Scott Turner

Canadian composer, producer, musician and publisher.
Often credited as Scotty Turner.
He received a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from the University of Dubuque in 1955. Turner taught himself to play guitar—a skill that would soon change the course of his life. In 1956, Turner befriended Buddy Holly with whom he wrote 13 songs. From 1957–1959, Turner was lead guitarist for Tommy Sands and his band The Raiders. From 1960–1961, Turner was lead guitarist and musical director for Guy Mitchell, and served in the same capacities for Eddie Fisher from 1961 to 1963. In 1963, Turner joined as a writer/producer. From there, he went on to be general manager of publishing company in Hollywood, and eventually became executive producer of the country division of / Records in Hollywood. In 1968 Turner was transferred to Nashville to take over the country division of the newly merged Liberty/Imperial/United Artists. After leaving the label, he served as an independent producer on several albums for Slim Whitman, but also produced artists as Bobby Bare, Larry Butler, Jimmy Bryant, Vicki Carr, Johnny Carver, Jimmy Clanton, Roy Clark, Rosemary Clooney, Penny DeHaven, Glen Garrison, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Lewis, Willie Nelson, Harry Nilsson, Bill Phillips, Del Reeves, Ray Sanders, Mel Tillis, Cliffie Stone, and Jerry Wallace among others. Turner also worked in both film and television. Turner ultimately wrote over 400 songs, many of which were co-written with artists such as Herb Alpert, Mac Davis, Buddy Holly (13 songs in total, during writing sessions in Lubbock in 1957 and in New York in 1958), Mac Davis, Diane Lampert, Alex Harvey, Red Lane, John Marascalco, Guy Mitchell, Audie Murphy (83 songs in total), Harry Nilsson while at A&M, Johnny O'Keefe, Doc Pomus, Tommy Sands, and Charlie Williams. Publishing companies founded by Turner are (ASCAP), (BMI) and Captain Kidd, LLC.
Born: August 23, 1931 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died: February 9, 2009 in Cobleskill, New York, USA