Don Lee (musician)

Don Lee was a country singer, song writer, producer and guitarist who recorded in the 1960s and 1970s. He had a hit on the country charts with "16 Lovin' Ounces to the Pound". He also wrote a couple more songs that became hits. One became a hit for Jerry Naylor.

This article is about the country musician. For the accordionist, see Don Lee (accordionist).
Don Lee
Birth nameDonald Lee Tunison
Born25 Aug 1941
Dexter, Cowley County, Kansas, United States
Died8 Dec 1995 (aged 54)
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1950s to 1990s
LabelsCrescent, Crown Records, Custom Records, Album Concepts

Background

In addition to his country music background, he was a guitarist who also had a rock background. He recorded material in the 1960s that was released on two albums.[1] Years later his album Keepin' It Country was released. There is speculation that he also had a connection to The Champs of "Tequila fame as well as being a member of Don Rich's group The Buckaroos.

Career

1960s to 1970s

Between 1967 and 1969, Lee had two albums released on the Custom and Crown labels. They were Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife and True Grit (And Other Pop Country Favorites).[2]

In October, 1974, Lee was appearing at the Country Western Jubilee festival which was held outside Los Angeles at Devonshire Downs between the 11th and 13th.[3] Two months later in December, a song he co-wrote with Robert L. Duncan, "Is This All There Is To A Honky Tonk"[4] and recorded by Jerry Naylor was released on a single. Backed with "You're The One" it was released on Melodyland 6003.[5][6] The song spent ten weeks on the Country charts, peaking at #31 on March 29, 1975.[7] In 1976, a song he co-wrote with Lloyd Goodson, "Jesus is the Same in California" was released on United Artists UA-XW891-Y. It became a hit for Goodson. Spending six weeks in the charts, it peaked at #80 on November 12th, 1976.[8][9]

1980s

In 1981, his own single "I'm In Love With A Memory" bw "Cowley County" was released on Crescent 101. It was co-written with George R. White.[10][11] By July 1982, his song "16 Lovin' Ounces To The Pound" was released. It was produced by Lee himself and co-written with B. Duncan, B. R. Jones and J. R. Halper.[12] It stayed on the charts for three weeks peaking at #86 on September 18, 1982.[13]

Death

Lee died on December 8th, 1995 at age 54.[14]

Compositions
Composition Artist Release Catalogue Year Notes #
"Is This All There Is To A Honky Tonk" Jerry Naylor "Is This All there is to a Honky Tonk" / "You're The One" Melodyland 6003 1974 [15][16][17]
"Dallas Champagne"
"The Man That Fronts The Bandstand"		 Bobby Wyld "Dallas Champagne" /"The Man That Fronts The Bandstand" Wytra WY 1002 1975 [18][19]
"The Beartrap"
"I'm Gonna Miss Me (In Your Arms Tonight"		 Tex Williams "The Beartrap" / "I'm Gonna Miss Me (In Your Arms Tonight)" Denim 1005 1975 [20][21]
"The More She Thinks About Him" C. L. Goodson "18 Yellow Roses" / "The More She Thinks About Him" Island IS 1030-A / B 1975 [22]
*
"Jesus is the Same in California" Lloyd Goodson "Jesus Is The Same In California" / "Wearin' Out The Patches On My Knees" United Artists UA-XW891-Y 1976 [23][24][25]
"I'm in Love with a Memory"
"Cowley County"		 Don Lee "I'm in Love with a Memory" / "Cowley County" Crescent Records 101 1981
"16 Lovin' Ounces to the Pound"
"All I Ever Wanted Was You (Here Lovin' Me)"		 Don Lee "16 Lovin' Ounces to the Pound"/ "All I Ever Wanted Was You (Here Lovin' Me)" Crescent Records 103 1982 [26]

Discography
Singles
Act Release Catalogue Year Notes #
Don Lee "I'm In Love With A Memory" / "Cowley County" Crescent Records 101 1981
Don Lee "16 Lovin' Ounces to the Pound" / "All I Ever Wanted Was You (Here Lovin' Me)" Crescent Records 103 1982 [27]
Albums
Act Release Catalogue Year Notes #
Don Lee Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife Custom CS 1126 1967
Don Lee True Grit (And Other Pop Country Favorites) Crown CST 593 1969 [28]
Don Lee Keepin' It Country Album Concepts 4023

References
  1. Praguefrank's Country Discography - Don Lee
  2. Praguefrank's Country Discography - Don Lee
  3. Billboard, October 12, 1974 - Page 40 Country, 3000 Miles Apart, Major Country Fests Set
  4. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
    Volume 28, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2
    Music
    Current and Renewal Registrations
    July-December 1974 - Page 3992
  5. Billboard, December 26, 1974 - Page 46 Billboards's Top Single Picks, Country, recommended
  6. Global Dog Productions - 45 Discography for Melodyland/Hitsville Records
  7. Billboard - HOT COUNTRY SONGS, The week of March 29, 1975
  8. 45Cat - Lloyd Goodson - Discography, USA
  9. Joel Whitburn's Top Country Singles, 1944-1988, Joel Whitburn - LLOYD GOODSON
  10. 45Cat - Don Lee {Crescent) - Discography
  11. Copyright Encyclopedia - I'm in love with a memory
  12. Billboard Magazine, July 31, 1982 - Page 51 Billboards's Top Single Picks, Country, recommended
  13. Billboard - Don Lee, Chart History, 16 Lovin' Ounces To The Pound
  14. Find A Grave - Donald Lee Tunison
  15. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
    Volume 28, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2
    Music
    Current and Renewal Registrations
    July-December 1974 - Page 3992
  16. Billboard, December 26, 1974 - Page 46 Billboards's Top Single Picks, Country, recommended
  17. Global Dog Productions - 45 Discography for Melodyland/Hitsville Records
  18. 45Cat - Bobby Wyld (country) - Discography
  19. Library of Congress. Copyright Office.. Catalog of Copyright Entries 1975 Music Jan-June 3D Ser Vol 29 Pt 5
    Sec 2 (Volume Catalog of Copyright Entries 3D Ser Vol 29 Pt 5 Sec 2) online - (page 92 of 360), JUN. 1975, EU516728.
  20. 45cAT - Tex Williams - Discography, USA Page 2
  21. Cash Box, November 27, 1976 - Page 27 CountrySinglesReviews ~ AlbumReviews
  22. 45Cat - C. L. Goodson - Discography, Canada
  23. 45Cat - Lloyd Goodson - Discography, USA
  24. Joel Whitburn's Top Country Singles, 1944-1988, Joel Whitburn - LLOYD GOODSON
  25. Cash Box, November 27, 1976 - Page 27 CountrySinglesReviews ~ AlbumReviews
  26. 45Cat - Crescent (Beverly Hills, California) - Label Discography, USA
  27. 45Cat - Crescent (Beverly Hills, California) - Label Discography, USA
  28. Praguefrank's Country Discography - Don Lee
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