Green, Green Grass of Home songwriter Curly Putman dies

Curly Putman, pictured in 2008, wrote numerous chart hits

Songwriter Curly Putman, who wrote hits including Green, Green Grass of Home and D.I.V.O.R.C.E, has died.

Putman, who was 85, was best known for Green, Green Grass of Home, which he wrote in 1965. It has been recorded by dozens of artists including Tom Jones.

He also penned Dolly Parton's first chart single Dumb Blonde in 1967, while D.I.V.O.R.C.E was a number one for Tammy Wynette the following year.

And country star George Jones had a big hit with He Stopped Loving Her Today.

Tom Jones took Green, Green Grass of Home to number one in the UK in 1966

Putman was born in Alabama and moved to Nashville, Tennessee - country music's capital - when his career took off in the 1960s.

In a statement, the Tennessee senator Lamar Alexander wrote: "In a city of great songwriters, Curly Putman was one of the finest.

"Green, Green Grass of Home was just one of his memorable hits. He wrote a ballad for my campaign for governor in 1978, If The Right Man Was There, for which I will be forever grateful.

"Curly was a great friend, and I will miss him."

Curly Putman's other greatest hits included:

• My Elusive Dreams - David Houston and Tammy Wynette (1967)

• Blood Red and Going Down - Tanya Tucker (1973)

• It's a Cheating Situation - Sonny Throckmorton (1979)

• Baby, I'll Be Coming Back for More - TG Sheppard (1980)

• Do You Want to Go to Heaven? - TG Sheppard (1980)

• War Is Hell on the Homefront Too - George Jones (1982)