Don Bowman, American singer-songwriter (d. 2013)

Don Bowman (August 26, 1937 – June 5, 2013) was an American country music singer, songwriter, comedian, and radio host. He recorded for RCA Victor between 1964 and 1970, charting in the Top 40 with the novelty hit single "Chit Akins, Make Me a Star". Bowman also worked at several radio stations, including KRZK in Branson, Missouri. At this time, he was also opening the show for Moe Bandy doing Seymore Miles. Bowman also worked at KDEO San Diego, KEWB Oakland, KDWB St. Paul, and KBBQ Burbank. He developed a fictional character for his radio shows named Gruesome Goodbody. In 1961 he had a country hit "Coward at the Alamo."

Bowman was born in Lubbock, Texas, and was the original host of the radio show American Country Countdown. He hosted the show from its inception on October 6, 1973, through April 1978, after which Bob Kingsley (who had been ACC's producer since 1974) took over as host. Also, Bowman filled in for Casey Kasem on the June 16, 1973 episode of American Top 40.

In 1966, Bowman won Favorite Country Comedy Recording of the Year award from Billboard. In 1967, he was named Comedian of the Year by the Country Music Association.Bowman's song "Wildwood Weed" later became a hit for Jim Stafford, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.Bowman was confined to a nursing facility after a suicide attempt in which he was saved by professionals who rushed him to the hospital, only to discover the attempt caused him to suffer from an aneurysm. After, doctors discussed pros and cons of surgery with his daughter, who had medical power of attorney. Her choices were: (1) not operate and see if the aneurysm could be shrunk by medication, but if it bursts, it could cause paralysis; or (2) go ahead and do the surgery which could go well and he could recover or it could go the other way and he would be paralyzed. Due to his suicide attempt, which ended up causing the aneurysm, it was a hard choice for his daughter to make. She opted for the surgery and he ended up paralyzed. This caused him to have to be cared for in a nursing home for almost 12 years before he died of liver and pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at the age of 75. He was survived by his two children, Jackie and Casey Bowman.