Songwriter J.D. Miller Dead At 73

CROWLEY, La. - J.D. Miller, whose song "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels" helped open the way to stardom for women in country music, died yesterday at age 73.

Mr. Miller, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died at Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette of complications from recent quadruple-bypass surgery, said Freddie Pate, a studio musician at Mr. Miller's MTE Studios in Crowley.

Mr. Miller's "Honky-Tonk Angels" made Kitty Wells the first female superstar of country music, with the first No. 1 song and million-seller by a female vocalist.

Mr. Miller's "Honky-Tonk Angels," a response to Hank Thompson's 1952 hit "The Wild Side of Life," opened the way for women to set themes in country music and to perform on their own rather than as members of singing families.

The chorus of Thompson's song went:

"I didn't know God made honky-tonk angels

I might have known you'd never make a wife -

But you gave up the only one that ever loved you

And went back to the wild side of life."

Mr. Miller heard it on the radio and wrote an answer:

"It wasn't God who made honky-tonk angels . . .

Too many times married men think they're still single.

That has caused many a good girl to go wrong.

It's a shame that all blame is on us women."

Wells, who had been known for religious songs, recorded Mr. Miller's song for Decca on May 5, 1952.

Mr. Miller's MTE Studios also was influential, giving songwriter

Jimmy C. Newman and Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw their starts, and recording part of Paul Simon's "Graceland" album.

Pate said blues artists recorded in Crowley, in Cajun country 140 miles west of New Orleans, included Lazy Lester, Slim Harpo and Lightnin' Slim. Cajun musicians included Jo-El Sonnier, Warren Storm, and Kershaw and his cousin Sammy.

Mr. Miller started as a road musician, touring Louisiana and neighboring states as the electric-mandolin player for the Four Aces.

Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Georgia Miller, a daughter, four sons and 10 grandchildren.

A funeral was tentatively scheduled for tomorrow.