I get asked about certain artists and why are they not around anymore. Tara asked about one and it got me thinking. We will call them "Flashes." These artists flashed in and had a BIG song, maybe two and then were just gone.
In fairness, many are still recording music, BUT for this article, we will talk about their success on the Country Charts and Country Radio only. These are not "one hit wonders" in all cases, but some are. They are all talented, but sadly, not all get a 5, 10 or 20 year run. Some just have that magical year or so where they are on top and hear their songs on the radio. Here are some, but there are many more and I will feature more up the line - No ranking, no order, just artists. - Flashes!
Wade Hayes
The first time I heard the big voice of Wade Hayes and his incredible debut single, Old Enough To Know Better, I thought he was here to stay. It was 1995 and country was surging. The song went #1 and fans loved it. The album was GOLD, and had a couple more hits off of it that went top 10 and it looked like we had a new star. He had a big song, a great look and was about 26 years old. His second album was also GOLD and the first single, On A Good Night was a #2 hit in 1996. But that was about the extent of his real charting success. The 1990's were very competitive and sadly there was not room for everyone to have a long run. But for a short time, Wade Hayes was big news.
This Was A Very Big Song
Cyndi Tompson
This is a very interesting story. In 2001, 25 year old Cyndi Tompson had a huge hit with What I Really Meant To Say, as it went #1 for three weeks. It was a very sexy, sultry, powerful and honest song that fans simply loved. It is still the only debut song for a country female to stay #1 for multiple weeks. She was a model and singer and looked to be the next big thing. Her second song, I Always Liked That Best was a song I really liked but it stumbled and stopped in the 20's. Her album, My World was a big success awarded GOLD. Then in 2002, she just ..quit. She walked away from the biz and never really returned to any success. I think she is still one of our biggest mysteries.
What A Hit! It Made History....
T. Graham Brown
I loved TGB. Here's a guy that has/had a great voice and a real cool way about him. For a couple years he was a big deal, and he did have three #1 songs in a short time. Two of them off his I Tell It Like It Used To Be (great song too) album from 1986, including Hell And High Water and Don't Go To Strangers. That album is really slick and his bluesy style was a breath of fresh clean air in the 1980's. And even though there were some hit songs later and some success, that first album was in my view his crown jewel. Just a fantastic voice and talent. Very, very underrated singer, no matter what music you love. I strongly recommend listening to these cuts if you are not familiar with him.
A Fantastic Song
Jessica Andrews
In 2001 JA released her second album at 18 years old. Who I Am was a #1 hit and a real favorite with fans. The album of the same name went GOLD and got a lot of airplay. We worked with her a few times here at WQMX, and there were signs that said - full steam ahead. She was much like LeAnn Rimes in the fact her beautiful voice was far more grown up than someone 18 years old, it was strong and confident. This song was a more than honest tribute to her family and has a very nice feel to it that really hits some people right in the heart. But after this song, there was virtually no chart success to follow. Sometimes that really big song can be tough to follow.
Big Song, Fans Loved It....
The Tractors
Were a bunch of great musicians that played with rock legends for years before forming the Tractors. They played with Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, Bob Dylan and others. In 1994 the Tractors recorded Baby Likes To Rock It, (Like a Boogie-Woogie Choo Choo Train) and it was a #11 song. It was insanely popular and got a ton of airplay. It was a dance hall staple and was one of the most recognized songs of the 1990's. It was so unique it became legendary. They later did a Christmas version of the same song. The album was #2 on the charts and sold a staggering 2 million copies. To show you how big that song was, it sold that many albums without another successful song release from it. One and done but what a hit, and what a fan fav as it was one of the most requested songs of my ongoing 42 year country radio career.
This Song Was Very Popular
Lila McCann
Seldom does an artist do what she did. At 16 she released her first song, Down Came A Blackbird from her first album, and it went to only #28 on the charts in 1997. Fans LOVED that song. Her next single, I Wanna Fall In Love was #3. That album, Lila, sold a million copies. Her next album, Something In The Air was GOLD and only had one real hit, With You that went to #4 in 1999. And that was about it. BUT, it shows that sometimes the charts don't always get it right. Fans loved her, and her music and bought it by the truckloads even though the charts were unkind to her. I worked with her a few times, always fun to work with. No real other charting success.
Her Biggest Hit Song On The Charts
Steve Azar
I remember Steve Azar putting on a show for us here at WQMX outdoors at the Lakemore Plaza in Akron in 2002. We had this Classified Concert Series promotion going, where no one knew who was going to perform till they hit the stage. (Jessica Andrews did one for us too that summer) I emceed the show, it stormed and thousands of fans had to leave. He ripped off his shirt and played as long as he could until they made us stop. Azar then came back to the radio station and put on the show, on the air so everyone could hear. Total pro, great guy. I Don't Wanna Be Me Till Monday was a #2 song and fans loved it. The follow up, Waitin' On Joe was a very mild hit, and that was about it on the country charts. Vocal chord cysts slowed him down, but one of the really nice guys in our biz at the time.
Monday Anthem Tough Not To Love This Song
James Bonamy
Had a very big and popular song in 1996, I Don't Think I Will, and it went to #2 on the charts. I loved that song, but the problem was he was not overly versatile. But for this time, fans loved his hit song. He had been on Star Search, and had a great look. But he recorded his last album in 1997, and is now a church pastor in Texas.
This Was A Big Song
