Country Music

Classic Country Music Hits

Country Music

Before he became a star, he was just a young man with an old car and a dream of making music — but there was one thing he already had: this woman. 💙 Ricky Van Shelton met Bettye when he was still a young man, caught between passion and reality. No one knew he would be famous. There were no record deals. No spotlight. Just love, a few coins in his pocket… and a promise: “If I ever make it, you’ll still be the first person I come home to.” This photo isn’t meant to show off the past. It’s simply a quiet moment — between two people who once loved each other with nothing… and are still here, after everything.

“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

Ricky Van Shelton’s song “I’m Starting Over” is a notable track from his third studio album, “RVS III,” which was released in 1990. This song captures the essence of Shelton’s style, blending traditional country themes with a modern touch. Known for his smooth baritone voice and heartfelt delivery, Shelton brings an emotional depth to “I’m Starting Over” that resonates with listeners who appreciate classic country storytelling.

The album “RVS III,” which features “I’m Starting Over,” showcases Ricky Van Shelton’s continued success in the country music scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s. With a strong presence on the country charts, Shelton’s music, including this track, contributed to his reputation as one of the leading voices in country music of that era.

About The Composition

  • Title: I’m Starting Over
  • Composer: [Unknown]
  • Premiere Date: 1990
  • Album/Opus/Collection: RVS III
  • Genre: Country

Background

“RVS III” is the third studio album by Ricky Van Shelton, released in 1990. The album continued Shelton’s streak of success, following his previous platinum-selling records. It produced several hit singles that climbed the country charts, cementing his place in country music during the early ’90s. “RVS III” reflects Shelton’s distinctive style, characterized by traditional country sounds infused with contemporary elements.

Musical Style

The musical style of “I’m Starting Over” is rooted in traditional country music, featuring classic instrumentation such as acoustic guitar, steel guitar, and fiddle. The song’s arrangement complements Shelton’s rich vocal delivery, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. Shelton’s ability to convey emotion through his voice is a hallmark of this track, drawing listeners into the narrative of starting anew.

Lyrics/Libretto

The lyrics of “I’m Starting Over” explore themes of renewal and resilience, focusing on the idea of beginning again after life’s setbacks. The song’s narrative captures the universal experience of moving forward, making it relatable to many listeners. Shelton’s delivery of the lyrics adds depth to the story, enhancing the emotional impact of the song.

Performance History

While specific notable performances of “I’m Starting Over” are not well-documented, Ricky Van Shelton often included songs from “RVS III” in his live performances during his tours in the early 1990s. His concerts were known for their energetic and heartfelt renditions of his hits, which likely included this track, given its popularity among fans.

Cultural Impact

“I’m Starting Over,” as part of the “RVS III” album, contributed to Ricky Van Shelton’s influence in the country music genre during the early ’90s. The album’s success helped solidify Shelton’s status as a leading country artist, and songs like “I’m Starting Over” continue to be appreciated by fans of classic country music. While it may not have appeared prominently in media, its themes of resilience resonate with listeners.

Legacy

The enduring importance of “I’m Starting Over” lies in its representation of Ricky Van Shelton’s contribution to country music. The song remains a testament to his ability to blend traditional country sounds with contemporary storytelling. As part of “RVS III,” it continues to be celebrated by fans who appreciate the authenticity and emotional depth of Shelton’s music.

Conclusion

“I’m Starting Over” by Ricky Van Shelton is a song that captures the spirit of country music through its heartfelt lyrics and classic sound. For those who enjoy stories of resilience and renewal set to a traditional country backdrop, this track is a must-listen. I encourage you to explore more of Shelton’s work to fully appreciate his impact on the country music genre.

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THEY GOT MARRIED ON A CONCERT STAGE IN WICHITA. LESS THAN THREE YEARS LATER, JEAN SHEPARD WAS LEFT WITH TWO SONS AND A HUSBAND COUNTRY MUSIC COULD ONLY HEAR ON RECORDS. They met inside the world that had already claimed both of them — radio shows, road dates, the Grand Ole Opry, dressing rooms, and the kind of touring life where a singer’s home could feel like whatever town had the next stage. Jean was not fragile. She had already fought her way into hard country when women were still expected to sound sweeter than the men around them. “A Dear John Letter” had taken her to No. 1. The Opry had taken her in. She had survived one bad early marriage and kept her career anyway. Hawkshaw was different. Six-foot-five. Smooth. Charismatic. A West Virginia singer people called “Eleven Yards of Personality.” He had the height, the grin, and the kind of stage presence that made a crowd feel like he had walked in from a bigger life. On November 26, 1960, they married onstage during a concert in Wichita, Kansas. It was not just a courthouse promise. Ken Nelson gave Jean away. A local disc jockey broadcast the ceremony over the radio. The crowd was there. The music world was there. Their private vow entered country history through a microphone. For a while, it looked like the show and the marriage could live together. They toured. They built a home in Goodlettsville. They had a son, Don Robin, named after friends Don Gibson and Marty Robbins. Jean became pregnant again. Then the calendar turned cruel. The marriage that had started in front of an audience ended with Jean carrying the part no audience could sing for her — a toddler, an unborn child, and a husband whose voice kept climbing the chart after he was gone.

Country Music

JEAN SHEPARD CUT “LONESOME 7-7203” BEFORE HER HUSBAND DID. CAPITOL LEFT IT SITTING. THEN HAWKSHAW HAWKINS RECORDED IT — AND DIED THREE DAYS AFTER ITS RELEASE. The song did not start as Hawkshaw Hawkins’ last hit. It passed through Jean Shepard first. By the early 1960s, Jean was already one of country music’s toughest women. She had come up through honky-tonk, made “A Dear John Letter” a No. 1 duet, joined the Grand Ole Opry, and proved she was not just a pretty harmony voice in a man’s business. Hawkshaw Hawkins was already part of that same Opry world. Tall, smooth, steady, with a career that had stretched from West Virginia radio to national country stages. He and Jean married in 1960. Two singers. Two roads. One house outside Nashville. Then came a Justin Tubb song called “Lonesome 7-7203.” Jean recorded it for Capitol, but the label left it unreleased. The song sat there. A lonely telephone number. A heartbreak line waiting for somebody to dial it. Hawkshaw finally told her that if Capitol was not going to release it, he would record it himself. King Records released his version on March 2, 1963. Three days later, Hawkshaw Hawkins was dead. The plane crash near Camden took him, Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, and pilot Randy Hughes. Jean was left with the grief, the children, and the strange sound of her husband’s voice still rising on the radio. Then the song climbed. “Lonesome 7-7203” reached No. 1 after Hawkshaw was gone. Jean had recorded it first. Hawkshaw made it immortal. Country music kept dialing the number after the man who sang it could no longer answer.

Country Music

SHE SAID A MAN WITH A GUN WAS WAITING IN THE BACK SEAT. DAYS LATER, TAMMY WYNETTE STILL WALKED ONSTAGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Tammy Wynette already knew what it meant to sing pain for a living. By 1978, she was not just a country star. She was the woman behind “Stand by Your Man,” “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” and the kind of songs that made broken homes sound like they had wallpaper, bills, children, and nowhere clean to hide. Her life had become part of the story too. Marriages. George Jones. Public fights. Illness. A voice that could make surrender sound noble even when the woman singing it was barely holding the pieces together. Then came October 4, 1978. Tammy had gone shopping at Green Hills in Nashville for a birthday gift for her daughter. When she returned to her car, she later said a masked man was hiding in the back seat with a gun. He forced her to drive, beat her, and released her about 80 miles away in Giles County. The story sounded like something too strange even for country music. Questions followed. Rumors followed. No one was ever convicted. The mystery stayed attached to her name for the rest of her life. But Tammy still had a calendar. A few days later, bruised and shaken, she appeared for a concert in Columbia, South Carolina. The fans saw the First Lady of Country Music under the lights. What they could not fully see was the woman who had just been left on a Tennessee roadside, trying to explain a nightmare nobody could neatly close. Loretta Lynn turned poverty into defiance. Patsy Cline turned survival into steel. Tammy Wynette turned private wreckage into a voice so controlled it almost hid the damage.

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THEY GOT MARRIED ON A CONCERT STAGE IN WICHITA. LESS THAN THREE YEARS LATER, JEAN SHEPARD WAS LEFT WITH TWO SONS AND A HUSBAND COUNTRY MUSIC COULD ONLY HEAR ON RECORDS. They met inside the world that had already claimed both of them — radio shows, road dates, the Grand Ole Opry, dressing rooms, and the kind of touring life where a singer’s home could feel like whatever town had the next stage. Jean was not fragile. She had already fought her way into hard country when women were still expected to sound sweeter than the men around them. “A Dear John Letter” had taken her to No. 1. The Opry had taken her in. She had survived one bad early marriage and kept her career anyway. Hawkshaw was different. Six-foot-five. Smooth. Charismatic. A West Virginia singer people called “Eleven Yards of Personality.” He had the height, the grin, and the kind of stage presence that made a crowd feel like he had walked in from a bigger life. On November 26, 1960, they married onstage during a concert in Wichita, Kansas. It was not just a courthouse promise. Ken Nelson gave Jean away. A local disc jockey broadcast the ceremony over the radio. The crowd was there. The music world was there. Their private vow entered country history through a microphone. For a while, it looked like the show and the marriage could live together. They toured. They built a home in Goodlettsville. They had a son, Don Robin, named after friends Don Gibson and Marty Robbins. Jean became pregnant again. Then the calendar turned cruel. The marriage that had started in front of an audience ended with Jean carrying the part no audience could sing for her — a toddler, an unborn child, and a husband whose voice kept climbing the chart after he was gone.

Country Music

JEAN SHEPARD CUT “LONESOME 7-7203” BEFORE HER HUSBAND DID. CAPITOL LEFT IT SITTING. THEN HAWKSHAW HAWKINS RECORDED IT — AND DIED THREE DAYS AFTER ITS RELEASE. The song did not start as Hawkshaw Hawkins’ last hit. It passed through Jean Shepard first. By the early 1960s, Jean was already one of country music’s toughest women. She had come up through honky-tonk, made “A Dear John Letter” a No. 1 duet, joined the Grand Ole Opry, and proved she was not just a pretty harmony voice in a man’s business. Hawkshaw Hawkins was already part of that same Opry world. Tall, smooth, steady, with a career that had stretched from West Virginia radio to national country stages. He and Jean married in 1960. Two singers. Two roads. One house outside Nashville. Then came a Justin Tubb song called “Lonesome 7-7203.” Jean recorded it for Capitol, but the label left it unreleased. The song sat there. A lonely telephone number. A heartbreak line waiting for somebody to dial it. Hawkshaw finally told her that if Capitol was not going to release it, he would record it himself. King Records released his version on March 2, 1963. Three days later, Hawkshaw Hawkins was dead. The plane crash near Camden took him, Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, and pilot Randy Hughes. Jean was left with the grief, the children, and the strange sound of her husband’s voice still rising on the radio. Then the song climbed. “Lonesome 7-7203” reached No. 1 after Hawkshaw was gone. Jean had recorded it first. Hawkshaw made it immortal. Country music kept dialing the number after the man who sang it could no longer answer.

Country Music

SHE SAID A MAN WITH A GUN WAS WAITING IN THE BACK SEAT. DAYS LATER, TAMMY WYNETTE STILL WALKED ONSTAGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Tammy Wynette already knew what it meant to sing pain for a living. By 1978, she was not just a country star. She was the woman behind “Stand by Your Man,” “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” and the kind of songs that made broken homes sound like they had wallpaper, bills, children, and nowhere clean to hide. Her life had become part of the story too. Marriages. George Jones. Public fights. Illness. A voice that could make surrender sound noble even when the woman singing it was barely holding the pieces together. Then came October 4, 1978. Tammy had gone shopping at Green Hills in Nashville for a birthday gift for her daughter. When she returned to her car, she later said a masked man was hiding in the back seat with a gun. He forced her to drive, beat her, and released her about 80 miles away in Giles County. The story sounded like something too strange even for country music. Questions followed. Rumors followed. No one was ever convicted. The mystery stayed attached to her name for the rest of her life. But Tammy still had a calendar. A few days later, bruised and shaken, she appeared for a concert in Columbia, South Carolina. The fans saw the First Lady of Country Music under the lights. What they could not fully see was the woman who had just been left on a Tennessee roadside, trying to explain a nightmare nobody could neatly close. Loretta Lynn turned poverty into defiance. Patsy Cline turned survival into steel. Tammy Wynette turned private wreckage into a voice so controlled it almost hid the damage.

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“ I FORGOT MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW” WAS STILL RISING WHEN THE CAR CRASH KILLED BETTY JACK DAVIS AND LEFT SKEETER ALIVE TO SING UNDER THE SAME NAME. The Davis Sisters were not really sisters. Skeeter Davis was born Mary Frances Penick. Betty Jack Davis was her friend, her singing partner, and the other half of a harmony country music had not heard enough of yet. They were young, close, and just strange enough together to make the name feel true. In 1953, RCA released “I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know.” The record started moving fast. It went to No. 1 on the country chart and crossed into the pop world too. For two young women in country music, that was not just a hit. It was a door most people did not expect them to open. Then came the road home. After a show in Wheeling, West Virginia, the two left after midnight, heading back toward Kentucky. Near Cincinnati on August 2, 1953, another driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed head-on into the car carrying them. Betty Jack was killed. Skeeter survived with serious injuries. The song kept climbing while one half of the duo was gone. Later, Skeeter returned under the Davis Sisters name with Betty Jack’s sister, Georgia. They recorded and toured, but everyone knew something had changed. A harmony can be copied on paper. It cannot always be brought back to life. Years later, Skeeter stood alone and sang “The End of the World.” Most listeners heard heartbreak. Skeeter had already learned what it sounded like when the world ended and the record kept playing.