One of Nashville's most beloved songwriters has passed away. Tony Haselden, the writer behind such hits as George Strait's "You Know Me Better Than That," Collin Raye's "That's My Story" and more, has died. Haselden was 79 years old when he passed away.
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Louisiana Jukebox Cafe was the first to
report the news. Haselden was also a member the Louisiana band, LeRoux.Per the
Facebook post, Haselden was a founding member of LeRoux in 1978. He had been battling an undisclosed medical condition in recent years. The band had a series of hits in the late '70s and early '80s, including "Nobody Said It Was Easy," a Top 20 hit that was released in 1982.After LeRoux took a break in the '80s, Haselden relocated to Nashville to become a songwriter and producer. He wrote Keith Whitley's "It Ain't Nothin'" and Reba McEntire's "Love Needs a Holiday." Haselden also became a successful producer, working with artists like The Wilkinsons and The Kinleys.
The Story Behind Shania Twain's 'What Made You Say That,' Written By Tony Haselden
One of Haselden's biggest hits actually wasn't a hit at first. Haselden is one of the writers on Shania Twain's "What Made You Say That." The song is Twain's debut single from her self-titled freshman album, out in 1993.
Haselden wrote "What Made You Say That" with Stan Munsey, Jr., The song is one of Twain's first three singles that is not a hit for the Canadian. But once Twain became a superstar, it became one of the songs in her setlist, in spite of its early lack of success.
Perhaps ironically, "What Made You Say That" is also the song that Twain credits with making her a bit controversial. The Canadian bares her midriff in the video, which was enough skin for CMT to initially ban the video.
"I remember I had a really small budget for my wardrobe, "Twain
recalls. "Everything you see in the video was from a local department store and customised by me to keep costs down!"Per Taste of Country, Haselden is a member of both the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the LMHOF Songwriters' Association Hall of Fame
