Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

OVERSTREET, Paul

(b 17 March '55, Newton MS) Country singer, songwriter, guitarist at the forefront of "Positive Country Music', lyrics portraying his Christian beliefs, following years of alcoholism and drug abuse. Moved to Nashville after high school '73, worked as welder and carpenter to supplement his meagre music earnings; after a short- lived marriage to Freida Parton (Dolly's younger sister) he found religion and success with the help of his future wife, make-up artist Julie Miller. George Jones charted with his "Same Ole Me' '82 and Overstreet landed a deal with RCA, but enjoyed greater success writing hits for Forester Sisters, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker etc. Teamed with fellow songwriters Thom Schuyler and Fred Knobloch to form Schuyler, Knobloch and Overstreet (SKO) with no.1 country hit "Baby's Got A New Baby' '86 on MTM; after several more he left to pursue solo career, initially on MTM with top 3 "Love Helps Those'; the label folded and he moved back to RCA for top 10 hits incl. "Seein' My Father In Me', "Richest Man On Earth', "Daddy's Come Around' (no.1); "Billy Can't Read' '92 the problem of illiteracy and gained publicity. His songs tend to reflect easygoing optimism and affirmation, and as a writer he continued to enjoy phenomenal success with top 10 hits for Keith Whitley, Alison Krauss, Pam Tillis, Ronnie Milsap plus several more for Randy Travis, and the Judds' 'Love Can Build A Bridge', which gained two Grammies and has been well-covered by pop acts. He co-wrote Broadway musical Breaking Bread; prod. Christian-country albums for Alabama-based Integrity label, leading to a new record deal with Scarlet Moon and the album Time '96. Other albums incl. Sowin' Love '89, Heroes '90, Love Is Strong '92 all on RCA.