Don Bowman

Don Bowman entered the world in Lubbock, Texas, in 1937. Realizing an early dream, he launched a career as a disc jockey, first working in Lubbock and Littlefield, where he sometimes shared shifts with Waylon Jennings. The pair formed a lasting friendship that produced several co-written songs, among them “Just to Satisfy You” and “Anita, You’re Dreaming,” both of which became hits for Jennings. His guitar work, reportedly confined to three chords, prompted Bowman to proclaim himself the world’s worst player, a claim that reinforced the comic persona he cultivated. In 1963 he talked Chet Atkins into placing him on the RCA Records roster, and country-chart success arrived soon afterward with “Chit Akins, Make Me a Star.” Later releases that fared well included “Giddyup Do-Nut,” “Folsom Prison Blues No. 2,” the duet “For Lovin’ You” with Skeeter Davis, and “Dear Harlan Howard.” In 1969 he recorded the Jennings collaboration “Poor Ole Ugly Gladys Jones,” which featured guest appearances by Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Bobby Bare. Bowman received the CMA Comedian of the Year award in 1967 and appeared in the films The Las Vegas Hillbillys and Hillbillys in a Haunted House. His 1970 album Whispering Country paid tribute to Bill Anderson.