Jim Weatherly, Who Wrote ‘Midnight Train To Georgia,’ Dies At 77

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Singer-songwriter Jim Weatherly died on Feb. 3 at age 77. He’s pictured above in Nashville, Tenn., in January 2015.





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Weatherly was born in Pontotoc, Miss. He started writing songs at age 13, inspired by the music of Elvis Presley and rockabilly. In college he was in a band called Jimmy Weatherly and the Vegas. He fronted another band, The Gordian Knot, that recorded for Verve Records in 1968, with Weatherly as lead vocalist and guitarist.

His music spanned genres, from country to pop to R&B. Among the hundreds of artists who recorded Weatherly’s songs are Glen Campbell, Ray Price, Charley Pride, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis and Indigo Girls. In an interview with the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted in 2006, he talked about the importance of writing songs that are «honest and true, and not forcing it.

«When I attempt to write a hit song it really doesn’t come out quite as true, quite as honest to me, Weatherly said. «I think for the most part people pick up on that. When I hear music with a false sincerity, I don’t believe the song or the artist.

In a statement to the Jackson Clarion Ledger, Gladys Knight remembered Weatherly as «a sweetheart and so gentle.

«We were just made for each other. At that time African Americans weren’t into country music and he really helped us know it and love it.