ARTIST SPOTLIGHT = BJ Thomas (4 songs)

This Hugo OK-native singer-songwriter was raised in Rosenberg TX.

#1
This song, his debut single, hit the airwaves 02/22/1975, spent 16 weeks on the country charts & claimed #1. It won the Country Song Grammy while also claiming the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. You’d think this would’ve sparked a string of success….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zqOU_slcgY

#2
Of 6 releases between 1975 & 1981, none reached the Top 20 & only 2 reached the Top 25: 1978’s “Everybody Loves A Rain Song” (#25) & 1981’s “I Recall A Gypsy Woman” (#22). 1981’s “Some Love Songs Never Die” came close, peaking at #27. Then, he released this song 02/12/1983; it spent 21 weeks on the charts & claimed #1.

#3
1983’s “Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love” sparked a string of 2 straight chart toppers, 3 straight Top 5s & 4 straight Top 10s. The 2nd chart topper was 1983’s “New Looks From An Old Lover”. This song, then, debuted 11/26/1983, spent 21 weeks on the charts & peaked at #3 in early 1984. Check out the official video! (After hearing this song as a kid & wanting that “2-tone Chevrolet”, I finally have it!)

#4
This poignant song debuted 04/14/1984, spent 19 weeks on the charts & peaked at #10, the 4th of 4 straight Top 10s. Some of us know the thoughts behind this tune a bit too well. Only 2 of his last 6 releases reached the Top 20: 1984’s “Rock & Roll Shoes” (#14; duet with Ray Charles) & 1984-5’s “The Girl Most Likely To” (#17). None of the remaining 4 reached the Top 50.