Legendary country singer/songwriter and actor Ed Bruce has died at the age of 81.
Bruce is reported to have died in his home in Clarksville, Tennessee of natural causes, according to a 2911 Media press release on Friday (January 8.)
Bruce is best known for penning country hits such as 'Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,' most notably performed by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings and Tanya Tucker's 'Texas (When I Die),' both of which he initially recorded himself, as well as his own hit, 'You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had and co-starring on the television series 'Bret Maverick,' alongside James Garner.
The Keiser, Arkansas native moved to Memphis with his family at a young age and considered Tennessee his home state, and signed to the famed Sun Records label at the age of 17, according to a biography on his official website. Bruce maintained a successful career in country music for more than four decades, which includes writing such hits as 'After All,' 'Girls, Women and Ladies,' 'My First Taste of Texas' and the 'Theme from Bret Maverick.'
Bruce also hosted 'American Sports Cavalcade' and 'Truckin' USA' on The Nashville Network and has appeared in dozens of nationwide radio commercials including McDonald's, Kawasaki, John Deere, Dodge Trucks, United Airlines and the Armed Services Campaign's 'It's a Great Place to Start' campaign.
Photo: Getty Images