Known as “Whisperin’ Bill,” Bill Anderson, the country performer, television host, and songwriter, was born James William Anderson III in 1937.
Anderson studied journalism at the University of Georgia while also working as a radio disc jockey (DJ) at station WJJC, a sportswriter, and a performer.
In 1957, Anderson recorded “City Lights” for TNT Records in Texas. The song reached Columbia Records’ Ray Price, and the following year it became a No. 1 country hit on the Billboard charts.
Anderson wrote the song in one night in a motel where he used to stay, “I wrote the whole song in one night. I wrote it up on the roof of a little motel where I lived. I don’t have any idea how long I sat up there. I’m sure I wrote it in a couple of hours or so,” he said.
Anderson signed to Decca Records and started recording in August 1958. Then in 1961 he joined the Grand Ole Opry.
In the mid ‘60s, he began performing duets with country artist Jan Howard, who was also on Decca Records. Together, they approached producer Owen Bradley about recording together. Bradley agreed, and soon the duo released their first single in 1965.
In 1968, their song “For Loving You” became a No.1 hit on the Billboard country chart and led to several more successful collaborations.
In the 1970s, Anderson recorded more songs, including “Love Is a Sometimes Thing” and “All the Lonely Women in the World”. Then by 1977, Anderson’s duet partner, Howard, left his record label
At that time, Anderson also hosted an American daytime game show with Sarah Purcell that aired on ABC and Fandango, an American country music-themed television game show that aired on The Nashville Network (TNN).
Anderson continued writing and recording in the ’90s. In 1998, he released his first label album in over a decade, titled Fine Wine.
He continued to release music through his own TWI record label. His most recent studio album was released in 2020.
In July 2026, Anderson celebrated a major milestone, marking 65 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, with special stage appearances and tributes in Nashville, and he debuted a new song at the Grand Ole Opry co-written with Bobby Tomberlin.
“The Opry is the home of country music, and thankfully for 65 years now the show has been home to Whisperin’ Bill Anderson. We’re so thankful that through all the stages of his career, all the hits, all the songwriting successes, all the TV appearances, all the tour dates, and more, Bill has always come home to this Opry he loves. We’re so honored, we’re so proud, and we’re looking forward to the next 65.” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers.
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