Daryle Singletary

Daryle Singletary was an American country music artist known for his traditional sound and rich, deep voice. Born in Cairo, Georgia in 1971, Singletary was raised on classic country music and began performing at a young age. He moved to Nashville in the early 1990s and signed a record deal with Giant Records, releasing his debut self-titled album in 1995.

Singletary quickly gained a following with his honky-tonk style and traditional country sound, which he once described as ‘real country music.’

He had several chart-topping hits in the late 1990s and continued to release music throughout the 2000s, collaborating with other country artists and keeping the spirit of traditional country music alive.

Though his career faced some challenges and setbacks, Singletary remained a beloved figure in the country music community until his untimely death in 2018.

This article will explore his life and legacy, examining his early years and musical influences, breakout success with ‘I Let Her Lie’, collaborations with other country artists, and the impact he had on country music.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Daryle Singletary was a traditional country music artist known for his rich, deep voice and honky-tonk style.
Singletary had several chart-topping hits in the late 1990s and collaborated with other country artists such as George Jones and Johnny Paycheck.
Singletary’s legacy in country music paved the way for a generation of artists who continue to carry on the honky-tonk tradition.
Singletary’s family has kept his memory alive through various initiatives, such as the annual Daryle Singletary Foundation Golf Classic, and his influence can be heard in the music of current artists.

Early Years and Musical Influences

In the formative years of his career, Daryle Singletary was heavily influenced by classic country artists such as Keith Whitley and Randy Travis, whose traditional sound and heartfelt lyrics inspired Singletary’s own musical style.

Singletary grew up in rural Georgia, where he developed a deep appreciation for the traditional country music that he heard on the radio. He began performing in local bars and clubs as a teenager, honing his craft and developing his own unique sound.

Singletary’s influences can be heard in his music, which features a blend of traditional country instrumentation and modern production techniques. His songs often deal with themes of love, heartbreak, and the struggles of everyday life, and his distinctive voice and emotive delivery have earned him a loyal following among country music fans.

Despite his success, Singletary remained true to his roots, continuing to perform and record traditional country music until his untimely death in 2018.

Moving to Nashville and Signing a Record Deal

Upon relocating to Nashville, a record deal was secured by Singletary. He signed with independent label, Evergreen Records, and released his first album, ‘Daryle Singletary,’in 1995. The album included hit singles such as ‘I’m Living Up to Her Low Expectations’and ‘Too Much Fun,’which peaked at number 2 and number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, respectively.

Singletary’s success with his first album led to a number of opportunities in the industry. Here are three examples:

Singletary was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, a prestigious country music venue in Nashville, just a year after his debut album was released.
His second album, ‘All Because of You,’was released in 1996 and produced two more top 5 singles.
Singletary was also invited to collaborate with other country artists, such as George Jones and Johnny Paycheck, further solidifying his place within the country music community.

Breakout Success with ‘I Let Her Lie’

Achieving significant breakthrough success, Singletary’s third album, ‘Doremi,’ featured the chart-topping single ‘I Let Her Lie.’ The song’s poignant lyrics and Singletary’s emotive vocals struck a chord with country music fans, earning him critical acclaim and commercial success. ‘I Let Her Lie’ stayed at the top of the charts for multiple weeks, and its success propelled Singletary to the forefront of the country music scene.

Singletary’s success with ‘I Let Her Lie’ solidified his place as a rising star in the country music industry. He was praised for his traditional country sound, which harkened back to the genre’s roots. Singletary’s distinct vocals and heartfelt lyrics resonated with fans, and he quickly became a sought-after performer.

With ‘I Let Her Lie,’ Singletary proved that he was a force to be reckoned with in the country music world, and cemented his status as one of the most promising young artists of the time.

Keeping Traditional Country Music Alive

Maintaining the traditional sound of country music has been a priority for many artists, as they strive to preserve the genre’s authentic roots and appeal to fans who appreciate the simplicity and honesty of classic country. Daryle Singletary was one such artist who believed in keeping traditional country music alive. He was known for his distinctive voice that was reminiscent of the classic country singers of the past, and he never wavered from his commitment to keeping the traditional sound of country music alive.

Singletary’s music was characterized by its traditional country instrumentation, including pedal steel guitar and fiddle, and his lyrics often focused on themes such as love, heartbreak, and hard work. He was a champion of the traditional style of country music, and he believed that it was important to pass on this legacy to future generations.

Singletary’s commitment to keeping traditional country music alive was an inspiration to many, and his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be appreciated by fans of classic country music.

Singletary’s music was characterized by traditional country instrumentation, including pedal steel guitar and fiddle.
His lyrics often focused on themes such as love, heartbreak, and hard work.
His commitment to keeping traditional country music alive was an inspiration to many.

Collaborations with Other Country Artists

Collaborations between country artists have become an increasingly popular way to showcase the diversity and evolution of the genre. Daryle Singletary was no stranger to collaborations, having worked with various country artists throughout his career.

One of his most notable collaborations was with fellow traditionalist, George Jones, on the song ‘Ain’t It Funny What a Fool Will Do’. Singletary’s rich baritone blended seamlessly with Jones’s distinctive voice, resulting in a timeless classic that showcases the beauty of traditional country music.

Singletary also collaborated with other country stars such as Dwight Yoakam, Rhonda Vincent, and Merle Haggard. His duet with Yoakam on ‘The Heart That You Own’ perfectly captured the essence of the honky-tonk sound, while his collaboration with Vincent on ‘After the Fire is Gone’ was a tribute to the legendary Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.

Daryle Singletary’s collaborations with other country artists not only highlighted his ability to work with other musicians, but also showcased his commitment to keeping traditional country music alive.

Personal Life and Family

One aspect of the late country artist Daryle Singletary’s life that has garnered attention is his personal life and family. Singletary was married to his wife, Holly, for over 20 years and together they had four children. His family was an important part of his life and he often spoke about them in interviews and on social media. Singletary was known for being a devoted father and husband, and his family often accompanied him on tour.

Despite his success in the music industry, Singletary remained grounded and committed to his family. He once said in an interview, ‘My family is everything to me. They keep me grounded and remind me of what’s important in life.’

Singletary passed away in 2018 at the age of 46, leaving behind his wife and children. His legacy as a family man and a country music artist will continue to live on in the hearts of his loved ones and fans.

Challenges and Setbacks in His Career

Overcoming setbacks and challenges in the music industry was a significant aspect of Daryle Singletary’s career. Despite his immense talent and unique voice, Singletary faced several obstacles that hindered his progress in the industry.

Here are some of the challenges he encountered:

Lack of Label Support: Singletary’s first album was released in 1995 under the Giant Records label. However, the label did not provide him with enough support to promote his music effectively. This lack of support resulted in limited airplay and low sales of his album.
Changing Music Trends: In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the country music scene was changing, and Singletary’s traditional honky-tonk style was no longer in vogue. This shift in music trends made it difficult for Singletary to stay relevant and connect with a wider audience.
Disagreements with Record Labels: Singletary had a difficult relationship with his record labels, and he often clashed with them over the direction of his music. This conflict resulted in delays in the release of his albums and limited creative control.
Personal Struggles: Like many artists, Singletary struggled with personal demons such as alcoholism, which affected his career and personal life.

Despite these challenges, Singletary continued to persevere and make music until his untimely death in 2018.

Legacy and Impact on Country Music

Daryle Singletary’s impact on country music can be seen in his traditional honky-tonk style, which has influenced many contemporary country artists. Singletary was known for his pure country sound, which he never deviated from throughout his career. He believed in the traditional country music that he grew up listening to, and he stayed true to it until his untimely death in 2018.

Singletary’s legacy in country music is undeniable, as he paved the way for a generation of artists who continue to carry on the honky-tonk tradition. His music is still revered by many country fans, and his influence can be heard in the music of current artists such as Chris Stapleton, Cody Jinks, and Luke Combs.

Singletary’s commitment to traditional country music and his unwavering dedication to his craft have made him a beloved figure in the country music community.

Unreleased Music and Posthumous Releases

Daryle Singletary’s legacy and impact on country music is undeniable. However, despite his untimely passing in 2018, his music continues to live on.

Singletary had recorded a substantial amount of unreleased music before his death, leaving fans wondering whether they would ever get to hear it. Fortunately, Singletary’s family worked to ensure that his music was not lost and have released several posthumous albums since his passing.

The first posthumous release was ‘Singletary Sings Hinson,’ which features Singletary’s renditions of the songs of legendary songwriter Larry Wayne Hinson. This album was released in November 2018, just months after Singletary’s death.

In 2019, the family released ‘American Grandstand,’ a duets album featuring Singletary and Rhonda Vincent. The album showcases Singletary’s incredible vocal range and highlights his ability to sing traditional country music.

These posthumous releases give fans a chance to hear Singletary’s unreleased music and keep his memory alive in the country music community.

Remembering Daryle Singletary: Tributes and Memorials

The impact of Singletary’s contributions to country music is evident in the numerous memorials and tributes that have been organized in his honor. Since his passing in 2018, Singletary’s fans and fellow musicians have come together to celebrate his life and legacy.

One notable tribute was the Daryle Singletary Keepin’ It Country Tribute Show, which took place in Nashville in March 2018 and featured performances from country stars such as Trace Adkins, Rhonda Vincent, and Chris Young.

In addition to organized events, many individual fans and musicians have paid their respects to Singletary in their own ways. Some have created tribute videos or shared memories on social media, while others have dedicated performances or songs to his memory.

Singletary’s family has also kept his memory alive through various initiatives, such as the annual Daryle Singletary Foundation Golf Classic, which raises funds for charitable causes while honoring his legacy.

These tributes and memorials serve as a testament to Singletary’s impact on country music and the lasting impression he left on those who knew and loved him.