Moe Bandy

Marion Franklin “Moe” Bandy Jr. was born on February 12, 1944, in Meridian, Mississippi. His family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, when he was six years old. Early in life, Bandy participated in rodeos, engaging in events such as bronc riding and bull riding during his teenage years. He developed an interest in country music, influenced by his father, who led a band called the Mission City Playboys. Bandy learned to play the guitar from his father. He formed his own band, Moe and the Mavericks, performing in local venues around San Antonio while also working for his father as a sheet metal worker for 12 years. His initial recordings for small labels did not achieve significant commercial success.

Bandy’s career gained momentum in 1973 when record producer Ray Baker, after hearing his demo tapes, agreed to produce his music. This collaboration led to the release of “I Just Started Hatin’ Cheatin’ Songs Today,” which was picked up by GRC records in 1974. The song reached number 17 on the US country chart. He followed this with other hits, including “It Was Always So Easy to Find an Unhappy Woman (Till I Started Looking for Mine)” and “Don’t Anyone Make Love at Home Anymore.” In 1975, he achieved a significant milestone with “Bandy the Rodeo Clown,” a song written by Lefty Frizzell and Whitey Shaffer, which peaked at number seven on the country chart. Moving to Columbia Records, he continued his success with songs like “Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life” and “Here I Am Drunk Again.” From 1977 to 1979, Bandy maintained a consistent presence on the country chart with singles such as “I’m Sorry for You, My Friend,” “Cowboys Ain’t Supposed to Cry,” “That’s What Makes the Jukebox Play,” and a duet with Janie Fricke, “It’s a Cheating Situation.” In 1979, he secured his first solo number one hit with “I Cheated Me Right Out of You.”

In 1979, Moe Bandy formed a successful duo with Joe Stampley, known as “Moe and Joe.” Their novelty single “Just Good Ol’ Boys” topped the country chart, leading to further collaborative hits like “Holding the Bag,” “Tell Ole I Ain’t Here,” and “Hey Joe (Hey Moe)” between 1979 and 1985. Their song “Where’s the Dress,” released in 1984, reached number eight on the country charts. Throughout the 1980s, Bandy also maintained a steady stream of solo successes with tracks such as “Yesterday Once More,” “Rodeo Romeo,” “She’s Not Really Cheatin’ (She’s Just Gettin’ Even),” and “Till I’m Too Old to Die Young.” He also had successful duets with Judy Bailey on “Following the Feeling” and Becky Hobbs on “Let’s Get Over Them Together.” In 1991, Bandy opened the Americana Theatre in Branson, Missouri, where he frequently performs. In 2007, Moe and his brother Mike Bandy were inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. He has released new music, such as the single “Pure Love” and the album “Songs I Missed,” in partnership with StarVista Music.