Bobby Braddock, born Robert Valentine Braddock on August 5, 1940, in Lakeland, Florida, is a renowned American country songwriter and record producer. Raised in Auburndale, Florida, Braddock was the son of a successful citrus grower. He began his musical journey at the age of eight when he wrote his first song and performed it at a piano recital. During his high school years, he played alto saxophone in the marching band and later joined local rock & roll bands, including Big John’s Untouchables.

In 1961, Dot Anderson recorded Braddock’s song “Walkin’ Papers,” marking his first recorded composition. Braddock moved to Nashville in 1964, where he briefly worked at Hewgley’s Music Store before joining Marty Robbins’s road band. His songwriting career took off when Robbins recorded “While You’re Dancing” in 1965. Braddock signed with Tree Publishing Company in 1966, and his songs quickly gained popularity, with the Statler Brothers recording his Top Ten hits “Ruthless” and “You Can’t Have Your Kate and Edith, Too.”

Braddock achieved his first #1 hit with Tammy Wynette’s recording of “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” in 1968, co-written with Curly Putman. He continued to write chart-topping songs for artists like George Jones, whose rendition of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” became a million-seller and was named Country Song of the Century. Braddock’s influence extended into the 21st century with hits like Toby Keith’s “I Wanna Talk About Me.”

As a producer, Braddock discovered Blake Shelton and produced several of his number-one hits, including “Austin.” Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011, Braddock remains a significant figure in country music, residing in Nashville and continuing to write for Sony/ATV. He has published two memoirs, detailing his life and career in the music industry.