Daryle Singletary

Neo-traditionalist vocalist Daryle Singletary emerged as one of the most promising talents on the mid-1990s country circuit, drawing listeners in through unadorned, sincere compositions and a signature raspy delivery. Raised in Cairo, Georgia, he first performed gospel music with his brother and cousins, later taking multiple singing courses while still in high school. After earning his diploma he spent time employed at a tractor dealership, then moved to Nashville in hopes of breaking into the music industry.

Once there, Singletary regularly appeared at open-mike nights and showcase events with other aspiring artists including Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw. He eventually secured work as a demo vocalist and cut the track “Old Pair of Shoes” for a small independent label. The recording reached Randy Travis, who chose to interpret it himself and simultaneously referred Singletary to his own management representatives. Shortly afterward Singletary landed a contract with Giant Records, issuing his self-titled debut album in 1995 and achieving major success with the singles “I Let Her Lie” and “Too Much Fun.” Late the following year he delivered All Because of You, which yielded the hit “Amen Kind of Love.” His third project, Ain't It the Truth, arrived in early 1998, and five years later he released That’s Why I Sing This Way on Audium Records.

Another five-year interval passed before Straight from the Heart surfaced in 2007 via Shanachie Records. Koch Records then issued Rockin' in the Country in 2009. Following a six-year recording break during which he continued to tour, Singletary resurfaced in 2015 with There’s Still a Little Country Left. In summer 2017 he teamed with Rhonda Vincent for the duets collection American Grandstand. On February 12, 2018, Daryle Singletary passed away suddenly at his Lebanon, Tennessee residence at the age of 46.