Mayfred “Mayf” Nutter (born October 19, 1941) is a country singer-songwriter and actor. He was born into a musical family in Clarksburg. During early childhood, his family lived in the Parkersburg area, where Nutter made his first public performance at the Epworth United Methodist Church, singing “Jesus Loves Me” at age three. His given name was shortened to “Mayf” by a baseball announcer during his high school years.

Nutter first appeared on radio at age six and later hosted his own music program on a local TV station. After spending much of his youth in Parkersburg, his family moved to Two Lick Run near Jane Lew (Lewis County). He attended Bridgeport High School, graduating in 1959. The family later returned to Wood County and frequently performed together at community events and fundraisers. His father played mandolin and fiddle, his mother sang and played guitar, and Nutter sang and played the ukulele.

He gained national attention in 1965 with the R&B hit “Head Shrinker,” which led to a concert tour with The Platters. After several moves around the country, Nutter eventually settled in California, where Frank Zappa signed him to a recording and songwriting agreement.

He subsequently expanded his career into acting, appearing in TV series such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Falcon Crest, Knots Landing, and Hawkins. Nutter has also worked as a narrator for numerous Disney documentaries.

In addition to his solo music work, Nutter played guitar for Del Shannon and performed with the New Christy Minstrels. He later signed with Capitol Records and recorded the singles “Never Ending Love for You” and “Everybody’s Talkin’.” During the 1970s, he made guest appearances on Buck Owens’ TV Ranch. His song “Simpson Creek,” inspired by a Harrison County stream, is regarded as one of the earliest environmental-themed recordings.

Throughout his career, Nutter has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, the Los Angeles Coliseum, and Chicago’s London House, as well as in Las Vegas. He has also appeared at Jamboree in the Hills and the Wheeling Jamboree, for which he wrote the theme song in 1978.

Nutter has been honored with a star on the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame Walkway of Stars and has been inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Bakersfield Country Music Museum, and the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame (2020).