Thomas Alexander Harvey (March 10, 1941[1] – April 4, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, author, actor, and radio host.
In 1964, Harvey graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky with a master's degree in Music and Education, and he also studied acting in Los Angeles.
Harvey's songs have been recorded by many other significant artists such as Alan Jackson, Cymarron, Three Dog Night, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmy Buffett, Anne Murray, Eydie Gormé, Henry Mancini, Peggy Lee, and Sammy Davis Jr.[3] Kenny Rogers alone has recorded eighteen Alex Harvey songs.
Two of Alex Harvey's greatest hits were "Reuben James" (co-written with Barry Etris), recorded by Kenny Rogers, and "Delta Dawn" (co-written with Larry Collins), recorded by Tanya Tucker, Helen Reddy, and Bette Midler.
[4] In 1973, Alex Harvey's "Delta Dawn" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Country Song, however, the Grammy was awarded to Kenny O'Dell for writing Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors.