Singer/Songwriter and Actor. Country music singer and songwriter best known for co-writing the hit single "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." He enjoyed some success as a performer, charting six top ten hits and one number one hit. Born William Edwin Bruce Jr., he wrote and recorded his first single for Sam Phillips on Sun Records in 1957 under the name Edwin Bruce, "Rock Boppin' Baby." He would continue to record songs in the 1960s and 1970s, but did not break into the top ten until the 1980s. His single "You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had" reached number one on the United States Country charts in 1982. His final chart topper "Nights" reached number four in 1986. Many of the songs he wrote achieved greater success when performed by other artists. He co-wrote "Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys" with his wife Patsy Bruce and released it in 1976, but it became a major hit in 1978 when it was recorded by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. He also wrote hits for Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle, Tommy Roe, and Charlie Louvin. Over his career he recorded twenty-four albums, fifty-one Country music singles, and two rock singles. As his music career reached its peak in the 1980s, he began acting in commercials and on television. He co-starred with James Garner in "Bret Maverick" (1981 - 1982), a reboot of the popular television Western. He guest starred on one episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger" and had roles in several films, including "The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James" (1986) and "Fire Down Below" (1997). He was awarded the Arkansas Country Music Award for "Lifetime Achievement" in 2018.
Singer/Songwriter and Actor. Country music singer and songwriter best known for co-writing the hit single "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." He enjoyed some success as a performer, charting six top ten hits and one number one hit. Born William Edwin Bruce Jr., he wrote and recorded his first single for Sam Phillips on Sun Records in 1957 under the name Edwin Bruce, "Rock Boppin' Baby." He would continue to record songs in the 1960s and 1970s, but did not break into the top ten until the 1980s. His single "You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had" reached number one on the United States Country charts in 1982. His final chart topper "Nights" reached number four in 1986. Many of the songs he wrote achieved greater success when performed by other artists. He co-wrote "Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys" with his wife Patsy Bruce and released it in 1976, but it became a major hit in 1978 when it was recorded by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. He also wrote hits for Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle, Tommy Roe, and Charlie Louvin. Over his career he recorded twenty-four albums, fifty-one Country music singles, and two rock singles. As his music career reached its peak in the 1980s, he began acting in commercials and on television. He co-starred with James Garner in "Bret Maverick" (1981 - 1982), a reboot of the popular television Western. He guest starred on one episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger" and had roles in several films, including "The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James" (1986) and "Fire Down Below" (1997). He was awarded the Arkansas Country Music Award for "Lifetime Achievement" in 2018.
Bio by: Apollymi
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