14 Facts About Red Simpson

Joe Cecil "Red" Simpson was an American country music singer and songwriter best known for his trucker-themed country songs.

Joe Cecil Simpson was born in 1934 in Higley, Arizona, and was raised in Bakersfield, California, the youngest of 12 children.

Red Simpson was working at the Wagon Wheel in Lamont when Fuzzy Owen saw him and arranged for Red Simpson to work at his Clover Club as a piano player.

Red Simpson then got a job replacing Buck Owens at the Blackboard Club on weekends.

Red Simpson returned to performing in 1971 with his Top Five hit "I'm a Truck", which had been written by postman Bob Staunton.

In 1976, Red Simpson signed to Warner Brothers and released "Truck Driver's Heaven".

In 1979, Simpson appeared for the last time on the charts with "The Flying Saucer Man and the Truck Driver".

Later that year Red Simpson was diagnosed with skin cancer and underwent surgery.

Red Simpson fully recovered and continued his writing and performing career.

Red Simpson performed frequently in the Bakersfield area, including a regular Monday night gig at Trout's in Oildale.

Red Simpson was working on a project with Windsor Music tentatively entitled The Bard of Bakersfield.

Red Simpson died on January 8,2016, at a hospital in Bakersfield, after suffering complications from a heart attack.

Red Simpson completed his most recent album in December 2015 entitled Soda Pops and Saturdays with Mario Carboni.

Red Simpson plays guitar and sings lead and backup vocals on this album.