Kenny O'Dell
American country music singer and songwriter
About Kenny O'Dell
Lived 1944 – 2018 (aged 73). Kenny O'Dell was an American singer-songwriter and country singer.
Kenneth Guy Gist Jr. (June 21, 1944 – March 27, 2018), known as Kenny O'Dell, was an American country music singer and songwriter, best known for writing the number-one country hits "Behind Closed Doors" (recorded by Charlie Rich, 1973) and "Mama He's Crazy" (The Judds, 1984). O'Dell was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Career Early in his career, he worked with guitarist Duane Eddy, and his own band, Guys and Dolls. When O'Dell first moved to Nashville in 1969, he ran Bobby Goldsboro's publishing company.
O'Dell died of natural causes on March 27, 2018, in Cool Springs, Tennessee. He was 73.
1962 "Old Time Love"
single only 1967 "Beautiful People"
Beautiful People
"Springfield Plane"
"Happy with You"
"Bless Your Little Heart"
1970 "If I Was a Rambler"
1971 "Jubal"
"Why Don't We Go Somewhere and Love"
"Lizzie and the Rainman"
1973 "Rock and Roll Man"
"You Bet Your Sweet, Sweet Love"
"I'll Find Another Way (To Say I Love You)"
"Soulful Woman"
"My Honky Tonk Ways"
"I Can't Think When You're Doin'"
"Let's Shake Hands and Come Out Lovin'"
"As Long as I Can Wake Up in Your Arms"
1979 "Medicine Woman"
single only
Awards
1973—Grammy\Best Country Song\"Behind Closed Doors" 1973—CMA\Song of the Year\"Behind Closed Doors" 1973—CMA\Single of the Year\"Behind Closed Doors" 1973—ACM\Song of the Year\"Behind Closed Doors" 1973—ACM\Single of the Year\"Behind Closed Doors" 1984—Nashville Songwriters Association International\Songwriter of the Year 1984—NSAI\Song of the Year\"Mama He's Crazy" 1985—BMI\Country Song of the Year\"Mama He's Crazy"
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Important facts
People in Kenny O'Dell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Kenny O'Dell?
American country music singer and songwriter (1944-2018)
When was Kenny O'Dell born?
Kenny O'Dell was born on 21 June 1944 in Antlers.
When did Kenny O'Dell die?
Kenny O'Dell died on 27 March 2018 in Nashville.
What was Kenny O'Dell's occupation?
Kenny O'Dell was a singer-songwriter and country singer.
What nationality was Kenny O'Dell?
Kenny O'Dell was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kenny O'Dell. https://biography.guide/kenny-o-dell/
MLA: "Kenny O'Dell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kenny-o-dell/.
Chicago: "Kenny O'Dell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kenny-o-dell/.
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