Last week Forgotten Hits reader David Lewis sent us a copy of Jim Weatherly's original version of "Midnight Plane To Houston" ... which Gladys Knight and the Pips recorded as "Midnight Train To Georgia", turnng it into a HUGE #1 Hit Record back in 1973.
In fact, Gladys Knight and the Pips had success with SIX of Weatherly's songs: "Neither One Of Us" topped The Cash Box Chart (as well as Billboard's R & B Chart) in 1973, "Where Peaceful Waters Flow" went to #23 in 1973 (just before the aforementioned "Midnight Train To Georgia" topped the charts), "Between Her Goodbye And My Hello" hit #57 in 1974, "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me" shot up to #3, also in 1974, and "Love Finds Its Own Way" peaked at #33 in 1975.
In between, Jim Weatherly, a former All-American University of Mississippi / Ole Miss Rebels quarterback, squeezed in his OWN hit when "The Need To Be" went to #11 in 1974.
Jim also had quite a bit of success placing his songs on the country charts ... Vince Gill, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Marie Osmond, Eddy Arnold, Lee Greenwood, Charley Pride, Steve Wariner and England Dan Seals have all recorded his songs ... and Ray Price reportedly recorded about FIFTY of Weatherly's compositions! Between 1975 and 1980, Weatherly placed half a dozen songs on Billboard's Country Chart under his own name. (For a very impressive, complete list of Jim's songs ... and who recorded them ... be sure to check out his website here: Click here: Jim Weatherly)
