CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Trace Adkins are just a few of the biggest names in country music that knew Ed Bruce, a man who wrote legendary songs such as “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “The Last Cowboy Song.” While Bruce passed away in 2021 in Clarksville, his legacy lives on through his music and his son, Trey Bruce, who has become a successful music producer and songwriter in Nashville.
Ed played in a lot of places in Nashville including the King Motel off of Jefferson Pike, and at a motel lounge off Franklin Pike. “He would come in and record on a two-track recorder,” Trey told Clarksville Now. “A method where you could pick up the subtle sounds of the cash register in the background.”
Now, more of Ed Bruce’s music is about to be released, with the discovery of some two-dozen unreleased recordings that he left behind.
Growing up with a legend
Trey remembers spending time with his dad on the road, making memories, which included the time Trey played drums with Ed on stage, opening for acts like Alabama in 1979.
“One time he (Ed) had rented a houseboat and took it on Old Hickory Lake to meet up with fellow songwriters Kris Kristofferson, Hank Cochran and Mickey Newberry,” Trey said. Being around fellow songwriters, as well as his dad, Trey loved the social part of the music industry, saying his favorite “pony ride” was getting to tag along with his dad to Music Row and sit though sessions with him.
Bruce loved songwriting, Trey noted that anytime someone was at his dad’s farm or anywhere else, “There was always a guitar pull towards the end of the night. Sometimes inside, sometimes outside by the fire.”
The passion for music was always there for Ed. He played baseball in high school, and even thought about playing in college. But a knee injury gave Ed the green light to fully pursue music.
Music treasures left behind
Just over a year after Ed passed, friend and fellow songwriter/producer Mike Morgan contacted Ed’s wife, Judy. Morgan told her that if she ever found material she felt they may be able to put out, to send it to him and he would see if there was something there. It’s safe to say that Judy found more than enough material.
Morgan took the recordings and, with the help of co-producer Jeff Elliot, another friend of Ed’s, they “sweetened them up.” Meaning, they added backup vocals and other instruments to the tracks. It was enough to not only create a 16-song album, but also a 10-song Christian country album.
“He was a great mentor to me,” Morgan said. “He would talk to us about songs, and what we needed to work on. He was great at doing that and loved to do it. To be able to be a part of something like this was truly a blessing.”
To Elliott, Ed was a star. “He had this presence about him that I can’t explain.” Elliott said one time they were playing golf at Fall Creek Falls. He and Ed went into the clubhouse to ask for directions. There was one person behind the counter, but as soon as Ed began to speak, there was about seven people who had come over.
Elliot said, “When Judy sent us this collection, were very excited; we knew it was going to be tough, but we got it done. The most exciting part was working in the studio. We hired musicians, a backup singer and an engineer who all did a great job on it.”
On May 10, Morgan and Elliott released the album After Hours with Old Hat Productions on the Music Row Talent Records label. The 16-song album includes unreleased music, as well as a performance of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” recorded on Larry’s Country Diner. Morgan says the Christian album is still a ways from being released.
Quiet life in Clarksville
As far as being in Clarksville, Trey said Judy told him the decision to move here in 2019 was to be closer to family. Trey said, “He was looking for what he called a ‘flat house,’ meaning a house with no stairs.” One of Ed’s favorite things about Clarksville was being able to look up and watch the Fort Campbell helicopters fly overhead.
Not only was he a singer and songwriter, but Bruce also took on acting. Most notably as the second lead in NBC’s TV series Brett Maverick. Bruce played Tom Guthrie in 18 episodes from 1981 to 1982.
With many hobbies, including racing when he was younger, Ed loved college sports – Vols mainly – but he also loved foreign cars. The singer/songwriter/actor owned a Ferrari, a Packard Limousine, a Mercedes, and a 1969 Camaro Z28. He loved fishing in his own pond and, as Trey put it, “He may have loved his horses and dogs more than some people.”
After Hours is available on Spotify and Apple Music, and CDs can be purchased at edbrucemusic.com or on BandCamp.com.
Correction: Old Hat Productions is planning a country Christian album, not a Christmas album. Also, Ed Bruce recorded “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had” but did not write it.