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Local singer Bill Nash gets candid about writing songs for country music legends

His memoir takes you through the triumphs and struggles of a life in the music world.

HOUSTON – He has penned songs for country stars such as Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Diamond Rio, and Larry Gatlin.

Now singer-songwriter, Bill Nash, looks back at his extraordinary career in music in his newly released autobiography, Saint Sinner Singer: An Unexpected, Redirected, Resurrected Life.

"Saint Sinner Singer: An Unexpected, Redirected, Resurrected Life" (Bill Nash)

In his book, Nash goes into details of how his entire life has been influenced by music, starting with getting signed to Columbia Records when he was only 13 years old as part of “The Nash Family Trio.”

Nash Family Trio in 1957 "Lord, Hear Us Sing " (Bill Nash)

He also revealed he was the first artist to ever cut a song written by Kris Kristofferson, who was working as a janitor at the time.

“He knew he’d be famous, but songwriting was his vehicle to get started,” explained Nash.

Bill Nash and Kris Kristofferson in 1974 on the Phil Everly show (Bill Nash)

The song is called “For the Good Times,” and you can see both artists performing the song in the video below.

Nash lives in Houston and still performs with his wife and songwriting partner, Kim Nash.

The couple co-wrote “They asked about you,” for Reba McEntire, a chart-topping song in 1994.

Bill and Kim Nash with country singer Reba McEntire (Bill Nash)

“There were 5,000 songs that Reba listened to for two slots on that greatest hits album and ours was just picked at random. Only God could have done that for us,” said Nash, who only had kind words for the country superstar.

“She’s the genuine stuff that those kinds of American cowgirls are made of,” said the 74-year-old, who shared advice for those who want to write songs for a living.

“Songwriting, if you have that talent God’s given you, use it and make the world happy,” said Nash. “It’s very fulling to write a song and learn a little bit about writing if you can. Take rhyme and pattern if you can.”

Singer-Songwriter Bill Nash (Saint Sinner Singer)

In the memoir, Nash also addresses how he turned a difficult family moment into a way to change the life of thousands of children.

The Nashes founded Champions Kids Camp, a camp for survivors of traumatic events, in honor of their oldest son, Billy, who battled leukemia.

Nash’s memoir, Saint Sinner Singer: An Unexpected, Redirected, Resurrected Life, is available now for sale.

You can order your copy, here.

if you wish to connect with Nash, click here.


About the Author
Beatriz Oliveros headshot

Beatriz is a producer for Houston life. She’s a dog mom who enjoys traveling and eating her way through new cities and cultures.

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