Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DAVIES, Gail

(b Patricia Gail Dickerson, 5 June '48, Broken Bow OK) Country music singer-songwriter. Father was musician on Louisiana Hayride; went on the road with brother Ron (also songwriter: recorded by Helen Reddy, Hoyt Axton), married jazz musician, separated; to West Coast, worked as session singer with Axton, Linda Ronstadt, etc. Writer's contract with Screen Gems, wrote 'Bucket To The South', hit for Ava Barber '78. Signed to Lifesong label '78, made acclaimed album Gail Davies incl. country hits 'Poison Love', 'Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You', 'No Love Have I'. Label closed; went to WB '79, became first female in country music to prod. own records: hits 'Blue Heartache' '79, 'I'll Be There' '80, old Marty Robbins hit 'Singing The Blues' '81. To RCA '84; now one of the first country stars to make videos: 'Jagged Edge Of A Broken Heart', 'Break Away', 'Trouble With Love'. Formed short-lived modern country group Wild Choir, a forerunner of Highway 101 and Baillie and the Boys. Resumed solo career and was the first female staff producer in country music, developing new acts like Mandy Barnett. But she herself was ignored because of country's emphasis on new young people, so she started her own label and made her own records with crack Nashville players. Albums incl. The Game '80, I'll Be There '81, Givin' Herself Away '82 all on WB; Where Is A Woman To Go and Wild Choir '86 on RCA; Pretty Words '89 on MCA, The Other Side Of Love '90 on Capitol, Eclectic '95 on her own Little Chickadee.