Larry Butler

He's not a familiar name (to me anyway) but Larry Butler, who has died aged 69, has an interesting career. A member of Memphis group the Gentrys, who had a hit with Keep On Dancin' and Every Day I Have To Cry (written by Arthur Alexander), he went into record production and had considerable success in the country field. He's probably best known for producing Kenny Rogers' biggest hits Lucille (see photo), The Gambler and Coward Of The County, but he also produced many of Johnny Cash's records. His production company looked after Billie Jo Spears, John Denver, Don McLean and Charlie Rich, among others.