CMT News

Songwriter Larry Kingston died Sunday (Feb. 20) at a Nashville hospital following a heart attack he suffered Jan. 17. He was 63 and had lived in Springfield, Tenn. Among his best-known songs are "Pittsburgh Stealers" (for the Kendalls), "Thank God and Greyhound" (Roy Clark), "It's Not Over If I'm Not Over Your" (Reba McEntire), "Biloxi" (Kenny Price) and "Lovin' Machine" (Johnny Paycheck).

Larry Randal Kingston was born Aug. 10, 1941, in Lafayette, Ind. He moved to Nashville to work as a songwriter in 1965. Among the publishing companies he wrote for were Window Music, Lawrence Welk Music and Velvet Apple.

Kinston also had cuts by Porter Wagoner, George Jones, Vern Gosdin, Don Williams, Mark Chesnutt, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ringo Starr and others. A recording artist in his own right, Kingston charted twice with the same song: "Good Morning Loving" on JMI Records in 1974 and "Good Morning Lovin'" in 1975 on Warner Bros.

Kingston is survived by his wife, Carolyn; two sons, Todd and Clay; and four grandchildren, Tabitha, Ashley, Collin and Curtis.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held Saturday (Feb. 26) at 11 a. m. at the Hampton Inn, 620 22nd Ave. East, in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, financial donations may be made to the Larry Kingston Memorial Fund at Farmer's Bank in Springfield.