Howard, a prolific American songwriter primarily known for his contributions to country music, was born on September 8, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, and passed away on March 3, 2002. Over the course of his six-decade career, he penned a significant number of popular and enduring songs that were recorded by a diverse array of artists. In recognition of his influence and achievements, Howard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

Raised on a farm in Kentucky, Howard's early exposure to music came from listening to the Grand Ole Opry radio show. He later reflected on the profound impact country music had on him, stating, "I was captured by the songs as much as the singer. They grabbed my heart. The reality of country music moved me. Even when I was a kid, I liked the sad songs… songs that talked about true life. I recognized this music as a simple plea. It beckoned me."

Despite only completing nine years of formal education, Howard was an avid reader. He began writing songs at the age of 12, driven by his passion for literature and a keen ear for evocative lyrics. After serving as a paratrooper in the United States Army, he relocated to Los Angeles, California, with aspirations of selling his music.

In Los Angeles, Howard supported himself through manual labor while simultaneously writing songs and promoting his work. His perseverance paid off when he achieved his first significant success with "Pick Me Up on Your Way Down," which was recorded by Charlie Walker and reached No. 2 on the country music charts in late 1958. The following year, Ray Price recorded "Heartaches By The Number," which became a major country hit, while a pop version by Guy Mitchell topped the pop charts. Encouraged by these accomplishments, Howard moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1960, bringing a substantial portfolio of compositions with him and signing a contract with Acuff-Rose Music.

Howard's songs quickly gained traction, and in 1961 alone, he had 15 compositions on the country music charts, earning ten BMI awards. Among his notable hits was "I Fall to Pieces," co-written with Hank Cochran and recorded by Patsy Cline. Cline also recorded "He Called Me Baby," which later became a No. 1 country hit for Charlie Rich under the title "She Called Me Baby." Additionally, Howard wrote the classic Kingston Trio song "Everglades" and "Busted," which was originally a hit for both Ray Charles and Johnny Cash, and later for John Conlee, who used the song to raise awareness for Feed the Children.

Howard is often credited with the memorable definition of a great country song as "Three chords and the truth." His legacy in the music industry was further solidified with his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. He died at the age of 74 and was laid to rest in Nashville City Cemetery.