Billy Edd Wheeler, the Mind Behind Johnny and June Carter Cash’s “Jackson,” Dead at 91

Country singer-songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler, who penned such timeless classics as the Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash hit “Jackson” and Kenny Rogers’ “Coward of the County,” died Monday (Sept. 16.) He was 91 years old.

[RELATED: The Meaning Behind “Coward of the County” by Kenny Rogers]

Multi GRAMMY-Winning Artist Pays Tribute to Billy Edd Wheeler

A Facebook post from daughter Lucy confirmed Tuesday (Sept. 17) that Billy Edd Wheeler “passed away peacefully at home yesterday surrounded by family.”

“We love you Dad,” the post read. “You will be missed by so many but also forever remembered by all the gifts you gave to this world.”

Additionally, Lucy included a heartfelt tribute from GRAMMY-winning folk singer-songwriter Janis Ian. The “At Seventeen” singer referred to her friend as “[one] of the greatest little-known artists on earth; an amazing songwriter, author, playwright, sculptor, painter, you name it.”

Ian went on to share the foreword she wrote for Wheeler’s 2018 autobiography, Hotter Than a Pepper Sprout. “Here is a man who can call the birds with a whistle,” she wrote. “Who writes legendary songs the way you and I might write down someone’s telephone number. Whose garden is filled with sculptures carved from trees, and rocks painted with faces you wish you knew.”

On Tuesday (Sept. 17,) the Country Music Hall of Fame shared a statement from CEO Kyle Young to its official social media accounts. Young marveled at Wheeler’s ability to “pack an entire cinematic experience into a few short minutes.”

Celebrating A Life Well Lived

At age 16, Billy Edd Wheeler left his hometown of High Coal, West Virginia behind to attend high school in Swannanoa, North Carolina. He never looked back, according to an obituary published in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Throughout his career, Wheeler received 13 songwriting awards from The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP.) Everyone from The Jefferson Airplane to Elvis Presley recorded hits penned by Wheeler, according to his obituary.

“Jackson,” the famously fiery duet between Johnny Cash and wife June Carter Cash, is arguably Wheeler’s most instantly recognizable piece of work. The tune reached No. 2 on the Billboard U.S. Country charts and won a GRAMMY Award in 1968 for Best Country & Western Performance Duet, Trio or Group.

“Coward of the County” became another crowning accomplishment for Wheeler when Kenny Rogers recorded the tune for his 1979 album Kenny. The song earned a GRAMMY nod for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1980.

Featured image via Facebook