Country Music Loses Songwriter Owen Davis

Obituary written by Robert Oermann for Music Row:

Nashville singer-songwriter Owen Davis has died of cancer at age 64.

He is perhaps best known for the song “The Other Side of Nashville.” It was the title tune of an acclaimed 1983 documentary film in which he appeared alongside such luminaries as Kris Kristofferson, Bobby Bare, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and Hank Williams Jr.

Among his other notable compositions are “Border of the Quarter,” recorded by Leon Redbone, and “Play Me or Trade Me,” which became a minor 1982 hit duet by Mel Tillis and Nancy Sinatra.

Gerald “Owen” Davis was a native of Kansas City, MO and a Navy veteran who came to Nashville in the 1970s. In addition to his entertainment activities, he also worked in the tourism industry and for Stage Hand Productions.

He passed away on August 19. He is survived by his wife Deborah, daughter Shaela Wolken and brother Jack. The family requests donations to the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation in his memory.