The singer’s most recent project was the 2009 album “His First Gospel Album.” He was set to tour with Ronnie McDowell this fall.

Billy Joe scored a massive top 10 hit in 1965 with 'Down in the Boondocks,' which peaked at 9 and turned Royal into a teen idol for a short spell. Royal recorded a single in 1962 that flopped. His biggest country tracks included “If the Jukebox Took Teardrops” and “Searchin’ for Some Kind of Clue.” In addition, Billy Joe was a local singing sensation at the Bamboo Ranch in Savannah, Georgia in the 1950's and early 1960's. Best known for his country-flavored rock hit Down in the Boondocks, Billy Joe Royal had a long career that saw him become one of the first pop performers. He left Columbia Records for short stints at smaller labels in the ’70s, eventually working for Mercury Records, where he released a self-titled album in 1980, before settling down with Atlantic Records in his adopted hometown of Nashville in the late ’80s. Royal is best known for his 1960s hits “Down in the Boondocks,” “I Knew You When” and “Cherry Hill Park,” which was his last single to appear on the Top-40 chart. My best friend Billy Joe Royal, died this morning. Elvis Presley played Walk a Mile in My Shoes in concert. South established himself as a performer with some of the same songs.

One of a kind,” Thomas wrote on Tuesday evening. Billy Joe Royal recorded several of his songs in the 1960s, including Down in the Boondocks and I Knew You When, before Mr. “My best friend Billy Joe Royal died this morning. Allen, a Nashville veteran, would travel for more than a year with the band, providing his excellent vocal work in addition to his splendid guitar playing. In 1996, I received a gold record for A Hat Full of Rain, a song I co-wrote, which is on Ty Herndon’s debut disc entitled, What Mattered Most. The band would ask Andy's long-time Billy Joe Royal bandmate and golf buddy, Allen Accardi, to lend his hand. Thomas shared the tragic news on Twitter. Marshall Tucker Band, Billy Joe Royal, Sonny Turner of The Platters fame, Damon Gray, Rob Crosby and Johnny lee to name a few.

Veteran country and pop singer Billy Joe Royal died in his sleep at his home in North Carolina on Tuesday.

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