Billy Norris Sherrill (November 5, 1936 – August 4, 2015) was an influential American record producer, songwriter, and arranger, renowned for his pivotal role in shaping the "countrypolitan" sound. Born in Phil Campbell, Alabama, Sherrill grew up immersed in music, playing piano at evangelical revivals led by his preacher father and later learning the saxophone. He initially performed in a rock 'n' roll and R&B band called The Fairlanes, co-writing "Sweet and Innocent" for Roy Orbison.

In 1962, Sherrill moved to Nashville to work for Sam Phillips at Phillips Recording's studio. After the studio was sold, he joined Epic Records, where he began crafting his signature sound—an innovative blend of country and pop, often compared to Phil Spector's Wall of Sound. Sherrill's first major success came with David Houston's "Almost Persuaded," which he co-wrote with Glenn Sutton and which won a Grammy Award.

Sherrill's collaboration with Tammy Wynette began in 1966, leading to iconic hits like "Stand by Your Man," which he co-wrote. He also worked extensively with George Jones, producing classics such as "He Stopped Loving Her Today," widely regarded as one of the greatest country songs. His work with Charlie Rich, including "The Most Beautiful Girl," further solidified his status as a top producer.

Throughout his career, Sherrill produced and co-wrote hits for numerous artists, including Tanya Tucker, Johnny Paycheck, and Barbara Mandrell, contributing to over 26 No. 1 country hits. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010, leaving a lasting legacy on the country music landscape.