• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu

Hit Songwriter Peter McCann Dies At Age 74

February 1, 2023/in Obituary /by Robert K Oermann

Music City hit tunesmith Peter McCann, a longtime activist in the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), passed away at home, in his sleep, on Jan. 26.

He is noted for such enduring songs as Jennifer Warnes’ “Right Time of the Night” (1977), Earl Thomas Conley’s “Nobody Falls Like a Fool” (1985) and Janie Fricke’s “She’s Single Again” (1985). As a vocalist, McCann had a 1977 pop hit with “Do You Wanna Make Love,” which he also wrote.

Born in Connecticut in 1948, McCann founded the folk-rock group The Repairs while he was a college student. In 1971, he traveled to California with the group to record for Motown Records. After three Repairs albums, McCann landed a staff songwriting gig at ABC’s publishing division.

The top-10 pop smash “Right Time of the Night” launched his career. It was his first hit as a songwriter, Jennifer Warnes’ first hit as a singer and Jim Ed Norman’s first hit as a producer.

The song’s success led to a recording contract of his own. McCann was signed to 20th Century Records, where “Do You Wanna Make Love” became a No. 5 pop hit and a Gold Record. The song was quickly recorded by the country artists Bobby Smith, Buck Owens and David Wills, all of whom charted with it in 1977-79.

Songwriting success continued after McCann moved to Nashville in 1985. The Janie Fricke and Earl Thomas Conley hits paved his way into Music City. His co-written “Wall of Tears” was K.T. Oslin’s debut single on RCA in 1987. Baillie & The Boys had a 1991 hit with his cowritten “Treat Me Like a Stranger.” McCann’s “The Star” was recorded by Kathy Mattea for her Grammy-winning album Good News in 1993.

Whitney Houston recorded McCann’s “Take Good Care of My Heart” for her 1985 debut album. It has sold more than 20 million units. Jermaine Jackson has also recorded this song. McCann’s songs have been recorded by such pop stars as Shaun Cassidy, Karen Carpenter, Isaac Hayes & Millie Jackson, Paul Anka, Julio Iglesias, John Travolta, Bobby Vinton, Donny Osmond, Ricky Nelson and Andy Williams.

But Peter McCann’s songwriting mostly found favor with country recording artists. Among those who have recorded his works are Con Hunley, Lynn Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Lee Greenwood, Michael Johnson, Reba McEntire, Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius, Anne Murray, Rodney Carrington, Nicolette Larson, Eddie Rabbitt, Kenny Rogers, Lisa Brokop and Shelly West. In 1987-88, Mickey Gllley, Louise Mandrell and Pake McEntire all had top-40 country hits with singles written by McCann. The songwriter spent years signed to the CBS/Sony and EMI publishing companies on Music Row.

In 1999, McCann was given the Volunteerism Award from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This was for composing its anthem “Among the Missing,” recorded by Michael McDonald and Kathy Mattea.

Peter McCann was always a strong advocate for songwriters and publishers. He joined the NSAI and rose to be vice president of its board and the chairman of its legislative committee for more than a decade. He spent upwards of 25 years lobbying for songwriters rights in Washington.

This brought him into contact with conservative senator Orrin Hatch of Utah. Hatch was a songwriter. He and McCann co-wrote several songs, including “Come to the Manger,” which was recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys. In 1995, McCann released a Christmas album of his own compositions on RCA.

Pater McCann lectured on copyright law at universities and music-industry events. In 1995 he won NSAI’s President’s Choice award for his work in copyright protection. In 2003, he won a special commendation from SESAC for his continuing efforts to strengthen the nation’s copyright laws.

McCann was a 1993 graduate of Leadership Music. He died at age 74 and is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jacalyn Sheridan, and their son, Colin McCann. No funeral arrangements have been announced. According to Leadership Music, a celebration of Peter McCann’s life will be announced at a later date.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Darius Rucker Makes A ‘Soul Stirring’ Cover Of Rihanna Ballad - February 16, 2023
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kane & Katelyn Brown Get Us ‘Giddy’ With Love - February 9, 2023
  • Hit Songwriter Pat Bunch Passes - February 8, 2023
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MR-Obit-Ratio-1.jpg 800 1200 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2023-02-01 13:30:392023-02-01 13:30:39Hit Songwriter Peter McCann Dies At Age 74

RECENT NEWS

  • Ashley McBryde Invites Audiences To ‘Lindeville’ At The Ryman For Two Nights February 20, 2023
  • Tripp Howell Signs Joint Pub Deal With Jimmie Allen, Endurance Music Group February 20, 2023
  • Chris Tomlin’s ‘Good Friday Nashville’ Celebration To Return April 7 February 20, 2023
  • Songwriter & Producer Kyle Jacobs Dies At 49 February 18, 2023
  • Opry To Celebrate Ronnie Milsap’s 80th Birthday With Special Tribute February 17, 2023
  • CTM Outlander & Young Guns Publishing Partner To Sign Michael Tyler February 17, 2023
  • Kelsea Ballerini To Make Debut On ‘Saturday Night Live’ February 17, 2023
  • Tractor Supply Co. Launches Emerging Artists Program With Lainey Wilson, Jimmie Allen, More February 17, 2023
  • Sara Evans To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of ‘Restless’ With Special Ryman Show February 17, 2023
  • Parker McCollum Shares Title, Cover Of Upcoming Album ‘Never Enough’ February 17, 2023
  • Chrissy Metz, Bradley Collins Release Inspirational New Children’s Book February 17, 2023
  • Luke Combs Returns To No. 1 On MusicRow Chart For Third Time With ‘Going, Going, Gone’ February 17, 2023
  • Nashville SC Teams Up With Johnny Cash Estate For ‘Man In Black’ Alternate Jersey February 17, 2023
  • Erin Dunleavy Joins ONErpm As Head Of Branding February 17, 2023
  • Little Big Town, Caitlyn Smith & The Cadillac Three Join ‘Rock The Ryman’ Lineup February 16, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top