Bobby Edwards obit

Robert E. Moncrief Obituary

 He was not on the list.

Smyrna, Tennessee - Funeral services for Mr. Robert E. Moncrief, aka Bobby Edwards, 86, of Smyrna, Tenn., formerly of Anniston, will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2012, at K.L. Brown Memory Chapel in Golden Springs with the Reverends Jerry Campbell, Ray Dupre, and Betty Bishop officiating. Interment will follow at Forestlawn Gardens. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Moncrief passed away on July 31, 2012 at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Mr. Moncrief was a retired country and western entertainer with numerous top-rated songs including the #1 single, "You're the Reason", in 1961. He had also served his country in the United States Navy. Mr. Moncrief is preceded in death by his parents, George Thomas and Ila Eva Murray Moncrief. Mr. Moncrief is survived by his wife, Pauline Bryant Moncrief, of Smyrna, Tenn; two daughters, Vivian Campbell and husband, Jerry, of White, Ga. and Rachel Wooten and husband, Rex, of Smyrna, Tenn.; a son, Rick Moncrief and wife, Leslei, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; his sisters, Margaret McCormick, of Anniston, Betty Ann Bryant, of Atlanta, and Diane Moncrief, of Anniston; a brother, David Moncrief, of New Orleans, La.; three grandchildren, Tammy Fox, Tommy Campbell, and Bradley Moore, all of Smyrna, TN; five great-grandchildren, Chandler Fox, Morgan Fox, Devan Campbell, Dylan Campbell, and Tristan Campbell, all of Smyrna, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Tommy Campbell, Dylan Campbell, Steve Fox, Chandler Fox, Randolph Gillens, and Charles Battles. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.klbrownmemorychapel.com. K.L. Brown Memory Chapel 620 Golden Springs Road Anniston, AL 36207 (256) 231-2334

At the beginning of his career he performed and recorded under the name Bobby Moncrief. Then, having completed his service in the US Navy, he started recording as Bobby Edwards.

Edwards was born in Anniston, Alabama, United States, to a preacher, George Thomas Moncrief and Ila Eva Murray Moncrief.

As Bobby Moncrief, he first recorded for Pappy Daily at 'D' Records in 1958. His first recording was called "Long Gone Daddy". In 1959, he revived Tex Ritter's 1945 hit, written by Jenny Lou Carson, "Jealous Heart"; the record was issued on the Bluebonnet label. Then Edwards went out west, working shows on his own in southern California before songwriter Terry Fell placed him on Crest Records, and helped produce and arrange "You're the Reason." Though Edwards wrote the song, his manager and financier Fred Henley and Terry Fell received writing credits.

Darrell Cotton, Gib Guilbeau, and Ernie Williams had formed a trio, Darrell, Gib & Ernie. Then, the trio released the singles "I Goof" and "Just or Unjust", which became local hits. After adding Wayne Moore, they became The Four Young Men, which Edwards then joined to become Bobby Edwards & The Four Young Men. Their first record together was the Crest Records single "You're the Reason". In 1961, the song became a nationwide U.S. hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard country chart and No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The tune was later covered by Joe South and Hank Locklin. Edwards then transferred to Capitol Records and released the sound-alike "What's the Reason", which peaked at No. 71 the following year. In 1963, his single "Don't Pretend" made the Billboard country chart (No. 23), being his last single to enter the country chart. In the late 1960s, he operated a small recording studio. In the early 1970s, he also recorded several gospel albums. Edwards completely retired from the music industry in 1972 and returned to Anniston to raise a family.