Bryant, Felice (1925–2003)
Bryant, Felice (1925–2003)
American country songwriter. Name variations: Matilda Genevieve Scaduto. Born Matilda Genevieve Scaduto, Aug 7, 1925, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; died April 22, 2003, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; m. 2nd husband Diadorius Boudleaux Bryant (musician), Sept 5, 1945 (died July 25, 1987); children: 2 sons.
Began writing songs (1935); met future husband and song-writing partner while working as hotel elevator operator in Milwaukee, WI (1945); wrote songs for Acuff-Rose Music Publishing Co. (1948–66); had 1st hit, "Country Boy" (1949); moved to Nashville (1950); founded Showcase Music (mid-1950s); established House of Bryant Publications (1967); with husband, recorded only album as performers, A Touch of Bryant (1979), and wrote about 800 songs performed by such singers as the Everly Brothers, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles, including "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie," "We Could," and "Rocky Top," which became Tennessee's state song (1982); with husband, won 59 BMI awards; owned and operated Rocky Top Village Inn in Gatlinburg, TN. With husband, received numerous honors, such as induction to Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1972), National Songwriters Hall of Fame (1986), and Country Music Hall of Fame (1991); received Nashville Arts Foundation's Living Legend Award (1991).