Country Johnny Mathis began his career as a recording artist on the StarTalent label in 1949. He would go on to record for a number of record labels during his music career including Chess, D Records, Mercury, Decca, United Artists, Little Darlin’, Hilltop, Stonegate and many others. As part of the duo, Jimmy and Johnny and as a soloist, Mathis was present during the height of the Louisiana Hayride’s making of stars, taking the stage with Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Johnny Horton, Webb Pierce, Patsy Cline, Faron Young, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and many others. He performed on many of the now historic stages of Country Music including The Louisiana Hayride and the Grand Old Opry.
Time is the true test of talent and Johnny’s voice and talent is still being recognized today. His recordings are being used in film, television and commercials.
Popular music journalist and author, Colin Escott, described Johnny’s voice in The Complete D Singles Collection, Volume 1 (Bear Family Records), “He had an edge, there was almost menacing quality about his voice that seemed just barely reined in (referring to Johnny’s D Record recordings) that should have made him a major star …”
Eddie Noack, fellow Hayride performer and D Records label mate said of Johnny what many others have said, “He really was, in my opinion, one of the finest talents and writers … “
The following is a partial list of singles from Mathis’ recordings:
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Country Johnny Mathis Discography of Singles
Star-Talent 1949
Before You Call / Tell Me Why
J-B 1500
Me For You And You For Me / Contented
J-B 1502
Dream World / My Heart Lights Up
Columbia 1957
You’re My Baby with Johnny Horton
This is the flip side of Johnny Horton’s “Lover’s Rock”
Chess 195?
Lonely Night / I’ve Been Known To Cry
D Records 195?
Lonely Night / I’ve Been Known To Cry
Mercury/Starday 1957
You Don’t Care / Moonlight Magic
Mercury 1958
One Life / Harbor Of Love
D Records 1959
From A Kiss To The Blues / Since I Said Goodbye to Love
D Records
Run Please Run / I Don’t Know How I Can Live
D Records
The Chances Are / Come On In
D Records
Tears and Gold / Caryl Chessman
D Records
Only Time Will Tell / When I Came Thru Town
United Artists 1961
Thinking Too Far Behind / Wouldn’t That Be Something
United Artists 1961
I’ve Been Known To Cry / Lonely Night
United Artists 1962
Every Road Must Have A Turn / I’m Still In Love With Kay
United Artists 1963
Please Talk To My Heart (*Top 15) / Let’s Go Home
United Artists 1964
If I Could Keep You Off My Mind / Love Gone Wrong
United Artists 697 1965
Little Girl/Was It You
Hilltop
My Carolina Sunshine Girl / Welcome Home
Little Darlin’ 1966
Black Sheep / Something In Your World
Little Darlin’ 196?
Sugar Thief / I Could Never Forget Your Love
Little Darlin’ 196?
Heart Needs A Home / No Place To Go
Little Darlin’ 196?
A Big Ole Heart Full Of Love / Take Your Heart And Go
Little Darlin’ 196?
I’ll Cry When I Call / I’ll cry when I call your name
Little Darlin’ 196?
Sweet Rita / Bring Back My Life
Little Darlin’ 196?
Come Home To My Heart
Stonegate
Tell Me How A Winner Feels / Make Me One More Memory (with The Florida Boys singing backup.)
Lodema
Everywhere I Go / Country Music Keeps On Growing
World 197?
Smile God Loves You
World 197?
Mama Take A Bow
Jimmy And Johnny Single Releases
Feature 1953
If You Don’t, Somebody Else Will/ I’m Beginning To Remember
Capitol 1954
Don’t Forget To Remember (J & J) / Open For Trade(Jimmy Lee)
Chess 1954
I’m Beginning To Remember / If You Don’t, Somebody Else Will
(re-recording of Feature single) (*Top 3, singled 1954)
Chess 1954
Can’t You, Won’t You / The Fun Is Over
(A-side mistitled as “Can’t You – Want You” on some copies)
Decca 1956
Sweet Singing Daddy / Trust Me
Decca 1956
Till The End Of The World / Another Man’s Name
Decca
Here Comes My Baby / Don’t Give Me That Look
Decca 1957
Whatcha Doin’ To Me / I’ll Do It Every Time
Sparton 1958
I Can’t Find The Doorknob / Keep Telling Me (Canadian pressing)
D Records1958
I Can’t Find The Doorknob / Keep Telling Me
D Records1959
My Little Baby / All I Need Is Time
TNT 1961
Don’t Call Me, I’ll Call You / Two Empty Arms
Republic 1961
Knock On Wood / Let Me Be The One
(Liner notes of Chess Rockabilly album say that they recorded for Republic)
Wyncote 1966
Keep Telling Me (Possible re-issue of D Record single.)
(Wyncote was a subsidiary of Cameo-Parkway)
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