PASSINGS : B.W. Stevenson; Had Hits as Singer and Songwriter

B. W. Stevenson, 38, a singer-songwriter best known for his pop hit “My Maria.� He first began performing in 1970 after serving in the armed forces, and in 1972 he signed with RCA records, which released a self-titled debut album that produced his biggest hits. Stevenson first moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 1987 to pursue a songwriting career with Tom Collins Music. Stevenson, born Louis Charles Stevenson III, was known as B. W., which stood for Buckwheat. He also wrote “Shambala,� a hit record by Three Dog Night. In Nashville on Thursday after heart surgery.