His best known hit song was Before the Next Teardrop Falls, a No. 1
hit on both Billboard magazine's country and Hot 100 charts in 1975.
The song sold one million copies and was awarded the Country Music
Association's Single of the Year in 1975.
Sentenced to prison in 1960 for possession of marijuana.
In February of 1999, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after
then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush of Texas endorsed him. His star is located at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.
Had a kidney transplant from his daughter, adopted daughter Marla Garcia, in
January 2002 and a liver transplant in 2004.