Marijohn Wilkin

For many years, Marijohn Wilkin was one of the finest songwriters in country music. Not only did she have a long, distinguished career, but Wilkin is known for having been of invaluable assistance in developing the careers of other songwriters. Some of her most famous songs include "Waterloo," "P.T. 109" and "Long Black Veil," her best-known song. She was born Marijohn Melson in Kemp, Texas, to a deacon and his wife. Though she had always been talented as a child, Melson showed little interest in the entertainment industry and even turned down a movie contract with Monogram Studios in the 1930s, preferring an education and a husband to fame. Following college, she worked as a music teacher. Not long after her wedding, her husband, Bedford Russell, was killed during World War II. The recently widowed young woman married another, but the marriage only lasted long enough for her to bear her son John (usually called "Bucky"). After the divorce she married Art Wilkin, Jr. and soon afterward began writing songs. In 1955, the Wilkins moved to Springfield, Missouri, so Bucky could play guitar on the Children's Ozark Jubilee. Marijohn made her own recording debut there with a song she co-wrote with James P. Coleman, "Take This Heart"; her songs were later recorded by other stars of the show. Occasionally, Wilkin sang in local clubs at night to augment the family finances, and it was there that a local lawyer suggested she try her luck in Nashville. She went and began singing in a local club while trying to sell her songs. At first she had no luck, but then found a spot at Cedarwood Publishing, where she worked along such stars as Mel Tillis and John D. Loudermilk. On the same day in June 1959, both Stonewall Jackson and Lefty Frizzell debuted two of her songs -- "Waterloo" and...