Early Career
In 1972, Holyfield left Arkansas and moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a songwriting career and his first song was recorded in 1973. He received his first number one hit with Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer. In 1975, Holyfield achieved his first solo number one hit You're My Best Friend recorded by Don Williams.
In addition to Williams, Holyfield's songs have been recorded by numerous Nashville luminaries including George Strait, Reba McEntire, Barbara Mandrell, Kathy Mattea, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty, Charley Pride, Randy Travis, The Judds, Mark Chesnutt, John Anderson, Mel Street, Gary Allan, Johnny Rodriguez, Danny Wood (the country singer and bassist, not to be confused with the member of New Kids on the Block), The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ernest Tubb, Anne Murray, and others. During his career Holyfield was writer of over 40 Top Ten hits and 14 #1 hits. Some of his best-known songs are Could I Have This Dance, Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, Till The Rivers All Run Dry, You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had, Only Here For a Little While, Meanwhile, Nobody Likes Sad Songs and several more recognizable tunes.
In his home state of Arkansas, Holyfield is most famous for his song Arkansas, You Run Deep In Me which was written for the 1986 Arkansas Sesquicentennial celebration. It was named one of Arkansas' official state songs in 1987. Holyfield played the song at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1992.
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