HILLSBORO, OR. – November 3, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) — A sad note for fans of country music. Tommy Overstreet, who was known as a ‘countrypolitan’ singer passed away at 78. Although no exact cause for his death has been reported, the singer had been suffering from a variety of age-related conditions for the past few years.
Overstreet, best known for his hit “Ann (Don’t Go Runnin’),” passed away at his home in Hillsboro, Oregon, according to savingcountrymusic.com
Born on September 10, 1937 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Overstreet grew up primarily in Houston and Abilene in Texas. Following his cousin, singer Gene Austin’s footsteps, Tommy began performing on a television show hosted by Slim Willet in Abilene, and later started a group called The Shadows.
After a tour in the army, Overstreet moved to Los Angeles and became a popular songwriter for Pat Boone. Eventually he was hired as the manager of Dot Records in 1967, the country music site reports.
While he was at Dot, Overstreet recorded “Ann (Don’t Go Runnin’” in 1972. The song rose to #2 on the charts. Overstreet tried to follow up with another hit song, but never recaptured the charts.
By 1979 Overstreet’s commercial era began to fade, but he continued to record music all the way into the mid 80’s. In 1986 his song “Next to You” made it to #74. It was the last time his name appeared on the musical charts.
Overstreet, was also a frequent performer on TV’s “Hee-Haw,” and made appearances on “The Midnight Special” as well.
A well-known favorite among many classic country fans, Overstreet became one of the very first performers to move to Branson, Missouri to help set up the town’s country music scene for aging artists edged out by Nashville.
Overstreet eventually retired to Hillsboro, Oregon where his memorial services are pending.
