Ed Bruce died of natural causes on Friday, January 8th, 2021. He played a major role in the country music industry as a singer, a songwriter and an ambassador for the genre.
Perhaps his most successful endeavor was as a songwriter, penning the iconic hit, Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys but there was more talent tucked away in the singing cowboy. Ed Bruce got his start at Sun Records as a recording engineer for Sam Phillips at the age of 17. He used that time to learn the business and work on his craft – eventually writing songs for artists like Charlie Louvin, Tanya Tucker and of course, Willie and Waylon.
Ed Bruce was also a singer himself. He charted 35 of his own singles beginning in the late 60s with Walker’s Woods and a cover of Last Train to Clarksville. He went to #1 with You’re The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had followed by other top 20 hits like My First Taste of Texas, Love’s Found You and Me and Ever, Never Lovin’ You.
He was also an actor, starring in commercials and on TV series such as Maverick with James Garner, Walker, Texas Ranger and The Chisholms.
If Mammas let their babies grow up to be like Ed Bruce, they’d probably be pretty proud.
