Don Bowman | American Country Countdown Host | CMA Comedian of the Year

<body> <div align="center"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td><img src="img/header.jpg" alt="Don Bowman"></td> </tr> </table> </div> <div align="center"> <table > <tr> <td class="textjustify"><br> Don is a man of firsts.  He was the first host of American Country Countdown and the first Country Music Association Comedian of the Year.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="textjustify"><br> Don started disc jockeying in his hometown of Lubbock at KDUB & KLLL , Texas  before winding up his radio career at KRZK in Branson, Missouri.  In between, there were stints in various markets including San Diego (KDEO). the Bay Area (KEWB), the Twin Cities (KDWB) and Nashville (WKDA).  He was the original host of American Country Countdown from 1973 through 1978.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="textjustify"><br> Don first dabbled in songwriting while he was a disc jockey.  He is best known for co-writing <em>Just To Satisfy You </em>and <em>Wildwood Weed</em>.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="textjustify"><br> Don began his recording career with 1961 with <em>Coward of the Alamo</em> on La Gree in 1961. The 45 received some action and led to a recording contract with RCA which resulted in eight album releases between 1964 and 1970.   His highest charting single was <em>Chit Akins, Make Me A Star</em>.  Other singles of note include <em>Giddyup Do-Nut</em>, <em>For Loving You</em> with Skeeter Davis, <em>Folsom Prison Blues #2</em>, and <em>Poor Old Ugly Gladys Jones</em>.  His highest charting albums were <em>Our Man in Trouble</em> and <em>Funny Way To Make An Album</em>.   He subsequently recorded for Mega, Lone Star, and Lard Bucket.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="textjustify"><br> Don left his mark on the big screen, the small screen, and on stage.  He played Jeepers in a pair of motion pictures -- The Las Vegas Hillbillys and Hillbillys in a Hanuted House.  He was the comedian on the syndicated Bill Anderson Show.  As Seymour Miles, he opened shows for Moe Bandy in Branson.  In 1967, he received the inaugural award as Comedian of the Year from the Country Music Association.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="textjustify"><br> Don also played an important role in Waylon Jennings getting recording contracts with A&M as well as RCA and came up with the moniker Whisperin' for Bill Anderson.</td> </tr> </table> </div> </body>