FAIRHOPE, Ala. — When the Oak Ridge Boys released their first album in 1977, they were a little-known gospel quartet. Later that year, the third single from that record went platinum, and the group was on its to way to becoming a household name.

That song, “I’ll Be True To You,” which rocketed to the top of all three record-ranking charts, appeared on several of their albums, including a “greatest hits” collection that went double-platinum.

Alan Rhody, who wrote the song, will perform at 7 p.m., Friday night, March 13, at Dr. Music in Fairhope.

“That song really changed everything,” Rhody said Thursday. “The song does mean a lot to me, and in a big way changed my career.”

Rhody is one of those overnight successes who had played his music for years in coffee houses, on house stages and left his demo tapes wherever he thought they might find a sympathetic ear.

Now, his songwriting credits run over 100, including several more platinum and gold records, with songs performed by musicians such as George Jones, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Hoyt Axton, Tanya Tucker, Lee Greenwood, Don Gibson, T.G. Shepard, Toby Keith, Suzy Boggus, Lorrie Morgan and Michael Martin Murphy.

In 2003, he released “Journey,” a CD of mostly original tunes, including, “That’s Who I’d Be,” on which John Prine adds a duet vocal, and John Hartford plays violin. Hartford would die not long after, and Rhody wrote a tribute poem in his memory, which is reprinted at the end of this article.

On Friday, local music fans have the chance to hear his music up close at Dr. Music, the Church Street music store where Over the Transom bookstore is also located, that has doubled as a small music stage for more than three years.

“House concert venues are important because they offer an alternative to a bar — an alternative for both musician and fan,” said Wade Wellborn, the owner of Dr. Music. “The musicians enjoy an audience that has the sole agenda of hearing their songs and stories. The attendees benefit because of the intimacy of the performance and the access to the musician.”

Recent acts at Dr. Music have included Stephen Foster, Leavin’ Brothers, John Reno, Andy Cloninger, David Chatel, Wildwood, Lisa Mills, Steve Young, Hank Becker and Grayson Capps, Wellborn said.

“Two year ago a former Fairhope High School teacher attended a Grayson Capps show,” Wellborn said. “She had been Grayson’s teacher and was happy to have the opportunity to see him in a setting other than a bar. Our shows typically start at 7-7:30 p.m. and run two hours or less.”

Rhody, 62, moved to Nashville soon after he sold his song to the Oak Ridge Boys and got a job as a songwriter for Tree International Publishing Co., then the largest publisher of country music.

“A songwriter coming to Nashville with a single on a major label was a huge advantage,” Rhody said. “Tree did a good job of promoting my music. Those 10 years I worked there were very important to me.”

Rhody said he opened some shows for Hartford and got to know Prine at a local venue called Brown’s Diner, where Prine, Emmy Lou Harris and others played.

“As I started my new album, I decided I’m going to call and see if they’ll play,” Rhody said. “All they can do is say no.”

Rhody said Prine said yes, but for Hartford it was different because he was then very ill with cancer.

“I didn’t feel like I could call John (Hartford),” he said. “I wrote him a letter, and he called and said he would love to play on it. It was a great moment in my life.”

That CD has gotten him more attention than all his others, Rhody said.

“I’m sure it had something to do with those guest artists,” he said. “But I also feel it’s the best record I’ve done.”

Rhody’s music has been described as “a seamless mix of grit and softness with engaging lyrics and striking melodies.”

Wellborn said he expects a full house Friday night — which means a maximum of 50 people — with tickets selling out before the performance.

Randy Branch, Fairhope resident and musician, will open for Rhody, he said.

Upcoming acts at Dr. Music include: Phil Lee (Friday, March 27); Grayson Capps (Sat. April 11); and Buzz Kiefer (April 17).

Tickets for the March 13 show are $10. Call 990-3412 for more information. Dr. Music is located at 9 N. Church St.

Rhody learned to play the guitar while he was studying art in college in Louisville, Ky. Some of his original art work is available at www.alanrhody.com.

Thoughts Of John Hartford, Upon His Death

I grasped his forearm and told him I loved him

and he'd be in my prayers, which he still is.

He was propped up in bed, his strength gone

from the cancer that had been eating away

at his body for twenty years.

Like most people when they had first heard of him,

I knew him first as the writer of a great unique and classic song

and like most, saw him for the first time on television.

I met him some twelve years later

when I was fortunate enough to open his show.

He was getting ready to sound-check the wooden board

he danced so effortlessly upon.

He was instantly friendly and gave me some encouraging words.

I opened for him again a few years later

and was proud to share the bill with he and his string band

at a festival in Kentucky in the late nineties.

He had a cold at that one and couldn't shake hands

but showed me his non-contagious way of grasping forearms.

He felt like an older brother to me.

He stole the show and sang “Cross-Eyed Child”,

an astounding new song written for Bill Monroe.

John recently played fiddle on a song I recorded.

His presence on my record is not only an honor as an admirer

but it gave me a greater sense of validity and confidence.

He came to the studio in a fine old Cadillac.

He was moving slow but without falter

like a riverboat easin’ down a summer day.

He was visibly tired and carried a big plastic bag full of medicine.

He explained he couldn’t touch anyone ‘cause his resistance was so low.

Couldn’t be hugged, couldn’t grasp arms, no derby hat,

but John Hartford was smilin’ and jokin’ the whole time.

Played through the tune a couple times and then nailed it.

Told a funny little story 'bout Bill Monroe.

Before he left he said we should get together and write a song

sometime.

We stayed in touch, but never did get back together

and soon he was in and out of the hospital.

I went to see him at his home on the Cumberland River

along with hundreds of others over the course of a few weeks.

Took him a copy of the record

so he could hear the results of our work.

Told him I was sorry we never got together to write a song.

Too weak to feed himself and struggling to get the words out

he said, “We will, We'll still write together.”

And we are in a sense, ‘cause his strength gave me strength.

I’ll never forget his warmth, his humor or his genius.

And I’ll always be thankful for him being on this earth.

John Hartford was a one-of-a-kind American original

May God rest and keep his sweet musical soul

Alan Rhody, June 6/ July 12 , 2001