Jim McBride, Writer of Alan Jackson Hit 'Chattahoochee,' Dies at 78

Jim McBride, an Alabama-born songwriter best known for his long collaboration with Alan Jackson and for co-writing the hit "Chattahoochee," died on Jan. 7 in Huntsville, Ala. He was 78. His son Brent said Mr. McBride died at a hospital from complications of a fall at his home in Hazel Green.

Mr. McBride was a leading figure on Nashville’s Music Row in the 1980s and early ’90s as many artists moved away from pop influences toward traditional country. "Chattahoochee," written with Mr. Jackson in 1992, was Mr. Jackson’s first No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs chart, was Billboard’s top country song of 1993 and won awards including the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year.

A former postal worker from Alabama, Mr. McBride wrote songs recorded by Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Johnny Lee and the band Alabama; over his career more than 80 acts recorded his work. He broke through in 1980 when Mr. Twitty recorded "A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn," which peaked at No.

3 in early 1981, and in 1987 Mr. Jennings recorded "Rose in Paradise," which reached No. 1. Mr. Jackson recorded 14 of Mr. McBride’s songs across five albums in the early 1990s; their first hit together, "Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow," peaked at No. 2 in 1990. Born April 28, 1947, in Huntsville to Alvin and Helen McBride, he began writing in high school and worked alongside his father at the post office after graduating in 1965.

Key Topics

Culture, Jim Mcbride, Alan Jackson, Chattahoochee, Huntsville, Music Row