Bobby Edwards
Encyclopedia
Bobby Edwards is an American country
singer who recorded between 1959 and 1964.
. He first became well-known with a 1959 Bluebonnet Records cover
of "Jealous Heart
", written by Jenny Lou Carson
and had been a 1945 hit for Tex Ritter
.
Not long after this release, Edwards joined a group known as The Four Young Men. The Four Young Men were initially a trio known as Darrell, Gib & Ernie (after members Darrell Cotton, Gib Guilbeau
, and Ernie Williams); they released the singles "I Goof" and "Just or Unjust", which were local hits. After adding Wayne Moore, they became The Four Young Men, which Edwards then joined to become Bobby Edwards & the Four Young Men.
Their first record together was the Crest Records single "You're the Reason
". The song became a nationwide U.S. hit, peaking at #4 Country and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1961. The tune was covered by Joe South
and Hank Locklin
in the wake of its success. Edwards then transferred to Capitol Records
and released the sound-alike "What's the Reason", which peaked at #71 the following year. His third single was "Don't Pretend", which didn't chart, and neither did any of his further single releases. By the end of the 1960s, Edwards had retired from music and returned to Anniston to raise a family, while operating a small recording studio.
The Four Young Men released further singles for Crest, including "You Been Torturing Me", "Just for Tonight", and "Don't Be Bashful Little Girl" (as The Young Men Four). Eddie Cochran
played guitar on some of these recordings. They would later change their name to The Castaways, and became a popular act on the Las Vegas
casino circuit.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer who recorded between 1959 and 1964.
Biography
Edwards's early life is a mystery; conflicting stories exist over his birth name and upbringing. What is certain is that Bobby Edwards was a stage nameStage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
. He first became well-known with a 1959 Bluebonnet Records cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Jealous Heart
Jealous Heart
"Jealous Heart" is a classic C&W song which has also been recorded by several Pop singers.-Early versions:The first recording of "Jealous Heart" was made in 1944 by its composer Jenny Lou Carson...
", written by Jenny Lou Carson
Jenny Lou Carson
Jenny Lou Carson, , born Virginia Lucille Overstake, was an American country music singer-songwriter and the first woman to write a No. 1 country music hit...
and had been a 1945 hit for Tex Ritter
Tex Ritter
Woodward Maurice Ritter , better known as Tex Ritter, was an American country music singer and movie actor popular from the mid-1930s into the 1960s, and the patriarch of the Ritter family in acting...
.
Not long after this release, Edwards joined a group known as The Four Young Men. The Four Young Men were initially a trio known as Darrell, Gib & Ernie (after members Darrell Cotton, Gib Guilbeau
Gib Guilbeau
Floyd August "Gib" Guilbeau is an American country-rock musician and songwriter. As a member of Nashville West, Swampwater, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Guilbeau helped pioneer the fusion of rock and country music in the 1960s....
, and Ernie Williams); they released the singles "I Goof" and "Just or Unjust", which were local hits. After adding Wayne Moore, they became The Four Young Men, which Edwards then joined to become Bobby Edwards & the Four Young Men.
Their first record together was the Crest Records single "You're the Reason
You're the Reason
"You're the Reason" is a song by Bobby Edwards, released as a single in 1961. The song reached number four on the Country singles chart and number eleven on the Pop singles chart.-Bobby Edwards:-Joe South:-Hank Locklin:...
". The song became a nationwide U.S. hit, peaking at #4 Country and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1961. The tune was covered by Joe South
Joe South
Joe South is a multi-talented American singer-songwriter and guitarist.-Career:...
and Hank Locklin
Hank Locklin
Lawrence Hankins Locklin , better known as Hank Locklin, was an American country music singer-songwriter...
in the wake of its success. Edwards then transferred to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
and released the sound-alike "What's the Reason", which peaked at #71 the following year. His third single was "Don't Pretend", which didn't chart, and neither did any of his further single releases. By the end of the 1960s, Edwards had retired from music and returned to Anniston to raise a family, while operating a small recording studio.
The Four Young Men released further singles for Crest, including "You Been Torturing Me", "Just for Tonight", and "Don't Be Bashful Little Girl" (as The Young Men Four). Eddie Cochran
Eddie Cochran
Eddie Cochran , was an American rock and roll pioneer who in his brief career had a small but lasting influence on rock music through his guitar playing. Cochran's rockabilly songs, such as "C'mon Everybody", "Somethin' Else", and "Summertime Blues", captured teenage frustration and desire in the...
played guitar on some of these recordings. They would later change their name to The Castaways, and became a popular act on the Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
casino circuit.
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
||
| 1961 | "You're the Reason You're the Reason "You're the Reason" is a song by Bobby Edwards, released as a single in 1961. The song reached number four on the Country singles chart and number eleven on the Pop singles chart.-Bobby Edwards:-Joe South:-Hank Locklin:... " |
4 | 11 |
| 1962 | "What's the Reason" | — | 71 |
| 1963 | "Don't Pretend" | 23 | — |
External links
- Bobby Edwards, Alabama Music Hall of Fame website