O.V. Wright (b Overton Vertis Wright, 9 October 1939, Leno, Tennessee - d 16 November 1980, Memphis, Tennessee) was an American singer who is regarded as one of Southern soul's most authoritative and individual artists. Biography He began singing in church and later fronted a gospel music group, the Harmony Echoes. It was during this time that he was discovered (along with James Carr) by Roosevelt Jamison a songwriter and manager. Their first recording in 1964 was "That's How Strong My Love Is", an impassioned ballad later covered by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. After being signed by Don Robey?s Back Beat label, further R&B hits followed, with Wright's plaintive delivery excelling on the slow material. Working with producer Willie Mitchell, success continued on songs including "The Ace of Spades" and "A Nickel and a Nail". However, Wright was imprisoned for narcotics offences during the mid-1970s, and, despite signing for Hi Records an