IF you can remember the TV series called ‘Bret Maverick’ where James Garner played the title role then you may also remember the second lead role was a sheriff named Tom Guthrie.

The original series simply called ‘Maverick’ originally aired in the late fifties returning to the screens in 1981/2 produced by American Western NBC television.

The theme tune to the second series was written and sung by the actor who took on the Tom Guthrie sheriff role who was best known to country music fans as country singer/songwriter Ed Bruce.

Ed started his songwriting career in the late fifties and first recorded as Edwin Bruce on the Sun record label which also launched the careers of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash Charlie Rich and many more.

As a songwriter he is perhaps best know for ‘Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys’ which was a massive hit for Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson although many other artists including Crystal Gayle, Kenny Price, Charlie Louvin and many more have recorded his songs.

As an artist in his own right Ed has recorded around twenty two albums, had thirty five of his songs in the country charts which include six Top Ten hits and charted ‘You’re The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had’ into the Number One slot in 1981.

You can hear many of his greatest offerings on a brand new three CD release which will be available on October 19th entitled ‘Ed Bruce- Girls, Women and Ladies, The Universal Recordings” which is available on the Humphead Record label.

Containing sixty three tracks it showcases Ed and his music at the crest of his career with a brilliant selection of songs which will bring to the fore his songwriting and vocal talent.

To my mind he is one of the brilliant talents of the Nashville scene and perhaps this release will endorse the fact that often his contribution to the world of country music was overlooked.

This album endorses the fact that he is one of the greatest singer songwriters that have emerged from Nashville over the last fifty years….it is a class release which should be in every country music appreciators CD collection.