Tommy Duncan

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Tommy Duncan (* 11. January 1911 as Thomas Elmer Duncan in Hillsboro , Texas ; † 25. July 1967 ) was an American country - singer , who in the 1930s lead singer of Bob Wills was Texas Playboys band and then as a soloist and Band leader acted.

Member of the Texas Playboys

Tommy Duncan replaced Milton Brown in the early 1930s , who had left the Light Crust Doughboys after disputes with manager and sponsor W. Lee O'Daniel . Bandleader Bob Wills, who is now considered the founder of western swing , cast more than 70 singers before choosing Duncan. In 1933, Wills was fired by O'Daniel. In Texas he founded his own band, the Playboys , which a little later became the Texas Playboys . Duncan joined the new formation with other Doughboys. As the lead singer, his melodious baritone shaped the sound of the group for many years. The biggest hit was the 1940 classic New San Antonio Rose , the original "San Antonio Rose" from 1938 was an instrumental.

Tommy Duncan left the Texas Playboys in 1942 to volunteer in World War II. After the war he rejoined Bob Wills.

Solo career

In 1948 he was pushed out of the band by the choleric Wills. He then went into business for himself and put together his own band, the Western All-Stars . Some former Texas Playboys joined in. Successes were rare, as Western Swing lost massive ground compared to Honky Tonk during these years . The best known was the 1949 top 10 hit Gamblin 'Polka Dot Blues . In 1960 he teamed up again with Wills and released two albums on the Liberty label.

Tommy Duncan died of a heart attack on July 25, 1967.

Discography

Albums

  • 1960 - Together Again-Bob Wills & Tommy Duncan (Liberty)
  • 1961 - Mr. Words & Mr. Music - Bob Wills & Tommy Duncan (Liberty)
  • 1960 - A Living Legend - Bob Wills & Tommy Duncan
  • 1963 Bob Wills Sings And Plays - Bob Wills & Tommy Duncan
  • 1967 - Recorded Live From The Riverside Ballroom, Phoenix, Arizona - Tommy Duncan

Compilations

  • 1996 - Texas Moon (Bear Family)
  • 1996 - Beneath A Neon Star In A Honky Tonk (Bear Family)
  • 2008 - Dog House Blues (Jasmine UK # 9)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Duncan, Tommy
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Duncan, Thomas Elmer (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American country singer
DATE OF BIRTH January 11, 1911
PLACE OF BIRTH Hillsboro , Texas
DATE OF DEATH July 25, 1967