Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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SOUTH, Joe

(b Joseph Alfred Souter, 28 February 1940, Atlanta GA; d 5 September 2012, Flowery Branch GA) Guitarist, singer, songwriter. He played country music on the radio at age 12, and later built himself a portable radio station with a limited range, driving around with it in his car so the broadcasting authorities couldn't catch him. He played in the Pete Drake band; his own novelty 'The Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor' almost made the top 40 '58. He did sessions at Nashville and Muscle Shoals backing Marty Robbins, Eddy Arnold, Bob Dylan, others; wrote songs and produced hits for Billy Joe Royal including 'Down In The Boondocks' '65. His own album Introspect '68 on Capitol was reissued as Games People Play when people began covering that song; his single was no. 12 '69 and the song won a Grammy. Other albums were Don't It Make You Want To Go Home '69 (title single almost top 40), So The Seeds Are Growing '71 (no. 12 hit 'Walk A Mile In My Shoes'); Midnight Rainbows '75 on Island. There was a Best Of CD on Rhino.