R.I.P.: Country Songwriter Curly Putman

Curly Putman

Claude 'Curly' Putman Jr., who wrote what some consider the greatest country song ever, died Sunday at 85.

Putman wrote "He Stopped Loving Her Today" with Bobby Braddock, which George Jones turned into a hit. Putnam also had a hand in writing Tammy Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" with Braddock as well. With Billy Sherrill, he penned "My Elusive Dreams," a hit for Wynette and David Houston.

His first hit was "Green, Green Grass of Home," a 1964 hit for Porter Wagoner. Many others recorded the song as well including Roger Miller, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, Burl Ives, Johnny Darrell, Gram Parsons, Joan Baez, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, Dean Martin, Merle Haggard, Bobby Bare, Joe Tex, Nana Mouskouri and Tom Jones.

Putman was born Nov. 20, 1930 in Princeton, Ala. He spent four years in the Navy before moving to Nashville.

Putman's Nasvhille-area farm was also the inspiration for the Wings' hit "Junior's Farm".

Paul and Linda McCartney wrote “Junior’s Farm” as an homage to Claude “Curly” Putman, Jr., who’s farm they were staying at in Lebanon, Tennessee, along with Wings, in 1974. The band recorded the song at Nashville’s Sound Shop and released it as the A-side to a 7” single backed with “Sally G” in October, and the song went to number three on the U.S. charts.