Ed Bruce never saw the commercial success that many of the country artists he wrote for did, but, he certainly has made a mark. As a songwriter, he has written hits for Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, among others.
He began his career as a rockabilly artists at age 17, in 1956, when he cut his first sides for the legendary Sun Records (original home of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash). His career on that label fizzled quickly, and he re-emerged in the 1960s as a rock 'n' roll artist. In 1967, he signed with RCA, who re-shaped him as a country artist. Among his first minor hits was a country version of the current Monkees' hit, "The Last Train To Clarksville."
His career as a songwriter began to take off in the 1970s, and received a big boost in 1976 when Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson had a #1 hit with the Bruce song, "Mamma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." In 1980, Ed Bruce signed to MCA Records, who were finally successful in breaking him as a hit making country act, even if it was only for a few years. While at MCA, Bruce charted with a number of songs including, "Diane," "The Last Cowboy Song," "When You Fall In Love (Everything's A Waltz)," "Evil Angel," and "Love's Found You And Me." His biggest hit, "You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had" went as high as #5 on the country charts. In addition to his music, Bruce has actively pursued an acting career and he had a leading role in the TV western series, Maverick starring James Garner.