Tommy Collins

Tommy Collins (aka Leonard Sipes) was one of the first musicians to write songs using a style known later as the Bakersfield Sound. Ferlin Husky recorded several songs written by Collins in the early 1950s. In 1953, Tommy signed a recording contract with Capital Records. He had a string of hit songs during the 1950s. Tommy influenced many country musicians including Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Buck Owens played guitar on several Tommy Collins' hit singles for Capitol Records. Merle Haggard had hits with two songs written by Tommy, "Carolyn" and "The Roots Of My Raising," in the 1970s. In 1981, Merle Haggard had a hit single with "Leonard," a tribute to Tommy Collins.
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