Trivia

In the mid-'60s he did a string of radio commercials and TV voice-over commercials, then returned to recording.

He was an American country music songwriter, singer, and actor.

In 1962, he wrote "Save Your Kisses" for pop star Tommy Roe and in 1963 he reached No. 109 on the Billboard "Bubbling Under" chart with his own recording of "See the Big Man Cry" (Wand 140), both published by Bill Justis at Tuneville Music. Charlie Louvin recorded "See the Big Man Cry" (Capitol 5369) in 1965; Louvin's version reached No. 7 on the Billboard "Country Singles" chart.

Met Sun Records owner Sam Phillips in 1957, and recorded for him.

Received the Arkansas Country Music Award Lifetime Achievement in 2018.

He was known for writing the 1975 song "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" and recording the 1982 country number one hit "You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had".

After the 1986 album entitled Night Things and a 1988 self-titled follow-up, Bruce made a conscious decision to cut back on his music to focus on his acting career, appearing in several made-for-TV films.

The song, "The Man Who Turned My Mama On", was fictional but Ed included many familiar references including a line about his Grandma Kate.

In 1966, Bruce returned to RCA and recorded "Puzzles", "The Price I Pay to Stay" and "Lonesome Is Me". He scored his first charted single with "Walker's Woods" in 1967, and also charted with his version of The Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville". Both of these singles were minor hits. In 1969, Bruce signed with Monument Records, where he continued to have minor successes with "Everybody Wants To Get To Heaven" and "Song For Jenny".

He had the second lead on the television revival of 1957's Maverick, called Bret Maverick. Bruce sang and wrote the theme song to the show, while Garner himself sang the same song over the end titles at the show's close, while being relentlessly interrupted by network announcements about upcoming programming.

In 1957, at the age of 17, he went to see Jack Clement, a recording engineer for Sun Records. Bruce caught the attention of Sun owner Sam Phillips, for whom he wrote and recorded "Rock Boppin' Baby" (as "Edwin Bruce").

Bruce finally made the Top 20 on country charts with his version of "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys", a song he wrote with then-wife Patsy Bruce, in 1976. In 1978, "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys" was recorded by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. It became a major hit, and continued the upward swing in Bruce's career.

Ed was spokesman for Tuborg beer in Denmark. He even sang the Danish national anthem at sporting events while on tour in that country.

He hosted two shows in the late 1980s, Truckin' USA and American Sports Cavalcade.

Ed wrote "Song For Ginny" for his daughter.

His former wife, music manager and songwriter Patsy Bruce, died four months later also aged 81.

Bruce wrote "The Man That Turned My Mama On" which became a major hit for Tanya Tucker in 1974, as was his "Restless" for Crystal Gayle the same year.

Bruce appeared in several theatrical cinematic releases, including Fire Down Below with Steven Seagal.

He also co-starred in the television series Bret Maverick with James Garner during the 1981-1982 season.

"Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" and "Texas When I Die" both earned Grammy and CMA nominations for Song of the Year.

In the early 1960s, Bruce recorded for RCA and some smaller labels like Wand/Scepter, singing rockabilly music, as well as country material and pop material such as "See the Big Man Cry".

During his career many songs that Bruce wrote and recorded were more successful when re-recorded by others.

"My First Taste Of Texas" and "Texas When I Die" are certified by BMI for 1,000,000 broadcast performances. "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" was recently certified for 2,000,000 broadcast performances.

In the early days, Ed sold used cars to supplement his income in between royalty checks.

His last Top 10 single was "Nights" in 1986 and his last Top 40 single (and last chart single to date) was "Quietly Crazy" in 1987.