Wrote comedic country songs

Jim Nesbitt, 75, who wrote country music songs that drew both laughter and critical acclaim, died Thursday of congestive heart failure at his home in Florence, S.C., his son, Timothy Nesbitt, told the Associated Press.

Known by some as the “King of Country Comedy,” Nesbitt made the Billboard country charts 13 times from 1961 to 1970. “Looking for More in ‘64” reached No. 7, and “Please Mr. Kennedy,” which had the same melody as “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” hit No. 11 in 1961. Nesbitt also wrote “Runnin’ Bare,” a novelty version of Johnny Preston’s No. 1 pop hit “Running Bear.”

James Thomas Nesbitt Jr. was born Dec. 1, 1931, in Bishopville, S.C., and began working as a radio disc jockey in South Carolina. He later turned to writing and performing music.