George Richey

Who was George Richey?

George Richey, born George Baker Richardson, was an American songwriter and record producer. He was born in Arkansas, but raised in Malden, Missouri.

Richey was married to country singer Tammy Wynette from 1978 until her death in 1998. They had no children. He married Dallas Cowboys cheerleader turned television producer Sheila Slaughter in 2001 with whom he had daughter Tatum. He remained with Slaughter until his death 2010. Tim McGraw sang at their intimate wedding outside of Nashville.

Richey was a mainstay of the Nashville country music community since the 1960s through his songwriting and record production. Head of Columbia records. In the 1970s, he wrote many major hits for future wife Tammy Wynette and Wynette's then-husband, George Jones, including Jones' "A Picture of Me" and "The Grand Tour," and Wynette's "'Til I Can Make It On My Own" and "You and Me", among many other artists.

Richey served as the musical director for the television show Hee Haw from 1970 to 1977. Upon marrying Wynette, Richey served as Wynette's manager during the 1980s.