Freddie Hart

Freddie Hart was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi in 1926, and his early exposure to gospel, blues, and rhythm and blues shaped his approach to country music. He started out writing songs for other artists in the 1950s, including Elvis Presley's 'Edge of Reality' and Conway Twitty's 'I Can't See Me Without You.'

His own breakthrough came in 1969 with 'Hands of a Man,' a ballad written by his wife Ann that became his signature song. That success led to a string of albums and singles through the 1970s and 1980s, with songs like 'Greatest Gift Of All' and 'California Grapevine' among his recorded work.

Hart faced personal and legal troubles in the late 1980s, including allegations of substance abuse and financial issues that required rehabilitation. He kept making music through those difficulties, though his later years were quieter.