Ann Jane Morton

Ann Jane Morton, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Fort Smith, Arkansas, surrounded by family. She was born in Muldrow, Oklahoma, to Carman and Ruth (Coker) White. Ann married the love of her life, Larry Morton, and together they shared 68 wonderful years of marriage.
A proud Oklahoma native, Ann's love for music began early. She first sang in church at the age of three and began playing piano by ear at six. As a teenager, her passion for performing led her to sneak out to local dance halls, where she often sang with Western Swing legends such as Bob Wills, Leon McAuliffe, and others who encouraged her budding talent. She wrote her first song at 15, "Poor Wilted Rose", which was later included on her album, "The Swing of Things" (Prairie Dust Records, 2002).
Ann's musical journey blossomed into a remarkable career. She and her brother, Jim Mundy, hosted a Saturday morning radio show on KWHN in Fort Smith, followed by a family television program on KFSA-TV, featuring their mother on upright bass, her husband Larry on electric guitar, her younger sister Sharyn, and her younger brother Bill. The band was called White's Rhythm Rockers. Ann later became a featured vocalist with "Buck Wayne" Johnston (Hall of Fame Disc Jockey) and The Bluebonnet Playboys, performing alongside country music icon Floyd Tillman in Texas.
Ann and Larry eventually moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where Larry played guitar for Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass, and worked as a studio musician and record producer. Meanwhile, Ann continued to pursue her songwriting career. She wrote for Acuff-Rose, and later on for Pi-Gem Music Group, a publishing company managed by Jack D. Johnson and owned by Charley Pride. One day Charley told Ann he was going to record a gospel album, and would she write him a gospel song with a baseball theme. Charley used to be a professional baseball player for various teams, including the Memphis Red Sox, Louisville Clippers, Missoula Timberjacks, and the Boise Yankees. Ann and her family lived right next door to Pi-Gem at the time, (in Berry Hill, she was one of the original 'Berry Hillbillies'). She went home and wrote "Time Out For Jesus" in about 45 minutes, then came right back and sang it to him and he loved it! Charley recorded it on his Did You Think To Pray album in 1971. The next year, George Beverly Shea also recorded it on his Every Time I Feel The Spirit album (RCA, 1972),
Her songs were recorded by many acclaimed artists, including Charley Pride, Hank Thompson, Dick Curless, Crystal Gayle, Gene Watson, Diana Trask, Red Sovine, Roni Stoneman (of the legendary Stoneman Family and Hee Haw), Roy Clark, Johnny Duncan, Tommy Overstreet, Bud Brewer, Ferlin Husky, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Dee White, Leon Everette, and many more. Ann recorded for Chart Records, produced by Bill Walker, and later for Prairie Dust Records, produced by her husband Larry, where she achieved several award-winning singles on the Billboard Country charts. She self-promoted her single, "My Empty Arms" and took it to the top 40 on the country charts. Two of her singles she co-wrote with her dear friend Eddie Rager, (Eddie played bass for Willie Nelson in his early years) made it in to a book. You'll find one lying around on a coffee table in many of the offices on Music Row. The book is called, I've Got Tears in My Ears from Lyin' in My Bed While I Cry over You: Country Music's Best (and Funniest) Lines, by Paula Schwed. Ann and Eddie's songs noted in the book are, "We Used to Kiss Each Other On the Lips (But It's All Over Now)", and "Don't Stay On Your Side of the Bed Tonight".
Some of the highlights of Ann's songwriting career include:
"I've Come Awful Close", recorded by Hank Thompson, (Dot Records, 1971) reaching #11 on the Billboard Country chart in 1972. Hank also recorded "One Hell of A Weekend". "I've Come Awful Close" was also recorded by Dick Curless on his Truck Driving Country CB Special album (1976), (Ann's husband, Larry Morton, played guitar on that album), and also by Bud Brewer on his Big Bertha, The Truck Driving Queen album (RCA Victor, 1972).
"Time Out for Jesus", recorded by Charley Pride on his Did You Think to Pray album, (RCA, 1971); re-released on The Incomparable Charley Pride (RCA Records, 1972), and also recorded by George Beverly Shea on his Every Time I Feel the Spirit album (RCA Records, 1972).
"We've Got To Work It Out Between Us" was recorded by Australian singer Diana Trask. It was released as a single in 1972 and it reached #30 on the US country chart. (Dot Records, 1972). Diana also recorded Ann's "How Much Have I Hurt Thee".
"Roy", recorded by Roni Stoneman (featuring Roy Clark), also, "You Can't Take the Country From Me" (Chart Records, 1974)
"The Look in Baby's Eyes" recorded by Johnny Duncan (Columbia Records, 1973), and also by Gene Watson (UMG, 1981)
"M.R.S. Degree" recorded by Crystal Gayle (Decca Records, 1972)
"I Love You More", and "Daisy's Chain" were recorded by Red Sovine and the Girls on his It'll Come Back album. Ann's husband Larry produced the album. (Chart Records, 1974)
"Unbreakable Hearts" was recorded by Hargus "Pig" Robbins. Ann wrote this song with her dear friend, Dennis Morgan. (Elektra Records, 1979)
"Crazy Man", written by Ann J. Morton, her brother Jim Mundy, and his wife, Peggy, was recorded by Dee White (no relation)(Warner Music Nashville, 2019), and Richard Lynch (Fence Row Records, 2017)
Ann J. Morton was also an independent record promoter associated with Prairie Dust Records, RCA Records, Columbia Records, among many others. RCA tried desperately to hire her to work exclusively for them, but she declined because she preferred working independently. She solely worked Marty Robbins record called, "Touch Me With Magic", from his album The Performer (Columbia Records, 1979). It was a tough record to promote because it was not in Marty's traditional style of music, but she took it to #15. Marty was so impressed he gave her a vacant office in his building that was right next door to his so she could promote his records there. She also helped promote The Judd's very first #1 record, "Mama He's Crazy" (RCA/Curb, 1984). The backstory is, there were two West Coast radio stations who simply would not get on board with the song, and because of them they weren't going to get the record past the #2 chart position, so they called up Ann to see if she could possibly get those two stations on board, and she succeeded! Ann was among the very best in record promotions.
In 2005, Ann was honored with a nomination for Female Western Swing Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Music Association for her album The Swing of Things (Prairie Dust Records, 2005). The album featured songs such as "Black & Blue Heart," "No Strings Attached," "Twice as Much," and "Life Long Love," showcasing her timeless artistry and heartfelt vocals.
Throughout her life, Ann's deep love for music, her family, and her faith shone brightly in everything she did. She inspired those around her with her kindness, her humor, and her unwavering spirit.
Ann is survived by her devoted husband, Larry Morton; their three children, Mark, Marla, and Greg Morton; nine grandchildren: Emily Wright, Amber (Morton) Munster (Patrick), Brandon Wright (Jamie), Jacob Morton, Casey Ann Heasley, Raymond Morton, Avery Loyd, Chandra Heasley, and Kaylan Loyd. She is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, cousins, two nieces, a nephew, and her sibling, Bill Fredrick White, and his wife Jenny.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carman and Ruth (Coker) White, and her siblings, Sharyn Ruth (White) Chappell, Bobby White, Mildred White, and James White (wife Peggy), who also went by the stage name Jim Mundy, passed away the day after Ann.
Ann J. Morton's life was a beautiful melody, one that will continue to echo in the hearts of her family, friends, and the countless people who were touched by her music. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. Cremation is under the care of Lewis Funeral Chapel.
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