Songwriter Don Devaney Passes
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Hit country songwriter Don Devaney died on Friday, June 6.
His friends and family will gather at Brown’s Diner (2102 Blair Blvd.) to celebrate his life on Saturday, June 14, at 5 p.m.
Devaney hit the top of the charts with 1978’s “Someone Loves You Honey,” sung by Charley Pride and with 1988’s “Cry, Cry, Cry” by Highway 101.
The songwriter also made the country charts with “Ever Lovin’ Woman,” recorded by both Pat Garrett (1981) and Marlow Tackett (1982), as well as with Mary Lou Turner’s version of his “Yours and Mine” (1979).
He wrote the bluegrass standard “Listening to the Rain,” which has been recorded by The Osborne Brothers (1970), Special Consensus (1996), Pam Gadd (1997), Doc & Merle Watson (1998), Ronnie Reno (2002), Monroe Crossing (2003) and others.
Other notable cuts include Johnny Cash’s “Ain’t Gonna Hobo No More” (1982), Rick Trevino’s “Serious Love” (1996) and The Wilburn Brothers’ “Signs Are Everywhere” (1970).
“(Drinking Beer And) Singing a Country Song” (Dick Curless, 1972), “You Keep Right on Loving Me” (Jim Ed Brown, 1972), “Comin’ Home to Kentucky” (Kenny Price, 1972) and “If I Had Yesterday Again” (The Wilburn Brothers, 1968) are also Don Devaney songs.
“Someone Loves You Honey” has been revived by Brenda Lee (1982), Ronnie Dove (1996), reggae artists June Lodge (2000) and Dwight Pinkney (2002) and by Neal McCoy (2013). Devaney’s songs have also been recorded by George Jones, Ray Price, Johnny Russell and Barbara Mandrell, among others.
Don Devaney was 78 years old. He is survived by daughter Heather D. Graffagnino (Chris), brother Gerald Devaney (Barbara), sisters Joy Sullivan (Brian) and Marilyn Smith and by grandsons Joseph and Zachary Graffagnino.
Prior to the gathering at Brown’s Diner, a memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Henry Catholic Church. Harpeth Hills Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to MusiCares, 1904 Wedgewood Ave., Nashville TN 37212.
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Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.View Author Profile
