title: The Year That Clayton Delaney Died
text: # The Year That Clayton Delaney Died
  
  "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Tom T. Hall.
  
  ## Background
  
  The song is based on Hall's childhood neighbor and boyhood hero, Lonnie Easterling.
  
  ## Chart performance
  
  It was released in July 1971 as the only single from the album, In Search of a Song. "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died" was Hall's second number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for two weeks and spent a total of eighteen weeks on the country charts.
  
  