Tommy Edwards

Thomas Jefferson Edwards (February 17, 1922 – October 23, 1969) was an American singer and songwriter. His most successful record was the multi-million-selling song "It's All in the Game", becoming the first African-American to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Edwards had his own radio show in Richmond the 1940s. In 1946, Edwards wrote "That Chick's Too Young to Fry", which was a sizable hit for Louis Jordan. Edwards began recording for the music label in 1949. He moved to New York in 1950, and recorded a few demos. When MGM heard his demos, they gave him a recording contract, but more for his voice rather than his compositions. Edwards first recorded four songs for MGM, including his own song "All Over Again". Edwards was a singer most remembered for his 1958 hit "It's All in the Game", which appeared in the list of Billboard number-one singles of 1958. He sang his hit song on The Ed Sullivan Show, on September 14, 1958. The song was composed by then-future U.S. Vice-President Charles G. Dawes in 1911 as "Melody in A Major" with lyrics written in 1951 by Carl Sigman. Edwards originally recorded and charted the song in 1951, but it climbed to only No. 18. The better-known 1958 version was on the same record label (MGM) and was backed by the same orchestra leader (Leroy Holmes), but with a different arrangement more suited to the rock and roll-influenced style of the time. As well as topping the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the song also got to number one on the R&B chart and the UK Singles Chart. The single sold over 3.5 million copies globally, earning gold disc status. The gold disc was presented in November 1958. His second biggest hit was his 1959 re-recording of "Please, Mr. Sun" (written by Ramon Martin Getzov and Sid Frank), which reached No. 11. Another of Edwards' hits was "Love Is All We Need" which reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although Edwards recorded a number of other songs, none came close to achieving the same level of success, though several of his songs later became hits for other artists, such as "A Fool Such as I" by Elvis Presley, "It's All in the Game" by Cliff Richard and the Four Tops (Eddie Holman's version of it was the B-side of his hit "Hey There Lonely Girl"), "Please Love Me Forever" by Cathy Jean and the Roommates (1961) and by Bobby Vinton (1967), and "Morning Side of the Mountain" recorded by Donny and Marie Osmond. On October 23, 1969, Edwards died at the age of 47 from massive internal hemorrhaging due to esophageal varices linked to cirrhosis, per his death certificate. He is interred at the Quioccasin Baptist Church Cemetery in Henrico, Virginia. His headstone says he was born on October 15, 1922, but his death certificate says he was born October 12, 1926. The 1930 census indicates that his correct birth year is 1922. The informant was his sister, Buena. Edwards received a Virginia Highway Marker in 2008, erected near Pemberton Elementary School, off Quioccasin Road, in Henrico County. In July 2008, Richmond mayor L. Douglas Wilder signed a proclamation declaring October 15, 2008 "Tommy Edwards Day". In September 2012, Cherry Red Records label Shout issued a double CD collection of Edwards's work, entitled It's All in the Game (The MGM Recordings 1958–1960), which comprised his first four MGM albums and singles from the two years following that single's huge success. In 1961, Edwards broke new ground by releasing a studio album entitled Golden Country Hits. His album of country interpretations predated Ray Charles' Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music and featured covers of some of the same song choices, including "You Don't Know Me", a popular crossover ballad by country songwriter Cindy Walker. Tommy Edwards Sings — Regent MG 6096 (Mono only)–1958 It's All in the Game — MGM E (Mono)/SE (Stereo) 3732–1958 For Young Lovers — MGM E/SE 3670–1959 You Started Me Dreaming — MGM E/SE 3805–1959 Tommy Edwards — Lion L 70120 (Mono only)–1959 Tommy Edwards in Hawaii — MGM E/SE 3838–1960 Stardust — MGM E/SE 4020–1960 Step Out Singing — MEM E/SE 3822–1960 Tommy Edwards' Greatest Hits — MGM E/SE 3884–1961 Tommy Edwards Sings Golden Country Hits — MGM E/SE 3959–1961 Soft Strings and Two Guitars — MGM E/SE 4060–1962 The Very Best of Tommy Edwards — MGM E/SE 4141–1963 Tommy Edwards — Metro M (Mono)/MS (Stereo) 511–1965 The recording "Honestly and Truly" is only heard on Compact Disc in mono, because the original stereo master tape was either lost or destroyed. The recording "Take These Chains from My Heart" is heard on Compact Disc in re-channeled stereo because, as with the above song, the original stereo master was lost or destroyed. These recordings were issued on the MGM record label unless otherwise noted. "It's All in the Game" (1958 version) was produced by Harry Myerson. He is assumed to be the producer for all tracks from this point forward, although this cannot be confirmed. The orchestra was conducted and the arrangements were made on all records by LeRoy Holmes. Sing It Again (1951) Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (1951–1952) Songs for Sale (1952) The Ed Sullivan Show (1958) The Arthur Murray Party (1958) List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.) List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart List of number-one rhythm and blues hits (United States) "Edwards, Tommy (1922–1969)". Encyclopediavirginia.org. Retrieved October 13, 2019. Bronson, Fred (1997). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Billboard Books. p. 43. ISBN 9780823076413. "Biography by Ron Wynn". Allmusic.com. Retrieved January 7, 2008. Gunter, Donald W. "Thomas J. Edwards (1922–1969)". Encyclopedia Virginia/Library of Virginia. Retrieved April 6, 2015. Jeremy Simmonds (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. pp. 30–31. ISBN 9781556527548. Retrieved July 20, 2017. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 101. ISBN 0-214-20512-6. Colin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 118. ISBN 1-85227-937-0. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 60. CN 5585. Commonwealth of Virginia - Certificate of Death number 69-030829 dated 23 October 1969. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 179. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. Biography at Encyclopedia Virginia Oldies.com biography of Tommy Edwards Fansite with discography and song lyrics