American country singer, songwriter (May 27, 1939 Floydada, Texas – September 8, 2017). He grew up in Portland, Texas. First came a member of the folk group , he began his solo career in 1971.
His smooth bass-baritone voice and an imposing build earned him the nickname "The Gentle Giant" of country music, He was 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame.