Tommy Duncan: The Voice of the Playboys

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 30 Oct 2000 10:34 am

From www.tipworld.com and NOT written by Me!

TOMMY DUNCAN, THE VOICE OF THE TEXAS PLAYBOYS

Although Bob Wills was the leader of the Texas Playboys, to many listeners the smooth baritone of Tommy Duncan was the true voice of the band. Duncan and Wills first hooked up in 1932 when Wills, who was playing in the Light Crust Doughboys, hired him as a replacement for Milton Brown, who had left to start his own band. When Wills was fired
from the Doughboys for excessive drinking in 1933, Duncan was one of the musicians who followed him to his new band, The Texas Playboys.

Throughout the rest of the '30s and into the '40s, Duncan sang on most of the Playboys' biggest hits, including "New San Antonio Rose," "Right or Wrong," "Roly Poly," and "The Waltz You Saved for Me." Duncan was also a fine songwriter who penned ditties like "Time Changes Everything" and "Bubbles in My Beer," which later became western swing classics. Duncan left the band in 1942 to join the army, but returned after the war. In 1948, Wills, thinking Duncan was getting too popular, fired the singer, who went on to form his own group. Although both Duncan and Wills scored some hits in the '50s, neither man was as popular alone as he had been with the band. Whenever Wills or Duncan performed, audience members asked when the two were getting back together. In 1960, the two men recorded one album together, but Duncan didn't rejoin the Playboys. Duncan continued to perform as a solo act until his death in 1967.

By Michael Simmons [This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 30 October 2000 at 10:35 AM.]

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 30 Oct 2000 12:55 pm

How well I remember Mr. Duncan.When he came to El Paso from his home in Calif. he was at the time hauling hay off his ranch and booking jobs where he laid over.He always requested our band to back him,Charlie Cook was the band leader,Hollis Pritchitt on Steel and fiddle,Dennis Balthazer on drums and me on bass.What a ball to work with a real gentelman.What a voice and a class act.Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona[This message was edited by Ray Jenkins on 30 October 2000 at 12:57 PM.]

Bob Anderson · Post by **Bob Anderson** » 30 Oct 2000 1:00 pm

Great read Jim, I enjoy these kind of stories very much. I know you didn't write it, but maybe you should start "The Cohen Digest" where steelin' ain't plagiarism.

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 31 Oct 2000 12:55 am

Does anyone know of any recordings that he might have done in the 1960s?
All I know of are the reunion recordings with Wills in 1960-1961 that produced three albums.
And there were some 1966 sides cut in Hollywood for the small Bakersfield based Mosrite label. Any others?

Jason

BJ Bailey · Post by **BJ Bailey** » 31 Oct 2000 1:46 am

Thanks Jim I injoyed reading this also

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BJ Bailey

Steve England · Post by **Steve England** » 31 Oct 2000 10:22 am

To hear those Texas Playboys
and Tommy Duncan sing
makes me proud to be in Texas
where Bob Wills is still the king.

Yessirree a very fine singer indeedy. Ray you got to back Tommy Duncan....you lucky dog..

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 31 Oct 2000 12:02 pm

You are right Steve,I feel more than lucky to have backed such a great man.Probally more like blessed.I was very saddned when we found out he passed away.We had worked for him shortly before.Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona