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James “Sandy” Pinkard, a famed Nashville songwriter who also recorded parody versions of some of country’s biggest hits, has died, according to\u00a0Music Row<\/a><\/em>. He was 78.<\/p>\n A native of Abbeville, La., Pinkard began to find success as a Nashville country music songwriter in the 1970s.<\/p>\n He co-wrote hits like Mel Tillis<\/a>‘ “Coca Cola Cowboy,” Shelley West and David Frizzell’s “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma,”\u00a0Anne Murray<\/a>‘s Blessed Are the Believers” and Vern Gosdin’s “I Can Tell By the Way You Dance.”<\/p>\n Read More<\/em>: The Best 1970s Country Songs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n According to\u00a0KFLY<\/a><\/em>, Pinkard also wrote songs for Brenda Lee<\/a>, John Anderson<\/a>, Mickey Gilley and more. Though the bulk of his success was in country music, he also wrote songs that were recorded by Cher, Ray Charles and Clint Eastwood.<\/p>\n In the mid-1980s, thanks to an introduction from producer Jim Ed Norman, Pinkard teamed up with fellow country music Richard Bowden, and the two became comedy country duo Pinkard & Bowden.<\/p>\n Their debut album, 1984’s\u00a0Writers in Disguise<\/em>, peaked just outside the Top 40 on the country charts.<\/p>\n Its tracklist included a number of parodies of famous country songs, including “Help Me Make it Through the Yard” (Sammi Smith’s “Help Me Make it Through the Night”), “Delta Dawg” (Tanya Tucker<\/a>‘s “Delta Dawn”) and “Blue Hairs Driving in My Lane” (Willie Nelson<\/a>‘s “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.)<\/p>\n Pinkard & Bowden went on to be a success both with country fans and in comedy clubs. They released four more albums between 1985 and 1993, which featured hits like “Mama She’s Lazy” (The Judds<\/a>‘ “Mama He’s Crazy”) “She Thinks I Steal Cars” (George Jones<\/a>‘ “She Thinks I Still Care”) and more.<\/p>\n “Mama She’s Lazy” was a No. 3 hit on the country charts in 1993.<\/p>\n Pinkard served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.<\/p>\n He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sanford Pinkard, Sr. and Dorothy Ann Milliman Pinkard, as well as a brother, William Howeth Pinkard.<\/p>\n He lived in Kingwood, West Va. and died at his residence on Saturday, July 26.<\/p>\n He is survived by his wife, Lisa Ann Bennett, son Tom Maxwell, daughters Pamela Way and Mary Athalia Irwin, brother Chris Pinkard and grandson Henry Stuart Irwin.<\/p>\n Pinkard’s memorial service will be held at the West Virginia National Ceremony on Thursday (July 31), where he will be accorded full military honors.<\/p>\n His family requests that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to express condolences make donations to the Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center, designating checks to the Veterans With Guitars<\/a> program.<\/p>\n We’re not even six months into 2025, and already country music has suffered some devastating losses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSongwriting Success<\/strong><\/h3>\n
A Move Into Comedy<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Personal Life + Later Years<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Country Stars Who Have Died in 2025<\/h2>\n