Growing up in Woodland, Alabama, he knew right off the bat that he enjoyed country music. He looked up to artists such as The Louvin Brothers and The Blue Sky Boys and started singing in church on Sunday mornings. His first attempt at music led him to Bakersfield, California, where he would perform the "new" sounds of country music with his brother, Rex, under the name of The Gosdin Brothers.
After leaving California with a couple of minor radio hits, Vern laid low for a bit and then eventually signed with Elektra Records in 1976. He teamed up with Emmylou Harris for his first single, "Hangin' On" and did well on the charts.
After leaving Elektra Records, he signed with another label called Ovation Records, but they closed their doors shortly after and left him again without a label.
He signed with another label shortly after that, and this is when Vern really hit the charts as a honky tonk hero. "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)" and "Way Down Deep" pushed him into the top ten, but "I Can Tell By The Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)" pushed him straight to the top.
Overall, 1987 to 1989 proved to be the biggest years for "The Voice." He released an tune that would end up being his signature song, as well as a tribute song that Ernest Tubb called "Set 'Em Up Joe." This was a fan favorite for every bar and honky tonk in the country.
The song tells a story about a man who goes to a bar every night to drink his troubles away. As soon as he gets there, he heads for the jukebox and plays B24. This song still helps folks travel back in time to when country music was full of emotion.
His final chart topper was none other than "Chiseled In Stone." This song has always had a haunting feel, but it really paints the portrait of a man's thoughts on his life and final days.
Although Vern has not been very active in the music scene over the past few years due to failing health, he could still be spotted around Nashville at several different places taking the stage for eager fans who never expected to see him in the first place. One of these places was the famous John A's. Folks would go in expecting to get a nice meal and see the house band, but everyonce in a while, Vern Gosdin would come in and get on stage and sing a couple of his biggest hits.
After suffering a stroke in early April, he passed away due to the complications at the age of 74. His voice was pure and his sound was legendary. Country Music has lost an amazing legend and he will be missed.
