January 4, 2018 - Grand Ole Opry Star John Conlee brings his concert to Tyler’s Liberty Theatre at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31st.
Between 1978 and 2004, he charted a total of 32 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts and recorded 11 studio albums. His singles include 7 number-one hits, including: “Rose Colored Glasses,” “Lady Lay Down,” “Backside of Thirty,” “Common Man,” “I’m Only In It For The Love,” “In My Eyes,” “As Long As I’m Rockin’ With You” and “Got My Heart Set On You.” In addition to these, Conlee Sent 14 other songs into the Top Ten.
Growing up in Versailles, KY John Conlee began singing and playing guitar when he was 10-years-old and later he joined a barbershop quartet as a tenor. A successful country music career led to Conlee becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1982.
He has an interesting personal life off the road and back home on his ranch. Here are five things you may not know about John Conlee:
He enjoys the simple things in life: When John Conlee is not on the road he enjoys spending time on his 32 acre farm with his wife Gale and their three children. His hobbies include woodworking and gun-smithing. Despite his tour schedule he will always make time to ride his tractor on his farm. John Conlee is one country music singer who does not enjoy the glitz and glamour that comes with being in the music industry.
John Conlee has kept his original team around him: Conlee has remained loyal to the people who helped him get his start in the country music industry. His manager, Dave Roberts, and his producer Bud Logan, have been with him since the very beginning. In an industry where artists change managers and agents often, John takes pride in his loyalty to his team.
He grew up on a farm: John Conlee grew helping his parents on their tobacco farm. His duties included plowing the tobacco fields, harvesting grain, tending to the cattle and slopping the hogs. He is passionate about saving the family farm system. Conlee says he is not a radical or rebel but he will not hesitate to speak his mind and stand up for what is right.
His crusade to save family farms began in Nebraska: John played a benefit concert in Omaha, Neb. in June 1985 in support of the National Farmers Organization. When fellow musician Willie Nelson announced plans for the first Farm Aid concerts John Conlee called Willie and offered his service. John has been part of nine Farm Aid concerts, raising $13 million to aid the family farmer.
John worked as a disc jockey: Before his breakthrough song “Through Rose Colored Glasses” became a hit in 1978, Conlee worked at WLAC. He worked at the Nashville AM powerhouse from 1971 until 1978. He credits his career at WLAC as his entry into the music industry. In an interview John Conlee once said that if he had not gotten the job as disc jockey music probably would have remained just a hobby for him. He is also a licensed mortician
Liberty Hall is located at 103 E. Erwin in Downtown Tyler. All seating is reserved and tickets are priced at $40 and $50 available at LibertyTyler.com or by phone at 866.710.8942.
