Rubel Don Bowman (August 26, 1937 – June 5, 2013) was an American country music singer, songwriter, comedian, and radio host. He recorded for RCA Victor between 1964 and 1970, charting in the Top 40 with the novelty hit single "Chit Akins, Make Me a Star". Bowman also worked at several radio stations, including KRZK in Branson, Missouri. At this time, he was also opening the show for Moe Bandy doing Seymore Miles. Bowman also worked at KDEO San Diego, KEWB Oakland, KDWB St. Paul, and KBBQ Burbank. He developed a fictional character for his radio shows named Gruesome Goodbody. In 1961 he had a country hit "Coward at the Alamo."
Bowman was born in Lubbock, Texas, and was the original host of the radio show American Country Countdown. He hosted the show from its inception on October 6, 1973, through April 1978, after which Bob Kingsley (who had been ACC's producer since 1974) took over as host. Also, Bowman filled in for Casey Kasem on the June 16, 1973 episode of American Top 40.
In 1966, Bowman won Favorite Country Comedy Recording of the Year award from Billboard. In 1967, he was named Comedian of the Year by the Country Music Association.
Bowman's song "Wildwood Weed" later became a hit for Jim Stafford, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
Bowman died of liver and pancreatic cancer on June 5, 2013, at the age of 75. He had two children, Jackie and Casey Bowman.
Discography
Albums Year Album US Country Label 1964 Our Man in Trouble 14 RCA Victor 1965 Fresh from the Funny Farm — 1966 Funny Way to Make an Album 14 1967 Don Bowman Recorded Almost Live 36 From Mexico with Laughs featuring the Tijuana Drum and Bugle Corps 42 1968 Funny Folk Flops — 1969 Support Your Local Prison — 1970 Whispering Country — 1972 All New — Mega 1979 Still Fighting Mental Health — Lone Star 1981 On the Road Too Long —
Singles YearSingleChart PositionsAlbumUS CountryCAN Country1964"Chit Akins, Make Me a Star"14—Our Man in Trouble1966"Giddyup Do-Nut"49—single only"Surely Not"73—Don Bowman Recorded Almost Live1968"Folsom Prison Blues #2"74—Support Your Local Prison1969"Poor Old Ugly Gladys Jones"(with Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson)70—1972"Hello D.J."—44All New
Guest singles YearSingleArtistChart PositionsUS CountryCAN Country1966"For Loving You"Skeeter Davis72181967"Chet's Tune"Some of Chet's Friends38—
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