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.

Career 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. but more for his voice rather than his compositions. Edwards first recorded four songs for MGM, including his own song "All Over Again". Edwards originally recorded and charted the song in 1951, but it climbed to only No. 18. His second biggest hit was his 1959 re-recording of "Please, Mr. Sun" 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.

Country and western crossover album 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.

Partial discography Albums 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

Singles

Production notes 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.

Television appearances 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)