o v wright

Biography

Overton Vertis Wright, known professionally as O.V. Wright, was born on October 9, 1939, in Lenow (sometimes cited as Leno or Lens), Tennessee, near Memphis. He began singing in church as a child and quickly gained recognition for his vocal talent, making his first public appearance at age six. By his teenage years, Wright was performing with local gospel groups, including the 5 Harmoneers and The Sunset Travelers, recording spirituals for Peacock Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Wright's transition to secular music came in 1964 when he recorded "That's How Strong My Love Is," a soulful ballad that became a regional hit and was later covered by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. Legal disputes over recording contracts led him to Don Robey's Back Beat label, where he achieved a string of R&B hits throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, including "You're Gonna Make Me Cry," "Eight Men, Four Women," "Ace of Spades," and "A Nickel and a Nail." His deeply emotive, gospel-infused vocal style, combined with collaborations with producer Willie Mitchell, established him as a leading figure in Southern soul and blues.

Despite his musical achievements, Wright struggled with drug addiction and legal troubles, serving time in prison during the mid-1970s. After his release, he continued to record, notably for Hi Records, but commercial success eluded him in his later years. O.V. Wright died of a heart attack on November 16, 1980, in Mobile, Alabama, at the age of 41. His legacy endures through his influence on generations of soul and blues artists, and he is remembered as one of the genre's most powerful and expressive voices.

Fun Facts

• Wright's signature song, "That's How Strong My Love Is," was famously covered by both Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones.
• He was discovered alongside fellow soul singer James Carr by songwriter and manager Roosevelt Jamison.
• After Wright's death, his backing band continued to perform as the O.V. Wright Band for over a decade, collaborating with blues legends like B.B. King and Bobby Bland.
• Wright's grave remained unmarked for nearly three decades until the O.V. Wright Memorial Fund installed a headstone in 2008.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Rev. Hamblin - Pastor of Golden Leaf Baptist Church who recognized and encouraged Wright's early talent, fostering his gospel roots. (Church choir performances) [Early 1950s]
• Roosevelt Jamison - Songwriter and manager who discovered Wright and facilitated his transition from gospel to secular music. ("That's How Strong My Love Is") [Early 1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Willie Mitchell - Record producer who worked closely with Wright on his most acclaimed soul recordings. (Albums: 'Nucleus of Soul', 'A Nickel and a Nail and Ace of Spades', 'Memphis Unlimited', Hi Records LPs) [Late 1960s–1970s]
• Johnny Rawls - Guitarist and bandleader who joined Wright's backing band in the mid-1970s and played with him until his death. (Live performances, O.V. Wright Band) [Mid-1970s–1980]
• The Sunset Travelers - Gospel group with whom Wright began his recording career. (Album: 'On Jesus’ Program' (Peacock Records)) [1956–1964]

Artists Influenced

• Robert Cray - Cited Wright as a major influence on his vocal style and approach to soul-blues. (General influence on Cray's soul-blues repertoire) [1980s–present]
• Otis Clay - Inspired by Wright’s emotive delivery and Southern soul sound. (General influence on Clay's soul recordings) [1970s–2010s]
• Taj Mahal - Acknowledged Wright's impact on his blues and soul interpretations. (General influence on Taj Mahal's style) [1970s–present]
• Reggie Sears - Younger soul singer who has cited Wright as a key influence. (General influence on Sears' music) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Let's Straighten It Out (The Bottom Line)
2. Ace Of Spades (A Nickel And A Nail And Ace Of Spades)
3. I Don't Know Why (The Bottom Line)
4. Everybody Knows (The River Song) (The Soul Of O.V. Wright)
5. A Nickel And A Nail (A Nickel And A Nail And Ace Of Spades)
6. Motherless Child (The Soul Of O.V. Wright)
7. That's How Strong My Love Is (The Goldwax Story, Vol. 1)
8. Don't Let My Baby Ride (A Nickel And A Nail And Ace Of Spades)
9. Eight Men And Four Women (A Nickel And A Nail And Ace Of Spades)
10. I've Been Searching (Memphis Unlimited)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia