Whisperin' Bill Anderson Celebrates Opry Milestone and 7 Decades Of Songwriting

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson is a Country Music Icon that deserves to be placed alongside names like Hank Williams Sr., Merle Haggard, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline- as one of the all-time greats in our genre. 

At the age of 87, he is still an active performer, writer and recording artist. After releasing his own album in 2024, Forevermore, he landed a cut on Barbara Streisand’s 2025 album, as a duet with Tim McGraw, titled ‘I Love Us’- bringing his career into it’s seventh decade.  Although he’s best known for classics like ‘Still’ ‘Mama Sang A Song’ ‘Bright Lights and Country Music’ ‘Po’ Folks’ and ‘Wild Weekend’, he has continued to record and release new material over the last few years that deserves to be heard- like ‘Thanks To You’ ‘Everyone Wants To Be 21’ (with Jamey Johnson) ‘Someday It’ll All Make Sense’ (with Dolly Parton) ‘It’s A Good Day To Have A Good Day’ and ‘Until The Light Comes On Again’.

In July of 2025, The Grand Ole Opry celebrated his 64th anniversary, making him the longest-serving Opry Star.  The young college DJ and aspiring songwriter became a member in 1963 at the age of 23, now  a pillar of the Country Music World and a living link to the first generation Opry stars! Through all of the hits, both as a writer and artist, and the highs and lows of his legendary career- including a role as a popular Television personality, hosting shows like TNN’s ‘Fandango’ ABC’s ’The Better Sex’ TNN’s ‘Opry Backstage’ and RFD-TV’s ‘Country Family Reunion’, he always made time for his Grand Ole Opry commitment.  Furthmore, representing Country Music as a contributor and historian on several Television Specials, including Ken Burns’ award-winning PBS ‘Country Music’ Documentary.

Beyond many of his own self-penned hits, today we put the spotlight on songs written, or co-written, by Bill Anderson that became hits for other artists.  This is just a small sample of work that helped him earn induction into the all-genre Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

Cincinnati, Ohio- Connie Smith

City Lights- Ray Price

Country- Mo Pitney

Dying To See Her- Brad Paisley

Faith In You- Steve Wariner

Give It Away- George Strait

I May Never Get To Heaven- Conway Twitty

I’ll Wait For You- Joe Nichols

Joey- Sugarland

The Lord Knows I’m Drinking- Cal Smith

A Lot Of Things Different- Kenny Chesney

Once A Day- Connie Smith

One Small Miracle- Brian White

Saginaw, Michigan- Lefty Frizzell

Slippin’ Away- Jean Shepard

The Tips Of My Fingers- Roy Clark, Eddy Arnold, Jean Shepard and Steve Wariner

Two Teardrops- Steve Wariner

Which Bridge To Cross- Vince Gill

Whiskey Lullaby- Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss

Wish You Were Here- Mark Wills

Too Country- Brad Paisley, George Jones, Buck Owens and Bill Anderson

& Many More

Kevin Richards Introduces Bill Anderson On The Stage Of The Grand Ole Opry