Mel Tillis Net Worth

Lonnie Melvin Tillis net worth is
$20 Million

Lonnie Melvin Tillis Wiki Biography

Lonnie Melvin “Mel” Tillis was born on the 8th August 1932, in Pahokee, Florida USA, and is a country music singer and songwriter, best known for such hits as “Coca-Cola Cowboy”, ”I Ain’t Never”, and “Good Woman Blues”. Tillis’ career started in 1958.

Have you ever wondered how rich Mel Tillis is, as of late 2016? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Tillis’ net worth is as high as $20 million, an amount earned through his successful career as a musician. In addition to having a fruitful solo career, Tillis also associates with other artists, which has helped him to improve his wealth.

Mel Tillis Net Worth $20 Million

Mel Tillis grew up in Florida with his brother, Richard, and two sisters, Linda and Imogene. In his early age, Mellis suffered from malaria, and the disease caused stuttering; however, Mel would later discover that the stuttering didn’t affect his singing. By the age of 16, Mel had learned to play guitar and drums, while he also won a local talent show. He went to the University of Florida, but dropped out in order to join the US Air Force – during his service on the island Okinawa, Mellis formed a band called The Westerners, which performed at local nightclubs. Both jobs helped establish his net worth.

Tillis left the Air Force in 1955 and worked at various jobs including at the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Tampa, Florida. After a while, Mel travelled to Nashville for an audition with music producer Wesley Rose of record company Acuff-Rose Music. Rose liked what he heard and encouraged Tillis to move to Nashville and launch his career. After having several hits written for notable country artists at the time, Mel signed a contract with Columbia Records. In 1958, he released two singles: “The Violet and a Rose” and “”Sawmill”, but his debut studio album – “Stateside” didn’t come out until 1966, after he switched to Kapp Records.

By the end of the ‘60s, Mel recorded six more albums, two of which entered the US Country Top 20 chart, and increased his net worth significantly. Tillis’ most prolific era of his career was in the ‘70s when he recorded 18 studio albums, including seven that reached the Top 20 in the chart. The most influential were “Sawmill” (1973) which peaked at the No. 3 spot, and “Heart Healer” (1977) No. 6 place. In the period from 1970 to 1976, Mel was under a contract with MGM Records, and he spent the next three years with MCA Records. Tillis’ solo releases never entered the US Country Top 20 chart, but he continued to be a popular figure in country music.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Tillis recorded nine albums with “Your Body Is an Outlaw” (1980) and “Southern Rains” (1980) among the highest rated ones. In the last 15 years, Tillis has released three more records; most recently it was “You Ain’t Gonna Believe This” in 2010, increasing further his net worth.

In addition to having a lucrative solo singing and writing career, Tillis has collaborated with such renowned artists such as Sherry Bruce in “Living and Learning” (1971), and “Let’s Go All the Way Tonight” (1974). He also worked with Nancy Sinatra on “Mel and Nancy” (1981), and with Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings, and Jerry Reed on ”Old Dogs” (1988). Mel has also recorded five live and 17 compilation albums during his prolific career, the sales f which have added a considerable amount to his net worth.

In February 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Mel the National Medal of Arts for his contribution to country music, and he also won the Entertainer of the Year award at the CMA Awards. Tillis is a Country Music Hall of Fame since October 2007, and in March 2009, he was inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame.

Regarding his personal life, Mel Tillis has six children from his marriage to Doris(1957-77). He is a big fan of University of Florida sports, and enjoys gardening, cooking, fishing, and painting.


Full NameMel Tillis
Net Worth$20 Million
Date Of BirthAugust 8, 1932
Place Of BirthPahokee, Florida, United States
ProfessionSinger-songwriter, Country music singer
EducationUniversity of Tennessee, University of Florida
NationalityAmerican
SpouseDoris Tillis (m. 1957–1977)
ChildrenPam Tillis, Mel Tillis, Jr., Hannah Tillis, Connie Tillis, Cindy Tillis, Carrie April Tillis
SiblingsRichard Tillis, Imogene Tillis, Linda Tillis
NicknamesMel Tills , Lonnie Melvin Tillis , M-m-m-mel Tillis , Lonnie Melvin "Mel" Tillis
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0863381/
Allmusicwww.allmusic.com/artist/mel-tillis-mn0000407300
AwardsNational Medal of Arts (2012), CMA Award - Entertainer of the Year
Record LabelsColumbia Records, Kapp Records, MGM Records, MCA Records, Elektra Records, Radio Records
Albums"All-Time Greatest Hits", "Four Legends", “Sawmill” (1973, “Heart Healer” (1977), “Your Body Is an Outlaw” (1980), “Southern Rains” (1980), “You Ain't Gonna Believe This” (2010)
NominationsGrand Ole Opry (2007), Country Music Hall of Fame, Florida Artist Hall of Fame
Movies“Living and Learning” (1971), “Let's Go All the Way Tonight” (1974), "Love Revival, W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings" (1975), "The Villain" (1979), "Smokey and the Bandit II" (1980), "The Cannonball Run" (1981), "Uphill All the Way" (1986)
TV Shows"The Porter Wagoner Show"
#Trademark
1Stuttering, which disappears when he sings
#Quote
1[on the pre- rock'n'roll era] Back then there wasn't many albums. You sold singles.
#Fact
1Silver Springs, Florida: Songwriter and singer. [February 2012]
2Now living full time in Ocala, Florida. [January 2005]
3He wrote the song "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town", a hit for Kenny Rogers in 1968. The song was based on a couple who lived near his family home in Florida, who were having marital troubles. Tillis left out of the song the real-life ending: the husband murdered his wife and then killed himself.
4He was awarded the 2011 American National Medal of the Arts for his services to music on February 13, 2012.
5The Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year for 1976.
6His biggest country hit, 1972's "I Ain't Never," had been a major hit for Webb Pierce in 1959. Pierce's version stayed at No. 2 for nine weeks late that summer.
7Prolific country singer/songwriter and actor, who has scored nearly six dozen hits on Billboard magazine's country singles charts between 1958 and 1988.
8Father of Country singer Pam Tillis.

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Tough Guys Don't Dance1987performer: "You'll Come Back You Always Do"
20th Annual Music City News Awards1986TV Special performer: "Memory Maker"
Uphill All the Way1986lyrics: "Uphill All the Way", "Stonin' Around" / music: "Uphill All the Way", "Stonin' Around" / performer: "Uphill All the Way", "Is We Goin' Somewheres", "Stonin' Around"
Fort Apache the Bronx1981performer: "Steppin' Out"
Smokey and the Bandit II1980performer: "Here's Lookin' At You"
Country Superstars of the 70s1979TV Movie performer: "Country Is"
The Villain1979performer: "The Villain", "Handsome Stranger", "Charmin'"
Every Which Way But Loose1978performer: "Coca Cola Cowboy", "Send Me Down To Tucson"
12th Annual Music City News Awards1978TV Special performer: "Good Woman Blues", "What Did I Promise Her Last Night", "I Got The Hoss"
Dolly1976TV Series performer - 1 episode
W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings1975performer: "The Losing End" - uncredited
The Ernie Sigley Show1974TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Porter Wagoner ShowTV Series writer - 6 episodes, 1966 - 1971 performer - 6 episodes, 1967 - 1969
Rio das Mortes1971TV Movie writer: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town"
The Johnny Cash Show1969-1971TV Series writer - 5 episodes
Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers1967performer: "Dirty Ole Egg Suckin' Dog" / writer: "Dirty Ole Egg Suckin' Dog"
The Road to Nashville1967writer: "Send me a letter"
Ozark Jubilee1960TV Series writer - 2 episodes
No Escape2015/Iwriter: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town"
The Marty Stuart ShowTV Series writer - 5 episodes, 2009 - 2014 performer - 1 episode, 2009
Dallas Buyers Club2013writer: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town"
Walk on Boy2012Short writer: "Walk on Boy"
Grabbers2012writer: "Bop-a-Lena" - as Tillis
The Help2011writer: "I Ain't Never"
Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years2011TV Movie writer: "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town"
The Road to Coronation Street2010TV Movie writer: "Rock the Bop" - uncredited
The Runway2010writer: "Bop-A-Lena"
Country's Greatest Stars Live: Vol. 12010Video performer: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" / writer: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town"
The Queens of Country2009Video writer: "So Wrong"
Opry Video Classics: Honky-Tonk Heroes2007Video writer: "Detroit City"
Expired2007writer: "Emotions"
Independent Lens2006TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
ER2005TV Series writer - 1 episode
Anita & Me2002writer: "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town" as "Baby Don't Take Your Love To Town"
Crossing Jordan2002TV Series writer - 1 episode
A Texas Funeral1999writer: "Emotions"
Happy, Texas1999writer: "Honky Tonk Song"
A Life Less Ordinary1997writer: "RUBY DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN"
Grosse Pointe Blank1997writer: "Detroit City"
Bat Yam - New York1996-1997TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Nobody's Fool1994writer: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town"
A Home of Our Own1993writer: "Emotions"
The Beverly Hillbillies1993writer: "I AIN'T NEVER"
Stars in Their Eyes1993TV Series writer - 1 episode
Pure Country1992writer: "THOUGHTS OF A FOOL"
Next of Kin1989writer: "Pyramid of Cans"
Hamburger Hill1987writer: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town"

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Palo Pinto Gold2009Storyteller #2
Beer for My Horses2008Bob the Plumber
Huntin' Buddies2008VideoMel
Bandit: Bandit Goes Country1994TV MovieMel
Uphill All the Way1986Booger Skaggs
Cannonball Run II1984Mel
The Love Boat1983TV SeriesDanny Hartman
The Cannonball Run1981Mel
Stockers1981TV MovieCurtis Witlock
Smokey and the Bandit II1980Fairground Owner
The Dean Martin Christmas Special1980TV Movie
Skinflint: A Country Christmas Carol1979TV MovieDennis Pritchett
The Dukes of Hazzard1979TV SeriesBurl Tolliver
The Villain1979Telegraph Agent
Nashville 991977TV Series
W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings1975Good Ole Boy #2
Love, American Style1973TV SeriesCleyon Potts (segment "Love and the Cryin' Cowboy")
Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers1967Hound-Dog Berrigan

Composer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Huntin' Buddies2008Video

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Uphill All the Way1986executive producer

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Mama Mae: The Life and Music of Mae Boren Axton2015DocumentaryHimself
Gilley's Place2012TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Underground Entertainment: The Movie2011DocumentaryM..M..M..Mel
The Country Vibe with Chuck and Becca2011TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Marty Stuart Show2009TV SeriesHimself - Special Guest
Headline Country2007TV SeriesHimself
41st Annual Country Music Association Awards2007TV SpecialHimself
Grand Ole Opry2007TV SeriesHimself
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began2005VideoHimself
Inside Fame2005TV Series documentaryHimself
Spit It Out2004DocumentaryHimself
Riders Radio Theater1996TV SeriesHimself
Crook & Chase1996TV SeriesHimself
Opryland's Country Christmas1994TV Special documentaryHimself
Music City Tonight1994TV SeriesHimself
A Day in the Life of Country Music1993TV SpecialHimself
The Chuck Woolery Show1991TV SeriesHimself
Hee Haw1972-1989TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Co-Host / Himself - Special Guest
The Real Patsy Cline1989Video documentaryHimself
The New Hollywood Squares1986-1988TV SeriesHimself - Panelist
The Wil Shriner Show1987TV SeriesHimself
The Child Help Benefit Special1987TV MovieHimself
20th Annual Music City News Awards1986TV SpecialHimself - Host
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1973-1985TV SeriesHimself
Late Night with David Letterman1984TV SeriesHimself
Country Gold1982TV MovieHimself
The Dukes of Hazzard1982TV SeriesHimself
The Glen Campbell Music Show1982TV SeriesHimself
The Best Little Special in Texas1982TV Movie documentaryHimself
Country Comes Home1982TV Special
Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters1981TV SeriesHimself
All-Star Inaugural Gala1981TV MovieHimself
Horas doradas1980TV SeriesHimself
The Tim Conway Show1980TV SeriesHimself
The Big Show1980TV SeriesHimself
The Hollywood Squares1977-1980TV SeriesHimself - Panelist
Country Superstars of the 70s1979TV MovieHimself
13th Annual Country Music Association Awards1979TV SpecialHimself
The Alan Hamel Show1976-1979TV SeriesHimself
The Mike Douglas Show1970-1979TV SeriesHimself - Country Vocalist / Himself - Co-Host / Himself - Vocalist / ...
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Joe Namath1979TV SpecialHimself
The Country Western Murders1979TV MovieHimself
Every Which Way But Loose1978Himself (uncredited)
Lucy Comes to Nashville1978TV SpecialHimself
12th Annual Country Music Association Awards1978TV SpecialHimself
12th Annual Music City News Awards1978TV SpecialHimself - Host
Mel & Susan Together1978TV SeriesHimself - Co-Host
50 Years of Country Music1978TV MovieHimself
Super Night at the Super Bowl1978TV MovieHimself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1977TV SpecialHimself
The Beatles Forever1977TV MovieHimself
The Merv Griffin Show1976-1977TV SeriesHimself
Match Game 731977TV SeriesHimself - Panelist
Nashville on the Road1977TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Donahue1976TV SeriesHimself
10th Annual Country Music Association Awards1976TV SpecialHimself
Dinah!1975-1976TV SeriesHimself
Dolly1976TV SeriesHimself
Tony Orlando and Dawn1975TV SeriesHimself
9th Annual Country Music Association Awards1975TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Match Game PM1975TV SeriesHimself - Panelist
In Concert1975TV SeriesHimself
8th Annual Country Music Association Awards1974TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The Midnight Special1974TV SeriesHimself
The Dean Martin Show1974TV SeriesHimself
In Session1974TV SeriesHimself
Mel Tillis Time1974TV SeriesHimself - Host
Burt Reynolds' Late Show1973TV MovieHimself
Harper Valley, U.S.A.1969TV MovieHimself
The Porter Wagoner Show1967-1969TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest

Archive Footage

Known for movies


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