Legendary singer, songwriter Red Simpson is being recognized this month by the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Simpson wrote more than 30 songs for the pioneers of the Bakersfield sound, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.
The Country Music Hall of Fame runs a series called "Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters."
It honors songwriters who have made big contributions to country music history.
And, this month they have chosen Bakersfield's own Red Simpson.
"Not a lot of people acknowledged what Red really stands for." said fan Lee Wilson.
Lee Wilson has been listening to Red Simpson since she was 14.
And every Monday she still comes to Trout's to listen to Simpson hoping he plays his fast moving truck driving songs.
Red Simpson and his family moved to California when he was three.
He would later work in the cotton fields and by 13 had saved up enough money to buy his first guitar.
After serving in the Navy, Simpson returned to Bakersfield and decided to make music his career.
"I started with Buck back in the 50's at the Blackboard. I told him I'm a songwriter and he told me to bring some over and I'll see what you got. I did and everything I took him he recorded." said Red Simpson.
In addition to Buck Owens, Simpson wrote songs for Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakam, to name a few.
And, after more than 50 years he's still going strong.
"No I am going to keep going as long as I can. I ain't a millionaire yet. I'm a long way from it. You got to keep picking if you want to keep eating you know. I enjoy still playing. It means a lot to me, really," said Simpson.
Red Simpson is headed to Nashville this month where he will be honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame and perform at the Ford Theater.
The program is at 1:30 p.m. on February 23.
It will stream live online at www.countrymusichalloffame.org
