On July 20, 1943, Wayne Carson was born in Denver, Colorado. While he was a multi-instrumentalist who recorded for several labels, he is best remembered as a versatile and prolific songwriter. Carson penned hits for pop, country, and R&B artists. Those who had success with his compositions include Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, Conway Twitty, and the Box Tops.
Carson grew up around country music. His parents performed as Shorty. When he was young, his family relocated from Colorado to Springfield, Missouri, because his dad landed a spot in the Tall Timber Boys, who were regulars on the Ozark Jubilee. When he was a teen, he started playing guitar. Before long, he was touring with early rock and roll bands.
Wayne Carson Finds Songwriting Success
According to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Wayne Carson came to Music City for the first time in 1962. A year later, he inked a deal with Decca Records. A short time later, he moved back to Springfield to write songs for Si Siman’s publishing company. They pitched Carson’s songs for years before Siman’s friend Chet Atkins heard “Somebody Like Me” and wanted it for Eddy Arnold.
Arnold liked the song, but felt something was missing. So, he called Carson and asked if he could write a third verse. “Well, the third verse goes like this,” the songwriter began. Then, pulled said verse out of thin air before the call ended. It became Carson’s first No. 1 as a songwriter when it started a four-week run at the top of the country chart in November 1966…