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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGLASER BROTHERS, TheTompall (b Thomas Paul Glaser, 3 Sep. '33), Chuck (b Charles Vernon Glaser, 27 Feb. '36), Jim (b James William Glaser, 16 Dec. '37), all from Spaulding, Nebraska: a popular country harmony trio Tompall and the Glaser Brothers, also had solo careers. Performed on local radio and TV, county fairs, Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout show; moved to Nashville '57, signed by Marty Robbins as singers and songwriters, recording on Robbins label (backed Robbins on huge country-pop hit 'El Paso' '59); moved to Decca '58, made singles with folksy sound, then to MGM '66, first hits incl. 'Gone On The Other Hand', 'Through The Eyes Of Love', 'One Of These Days', 'California Girl', 'Gone Girl', 'Rings', 'Ain't It All Worth Living' '66--72. Glaser Sound Studios '69 designed by Chuck, who was also business manager and talent scout; they prod. and recorded their own and others' hits there and the studio became a hangout for future Outlaws Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Steve Young, others. Voted Vocal Group of the Decade by Record World '72; meanwhile lead singer Tompall had written for Robbins ('Running Gun'), also hits for Jimmy Dean ('Stand Beside Me'), Bobby Bare ('Streets Of Baltimore'), others; Jim had recorded solo on Starday '60--63, Monument '65- -7, RCA '68--9 (chart entries incl. 'God Help You Woman'); wrote hits for Skeeter Davis ('What Does It Take'), Warner Mack ('Sittin' In An All Nite Cafe'), Gary Puckett ('Woman, Woman', pop no. 4 '67) and others, often writing with Jimmy Payne. Chuck was credited with discovering John Hartford (co-prod. Hartford's classic 'Gentle On My Mind'), later Kinky Friedman, Dick Feller; prod. many acts; wrote hits such as 'Where Has All The Love Gone' for Hank Snow, set up Glaser publishing companies (one for each of the three performance rights societies -- see ASCAP). With all this hectic activity, the group split '73. Chuck formed Nova Booking Agency, handling Hartford, Jennings, Jerry Reed; he suffered a massive stroke '75 which paralysed his left side, incl. vocal cords; he wasn't supposed to walk or talk again, but refused to believe it. Jim recorded for MGM and MCA '73--8, had minor hits 'I See His Love All Over You', 'Forgettin' About You', 'Woman, Woman', 'She's Free, But She's Not Easy', and was always in demand as session singer. Tompall became part of the Outlaw movement with Jennings and Nelson, featured with them and Jessi Colter on hit LP Wanted: The Outlaws. His own records blended trad. and contemporary infl.; hits incl. 'Musical Chairs' '74, 'It'll Be Her' '77. Chuck had regained his voice and the brothers reunited '80, scored no. 1 hit with 'Lovin' Her Was Easier' '81, further hits 'Just One Time', 'I Still Love You'. Jim left (replaced by Shaun Neilson, who had worked in gospel music); this time his solo career took off on Noble Vision label with distinctive pop-country hits 'The Man In The Mirror', 'If I Could Only Dance With You', 'I'll Be Your Fool Tonight', LPs The Man In The Mirror '83, Past The Point Of No Return '85. Tompall's solo albums incl. Charlie '73, Take The Singer With The Song '74 on Polydor; Songs Of Shel Silverstein '74, The Great Tompall '76 on MGM; Tompall And His Outlaw Band '77, The Wonder Of It All '78 on ABC. Group's LPs incl. This Land '62 on Decca; Tompall And The Glaser Brothers '67, Now Country '70, Award Winners '72, Hits From Two Decades '73, Vocal Group Of The Decade '75, all on MGM; Lovin' Her Was Easier '81, After All These Years '82 on Elektra. |