JERRY SALLEY

Biography

Jerry Salley, born in the small southern Ohio town of Chillicothe, began playing and singing music at age 10, influenced by his father who played banjo and his grandfather who was a preacher. He signed with SESAC at 18 and moved to Nashville in 1982, where he established himself as a prolific songwriter across country, bluegrass, and gospel genres. His early career included work from 1983 to 1988 while focusing on writing, with his first nationally recorded song by The Kingsmen. Salley's songs have been recorded over 560 times, selling more than 19 million records worldwide, earning him accolades like 2018 and 2019 IBMA Songwriter of the Year, 2003 SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year, a 1990 Dove Award, and a 2024 induction into the Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame.[1][2][3]

Fun Facts

• Sir Elton John's only Billboard Country Chart single, 'Where We Both Say Goodbye' (duet with Catherine Britt), was written by Salley.[1][2]
• Performed as background vocalist for Linda Ronstadt on NBC's Today Show.[1]
• His song 'His Strength Is Perfect' (co-written with Steven Curtis Chapman) has been recorded over 200 times and included in the Baptist Hymnal.[1][3]
• Nominated for a 2020 GRAMMY as producer for the gospel roots project 'Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout'.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Father - Early musical influence playing banjo (Family music sessions) [Childhood]
• Grandfather - Preacher who inspired gospel roots (Church music exposure) [Childhood]

Key Collaborators

• Steven Curtis Chapman - Co-writer on major hit ("His Strength Is Perfect" (Dove Award winner)) [1990]
• Carl Jackson - Co-writer and guest on albums (Bluegrass hits including Louvin Brothers tribute; "New Songs, Old Friends") [2000s]
• Larry Cordle - Co-writer and guest vocalist (Bluegrass hits including Louvin Brothers tribute; "New Songs, Old Friends") [2000s]
• Rhonda Vincent - Guest vocalist on solo album ("New Songs, Old Friends") [2007]
• Vince Gill - Guest vocalist on solo album ("New Songs, Old Friends") [2007]
• Ricky Skaggs - Guest vocalist on solo album ("New Songs, Old Friends") [2007]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz