CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Ed Bruce, a country music songwriter renowned for writing chart-topping hits such as “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” died in Clarksville on Friday, Jan. 8 at the age of 81.

Bruce was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA, and the Musician’s Union, dabbling in several realms of entertainment during his 64-year career.

Beginnings

Born William Edwin Bruce Jr. on Dec. 29, 1939, in Keiser, Arkansas, the songwriter and musician was raised in Memphis. When he was 17, Sun Records owner and record producer Sam Phillips took notice of Bruce and promptly signed him to the label.

The following year, Bruce released his 1957 rockabilly debut “Rock Boppin’ Baby” under his full name, Edwin Bruce.

Years later, Bruce would sign to and begin recording with RCA Records and Wand/Scepter, but his biggest success at that point was found in writing songs for other musicians to record and cover: “Save Your Kisses” for Tommy Roe in 1962, and “See the Big Man Cry,” covered by Charlie Louvin in 1965.

He wrote “The Man That Turned My Mama On” for country music legend Tanya Tucker in 1974, and the track propelled to the No. 4 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Topping the charts

However, Bruce would go on to reach icon status with his classic 1975 “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys,” which he wrote with his ex-wife, Patsy Bruce.

Two years later, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson covered “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys,” which peaked at No. 15 the chart and stayed for 10 weeks. The cover also won Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group during the 1979 Grammy Awards. Nelson re-recorded the song as a solo artist for the 1979 film “The Electric Horseman.”

Nelson continues to play it during live shows and sets.

Bruce hit the big time by scoring the No. 1 county hit with “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had” featuring Lynn Anderson. The song peaked at that spot on March 5, 1982, and would spend 21 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

In total, Bruce had six records become Top 10 Hits, and 35 songs of his secured spots on the Hot Country Songs chart, the last of which was “Nights” in 1986.

TV gigs

In addition to his music career, Bruce excelled at acting and starred opposite James Garner on NBC’s single-season reboot of TV series “Bret Maverick,” where he played Tom Guthrie from 1981 to 1982. He wrote and performed the show’s theme song, too.

Bruce also hosted TV shows Truckin’ USA and American Sports Cavalcade. He appeared in the 2009 Johnny Depp-Christian Bale movie “Public Enemies” and in the 2010, Gwyneth Paltrow movie “Country Strong.”

He was presented with a lifetime achievement award from the Arkansas Country Music Association in 2018.

A private family service is planned.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nashville Songwriters Association, 1710 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203.

Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home.