T.G. Sheppard Reflects on 45 Years of His Chart-Topping Classic

Country music legend T.G. Sheppard is celebrating a milestone that blends nostalgia with ongoing success—the 45th anniversary of his chart-topping classic “Do You Wanna Go To Heaven.” Originally released in 1980 as the second single from his Smooth Sailing album, the Curly Putman and Bucky Jones-penned hit quickly climbed to No. 1, becoming Sheppard’s fifth chart-topper and a concert staple for more than four decades.

The song spent eleven weeks on the Billboard country chart and remains one of Sheppard’s most requested numbers on stage. “Great story songs have always made some of the biggest hits in country music,” Sheppard reflected. “The fans of country music have always enjoyed singing along with me in concert to my #1 song ‘Do You Wanna Go To Heaven.’ I can’t believe it’s been 45 years! It’s still one of my favorite and most requested songs that I sing in concert. Thanks to all the fans for your support throughout the years. To say I’m grateful is an understatement.”

Sheppard’s journey to country stardom began with his debut No. 1 single, “Devil in the Bottle,” in 1974. The song stayed in the Top 40 for ten weeks and kicked off a career that would produce 22 No. 1 hits, including fan favorites like “Last Cheater’s Waltz,” “I’ll Be Coming Back for More,” “Party Time,” “Only One You,” “I Loved ’Em Every One,” and “Slow Burn.”

Now in his 50th year in the business, Sheppard is in the midst of a national anniversary tour, with more dates being added into 2026.

Beyond the stage, Sheppard has worn many hats—former host of The T.G. Sheppard Show on SiriusXM, the voice behind the iconic Folgers coffee jingle, NASCAR team owner, and guest host for Nashville Now. His most recent album, Midnight In Memphis, features a title track written by longtime friend Sir Barry Gibb.

With an unmatched dedication to entertaining fans and a career that has spanned five decades, Sheppard shows no signs of slowing down. His enduring connection with audiences proves that some songs—and the artists who sing them—only get better with time.

For more information on T.G. Sheppard and his 50th Anniversary Tour, visit his official website or follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.