Send Me Down To Tucson

Mel has that unique ability to make a song his own.

Over the years this loyal wife remained true to her man but now  wonders why her husband is spending time away from home on "business" in Tucson.

Tillis sang this sad cheating song so well that you find yourself sympathizing with the wife.

Another cautionary tale in reverse is the The Hank Williams, Sr. country music standard, "Your Cheatin' Heart," the original great cheating song. Hank seems to be warning his ex-girlfriend of what her life will soon be like when she throws away the love of a loyal man to be with another.

"When tears come down like falling rain / You'll toss around and call my name," Williams sings.

"Your cheatin' heart will tell on you."

Simple, painful lyrics, the song was released just weeks after the 29-year-old singer died of heart failure, leading to a whole strain of honky-tonk classics about cheatin' and lyin.' Even after 60-plus years, it still holds up alongside today's tissue worthy lyrics.

This phrase bears that truth about infidelity and heartbreak.

"Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is sign on as its accomplice." Tom Robbins, American novelist.

Although Mel recorded songs since the late 1950s, his biggest success occurred in the 1970s, with a long list of Top 10 hits. My two favorite have always been "What Did I Promise Her Last Night," and "Send Me Down To Tucson."

Mel was responsible for another country cheating song as a songwriter titled "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town."

In 1969 Kenny Rogers released a cover of the song, a first-person account of a crippled veteran who watches helplessly as his wife Ruby "takes her love to town." Despite the dark material, "Ruby" sold over a million copies and peaked at #6.

Mel co-produced Send Me Down to Tucson with record producer Jimmy Bowen, an amazing talent in the recording industry. Bowen was a member of the Buddy Knox band and co-wrote the rockabilly hit Party Doll. 

Bowen was the producer on the song, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town," written by Tillis and also "What Did I Promise Her Last Night."  You can review the Party Doll page here and read about all the famous artists Bowen is associated with.

In 1976 Mel Tillis won the Country Music Association Awards' most coveted award, Entertainer of the Year, and was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame that year.

The Grand Ole Opry inducted Mel Tillis on June 9, 2007. He was inducted into the Opry by his daughter Pam.

On August 7th of that same year Tillis, along with Ralph Emery and Vince Gill, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Sadly, on November 19, 2017, Mel Tillis died of respiratory failure in Ocala, Florida. Mel Tillis was 85.