Jim Weatherly

James Dexter Weatherly (March 17, 1943 – February 3, 2021) was an American singer-songwriter who wrote mostly pop and country music. He played quarterback at the University of Mississippi while also writing music with his own bands. He subsequently chose songwriting over a football career. His notable songs include "The Need to Be" and "Midnight Train to Georgia".

Early life Weatherly was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, on March 17, 1943. He attended Pontotoc High School, where he was an all-star quarterback for the school's football team. He also started writing songs and formed his own bands during this time. Other artists who have recorded Weatherly's songs include: Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Asha Puthli, Neil Diamond, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks. Weatherly's catalog includes songs that have been performed by Ray Price, Lynn Anderson, Brenda Lee, Bob Luman, and Batdorf & Rodney.

Recording Weatherly made his recording debut with "Jim Weatherly & The Vegas" on 20th Century Fox Records in 1965. He then formed The Gordian Knot with one LP released by Verve Records and later reissued on CD by Rev-Ola Records. He was offered a solo recording contract with Buddah Records after the success of "Georgia", and he released a number of albums in the 1970s.

Discography Source: AllMusic

Albums Year Title Chart Positions Label US Country US CAN 1972 Weatherly — — — RCA 1973 A Gentler Time — — — Jim Weatherly — — — 1974 The Songs of Jim Weatherly — 94 94 1975 Magnolias & Misfits 45 — — 1976 Pictures & Rhymes — — — Brizac The People Some People Choose to Love — — — 2001 Dancing Moon — — — 2003 Songs I've Written — — — 2004 Christmas Like Christmas Used to Be — — — 2008 Autumn Lights — — —

Singles Source: AllMusic, unless otherwise stated. Year Title Chart Positions US Country US US AC CAN Country CAN CAN AC 1973 "Loving You Is Just an Old Habit" — 116 — — — — 1974 "The Need to Be" — 11 6 — 13 17 1975 "I'll Still Love You" 9 87 14 23 — 9 "It Must Have Been the Rain" 58 — — 46 — — 1977 "All That Keeps Me Going" 27 — — — — — 1979 "Smooth Sailin'" 32 — — — — — 1980 "Gift from Missouri" 34 — — — — — "Safe in the Arms of Love(Cold in the Streets)" 82 — — — — —