Ruby Wright (country singer)

Not to be confused with Ruby Wright (big band-era singer).

Ruby Wright
Wright circa 1966
Wright circa 1966
Background information
Also known asRuby Wells
Born(1939-10-27)October 27, 1939
OriginNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedSeptember 27, 2009(2009-09-27) (aged 69)
GenresCountry
OccupationSinger-songwriter
LabelsRCA, Cadence, Kapp, Epic
Wright with Roy Acuff, her parents, Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright, and her uncle, Jack Anglin, as they played the RKO Palace in New York in 1955

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]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Kitty Wells' daughter Ruby Wright dies at age 69". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Ruby Wright". AllMusic. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  3. ^ Country and Western Records. Billboard. November 26, 1955. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "Country Star Anita Carter Dies". CMT. July 30, 1999. Archived from the original on November 7, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  5. ^ "Nita, Rita and Ruby". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  6. ^ Sachs, Bill (March 10, 1962). Folk Talent & Tunes. Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  7. ^ RCA Records ad. Billboard. January 14, 1956. p. 53. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  8. ^ Whisenhunt, Elton (April 23, 1966). Nashville Scene. Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  9. ^ "Ruby Wright Taylor Obituary". The Tennessean. September 29, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  10. ^ Cooper, Peter (September 27, 2011). "Johnnie Wright, country star and husband of Kitty Wells, dies at 97". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 27, 2011.