country Dances '93 (MCA/Curb was later Curb/Warner Bros in USA). |