Want some good old fashioned advice? Check out Leona William's song "I'm Too Good To Be Better Than Nothing", on her "New Patches" CD! I heard it just today and it knocked me out. So I thought, why do I know that name...and I found a very special lady!
Hailing from the small town of Vienna, Missouri, Leona Williams landed her first radio show at the age of 15 in Jefferson City, Missouri. This was the beginning of a lifetime in country music. She moved to Nashville in the 1960’s, and was soon recording for several major record labels with such hits as “Once More”, “Yes Ma'am, He Found Me In A Honky Tonk”, “Country Girl With Hot Pants On” and “Broadminded.”
Leona played upright bass and sang harmony for Loretta Lynn. During this time, she and Lynn became close friends and traveled throughout the country with each other. Loretta recorded Leona's composition "Get What You Got and Go."
Leona later teamed up with Merle Haggard for a top ten duet called “The Bull and the Beaver”; they married in 1978. During this time, she would write some of Merle’s biggest hits including “You Take Me For Granted” and “Someday When Things Are Good.” You can hear her harmony vocals on some of Merle's hits such as “The Way I Am”, “The Roots Of My Raising” and “Big City.” Merle and Leona were divorced in 1984.
Leona married songwriter Dave Kirby and moved back to Vienna, Missouri. She continues to work the road and has released three CDs on her own Loveshine label.
Leona's songs have been recorded by many artists including Tammy Wynette, Randy Travis, Moe Bandy, Ray Price, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Bush, George Jones, Forester Sisters, Connie Smith and Merle Haggard. Salute!
