“The Year That Clayton Delaney Died“ is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Tom T. Hall…..which was released in July 1971….as the only single from the album, In Search of a Song…..which was Hall’s 2nd # 1 song on the country chart…..and it stayed at # 1 for two weeks…. while spending a total of eighteen weeks on the country charts. The song is based on Hall’s childhood neighbor and boyhood hero, Lonnie Easterly.
Tom T. Hall is an American country music songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, novelist and short-story writer…..who has written 12 # 1 hit songs…..with 26 more that reached the Top 10….including the # 1 international pop crossover smash “Harper Valley PTA”….along with the hit “I Love“….which reached # 12 on the Billboard Hot 100…..as Tom T Hall became known to fans as “The Storyteller”….thanks to his storytelling skills in his songwriting.