Buddy Cannon

Buddy Cannon (born April 20, 1947 in Lexington, Tennessee) is an American country music songwriter and record producer active since the 1970s best known for his work with Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson.

Career Cannon began working in Nashville as a bass player in the 1970s, initially playing in Bob Luman's band before being hired by Mel Tillis to play in Tillis' band and write for his publishing company, with Tillis recording several Cannon songs over the next 11 years, including his 1978 hit, "I Believe in You". In 1990, George Strait had a number 1 hit with “I've Come to Expect It from You”, co-written by Cannon. Other artists who have recorded hit songs written or co-written by Cannon include Billy Ray Cyrus and Craig Morgan. Along with Bill Anderson and Jamey Johnson, Cannon co-wrote Strait's 2006 single "Give It Away", which won the Country Music Association's Song of the Year award.

While working in A&R at Mercury Records Nashville in the early 1990s, Cannon signed and developed artists including Billy Ray Cyrus and Shania Twain. Cannon became interested in producing, and produced Sammy Kershaw's debut album in 1991. In 1997, Cannon began a longtime relationship as a producer for Kenny Chesney. and was honored by the United States House of Representatives for his contributions as a record producer in 2008.

Cannon was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2024, it was announced that he would be presented with the Nashville Songwriters Association International president's award.

Personal life Cannon is the father of singer Melonie Cannon and songwriter Marla Cannon-Goodman.