Curly Putman
Claude "Curly" Putman Jr. (November 20, 1930 – October 30, 2016) was a distinguished American songwriter, renowned for his significant contributions to country music. Born in Princeton, Alabama, Putman was the son of a sawmill worker and served four years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Valley Forge. His breakthrough came after moving to Nashville, where he worked for Tree Publishing Company.
Putman is best known for penning the classic "Green, Green Grass of Home," which became a hit for Porter Wagoner in 1965 and was famously covered by Tom Jones, among others. The song's success transcended country music, with over 400 recorded versions by artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Joan Baez.
In addition to "Green, Green Grass of Home," Putman co-wrote other enduring hits like "My Elusive Dreams," "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," and "He Stopped Loving Her Today," the latter of which is often hailed as the greatest country song in history. His work earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
Putman's influence extended beyond country music, with his farm in Tennessee inspiring Paul McCartney's "Junior's Farm." He passed away at 85 in Lebanon, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy celebrated by a state route and community park named in his honor.
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