By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Ronnie Milsap has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning five decades. He’s also been the epitome of musical excellence across multiple idioms. A Country Music Hall of Famer, he’s had 40 number one country hits, and been a Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year as well as three-time CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. In addition to winning six Grammys and four Album of the Year awards, Milsap has also enjoyed R&B, soul and pop hits, and wrote the classic tune “I Can’t Make You Love Me” for Bonnie Raitt.
Now 80, Milsap will be celebrated during his final Nashville Show Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime tribute event, with an amazing list of guest performers. They include Kelly Clarkson, Little Big Town, Parker McCollum, Justin Moore, Scotty McCreery, Tracy Lawrence, Randy Houser, Sara Evans, Lorrie Morgan, Neal McCoy, BRELAND, Phil Vassar, Terri Clark, The Band of Heathens, Charlie McCoy and more. The evening will honor Milsap and his 50-plus year career, as well as his celebrated catalog and lasting influence on country music.
“Well I’m not leaving music, just the touring part of it,” Milsap told the Tribune during a recent phone interview. “I’ll always sing and always love music. This concert will be a chance to say thanks to the great fans of Nashville for all their support over the years. It’s also a chance to hear some of the current and past greats in country and popular music all on the same show.”
While Milsap’s country credentials are well known, he’s also long been involved in R&B and soul music. When he began his career, it included sharing bills with Ray Charles and James Brown on a circuit that included the Howard Theater, the Royal Peacock, and more. One of his earliest hits was written by the duo of Ashford and Simpson. It was Ray Charles who told the young pianist when he was offered a scholarship to Young Harris College’s law program, “Son, I can hear the music inside you…”
“One of my greatest experiences was sharing the stage with James Brown,” Milsap recalled. “He was such a tremendous entertainer and amazing influence.” Milsap also helped induct Ray Charles into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and one of his earliest supporters was Charley Pride, who suggested he move to Nashville after seeing one of Milsap’s shows in California.
A tremendous pianist as well, Milsap’s been known to include some jazz-oriented solos in his live shows. During the ‘70s, 80s and 90s, while continuing to enjoy consistent country hits, Milsap also occasionally had singles make the adult contemporary charts. He’s remained active and successful in the 21st century, with “Just for a Thrill “, a collection of standards, in 2004, and “My Life” for RCA in 2006. He made the transition to inspirational fare in 2009 with”Then Sings My Soul,” his first collection of gospel and inspirational material; it peaked at 19 on the Country charts and eight on the Christian charts. Then came “Country Again” in 2011,and “Summer Number Seventeen,” a collection of oldies covers which appeared on Sony/Legacy in 2014.
“Gospel Greats” came in in 2016, then “The Duets,” a 2018 collection that paired him with old friends like Willie Nelson and new stars like Kacey Musgraves.
Milsap remains busy, having started a podcast “Music and Milsap” on Spotify this past April. Craft Recordings is reissuing “Christmas with Ronnie Milsap,” his sole holiday album on CD November 12th.and there’s still available “ A Better Word for Love,” which explores the R&B-steeped sound that’s always been right alongside his country, gospel and bluegrass strains.
