David Allan Coe

David Allan Coe (born September 6, 1939 in Akron, Ohio) is an American country music singer who achieved his greatest popularity in the 1970's. He is often overlooked when naming the "greats" of country music. He has written and performed over 280 songs throughout his long career.

Biography

Known for his outlaw persona, Coe supposedly spent most of his youth in various prisons until releasing his debut album, Penitentiary Blues in 1968 and touring with Grand Funk Railroad. His concerts were wild and unpredictable, as Coe began calling himself the Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy and he wore a rhinestone costume and Lone Ranger mask, riding into concerts on a motorcycle.

Related Topics:
Outlaw - Penitentiary Blues - 1968 - Grand Funk Railroad - Lone Ranger

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He was not able to expand beyond a cult following, however, and other artists found more success than him with his songs. Tanya Tucker, Billie Jo Spears, George Jones, Tammy Wynette and Willie Nelson all recorded Coe compositions. Johnny Paycheck even made a short acting career out of Coe's "Take This Job and Shove It."

Related Topics:
Tanya Tucker - Billie Jo Spears - George Jones - Tammy Wynette - Willie Nelson - Johnny Paycheck

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Coe finally hit the Top Ten with "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" in 1975. The song, written in conjunction with Steve Goodman, is known as "the perfect country and western song". It includes a narrative in which Coe explains that the perfect country and western song has to mention "Mama, or trains, or trucks, or prison, or gettin' drunk", whereupon he sings the last verse:

Related Topics:
1975 - Steve Goodman

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:Well, I was drunk the day my Mom got out of prison,

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:And I went to pick her up in the rain,

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:But before I could get to the station in my pickup truck,

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:She got runned over by a damned old train.

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