Country Musician, Composer. A pioneer of the Bakersfield sound in country music, he was one of the first people to employ a very young Buck Owens in the Bakersfield music scene. He later gave up the music business for a time to enter the ministry, however he became disillusioned with the ministry and came back to the country music scene. Tommy Collins wrote several songs that have been recorded by others, most notably county music star Merle Haggard (these include "Carolyn," "High On A Hilltop," and "The Roots Of My Raising"). Merle Haggard himself penned a song to honor Tommy Collins when he wrote the work "Leonard." Collins wrote many songs in the humorous vein including "If You Can't Bite Don't Growl," "Whatcha Gonna Do Now," "Ya Gotta Have A License," and others.
Country Musician, Composer. A pioneer of the Bakersfield sound in country music, he was one of the first people to employ a very young Buck Owens in the Bakersfield music scene. He later gave up the music business for a time to enter the ministry, however he became disillusioned with the ministry and came back to the country music scene. Tommy Collins wrote several songs that have been recorded by others, most notably county music star Merle Haggard (these include "Carolyn," "High On A Hilltop," and "The Roots Of My Raising"). Merle Haggard himself penned a song to honor Tommy Collins when he wrote the work "Leonard." Collins wrote many songs in the humorous vein including "If You Can't Bite Don't Growl," "Whatcha Gonna Do Now," "Ya Gotta Have A License," and others.
Bio by: Billy Sipes
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