Johnny Duncan had been making records for Columbia for almost a full decade before he finally found his way to number one. First appearing on Billboard’s country singles chart on August 12, 1967 with “Hard Luck Joe” (peaking at #54), he recorded with Columbia’s celebrated production team of Don Law and Frank Jones for several years before joining Billy Sherrill in the studio during the winter of 1973.
Duncan’s contract with the label was coming up for renewal and since he had no hits up to that point, Johnny reasoned that the best way to break through as an artist was to work with the top man at Columbia, and that of course was Sherrill.
The first session Billy helmed with Duncan turned out an immediate Top Ten hit called “Sweet Country Woman.” Subsequent singles didn’t fare as well, however. Johnny became discouraged with his career progress and he moved back home to Texas. A single phone call from a friend led Duncan to return to Nashville and get back in the studio.
