Top Songwriter Tony Haselden Passes

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Tony Haselden, who succeeded as both a rock artist and a country songwriter, died last Friday (May 16) in Louisiana at age 79.

Haselden was in the cult-favorite rock band LeRoux and wrote the group’s biggest hit, 1982’s “Nobody Said It Was Easy.” LeRoux was founded in Baton Rouge and was active in 1977-85. Haselden then became a hit country songwriter in Nashville with dozens of cuts and five top 10 hits on his resume.

He wrote or co-wrote Shenandoah’s “Mama Knows” (1988), Keith Whitley’s “It Ain’t Nothin’” (1990), George Strait’s “You Know Me Better Than That” (1991), Michelle Wright’s “Take It Like a Man” (1992) and Collin Raye’s “That’s My Story” (1994), among dozens of other country favorites. More than 40 Nashville artists recorded his works.

Tony Haselden was born in South Carolina, but moved to Louisiana as a teenager. During his four-year service in the Navy, he taught himself to play guitar. Following his discharge, he earned a college degree.

He co-founded LeRoux in 1977. Originally named Louisiana’s LeRoux, the band recorded five albums during its heyday. It initially signed with Capitol, but found greater success after it shortened its billing and signed with RCA. Its 1982 LP Last Safe Place contained the group’s rock-chart success “Addicted,” as well as Haselden’s “Nobody Said It Was Easy.” Other LeRoux fan favorites included “New Orleans Lady,” “Take a Ride on a Riverboat” and “Carrie’s Gone.”

The band’s national TV appearances included Solid Gold, The Midnight Special and Don Kirchner’s Rock Concert. During its eight years of national touring, the band shared stages with the Allman Brothers, Journey, Kansas, Heart, the Doobie Brothers, Foreigner, ZZ Top and The Charlie Daniels Band, among others. It also contributed instrumentally to albums by Tab Benoit, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

When LeRoux split up, Haselden made his way to Nashville. His country songwriting career took off when Shenandoah scored with “Mama Knows.” In 1990, Sweethearts of the Rodeo had a mid-sized hit with “This Heart,” which was revived and charted again for Jon Randall in 1994. The Whitley and Strait No. 1 hits with Haselden songs occurred in 1990-91. They were followed by Shelby Lynne’s version of “Don’t Cross Your Heart” and Martina McBride’s single of “That’s Me” in 1991-92.

Haselden’s streak with female vocalists continued with the Michelle Wright hit in 1992, plus Shania Twain’s career-launching “What Made You Say That” in 1993. Collin Raye scored with “That’s My Story” the following year. Also charting with Haselden songs were Billy Ray Cyrus (1995’s “Fastest Horse in a One-Horse Town”), Reba McEntire (2006’s “Love Needs a Holiday”) and Kid Rock (2017’s “Po-Dunk”).

The songwriter’s “Music Is What I See” was introduced by Mike Dekle, but achieved more prominence as the title tune of Rhonda Vincent’s 2021 bluegrass album. Several of Haselden’s titles were recorded by Tim Mensy, who was his frequent songwriting collaborator. The rock bands Uriah Keep and Bobby & The Midnites both recorded Haselden’s “Lifeline.”

During his Nashville career, Haselden’s songs were embraced by such top country artists as Toby Keith, Glen Campbell, Conway Twitty, Barbara Mandrell, The Statler Brothers, Patty Loveless, Tracy Lawrence and Janie Fricke. Among the many who recorded his works were also Rodney Atkins, Pam Tillis, Marie Osmond, Billy Dean, Doug Stone, Highway 101, Rick Trevino, Joe Nichols, Suzy Bogguss, Mark Wills, The Forester Sisters and Gary Puckett. Haselden also became a Nashville record producer. He worked in the studio crafting tracks for The Kinleys, The Wilkinsons and Georgia Middleman.

A greatest-hits album, 1996’s Bayou Degradable: The Best of Louisiana’s LeRoux, inspired Haselden and LeRoux to regroup and return to performing. In 1997, the band filmed a special for Louisiana Public Broadcasting. It also resumed recording.

Tony Haselden and his family left Nashville and returned to Louisiana in 2008. Two years later, he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

He is survived by Julia, his wife of more than 50 years, and by his daughter Casey and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Ordoyne Funeral Home, 1489 Saint Patrick Street Thibodaux, LA 70301. A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date.

Robert K Oermann
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