Richard Leigh (born in Washington, D.C., on 26 May 1951 ) is an American country music songwriter and singer. He is best known for penning "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (sung by Crystal Gayle) for which, in 1978, he received a Grammy Award for "Best Country Song". Other prominent singers who have brought his songs number one status over the years include Billy Dean, Mickey Gilley, Reba McEntire, Barbara Mandrell, Kathy Mattea, Steve Wariner, and Don Williams. In 1994 he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Foundation Hall of Fame.