Hall of Fame Songwriter Sutton Dies

Glenn Sutton, who wrote such timeless country hits as “Almost Persuaded” and “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” died Tuesday morning, April 17, from an apparent heart attack at age 69.

Sutton was born in Hodge, La., Sept. 28, 1937, and moved to Nashville in 1964. He had his first No. 1 hit as a writer in 1966 with David Houston’s “Almost Persuaded,” which stayed at the top for nine weeks and received a Grammy for Best Country and Western Song. Glenn also co-wrote Tammy Wynette’s first major hit single, “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad,” along with Tammy’s No. 1 record, “I Don’t Wanna Play House.” He was equally well known as a producer, particular for his former wife Lynn Anderson. Glenn produced her most famous single, “Rose Garden,” which hit No. 1 on the country charts and No. 3 on the pop charts. In 1999, Glenn was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

• published April 18, 2007