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BRUCE, Ed

(b 29 Dec. '39, Keiser AR) Country singer, songwriter, TV actor. Began as rock'n'roller Edwin Bruce on Sun '58; had songs recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Johnny Cash, etc. Became used car salesman, continued to write; back to music full- time after "Save Your Kisses', B-side of Tommy Roe gold disc "Sheila' '63. Moved to Nashville as background singer and songwriter ("See The Big Man Cry' for Charlie Louvin; "Northeast Arkansas Mississippi County Bootlegger' for Kenny Price); signed to RCA and released own album If I Could Just Go Home '67. Switched to Monument, scored minor hits "Song For Ginny' and "Everybody Wants To Get To Heaven' '69. Early morning TV show on Nashville WSM '69-74; songwriting; TV commercials for United Airlines, Burger King, etc. A big rugged-looking man, he was hired by state of Tenn. for adverts promoting tourism. Signed to UA '73, minor hit "July You're A Woman' '73; dropped from label but re-signed on strength of "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys', C&W top 20 '75 (revived by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson '78 for a no. 1 country hit, won Grammy). Wrote hits "Restless' (Crystal Gale '74), "When I Die' and "The Man That Turned My Mama On' (Tanya Tucker '75). Signed to Epic '77; hits incl.'Star Studded Nights', "Love Somebody To Death', "Angeline'; joined MCA '80 with biggest hits "Diane', "The Last Cowboy Song' (duet with Nelson), "You're The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had' (no. 1 '82), "My First Taste Of Texas' '83, "After All' '84. Appeared in Brett Maverick TV series '81-2. LPs incl. Shades Of Ed Bruce on Monument '69; Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys on UA '76; The Tennessean Epic '78; Ed Bruce, One To One and I Write It Down '82, You're Not Leavin' Here Tonight '83, Tell 'Em I've Gone Crazy '84 on MCA; Homecoming on RCA '85. Managed by his wife Patsy, who contributed ideas for songs and some lyrics; they were divorced. Their son Trey made mark as a songwriter.