Country musician known for songs such as Always Late (With Your Kisses) and Saginaw, Michigan. He advocated for honky tonk music.
He used to work in oilfields, even as his career as a singer was taking off.
He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He grew up with seven siblings. His family lived in El Dorado, Texas, for most of his youth.
His singing style influenced many artists, including Merle Haggard.
