Earl Thomas Conley’s “Right from the Start” was a 1987 country No. 1 with a story that began far from the spotlight. A song arriving in the mail became another hit for a singer whose voice could make polished country arrangements feel deeply personal.
Who wrote “Right from the Start”?
Billy Herzig and Randy Watkins wrote the song. Their credits are confirmed on the RLG/Legacy recording on Conley’s official artist channel, which names Nelson Larkin as producer.
In Doug Davis’s “Story Behind the Song” account, Larkin recalled that their secretary, Sarah, brought the song to their attention after it arrived from the two Texas writers. He described the finished recording as having a stronger rhythm-and-blues flavor than their previous work. That recollection gives a useful glimpse of how an outside song found its way into Conley’s catalog.
Too Many Times: the original album
“Right from the Start” appeared on Too Many Times, released by RCA in 1986. It became the album’s fourth single in July 1987. The record also included “I Can’t Win for Losin’ You” and “That Was a Close One”. The label-supplied album listing on Amazon Music places “Right from the Start” as track six.
A No. 1 country hit in 1987
“Right from the Start” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart dated October 31, 1987, and stayed on top for one week. It was Conley’s fourteenth country No. 1. The date and one-week run are documented in Country Universe’s chart retrospective; the fourteenth-No. 1 milestone also appears in Doug Davis’s account.
The voice behind the record
Listen for the contrast between the smooth backing and the grain in Conley’s delivery. His phrasing gives the performance its personality: the arrangement moves easily, while the vocal keeps an expressive edge. It is a useful reminder that his appeal involved more than the chart position printed beside a title.
For another side of that voice, revisit “Holding Her and Loving You” or explore more song stories in CountryPedia.
Listen to “Right from the Start”
The video below features the original album recording, provided by RLG/Legacy on Earl Thomas Conley’s official artist channel.