Danny Flowers

Daniel W. "Danny" Flowers (born 1948) is an American songwriter, recording artist, and multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville. He is known for creating songs that became hits for other artists. His best-known song is "Tulsa Time" recorded by Don Williams which became the number one U.S. Billboard country song of 1979. It was later recorded by Eric Clapton and reached number 30 on Billboard pop charts. Flowers' other songs written for Williams include "Back in My Younger Days", "Señorita", and "To Be Your Man". He co-wrote "Gulf Coast Highway", recorded by Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, and Nanci Griffith. Emmylou Harris' 1975 album, Pieces of the Sky derives its title from a lyric in Flowers' song, "Before Believing". His music has roots in the blues genre. His skill as a session guitarist distinguishes him from most of Nashville's other songwriters.

Early life

Flowers was born and raised in Henderson, North Carolina. His father was a mortician who owned the Flowers Funeral Home in Henderson; the family lived in an apartment above the business. He got his first guitar at age 17 and it became his primary inspiration for songwriting. His musical roots were in blues music. Flowers moved to Virginia Beach in 1968 after dropping out of school to perform on the blues and folk circuit, primarily as a harmonica player. He became proficient on slide guitar, dobro, and harmonica. In her book, They Came to Nashville, Marshall Chapman recalled spending time with Flowers in that house listening to records and analyzing songs by various artists.

Writing "Tulsa Time"

In September, 1978, Flowers and the Don Williams band members were staying at a Sheraton Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A snowstorm had caused an interruption of their schedule. Flowers said, "We were all snowed in, and there was absolutely nothing to do. I was sitting there in my room, watching The Rockford Files with some hotel stationery beside me, just bored, and I started writing out some verses”. He reportedly spent only half an hour on it and the song had only two chords. Flowers said he intended to add another chord later, "but Don heard it and liked it the way it was." Clapton released two versions of the song and the second, a 1980 live recording, reached number 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. Flowers' demonstrated his skill on the harmonica in this band. He left Williams in 1985 and later played with Nanci Griffith, Aaron Tippin, and Russell Smith.

Discography

Songs written

Anytime, Anywhere, Everywhere At the Open Door Back in My Younger Days Be Still My Heart Before Believing Born to Believe Breaking Point Everything Is Alright/Tulsa Time Reprise (with James Pennebaker) Free of That Today Gulf Coast Highway (with Nanci Griffith & James Hooker) Hang Around the House and Cry I Was a Burden I'm Holding On I've Had My Way Long Enough Jesus I Can't Hear Your Voice Today Keep on Livin' Nervous Off the Deep End Poor Bob Prayer Song (feat. Emmylou Harris) Read On Ready Ready to Cross Over Reason to Try Rededicating My Love to You Señorita Still Ain't Out of the Woods Tennessee Hideaway The Lord's Not Though Using Me Yet Till This Feeling Goes Away To Be Your Man Today I Choose to Shine Tools for the Soul (feat. Emmylou Harris) Tulsa Time UnGodly What Would the Father Say World Enough and Time You Are

Albums 2000: Forbidden Fruits and Vegetables 2007: Tools for the Soul 2018: I'm Holding On 2022: The Truth Don't Lie