Derrell Felts: The Soulful Voice of American Country Pop

Derrell Felts is an American country pop singer and songwriter whose smooth vocal style defined a distinct chapter in the genre's evolution. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Felts achieved his most significant commercial success in the mid-1970s with a series of charting singles that blended country storytelling with pop accessibility.

Early career

Born in 1938, Derrell Felts was immersed in the rich musical culture of the American South from an early age. His professional journey began in the late 1950s, leading to his first single releases on smaller labels like Fernwood Records, where he started to hone his signature blend of country and pop sensibilities.

Breakthrough

Felts' breakthrough arrived in 1975 after signing with the major label ABC/Dot Records. That year, he released the single Once You've Had the Best, a cover of a George Jones song, which became a national hit. The song climbed into the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, establishing Felts as a new voice on the national country scene and leading to increased radio play and touring opportunities.

Key tracks

Once You've Had the Best — This 1975 cover served as Felts' commercial breakthrough, landing him his first major chart success.

You Were the Only One — Released in 1976, this track further solidified his chart presence and became a fan favorite for its emotive delivery.

Love Me Now — This single demonstrated Felts' consistent ability to deliver radio-friendly country pop throughout the latter half of the 1970s.

Following his mid-70s peak, Derrell Felts continued to record and perform, releasing music on labels like MCA and Airborne. While later releases did not match the same chart heights, he maintained a loyal fan base, particularly in the South, with his soulful approach to country music. His recorded output showcases a artist dedicated to a melodic, accessible sound within the country framework. Artists exploring a similar fusion of country polish and pop melody include Ray Price, who also mastered a sophisticated countrypolitan style. Johnny Lee shares the smooth vocal delivery and crossover appeal from the same era. The melodic storytelling of Mickey Gilley also parallels Felts' approach to country music. For a touch of soulful inflection, listeners might enjoy Charlie Rich, who navigated similar genre blends.

Derrell Felts' music remains a staple on classic country and Americana radio stations, frequently featured in rotations that celebrate the 1970s country pop sound. His hits are regularly programmed on online radio streams dedicated to vintage country, ensuring his smooth vocals continue to reach new generations of listeners.

You can hear the classic country pop sound of Derrell Felts on radio stations featured right here on our website. Explore the stations available on onairium.com to discover his music and other artists from the golden era of country crossover.