What do you recall about the 1970s? It was a dynamic, dramatic decade. The Watergate scandal led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974, the Vietnam War ended in 1975, and America celebrated its bicentennial in 1976. There was a lot happening in music as as well. Some country artists rose and fell. They came to our attention, then faded. Their significant musical contributions can't and shouldn't be underestimated, however. Let's take a look back now at Dottie West, Guy Clark, John Prine, and Jeanne Pruett. They and their songs merit much more love!
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Dottie West
West had a fascinating career. Per the Country Music Hall of Fame web site, she was the first female country music star ever to earn a Grammy. She was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The legendary Patsy Cline was her mentor.
West had a flair for crafting advertising jingles. In fact, she co-wrote and sang one of them, "Country Sunshine." It evolved into a successful tune that made it to number 2 on the chart in 1973. Another momentous opportunity came when West recorded "Every Time Two Fools Collide" with Kenny Rogers in 1978, per thecurrent.org. "...[T]he song would go on to become a No. 1 hit in the Billboard Country Singles chart...." West tragically died at 58 from injuries she sustained in a car accident when she was on her way to the Grand Ole Opry.
Guy Clark
Clark was known for '70s tunes like "That Old Time Feeling," "L.A. Freeway," and "Let Him Roll." According to Rolling Stone, "...[H]is influence and body of work are essential to the genre." The outlet added that Clark's "songs...are touchstones of Nashville songwriting." In the 1970s, Clark and his wife, Susanna, were at the nexus of a music and social circle that included country luminaries like Rodney Crowell, Townes Van Zandt, and Steve Earle.
John Prine
"Sam Stone," "Angel from Montgomery," and "Hello in There" are just three 1970s gems from Prine. They all turned up on his exceptional freshman LP in 1971. Clearly he wasn't writing fluff for the masses. Prine's themes were pithy, meditative, and definitely unforgettable.
Per American Songwriter via The Huffington Post, Bob Dylan lauded him this way. "Prine's stuff is pure Proustian existentialism. Midwestern mindtrips to the Nth degree. And he writes beautiful songs...Nobody but Prine could write like that."
Jeanne Pruett
Pruett's career took off in the '70s. Per allmusic.com, she had her first charting track with "Hold On to My Unchanging Love" in 1971. Two years later, "I'm Your Woman" boosted her into Top Ten territory. Also in 1973, Pruett had her sole chart-topper, "Satin Sheets." Was she a one-hit wonder? By strict definition, apparently. Still, she made her mark on the genre.
