Johnny Tillotson is an American music star who has been in the business for more than 6 decades. Although his greatest achievements date back to the 1960s, he has remained active until the 2010s when he released his last compilation work, It keeps right on a-hurtin‘ in 2015.
With millions of records sold and various Hall of Fame inductions, he is one of the most respected country singers in the US as well as on the international stage.
Biography of Johnny Tillotson
It was on April 20, 1938, that the Pop/rock singer and songwriter was born in Jacksonville, Florida. His father, Jack Tillotson was a mechanic and his mother was Doris Tillotson. The interest of the young Johnny in music was first inspired by his father who also worked as a country music Disk Jockey and also the encouragement of his mother and grandmother whom he was sent to take care of when he was only 9 years old.
He spent his childhood between Palatka, Florida where he was always taking care of his grandmother, and Jacksonville where his family was. First exposed to music through his father while listening to songs play on his radio, he was drawn more in 1955 after he watched Elvis Presley perform.
Johnny’s career as a singer started when he was still a child, with performances at local events and by the time he went to Palatka Senior High School, he had already had a reputation as a singer of note. He soon got a chance to appear on Toby Dowdy Show, kickstarting his TV career.
After he graduated from high school, he moved to the University of Florida where he studied Journalism and Communications and graduated in 1959. While in college, he continued to appear on TV, sing, and write songs.
He got his break when he was entered into the National Pet Milk Talent Contest, a singing competition by a local DJ. He emerged as one of the 6 national winners. This made it possible for him to be signed to Cadence Records after his performance on the WSM the Grand Ole Opry radio station in Nashville impressed a publisher who contacted the owner of the music label with Johnny’s tape.
Johnny Tillotson Has A $10 Million Net Worth
From a career that has lasted for many decades, Johnny Tillotson has accumulated a net worth that is estimated at $10 million. Needless to say, his fortune was built from the sale of his records, endorsement deals, career on TV, and many more.
His records have sold into the millions and
He is Married And Blessed With 2 Children
The famous singer is married to Nancy Tillotson who was born Nancy Ellen Beatty. The couple got married in the 1980s, but not many details are available about their lives as a couple.
Their marriage is has produced two children, John Michael Tillotson, and Kelli Tillotson.
Fast Unknown Facts About Johnny Tillotson
1. He kept his name to help his father sell more gasoline
Johhny had the support of his father when he told him he was going into the music business. At the Time, Jack Tillotson was running gasoline and when Johnny told him he wanted to change his name to something that would fit into the show business some more, his father told him if he left his name that way and he became famous, they would sell more gasoline.
Johnny did not change his name because of that and when he became famous, his dad actually sold more gasoline thanks to his son’s name getting associated with the business.
2. He was brought up with a brother, Dan Tillotson
The famous singer was not raised as an only child. He has a brother whose name is Dan Tillotson. Not much information is available about Dan since he is not a celebrity. It is known, however, that when they were little, Dan also assisted in taking care of their grandmother whenever Johnny was returning home.
3. He has been nominated for the Grammy Awards
Tillotson has never won a Grammy Award, but he came close twice when he was first nominated for It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin‘ in 1962 and then Heartaches By The Number in 1965.
4. Johnny Tillotson performed 230 days a year in his best years
At the time when his career was at its best, the singer was reported to be performing in different parts of the world. More than that, he was estimated to be performing at least 230 days in a year. This was most especially true in 1966.
5. Johnny has an impressive discography
Between 1959 when Tillotson released his debut album, This Is Johnny Tillotson, and 1977 when he released Johnny Tillotson, he dropped a total of 15 albums and 1 EP. More so, he has released a further 17 compilation workers and many more singles.
6. He was also an actor and DJ
Music is the thing that brought fame and fortune to Johnny, but he was more than that. He also worked initially as a DJ in Jacksonville and also made some appearances in TV shows. One of his most recognized roles was in the 1966 comedy film, The Fat Spy. He was also in The Call of the Wild which was released in 1976.
7. Johnny and Elvis were friends
Johnny got to meet Elvis Presley when he was working as a DJ and following an interview, the two men became friends. Their friendship lasted till the death of Elvis in 1977.
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8. He lost his daughter Kelli Tillotson in 1991
The musician was hit with the tragic loss of his daughter, Kelli Tillotson who died in 1991 at the age of 22 following a fatal car crash. Kelli was born on 6 May 1969 and she worked as a model. Her death left her parents and only surviving sibling, John Michael devastated.
9. Tillotson has many awards and recognitions to his name
The award catalog of Johnny Tillotson is one that is very impressive as the singer has won many awards and has also registered numerous recognitions including the following:
10. Where is Johnny Tillotson now?
Currently 86 years old, Johnny has not been very active since 2016 when he performed at Legends of the ’50s and ’60s Live in Concert in Ontario. In 2014, he made it known that he was having too much fun to think of retiring.
For now, it is known that he still lives in the United States.
