James "Sandy" Pinkard has died at the age of 78. The prolific songwriter co-wrote the Mel Tillis' hit "Coca-Cola Cowboy." He was also one-half of the country music comedy duo Pinkard and Bowden. The news was reported by Music Row.
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Born in Abbeville, Louisiana, on January 16, 1947, he served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Afterwards, he took on odd jobs across the country. They included driving a taxi in California, working as a rodeo clown in Texas, and lobster fishing in Maine. By the mid-70s, he settled in Nashville.
Sandy Pinkard Made His Name in Nashville
In Music City, Pinkard found his creative home and built a reputation as a gifted songwriter.
Pinkard co-wrote is "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma," a hit duet for Shelly West and David Frizzell. It was named Song of the Year in 1981 by the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
He co-wrote "Blessed Are the Believers," a number one hit for Anne Murray in 1981. Pinkard also wrote the lyrics for Vern Gosdin's "I Can Tell by the Way You Dance." It was later covered by Josh Turner in 2020. He also co-write the Tillis hit "Coca Cola Cowboy."
It Was Comedy Where Pinkard Really Made His Mark
In the 1980s, producer Jim Ed Norman introduced Pinkard to country music songwriter Richard Bowden. Bowden had been in a band with his childhood friend, Don Henley, before he joined The Eagles.
Together, they formed the comedy duo Pinkard and Bowden. Their first release was the 1984 album 'Writers in Disguise'. It included "Help Me Make it Through the Yard" (a take on Sammi Smith's "Help Me Make it Through the Night") and "Delta Dawg" (a riff on Tanya Tucker's "Delta Dawn").
Pinkard and Bowden released three more albums through 1992, garnering them legions of fans. Their hits included "Mama She's Lazy" (The Judds' "Mama He's Crazy") and "She Thinks I Steal Cars" (inspired by George Jones' "She Thinks I Still Care").
In recognition of his career, Pinkard was inducted into the West Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Ann Bennett. Pinkard also had a son, Tom Maxwell, and daughters Pamela Way and Mary Athalia Irwin. He also had a brother, Chris Pinkard, and a grandson, Henry Stuart Irwin.
His funeral will be held today (July 31) at West Virginia National Cemetery. He will be awarded full military honors.
