Gail Davies is an American singer/songwriter….and the first female record producer in country music history….who was the daughter of country singer Tex Dickerson….and the sister of songwriter Ron Davies…..as Gail’s son, Chris Scruggs, is a former co-lead singer and guitarist for the roots-country band BR549….and is currently on tour with Marty Stuart as a member of his Fabulous Superlatives.
Gail Davies established herself as a successful singer and songwriter during the 1970’s and 1980’s…. while scoring numerous Top 10 and Top 20 Billboard hits. She was one of country music’s most influential artists….while becoming the genre’s first female record producer. She has been cited as a role model for other female singers including Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Pam Tillis.
Unhappy with the production of her first album….Gail switched to Warner Bros. Records in 1979….as her landmark album The Game was even more successful than her previous record had been…..while featuring a Top 10 single entitled “Blue Heartache”….as well as two Top 20 hits….“Like Strangers” and another of her own compositions entitled “Good Lovin’ Man”. Gail went on to produce I’ll Be There in 1980….which spawned three more Top 10 Billboard hit singles….as the title track went to # 4 on the charts followed by “It’s a Lovely, Lovely World”….with harmony vocals by Emmylou Harris….and a beautiful tribute that Gail wrote for her maternal grandmother entitled “Grandma’s Song”. Gail Davies was nominated for an ACMA and CMA Award in 1981….and voted “Best New Female Vocalist” by The DJ’s of America. In this video herewith….Gail Davies performs “Taking My Bucket Down To The South Fork” live on stage at Austin City Limits in 1979.
