“Two of a Kind” Songwriter Bobby Boyd Has Died
Songwriter and performer Bobby Boyd, who was known for writing numerous hits, including the Garth Brooks #1 “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House,” Aaron Tippin’s “Working Man’s PHD,” as well as songs for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Earl Thomas Conley, Billy Dean, Martina McBride, Vern Gosdin, Patty Loveless, and many more, has passed away.
Bobby Boyd was a staff writer for Jimmy Bowen at Elektra Asylum Publishing, starting his professional songwriting career in Nashville in 1980. A native of Dunlap, Tennessee, Boyd began playing in his first band in Tennessee at the age of 12 called The Boyd Brothers. Bobby cut his teeth in the late 60’s and early 70’s performing residencies at a club called The Castaways in Chattanooga, TN, sometimes playing five hours each night, six hours a week, and learning his way in the music business.
Later in his career, Bobby Boyd relocated to Spicewood, Texas, just outside of Austin and near Willie Nelson’s Luck ranch, and was well-known throughout the Austin music scene. Though he’s mostly known for his country music contributions, Bobby Boyd also had a deep influences with the blues and R&B. Early in his career, he played shows opening for Little Richard, The Coasters, and The Platters. After moving to the Austin area, he worked with artists such as Stephen Bruton and W. C. Clark, as well as the local country music talent.
Bobby Boyd was a regular performer at Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse in Spicewood, and other local clubs and honky tonks. Over his career he shared the stage with folks such as Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, Toby Keith, Cory Morrow, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Dub Miller, Roger Creager, and others.
Though interest in Bobby Boyd’s music has faded away in recent years, his influence never did. His song “In Pictures”—originally a Top 5 hit for Alabama, was the song Craig Wayne Boyd chose to sing on the finale of The Voice in 2014.
June 23, 2017 @ 1:14 pm
He also won a Grammy for Country Song of the Year for “Bless the Broken Road” and scored a nomination for the all-genre Song of the Year category in 2006. Good catalog of songs.
June 23, 2017 @ 1:34 pm
“Two of a Kind” is a fine, clever song. I just wish Garth Brooks didn’t sound so smug happy smiling and full of himself when he sang it.
June 24, 2017 @ 5:37 am
Watch Leon Virgil do it country blues style, https://youtu.be/CXrVUre8MBc
June 25, 2017 @ 7:57 am
That’s pretty good. It’s from some Shooter Jennings special (he looks healthy in the vid) from 2012. Interesting that relationship goes that far back and it’s taken them this long to work together. I’m looking forward to their collaboration and really looking forward to Trig’s review – get your popcorn ready!
June 29, 2017 @ 12:39 am
It was co-written by Gov’t Mule/Allman Brother Warren Haynes, who’s been doing a bluesy version of it for 25 years.
June 23, 2017 @ 2:27 pm
“God Bless the Broken Road” was written by a different Bobby Boyd. There were two songwriters with the same name. Bobby was my 2nd cousin, a mentor, a great friend. I love him and will miss him. RIP Bobby!
June 23, 2017 @ 4:17 pm
Thanks for clarifying that. Numerous articles that I’ve read over the years have him credited for it.
June 12, 2023 @ 12:52 pm
Hi Blake, Bobby was a great guy that loved to hunt, share a meal and sing. We got to know him in Shepherd, Tx and worked with him on his “Honky Tonk Tree” Album. My boys all loved him and grew up with him around. We all miss him too. He made many friends in San Jacinto County.
June 23, 2017 @ 2:39 pm
RIP Bobby. 🙁
June 23, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
For the record, “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House” was credited to Dennis Robbins, Bobby Boyd, and Warren Haynes.”
Robbins, the slide guitar ace who was with Billy Hill and also went solo, released the song in the late ’80s, before Garth covered it. The song sounds a lot like “Home, Sweet Home,” Robbins’ lone top-40 hit from his “Man With a Plan” CD from 1993.
On Garth’s “Two of a Kind” single, he sounds like he’s channeling Robbins. Given that Robbins’ name is last, alphabetically, among the writers, but he’s listed first on the song credits, I have to figure that he was at least an equal force in creating the song.
June 24, 2017 @ 2:24 pm
Thank you for that.
June 26, 2017 @ 3:36 pm
Bobby wrote all of the lyrics to “Two of a kind” about his parents. I was lucky enough to know him and hear all his stories. Jim Varney “Ernest” was his roommate at one time and Bobby had hillairious tales of the two.
July 9, 2017 @ 11:28 pm
That is correct Steve, you nailed it. What you just said Bobby talked about all the time sitting on my back porch. He was with me every day singing songs and writing new ones. Two months before Bobby died he decided he wanted Dean Seltzer to write and record with him and nobody else. Dean Seltzer is exactly what Bobby wanted and got. Dean is the new Bobby Boyd front and forever man. His last song he just wrote and we recorded is only for Dean to touch. So keep listen, cuz its going to be #1 you watch. Thank you for your kind words about Bobby, he was a great man with a heart of gold and a soul that will keep on singing to us all.
June 29, 2017 @ 12:41 am
Yep, and of course, Haynes is another slide guitar ace.
March 6, 2018 @ 3:56 pm
I just want to clarify who wrote the song. I can 100% assure you that Bobby and Warren wrote “Two of a Kind Workin’ on a Full House.” Bobby and Warren both were living in Madison, TN at the time. I was coming home from downtown when I got a call from Bobby that his car wouldn’t start, he couldn’t reach Bone, and needed a ride home. I run by Warren Haynes’ place and picked him up. When he got in the car he whipped out a cassette (we use those back then) and plugged it in my player. He said, “Tell me what ya think about this little tune.” I was the very first person outside the writing session itself, to hear the guitar/vocal demo of “Two of a Kind Workin’ on a Full House.” I’m certain beyond a doubt who wrote it.
March 6, 2018 @ 3:58 pm
You’re loved and missed my friend…
June 23, 2017 @ 3:00 pm
Oh wow, I thought he had passed away years ago. I have a cd produced by Warren Haines that is one of my favorite records. R I P and prayers to friends and family.
June 23, 2017 @ 3:17 pm
Bobby told me that he had most of the lyrics down before the co-write and that Dennis provided much of the music. I think it was pretty equal. Warren’s contribution was more on the pitch to Garth, I think? I know there was some disagreement or tardiness in Bobby getting some of his royalties or publishing. I’m not sure. But I am sure I’ll miss Bobby.
June 23, 2017 @ 3:49 pm
Bobby was also a co-writer with Haynes, Robbins and a couple more on “Finally Friday”, George Jones, Earl Thomas Connley. His last cut was on a George Straight CD. “Three Nails and a Cross” co-written with Dean Dillion. Bobby loved writing and was good at it. I wish we hadn’t lost him.
June 23, 2017 @ 7:15 pm
My condolences to Bobby’s family and friends …tough stuff , for sure .
I LOVE ” Three Nails And A Cross “. Man , song lyrics do NOT get any better than that . An inspiration in so many ways …especially to a songwriter . God bless ……
June 23, 2017 @ 10:53 pm
I live in Chattanooga, and I remember when it was Bobby Boyd and the Playboy Review! They were the hottest thing going! I’ve known Bobby since I was 15 sneaking in to see him. Later in life, he came into my life once again. This was just after Two of a Kind. We had a crew of some of the mostfun loving people you could imagine! We’d gather up and BBoyd would tell us to throw him a thought, then he would write a song. Most were some of the funniest stuff you could imagine. Others, turned out to be some of his best! I’m so sad at his passing, but so glad he had been in my life!
June 24, 2017 @ 12:05 pm
RIP Bobby been many a year since we have seen each other but your family & yourself are & were a special bunch. Make the Heavens ring with the music of all the greats. Dunlap, TN will miss you although you moved away. 🙁 Prayers for family and friends.
June 24, 2017 @ 12:37 pm
I met Bobby right after I moved to Nashville over at Don Gant’s publishing company and recording studio.that was built by Bob Millsap back in the ’60’s. He was a cherished friend that I will miss until I see him again in our future. R.I.P.,my friend.
April 7, 2020 @ 10:34 pm
I went to school with bobby and billy, even played a bit with them. I still live in Dunlap. I do miss him.
June 25, 2017 @ 4:56 am
Remember a lot of good times with you and Brooks at Poodies
June 25, 2017 @ 3:11 pm
He will be deeply missed. A kind and gentle man. Love to his wife Cassandra as she begins this hard journey.
June 27, 2017 @ 12:49 pm
I knew bobby personally I live in dunlap tn. His home town he was a very talented man as all his brothers was and are. They used to play every weekend at our local club clatas. I will truly miss him
July 3, 2017 @ 12:57 am
I knew Bobby for over 40 years. He was a very talented singer and song writer. I am from his hometown Dunlap, Tn. Also. He was always very kind and helpful to me with my music singing and playing. Bobby and his late brother Jimmy use to play regularly at one of our local bars called “Claytays”. Bobby and Jimmy invited me up on the stage to play and sing with them in the 1980’s at that Bar. It was the first time I ever performed on stage in a bar. I will never forget them giving me that great opportunity. Thank you Bobby and Jimmy! RIP! Thanks, Bill Hatfield, Jr.
January 6, 2021 @ 10:30 pm
I loved Bobby, played with him for awhile in Austin. He was a good guy and we always had a wonderful time playing. I was heartbroken to hear of his passing, we hadn’t talked for while. RIP Bobby, miss you dearly friend.