Ruby Wright | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Ruby Wells |
Born | October 27, 1939 |
Origin | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
Died | September 27, 2009 | (aged 69)
Genres | Country |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Labels | RCA, Cadence, Kapp, Epic |
Ruby Wright (October 27, 1939 – September 27, 2009) [1] was an American country music singer-songwriter. Wright was the daughter of country singers Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright. [1] She sang with her parents as a young girl and at age 13, was signed by RCA Records as Ruby Wells because there was also a Ruby Wright who was a pop singer. [2]
In the mid-1950s, she became part of an all-girl trio, 'Nita, Rita and Ruby. [3] The Nita of the trio was Anita Carter of the well-known Carter Family. [1] [4] Working with Chet Atkins, the young singers enjoyed some success on record. [5] Strictly a recording group, they did not make personal appearances or tours; Rita had a problem with stage fright which eventually meant the break-up of the trio. [2] After the trio disbanded, Ruby began singing with her sister, Carol Sue, as The Wright Sisters. They were signed to a recording contract by Cadence Records also under the direction of Chet Atkins. [2] [6] Ruby also made some recordings as Ruby Wells with her father and uncle as Johnnie and Jack and Ruby. [7] Her most successful single was "Dern Ya", an answer to Roger Miller's " Dang Me". [1] [2] She signed with Epic Records in 1966. [8] Wright recorded for Plantation Records and Scorpion Records, as well as other small labels during the 1970s. [2]
Wright died of heart-related illness on September 27, 2009, at age 69. [1] [9] Her father, Johnnie, died two years later to the day. [10]
Year | Album | Label |
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1966 | Dern Ya | Kapp |
Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | ||
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US Country | US | CAN Country | |||
1964 | "Dern Ya" | 13 | 103 | 4 | Dern Ya |
"Billy Broke My Heart at Walgreens" | — | — | — | ||
1965 | "Up the Path and In My Door" | — | — | — | |
"Adios, Aloha" | — | — | — | ||
1966 | "A New Place to Hang Your Hat" | 72 | — | — | singles only |
1967 | "(I Can Find) A Better Deal Than That" | 69 | — | — |