“I appreciate your concern, but I’m here to let you know I’m doing fine,” he wrote in a message to fans.

A 1963 hit known for its spoken-word style and aching lyrics became one of country music’s most unforgettable crossover songs ...

While it might be easy to assume that novelty songs are easier to write than sincere ones, “Whisperin’” Bill Anderson—and countless musical comedians and comedic musicians—would disagree. In his ...