Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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BARE, Bobby

(b 7 April '35, Ironton OH) C&W singer, songwriter. Struggled in local bands, recorded own song at own expense weeks before joining US Army, sold 'All American Boy' to Fraternity label for $50, became no. 2 pop hit credited to 'Bill Parsons'. On discharge did songs for Chubby Checker film, signed to RCA as solo artist; own first top 40 entry was 'Shame On Me' '62, top 20 next year with his own 'Detroit City' (Grammy '64); other pop crossovers were '500 Miles Away From Home', 'Miller's Cave' '63--4. Starred in film A Distant Trumpet '64, decided to continue with music despite Hollywood offers; to Nashville, soon became one of the town's biggest stars, more than 50 country hits to his name: 26 top 40 entries in Billboard C&W chart '62--71 not counting duets: top tens 'Have I Stayed Away Too Long', 'Four Strong Winds', 'It's Alright', 'The Streets Of Baltimore', '(Margie's At) The Lincoln Park Inn', 'How I Got To Memphis', 'Come Sundown', 'Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends'. Not only writes prolifically, has ear for other talent: championed work of Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Ian Tyson, Shel Silverstein, Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark. Made over 40 albums; best of '50s-60s work in RCA two-disc Famous Country Music Makers--Bobby Bare '79, incl. 'Last Dance At The Old Texas Moon', 'Dropkick Me Jesus (Through The Goal Posts Of Life)'. Switched to Mercury '70s (complete tracks available on Bear Family two-CD set); back to RCA for two- disc set of Silverstein songs Bobby Bare Sings Lullabies, Legends And Lies; Singing In The Kitchen '74, Hard Time Hungries '75 were well received; to Columbia late '70s, albums incl. Down And Dirty, As Is '81, Ain't Got Nothin' To Lose '82, Drinkin' From The Bottle, Singin' From The Heart '83. Signed to EMI America '85, then semi-retired, running Bare Bear Shop in Nashville, still toured Europe. Hits '80s incl. 'Have Another Tequila, Sheila'. He also made duets on RCA with Skeeter Davis.