Thomas Elmer Duncan (January 11, 1911 – July 25, 1967),[1] was an American Western swing vocalist and songwriter who gained fame in the 1930s as a founding member of The Texas Playboys.

That year, he won an audition against 64 other singers to join the Light Crust Doughboys, a popular local band, which featured Bob Wills on fiddle.

[1] Duncan was hired after he sang a version of Emmett Miller's "I Ain't Got Nobody" and impressed Wills with his yodeling ability and bluesy phrasing.

[1] Duncan was versatile in his singing style and repertoire, was credited with a fine voice and range, and was ideal for the kind of dance music Wills performed and recorded.

Duncan joined Wills in writing several more numbers, including "New Spanish Two Step" (1945) and "Stay a Little Longer" (1945), as well as recording old-time standards such as "Cotton-Eyed Joe" (1946) and "Sally Goodin" (1947).

One night in a bar visiting with songwriter Cindy Walker, Duncan motioned for her to look at a gentleman sitting just a few tables away- who was staring at his glass of beer.

Aside from "Faded Love", sung by Rusty McDonald, every Texas Playboys record that was a hit featured Duncan on vocals, cementing his status as the finest vocalist Wills had.

Musical tastes were changing, however, and attendance at the Western All Stars' dances ranged from fair to poor, certainly not enough to sustain a large band, which lasted less than two years.

Duncan, who had previous heart problems, died in his motel room in San Diego, California, after a performance at Imperial Beach on July 24, 1967.

On his own and with Wills, Duncan's singing and songwriting were an influence on such artists as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison, Merle Haggard, Buddy Holly, Red Steagall, George Strait, Clint Black, Randy Travis, and Garth Brooks.