Pat Terry, a singer/songwriter who pioneered contemporary Christian music and has penned a hit parade a songs for country artists, will be in concert Saturday at Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse.
Between 1974 and 1980, Terry wrote and recorded seven albums with the Pat Terry Group, offering a blend of inspirational country, pop and blues. Singles “Home Where I Belong” and “I Can’t Wait” became standards in the genre.
After disbanding the Pat Terry Group in 1980, Terry recorded three critically acclaimed solo albums. In 1985, according to his online biography, he left the rigors of the road and made songwriting his primary pursuit. The new tradition of country music being recorded by such artists as Steve Earle, Ricky Skaggs and Emmylou Harris convinced the Smyrna, Ga., resident to become more familiar with Nashville.
His trips to Music City paid off in 1988 when he co-wrote the Foster & Lloyd hit “Lie to Yourself.” Two years later, he co-authored with Travis Tritt the singer’s first No. 1 single, “Help Me Hold On.”
More than 30 of his songs have been recorded by other artists, including Confederate Railroad (“Long Gone”), Tanya Tucker (“It’s a Little Too Late”) and Sammy Kershaw (“National Working Woman’s Holiday”).