Bob Luman

Bob Luman launched his career performing rockabilly before moving into country, yet by the close of the 1950s he stood ready to abandon music for professional baseball until the Everly Brothers persuaded him otherwise, sparing Nashville one of its more promising talents.

Born in Blackjack, Texas, he spent his childhood in Nacogdoches, where sports and music competed equally for his attention. During high school he excelled on the baseball diamond, attracting scouts from several major-league clubs. Although his earliest musical hero remained the country singer Lefty Frizzell, an encounter with Elvis at a country show prompted Luman to assemble a band and explore rockabilly, playing school functions and local clubs. After graduation he captured a talent contest that secured his first appearance on The Louisiana Hayride; audience response led to a regular slot by the middle of the decade. His youthful good looks and evident ability soon translated into television bookings. In 1957 he took a minor part in the Hollywood picture Carnival Rock and shared stages in Las Vegas with Tex Ritter and Johnny Cash, though none of his early singles registered on the charts.

Offered a substantial contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1959, Luman, discouraged by his recording results, declared his intention to retire from music during a live performance. The Everly Brothers, present that night, urged him to reconsider and recommended the Boudleaux Bryant composition “Let’s Think About Living,” which promptly reached the Top Ten on both country and pop surveys. Its successor, “The Great Snowman,” also charted, and Luman began preparing a promotional tour until military conscription interrupted his plans for two years. Upon discharge in 1964 he signed with Hickory Records, where his first release, “The File,” climbed into the Top 25. The following year he joined the cast of The Grand Ole Opry.

Moving to Epic Records brought a sustained run of successes that opened with the Top 20 entry “Ain’t Got Time to Be Happy.” Throughout the ensuing decade numerous additional singles reached the Top 25 or higher, among them the 1972 Top Five hit “Lonely Women Make Good Lovers.” Luman maintained a demanding tour schedule, becoming the first country artist to perform in Puerto Rico while also appearing on domestic and overseas television programs. He remained a steady presence at The Opry, where the energetic style of his sets occasionally drew raised eyebrows from veterans who felt the music edged too close to rock & roll. A serious heart attack in 1975 sidelined him for nearly five months; he later lightened Opry appearances by joking about the size of his hospital bills. His last chart entry arrived in 1977 with the Top 15 single “The Pay Phone.” Pneumonia claimed him the next year at age 41.