Royal Wade Kimes

Royal Wade Kimes spent a decade as a professional songwriter in Nashville before he released his debut album, Another Man's Sky, in 1996. Before he launched a music career, Kimes -- a descendent of Ozark Mountain bankrobbers -- worked as a ranchhand for Loretta Lynn. A chance meeting with Eddy Arnold helped him land a job as a songwriter in Nashville. After writing hits for several artists, Kimes decided to launch a career as a new traditionalist vocalist in the mid-'90s. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine