Daron Jay Norwood (September 30, 1965 – July 22, 2015)[2] was an American country music singer. He released two albums for Giant Records and charted six times on Hot Country Songs.

Daron Norwood
Birth nameDaron Jay Norwood
Born(1965-09-30)September 30, 1965
Lubbock, Texas, U.S.[1]
OriginTahoka, Texas, U.S.
DiedJuly 22, 2015(2015-07-22) (aged 49)
Hereford, Texas, U.S.
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar, harmonica
Years active1993–2015
LabelsGiant, KIS, D10 Records

Musical career

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Signed to Giant Records in 1993, he released two albums (1994's Daron Norwood and 1995's Ready, Willing and Able)[3] for the label and charted six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Two singles off his debut album, "If It Wasn't For Her I Wouldn't Have You" and "Cowboys Don't Cry", both made the country Top 40.[1] The title track of his second album was later a Top 20 hit in 1996 for Lari White.

In late 1994, Norwood co-wrote and sang "Little Boy Lost" on the BNA Records album Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album, a tribute to Keith Whitley which featured a mix of original songs, covers of Whitley's material, and new compositions.[4] Norwood also sang "Working Elf Blues" on the 1995 multi-artist album Giant Country Christmas, Volume 1.[1][5]

Personal life

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On November 5, 1995, Norwood decided to retire because of his addiction to alcohol. He told the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal that during that time period, he consumed 20 to 25 shots of Jack Daniel's a night.[6]

Norwood also served as a motivational speaker. His program, called "Keep It Straight", was developed to warn children of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Daron married Suella McCarty on July 5, 2009, which the couple had one son. Norwood also had three daughters from previous marriages.[2]

Norwood was found dead in his Hereford, Texas, apartment by his landlord on the afternoon of July 22, 2015. The Associated Press reported he was last seen the previous night by friends. Hereford police spokesperson, Capt. Kirsten Williams, stated on July 23 that Norwood's body showed no signs of trauma and that investigators did not suspect foul play. Williams further stated that cause of death was still pending.[7]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Album details
Daron Norwood
Ready, Willing and Able
  • Release date: March 28, 1995
  • Label: Giant Records
I Still Believe
  • Release date: August 3, 2012
  • Label: D10 records

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart
positions
Album
US Country CAN Country
1993 "If It Wasn't for Her I Wouldn't Have You" 26 12 Daron Norwood
1994 "Cowboys Don't Cry" 24 22
"If I Ever Love Again" 48 52
1995 "Bad Dog, No Biscuit" 50 67 Ready, Willing and Able
"My Girl Friday" 58
2002 "In God We Trust"
2011 "Take Me Back" I Still Believe
2016 "The Journey"(posthumously)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Other charted songs

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Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country
1995 "The Working Elf Blues" 75 Giant Country Christmas Volume 1

Music videos

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Year Video Director
1993 "If It Wasn't for Her, I Wouldn't Have You"[8] Marc Ball
1994 "Cowboys Don't Cry"
"If I Ever Love Again"
1995 "Bad Dog, No Biscuit"
"My Girl Friday"
2002 "In God We Trust"
2010 "Take Me Back"

References

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  1. ^ a b c Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 296. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  2. ^ a b "Daron Norwood Obituary". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. July 26, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Bush, John. "Daron Norwood biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  4. ^ "Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album review". Allmusic. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  5. ^ Parisien, Roch. "Giant Country Christmas, Vol. 1". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  6. ^ Country singer Norwood teams with golfer for benefit link
  7. ^ Associated Press (July 23, 2015). "Country singer Daron Norwood found dead in Texas apartment". Fox News via the Associated Press. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  8. ^ "CMT : Videos : Daron Norwood : If It Wasn't For Her". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2013.

Sources

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