Rory Michael Bourke

Who is Rory Michael Bourke?

Rory Michael Bourke is a country music songwriter born July 14, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bourke moved to Nashville in 1964 and worked for a period in the promotional department of Mercury Records.

His songwriting career took off in the early 1970s and he soon racked up tracks recorded by Charlie Rich, Elvis Presley, Billy Crash Craddock, Lynn Anderson, Olivia Newton-John, and many others. His most successful song was "The Most Beautiful Girl", cowritten with Billy Sherrill and Norro Wilson, recorded by Rich and a number-one record in both the country and pop fields.

Rourke's other hit songs include "A Little Good News,", "You Look So Good in Love", "I Know a Heartache When I See One", and "Come Next Monday". Most of his songs were written in collaboration with other songwriters. Charlie Black is a frequent writing partner and he has also written hits with Oslin, Mike Reid, Eddie Rabbitt, Deborah Allen, and a number of others.

Bourke was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989. His awards include three times as ASCAP's "Writer of the Year" and three Grammy nominations for Best Country Song.