29/03/2022
While organizing some old material in my file cabinet I came across a letter from Tompall that he mailed to me on July 31, 2001. He responded to a request from me wondering if he’d be willing to come to Wisconsin to play in some of the Indian casinos scattered throughout the state.
He responded, “Dear Kevin, you could probably use this bio at the casino and also mention I would bring a 4-piece all star band.” Here are the bio sheets that he sent to me.
TOMPALL GLASER
Born September 3rd Spalding, Nebraska, in the same house, same bedroom, that his father was born, on the family farm and ranch that has been in the Glaser family for over 100 years.
Started playing guitar and singing at age four. Started performing professionally at age seven.
Entered U. S. Army in 1955, stationed in Germany and performed in Special Services all over Europe.
With brothers, Chuck and Jim, won the Arthur Godfrey Talent Show in 1957.
Tompall, Chuck and Jim moved to Nashville and started touring with Marty Robbins in 1957; toured with Minnie Pearl for four months in 1959; toured with Johnny Cash for a year in 1960; and started touring as Tompall and The Glaser Brothers in 1961.
Signed to first record label, Robbins Records, in 1957; Decca Records in 1961; and MGM Records in 1966.
Made first appearance on WSM's Grand Ole Opry in 1958 and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry until 1972 when the brothers broke up the first time. They were members for 15 years.
Formed Glaser Publications, Inc. in 1963 which went on to become one of the top three music publishing companies in Nashville. They published John Hartford's “Gentle On My Mind," which has been recorded by over 500 different artist world-wide and is still one of BMI's most performed songs. They also published their own songs, including Tompall's "Streets of Baltimore," "Stand Beside Me," "A Girl Like You" and Jim Glaser and Jimmy Payne's "Woman, Woman.”
Opened Glaser Sound Studios, Inc. in 1969, which became the head quarters and hangout for the "Outlaw Movement" and where "Wanted: The Outlaws," the first million selling country album, was recorded. Bought into Baron Music, Waylon Jennings' publishing company, which published all of Waylon's and Jessie Colter's songs, including "Good Hearted Woman" and "I'm Not Lisa."
Scored the soundtrack, sang and published all the soundtrack for the movie, "Tick...Tick...Tick...,” starring Jim Brown, Frederick March and George Kennedy.
Recorded "Tompall in D on the Ukelele" and "Gee, But I Hate To Go Home Alone" for the movie soundtrack "Thieves," starring Marlo Thomas.
Published and sang "Drinkin' Them Beers" on the soundtrack of the movie, "Another 48 Hours," starring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy.
One of the first artists in Nashville to do independent record production and control what he recorded. Produced his own records for Polydor/Polygram Records.
Reunited with his brothers in 1980 and together they recorded the #1 hit single, “Loving Her Was Easier” and the album by the same title. The brothers performed and recorded together until 1982 when they finally split and each went their own way.
AWARDS
Tompall and The Glaser Brothers:
Billboard Magazine - Group of the Year for 9 years.
Music City News - No. 1 Group for 11 years - Group of the
Decade Award.
Grammy Nominations - "Thru the Eyes of Love" and "Moods of
Mary."
Record World - Group of the Year for 10 Years - Group of
the Decade (1960s).
CMA - Nominated for Group of The Year many
consecutive years and Group of the Year
in 1972.
Tompall Glaser:
CMA - Album of The Year and Producer of The
Year for "Wanted: The Outlaws."("T For
Texas" and "Put Another Log On The Fire").
RCA Boot Award - Outstanding Artist Performance.
BBC Radio London - Most Performed Record, "Lay Down Beside
Me."
Grammy Nomination - "Streets of Baltimore."
BMI (Writer's Award) - "Streets of Baltimore," "Stand Beside Me,"
"A Girl Like You," and "I Don't Care
Anymore."
In 1987 Tompall was listed as one of the top 15 most important people in Country Music by Country Music Magazine.
During the 1980s Daniel O'Donnell's recordings of Tompall's "Streets of Baltimore" and "Stand Beside Me" were the #1 singles, album and video in Great Britain and Eastern Europe.
During their music career Tompall and The Glaser Brothers recorded over 25 albums. The Glaser Brothers did seven European tours, including New Zealand, and toured in America and Canada over 14 years. They performed at the world-famous Wimbly Country Music Festival in London, England, five years in a row and received the longest standing ovation of any artist in the history of the festival - 7 minutes.
Tompall has recorded over ten solo albums, the latest being two CDs on Bear Family Records, "The Rogue" and "The Outlaw." He has toured in America for 35 years and done ten solo European tours, the latest in the Fall of 2000.
In recent years Tompall's songs have been recorded by Doug Stone ("For Every Inch I've Laughed, I've Cried a Mile”) in his gold and platinum album; Nancy Griffith with Hootie & The Blowfish "Streets of Baltimore"); and Reba McIntyre ("A Cowboy Like You").
Tompall is semi-retired at present but still works with new artists, still writes songs, and does touring when it appeals to him.
Tompall has been married for 24 years to June (nee Johnson), an Alabama girl, born and raised in Rogersville. She is a graduate of Lauderdale County High School in Rogersville and Belmont Business College in Nashville. June is the youngest of the ten children of James Connie and Nora Mae (nee Springer) Johnson. Tompall and June met at the Grand Ole Opry where June worked for WSM Radio and did the Grand Ole Opry payroll. They now reside in the Green Hills area of Nashville.
Tompall has dreamed of being in Tennessee and the South ever since he can remember, and loves everything about the South. He has Southern heritage in his background - his great grandfather, Harry Davis, was from Virginia.
