Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: Merle Robert Travis ( November 29 , 1917 -- October 20 , 1983 ) was an American country and western singer , songwriter , and musician born in Rosewood , Kentucky .
Simplified: Merle Robert Travis ( November 29 , 1917 â `` October 20 , 1983 ) was an American country singer , songwriter and guitarist . He was born in Rosewood , Kentucky .