Gary Burr, born in Meriden, Connecticut, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, primarily in the

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...

genre. Many of the songs he has written have become Top-10 hits, the first of which was " Love's Been A Little Bit Hard On Me" released by

Juice Newton Judith Kay "Juice" Newton (born February 18, 1952) is an American pop and country singer, songwriter, and musician. Newton has received five Grammy Award nominations in the Pop and Country Best Female Vocalist categorieswinning once in 1983as well ...

(#7 on Billboard's Hot 100) in 1982. He became a member of the group

Pure Prairie League Pure Prairie League is an American country rock band whose origins go back to 1965 and Waverly, Ohio, with singer and guitarist Craig Fuller, drummer Tom McGrail, guitarist and drummer Jim Caughlan and steel guitarist John David Call. Fuller s ...

(1982 to 1985), taking over after

Vince Gill Vincent Grant Gill (born April 12, 1957) is an American country music singer, songwriter and musician. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman of the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s and as a solo artist ...

departed the group. Burr later moved to Nashville to focus on his songwriting career, though he has continued performing and is currently a member of the

Blue Sky Riders Blue Sky Riders is a musical trio consisting of singer-songwriters Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr Gary Burr, born in Meriden, Connecticut, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, primarily in the country ...

. He has written and co-written songs for many

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...

artists (

The Oak Ridge Boys The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet originating in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in Southern gospel during the 1950s. Their name was chang ...

, Reba McEntire,

Patty Loveless Patty Loveless (born Patricia Lee Ramey, January 4, 1957) is an American country music singer. She began performing in her teenaged years before signing her first recording contract with MCA Records' Nashville division in 1985. While her first ...

, etc.), and a few songs for Pop and Rock artists (

, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and

Lisa Loeb Lisa Loeb (; born March 11, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author and actress. She started her career with the number 1 hit song "Stay (I Missed You)" from the film '' Reality Bites,'' the first number 1 single for an artist ...

Songs written/co-written by Gary Burr

* "Rainy Day Man" –

Joey Molland Joseph Charles Molland (born 21 June 1947, Edge Hill, Liverpool) is an English songwriter and rock guitarist whose recording career spans five decades. He is best known as a member of Badfinger, the most successful of the acts he performed wi ...

* “I Was Here” -

Lady Antebellum Lady A (formerly known as Lady Antebellum) is an American country music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006. The group is composed of Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals), Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals, guitar) ...

* "The Time Machine" –

Collin Raye Floyd Elliot Wray (born August 22, 1960) is an American country music singer, known professionally as Collin Raye, and previously as Bubba Wray. Under the latter name, he recorded as a member of the band The Wrays between 1983 and 1987. He made ...

* "Wrong Again" –

Mindy McCready Malinda Gayle McCready (November 30, 1975 – February 17, 2013) was an American country music singer. Active from 1995 until her death in 2013, she recorded a total of five studio albums. Her debut album, 1996's ''Ten Thousand Angels'', wa ...

* " Love's Been a Little Bit Hard on Me" –

* "Walkin' Into Trouble" –

* " Make My Life With You" –

* "

I Try to Think About Elvis "I Try to Think About Elvis" is a song written by Gary Burr, and recorded by American country music artist Patty Loveless. It was released in July 1994 as the first single from her album ''When Fallen Angels Fly''. American Aquarium American Aq ...

" –

* " A Thousand Times a Day" –

* "Up and Flying" – Reba McEntire * "I Wear Your Love"-

Kathy Mattea Kathleen Alice Mattea (born June 21, 1959) is an American country music and bluegrass singer. Active since 1984 as a recording artist, she has charted more than 30 singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts, including four that reac ...

* "Bus Ride"- Suzy Bogguss * " Can't Be Really Gone" –

Tim McGraw Samuel Timothy McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has released 16 studio albums (11 for Curb Records, four for Big Machine Records and one for Arista Nashville). 10 of those album ...

* " To Be Loved by You" –

Wynonna Wynonna Ellen Judd or simply Wynonna ( ; born Christina Claire Ciminella; May 30, 1964) is an American country music singer. She is one of the most widely recognized and awarded female country singers. In all, she has had 19 No. 1 singles, incl ...

* "Cover to Cover" –

Billy Ray Cyrus Billy Ray Cyrus (born August 25, 1961) is an American country singer and actor. He has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, and is known for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart", which topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and ...

* " More Love" –

Doug Stone Doug Stone (born Douglas Jackson Brooks; June 19, 1956) is an American country music singer and actor. He debuted in 1990 with the single " I'd Be Better Off (In a Pine Box)", the first release from his 1990 self-titled debut album for Epic Rec ...

* "

Too Busy Being in Love "Too Busy Being in Love" is a song written by Victoria Shaw and Gary Burr, and recorded by American country music singer Doug Stone Doug Stone (born Douglas Jackson Brooks; June 19, 1956) is an American country music singer and actor. He debut ...

" – Doug Stone * "Small Steps" – Doug Stone * "

What's in It for Me "What's in It for Me" is a song written by Gary Burr and John Jarrard, and recorded by American country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United Stat ...

" – John Berry * "

Man of My Word "Man Of My Word" is a song written by Gary Burr and Allen Shamblin, and recorded by American country music singer Collin Raye Floyd Elliot Wray (born August 22, 1960) is an American country music singer, known professionally as Collin Raye, an ...

" –

* " Burned Like a Rocket" –

Billy Joe Royal Billy Joe Royal (April 3, 1942 – October 6, 2015) was an American country soul singer. His most successful record was " Down in the Boondocks" in 1965. Life and career Born in Valdosta, Georgia, to Clarence and Mary Sue Smith Royal, and rai ...

* " That's My Job" – Conway Twitty * " The Vows Go Unbroken (Always True to You)" –

Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted mo ...

* " Watch Me" –

Lorrie Morgan Loretta Lynn Morgan (born June 27, 1959) is an American country music singer and actress. She is the daughter of George Morgan, widow of Keith Whitley, and ex-wife of Jon Randall and Sammy Kershaw, all of whom are also country music singers. Mo ...

* " Sure Love" –

Hal Ketchum Hal Michael Ketchum (April 9, 1953November 23, 2020) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He released eleven studio albums from 1986 to 2014, including nine for divisions of Curb Records. Ketchum's 1991 album ''Past the Point of ...

* "

In a Week or Two "In a Week or Two" is a song written by James House and Gary Burr, and recorded by American country music group Diamond Rio. It was released in November 1992 as the lead-off single from their album ''Close to the Edge''. It peaked at number 2 in ...

" –

Diamond Rio Diamond Rio is an American country music band. The band was founded in 1982 as an attraction for the Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee, and was originally known as the Grizzly River Boys, then the Tennessee River Boys. It was foun ...

* " One Night a Day" –

Garth Brooks Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is an American country music singer and songwriter. His integration of pop and rock elements into the country genre has earned him popularity, particularly in the United States with success on the co ...

* " We Don't Have to Do This" –

Tanya Tucker Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music singer and songwriter who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13. Over the succeeding decades, Tucker became one of the few child performers to mature int ...

* "

Where Was I "Where Was I?" may refer to: Books *"Where Was I?", essay by David Hawley Sanford from ''The Mind's I'' *''Where Was I?'', book by John Haycraft 2006 *''Where was I?!'', book by Terry Wogan 2009 Film and TV *Where Was I? (film), 1925 film directed ...

" –

Ricky Van Shelton Ricky Van Shelton (born January 12, 1952) is an American retired country music singer. Active between 1986 and 2006, he charted more than 20 singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts. This figure includes 10 Number One hits: " Somebo ...

* " Till You Love Me" – Reba McEntire * "One Last Good Hand"- Reba McEntire * " What Mattered Most" –

Ty Herndon Boyd Tyrone Herndon (born May 2, 1962), known professionally as Ty Herndon, is an American country music singer and songwriter. His music career began in the 1980s as a member of the Tennessee River Boys, a predecessor to the country band Diamon ...

* "Heart Half Empty" – Ty Herndon &

Stephanie Bentley Stephanie Kay Bentley (born April 29, 1963) is an American country music artist. She made her debut in 1996 as a duet partner on Ty Herndon's single "Heart Half Empty", which peaked at No. 21 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Track ...

* " On the Side of Angels" – LeAnn Rimes * " Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense" – LeAnn Rimes * "

Bottle A bottle is a narrow-necked container made of an impermeable material (such as glass, plastic or aluminium) in various shapes and sizes that stores and transports liquids. Its mouth, at the bottling line, can be sealed with an internal stop ...

" – LeAnn Rimes * "I Already Do" –

Chely Wright Chely Wright (born Richell Rene Wright; October 25, 1970) is an American activist, author and country music artist. She initially rose to fame as a commercial country recording artist with several charting singles, including the number one hit ...

* "

It Was "It Was" is a song recorded by American country music artist Chely Wright. The song was released in September 1999 by MCA Nashville as the second single from her fourth studio album ''Single White Female'' (1999). It was written by Mark Wright ...

" – Chely Wright *"Everything" – Chely Wright * " A Man Ain't Made of Stone" –

Randy Travis Randy Bruce Traywick (born May 4, 1959), known professionally as Randy Travis, is an American country music and gospel music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. Active from 1978 until being incapacitated by a stroke in 2013, he has recor ...

* "

Out of My Bones "Out of My Bones" is a song recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was released in March 1998 as the lead-off single from his CD ''You and You Alone (album), You and You Alone''. The song peaked at number two on the Hot Countr ...

" – Randy Travis * " You Made Me That Way" –

Andy Griggs Andrew Tyler Griggs (born January 31 1973) 1973) is an American country music artist. He has released three albums for RCA Records Nashville ('' You Won't Ever Be Lonely'', '' Freedom'', and ''This I Gotta See'') and a fourth ('' The Good Life'' ...

* "

This Is the Night This Is the Night may refer to: Film * ''This Is the Night'' (1932 film), an American pre-Code comedy film, Cary Grant's feature film debut * ''This Is the Night'' (2021 film), an American drama film Music * "This Is the Night", fourth track on ...

" –

Clay Aiken Clayton Holmes Aiken (''né'' Grissom; born November 30, 1978) is an American singer, television personality, actor, politician, and activist. Aiken finished second place on the second season of ''American Idol'' in 2003, and his debut album, ' ...

* "Before Your Love" –

Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of ''American Idol'' in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA. Her debu ...

* "

Nobody Wants to Be Lonely "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" is a song by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin from his sixth studio album, ''Sound Loaded'' (2000). Martin re-recorded the song along with American singer Christina Aguilera in December 2000. The album version was wri ...

" –

Ricky Martin Enrique Martín Morales (born December 24, 1971), known professionally as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for his musical versatility, with his Ricky Martin albums discography, discography spanning ...

Christina Aguilera Christina María Aguilera (; ; born December 18, 1980) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Known for her four-octave vocal range and ability to sustain high notes, she has been referred to as the " Voice of ...

* "Tomorrow's Goodbye" – Lynyrd Skynyrd * "Todo" –

Alejandra Guzmán Gabriela Alejandra Guzmán Pinal (born February 9, 1968), known professionally as Alejandra Guzmán, and nicknamed "La Reina de Corazones" (The Queen of Hearts) is a Mexican musician, singer, composer, and actress. With more than 30 million album ...

* "Just Around the Eyes" –

Faith Hill Audrey Faith McGraw (; born September 21, 1967), known professionally as Faith Hill, is an American singer and actress. She is one of the most successful country music artists of all time, having sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. Hill' ...

* "I Would Be Stronger Than That" –

* " Outside My Window" –

Sarah Buxton Sarah Jane Buxton (born July 3, 1980) is an American country music singer, formerly signed to the independent Lyric Street Records. Between 2006 and 2008, she issued three singles from an extended play titled '' Almost My Record'', in addition t ...

* "In the Meantime" — Sarah Marince * "Learning To Live With Me" –

Gary Allan Gary Allan Herzberg (born December 5, 1967) is an American country music singer. Signed to Decca Records in 1996, Allan made his country music debut with the release of his single " Her Man", the lead-off to his gold-certified debut album '' U ...

* "Always Something To Believe In" – Malea McGuinness * "Younger" – Joe Cocker * "In Front Of The Alamo" –

* "Standing Still" –

Ringo Starr Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the ...

* "Love Is" –

* "Loving You Forever" – Carole King * "Wise Beyond Her Tears" – Kim Hill * "Back In Your Kitchen" -

Tommy Shaw Tommy Roland Shaw (born September 11, 1953) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter best known for his tenure in the rock band Styx (band), Styx as co-lead vocalist. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with other groups includi ...

* "Shadows In The Moonlight" -

* "Cavalry" -

* Title song and 3 others on "How About Now" -

Kenny Loggins Kenneth Clark Loggins (born January 7, 1948) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. His early songs were recorded with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970, which led to seven albums recorded as Loggins and Messina from 1972 to 1977. His ...

As producer

Burr has produced a number of songs and albums, including the Disney Records album '' The Best of Country Sing the Best of Disney'', and

Olivia Newton-John Dame Olivia Newton-John (26 September 1948 – 8 August 2022) was a British-Australian singer, actress and activist. She was a four-time Grammy Award winner whose music career included 15 top-ten singles, including 5 number-one singles on the ...

's ''

Back with a Heart ''Back with a Heart'' is the sixteenth studio album by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John. It was released by MCA Nashville on 12 May 1998 in the United States. Her first album in four years, it marked her return to country music after ...

''.

U.S. Senate Testimony

Burr gave Testimony to the U.S. Senate as a major American songwriter in November 2005 concerning audio/video piracy (specifically from China) on behalf of himself and the

RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

Blue Sky Riders

Burr is a member of Blue Sky Riders, a

trio also featuring

and

Georgia Middleman Georgia Leigh Middleman (born December 27, 1967) is an American country singer. Middleman sang from age ten at the Texas Star Inn in San Antonio, and began writing songs shortly thereafter. She sold recordings of her first song, There's a Rainbo ...

(whom he married in 2012). They released their debut album, ''Finally Home'', on January 29, 2013.

References

External links

Official websiteGary Burr Interview
NAMM Oral History Library (2019) {{DEFAULTSORT:Burr, Gary Record producers from Connecticut Record producers from New York (state) American country singer-songwriters Year of birth missing (living people) Living people People from Meriden, Connecticut Singer-songwriters from New York (state) Country musicians from New York (state) Blue Sky Riders members American male singer-songwriters Singer-songwriters from Connecticut Pure Prairie League members