Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
Felice Bryant (born Matilda Genevieve Scaduto; August 7, 1925 – April 22, 2003) and Diadorius Boudleaux Bryant (/ˈbuːdəloʊ/;[1] February 13, 1920 – June 25, 1987) were an American husband-and-wife country music and pop songwriting team. They were best known for songs such as "Rocky Top," "We Could" (credited solely to Felice),[2] "Love Hurts" (credited solely to Boudleaux),[2] and numerous hits by the Everly Brothers, including "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (credited solely to Boudleaux),[2] "Bye Bye Love",[1] and "Wake Up Little Susie".
Beginnings[edit]
Boudleaux Bryant was born in Shellman, Georgia, in 1920 and attended local schools as a child. He trained as a classical violinist. Although he performed with the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra during its 1937–38 season, he had more interest in country fiddling. Bryant joined Hank Penny and his Radio Cowboys, an Atlanta-based western music band.[3][4]
Felice was born in the city in 1925 to an ethnic Sicilian family, and had written lyrics set to traditional Italian tunes. During World War II, she sang and directed shows at the local USO.[5]
In 1945, Bryant met the 19 year-old Matilda Genevieve Scaduto, (whom he called Felice), when he was performing at the Schroeder Hôtel, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, her home town, where she was working as an elevator operator.
Bryant and Scaduto eloped five[6] days after meeting.[5] She has said that she "recognized" him immediately; she had seen his face in a dream when she was eight years old, and had "looked for him forever".
"All I Have to Do Is Dream" was biographical for Felice.
Deaths[edit]
Boudleaux Bryant died in 1987. Felice Bryant remained active writing songs. In 1991, the Nashville Arts Foundation honored her with its Living Legend Award. She died in 2003. They are interred together in the Woodlawn Memorial Park, in Nashville.