Cowboy Jack’s Digital Milestone

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member “Cowboy” Jack Clement celebrated yet another milestone on February 26 when Apple’s iTunes store announced their 10 billionth download: “Guess Things Happen That Way,” a song penned by Clement and sung by Johnny Cash.

When Cash’s hit was released in 1957, Clement was working at Sun Records, launching a career that would grow to encompass songwriting, arranging, recording and producing, and flourish for nearly six decades. He continues to be active, hosting the Cowboy Jack Show on Sirius Satellite Radio’s Outlaw Country, which airs on Saturdays (1-5 p.m. CT) and Sundays (5 -9 p.m. CT). Upcoming projects include the development of a television series and preparations for a live event to benefit the National Health Care for the Homeless Council with The Old Crow Medicine Show, Marley’s Ghost and special guests at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre on April 29.

Among the songs on Clement’s hit list are “Ballad of a Teenage Queen,” “I Know One,” “Got Leavin’ on Her Mind,” “Just A Girl I Used to Know,” “Let’s All Help the Cowboy Sing the Blues” and “Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog.” As a  producer, he helped launch the careers of Jerry Lee Lewis, Charley Pride and George Jones. He has also served as a producer for Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison, Townes Van Zandt, Carl Perkins and U2.