Hall of Fame songwriter Tommy Collins dead at 69

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (AP) -- Tommy Collins, who wrote country music hits for Merle Haggard, George Strait and other singers, died Tuesday at home. He was 69. <br><br>Collins, who was born in Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (AP) -- Tommy Collins, who wrote country music hits for Merle Haggard, George Strait and other singers, died Tuesday at home. He was 69.

Collins, who was born in Oklahoma City, died of complications from emphysema, said his friend, actor-singer-songwriter Sheb Wooley. His hits included "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin') by both Strait and Ferlin Huskey, and Haggard's "Carolyn."

Haggard wrote his 1981 hit "Leonard" in tribute to Collins. "It's a peaceful day for Tommy," Haggard said. "He'd been suffering for a long time."

Born Leonard Sipes, he was renamed Tommy Collins by Huskey after the Tom Collins mixed drink. Collins helped craft the Bakersfield Sound of country music in California during the 1950s before moving to Nashville.

He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in September. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Pleasant View. Survivors include his wife; two sons; three daughters; and nine grandchildren.

Pictured is the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. AP Photo