Tommy Overstreet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tommy Overstreet
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| Birth name | Thomas Cary Overstreet |
| Also known as | T.O. |
| Born | September 10, 1937 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Origin | Abilene, Texas, United States |
| Died | November 2, 2015 (aged 78) Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S. |
| Genres | Country, Nashville sound |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1968–1986 |
| Labels | Dot, ABC, Elektra |
Thomas Cary Overstreet (born September 10, 1937 – died November 2, 2015) was a famous American country music singer. His fans and radio hosts often called him "T.O." He had a lot of popular songs, with five of them reaching the top five on the Billboard country music charts. He also had 11 songs that made it into the top 10. Tommy Overstreet was most popular in the 1970s. He lived in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Early Life and Music Dreams
Tommy Overstreet was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in the United States. He grew up in two different cities in Texas: Houston and Abilene, Texas. From a young age, he knew he wanted to be a singer. His cousin, "Uncle" Gene Austin, was a big inspiration. Gene Austin was a very popular singer in the 1920s and 1930s.
Tommy Overstreet's Music Career
Tommy Overstreet started his music journey when he was just 17 years old. He sang on a TV show in Abilene, hosted by country and western star Slim Willet. Later, in the late 1950s, Tommy started his own music group called The Shadows.
In 1960, Tommy recorded music in New York City. He worked with famous musicians like Doc Severinsen on trumpet and Sam "The Man" Taylor on saxophone. The Ray Charles Singers also sang backup on his songs.
In 1967, Tommy took on a new role. He was hired to manage Dot Records, a record company in Nashville, Tennessee. But in 1970, he decided to focus on singing again. He quickly became a successful country music artist that same year. His song "Gwen (Congratulations)" became a top-five hit, reaching number five on the Billboard country music chart.
Tommy Overstreet often appeared as a special guest on the popular TV show Hee Haw. His most successful song on the Billboard charts was "Ann (Don't Go Runnin')" in 1972, which reached number two. He had many other songs that made it into the top 20, including "I Don't Know You Anymore" (1971), "Heaven is My Woman's Love" (1972), and "Don't Go City Girl on Me" (1977).
Tommy Overstreet passed away at his home in Oregon on November 2, 2015. He had been unwell for some time before his death.
Discography
