Ronnie Milsap: Legendary Grammy Award-Winning Country Music Icon
Ronnie Milsap: A Legendary Journey in Country Music
Introduction to Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Milsap, a multiple Grammy Award-winning country music icon, is celebrated for his profound impact on the genre. Blind since birth, Milsap achieved remarkable success with his cross-over hits in the 1970s and 1980s, blending country and pop music seamlessly.
Who Is Ronnie Milsap? Born on January 16, 1943, in Robbinsville, North Carolina, Ronnie Milsap overcame the challenges of blindness to become a renowned country singer and pianist. Raised in a humble farming community, he received classical music training at the Morehead State School for the Blind in Raleigh. Milsap’s career took off with the release of his debut album in 1971 under Warner Brothers. Over the years, he has amassed 40 number-one country hits, six Grammy Awards, and eight Country Music Association Awards.
Early Years and Musical Beginnings Milsap’s early life in the Appalachian town of Robbinsville was marked by financial hardship. With support from his grandparents, he attended the Morehead State School for the Blind, where he mastered the piano, violin, and guitar. His musical journey continued at Young-Harris Junior College in Georgia, where he studied political science. Despite being offered a scholarship to Emory University, Milsap chose to pursue music full-time. In 1964, he released his first single, “Total Disaster,” and moved to Memphis the following year, forming his rhythm and blues band and recording “Loving You is a Natural Thing” in 1970. His self-titled debut album came out in 1971 with Warner Bros.
Career Highlights In 1972, Milsap relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, the heart of country music, and signed with RCA Victor in 1973. His career skyrocketed with hit singles such as “I Hate You” (1973), “Pure Love,” and “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends” (both 1974), the latter earning him a Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The Country Music Association named him Male Vocalist of the Year in 1974, 1976, and 1977.
Milsap’s crossover appeal was evident with hits like “Smoky Mountain Rain” (1981), “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me” (1981), and “Any Day Now” (1982), which resonated with pop audiences. He won another Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1986 for the album Lost in the Fifties Tonight. In 1987, he shared a Grammy with Kenny Rogers for Best Country Vocal Performance Duet for “Make No Mistake, She’s Mine.”
Legacy and Recent Works In 1990, Milsap published his autobiography, Almost Like a Song, detailing his rise from poverty to stardom. He collaborated with Alabama on the 1997 holiday album Christmas in Dixie. His recent works include the album Then Sings My Soul (2009).
To date, Ronnie Milsap boasts 40 number-one country hits, six Grammy Awards, and eight Country Music Association Awards. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014, cementing his legacy as a country music legend.