Daron Norwood

Daron Jay Norwood (September 30, 1965 – July 22, 2015) was an American country music singer. He released two albums for Giant Records and charted six times on Hot Country Songs.

Musical career

Signed to Giant Records in 1993, he released two albums (1994's Daron Norwood and 1995's Ready, Willing and Able)^[2] for the label and charted six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Two singles off his debut album, "If It Wasn't For Her I Wouldn't Have You" and "Cowboys Don't Cry", both made the country Top 40.^[1] The title track of his second album was later a Top 20 hit in 1996 for Lari White.

In late 1994, Norwood co-wrote and sang "Little Boy Lost" on the BNA Records album Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album, a tribute to Keith Whitley which featured a mix of original songs, covers of Whitley's material, and new compositions.^[3] Norwood also sang "Working Elf Blues", a parody of Merle Haggard's "Workin' Man Blues", on the 1995 multi-artist album Giant Country Christmas, Volume 1.^[1][4]

Personal life

In 1989 Daron Norwood married Karen Ruddle-Norwood. Karen Ruddle-Norwood's brother Randy Ruddle then took Daron's Demo tape to Atlanta, Georgia. Where he played the tape for local radio stations and bars. In the fall of 1989, Randy met with John Galluccio, the then owner of The Buckboard Country Music Showcase in Marrietta, Georgia. Daron was then asked to perform a Thursday night showcase, which he did. He then asked Jeff Riley to accompany him during that showcase. John took an interest and asked Daron to perform another showcase where Danny Davenport, a talent scout for Giant Records, was in the audience. That night in the Fall of 1989 a record deal to Giant Records was established.

On November 5, 1995, Norwood decided to quit his career as a country singer because of his addiction to alcohol. He told the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal that during that time period, he was taking 20 to 25 shots of Jack Daniels a night.^[5]

Norwood also served as a motivational speaker. His program, called "Keep It Straight", was developed to warn children of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Daron married Suella McCarty on July 5, 2009. Daron and Suella Norwood had a son on April 21, 2010 Daylan Jaron Norwood.

Norwood was found dead in his Hereford, Texas apartment by his landlord on the afternoon of July 22, 2015. The Associated Press reported he was last seen the previous night by friends. Hereford police spokesperson, Capt. Kirsten Williams, stated on July 23 that Norwood's body showed no signs of trauma and that investigators do not suspect foul play. Williams further stated that cause of death is pending.^[6]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Other charted songs

Music videos

References