Singing cowboy Tex Ritter enjoyed two distinctive careers, the first as ‘America’s most beloved cowboy’ (a title bestowed on him by a Hollywood publicist), and second as a recording artist and stage performer, albeit still making occasional film appearances. He also recorded one of the most memorable western themes of all time – ‘High Noon’. A Screen Icon Born ...
Although Texas has a rich legacy of acoustic country blues artists, its primary contribution to the blues was electric. An inordinate number of dazzling electric guitarists hailed from the Lone Star state, including T-Bone Walker, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, Albert Collins, Freddie King and scores of hotshot six-stringers still on the scene. Often accompanied by flamboyant showmanship ...
(Vocals, 1900–54) Alger ‘Texas’ Alexander’s broad-toned, pugnacious vocal delivery recalled older work songs and field hollers, while his themes evoked the hard-travelling lives of migrant workers and hoboes. His recordings on OKeh in the 1920s paired him with sophisticated instrumentalists such as Clarence Williams, Lonnie Johnson and King Oliver. In his later years, he often worked ...
(Vocal/instrumental duo, 1940s–50s) The hard-driving, bluesy fiddling of Tennessee-born Curly Fox (1910–95) had been heard on radio, and on records by The Shelton Brothers, but his career took an upswing around 1936 when he teamed with Texan singer-guitarist Ruby Owens (1909–63), whom he subsequently married. Over 25 years they had spells on the Grand Ole Opry and ...
(Guitar, bass, bandleader, 1909–90) Texas Jim Lewis is a largely unheralded figure in western swing, but his varied activities deserve far more attention. His career encompassed 1930s stints on New York radio and in vaudeville, and a 1940s run in Hollywood making movies and recording. His Lone Star Cowboys were one of the best bands of ...
(Vocals, guitar, 1915–2005) Born in Carlton Victoria, Australia, Burt ‘Tex’ Banes grew up in an orphanage with Smoky Dawson, another legendary figure in Australian country music. An old-timey singer in the Jimmie Rodgers style, Banes and his long-time band, The Hayseeds, performed extensively in Australia and occasionally in the USA. Styles & Forms ...
(Vocals, 1916–72) Born David Luke Myrick, in Mena, Texas, Tyler first rose to prominence as a member of the Louisiana Hayride and later recorded a string of sentimental hits, including ‘Filipino Baby’ (1946), ‘Deck Of Cards’ (1948), ‘My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It’ (1949) and ‘Bummin’ Around’ (1953). Styles & Forms | War Years | ...
(Vocals, guitar, bandleader, 1917–85) One-time singer and bass player with Spade Cooley’s Orchestra, Sollie Paul ‘Tex’ Williams’ vocals were first heard on the Cooley hit ‘Shame On You’ (1944). It led to a recording deal with Capitol and, following disagreements with his boss, he was fired from the outfit. Disapproving of the sacking, most ...
Almost no Texan musicians have ever herded cattle, but most like to think of themselves as cowboys nonetheless. They imagine themselves pulling out an acoustic guitar after dinner and singing a song about the adventures and frustrations they have known. And not just any old song – it has to be one they wrote and it has to be more ...
(Vocal/instrumental group, 1986–present) Although this Scottish act never did become big in Texas they did enjoy massive chart success in the UK and Europe. Original line-up Sharleen Spiteri (vocals), Ally McErlaine (guitar), Johnny McElhone (bass) and Stuart Kerr (drums) hit chart paydirt early in 1989 with the country-tinged ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’. Spiteri’s good looks and their later soulful ...
Although Bakersfield had already played host to a number of country-music artists, it was Buck Owens (1929–2006) who not only put it on the map, but also spread its name around the world. So great was his impact, some even called it ‘Buckersfield’. The Road To Bakersfield Hailing from Sherman, Texas, and born Alvis Edgar Owens ...
(Vocals, guitar, songwriter, actor, 1907–99) Not as famous as his singing-cowboy compatriots, Eddie Dean nevertheless had starring roles in over 20 westerns during the 1940s, as well as his own television series The Marshall Of Gunshot Pass (1950). Beginning his career on radio, and one-time member of the WLS (Chicago) National Barn Dance, ...
(Vocals, guitar, 1915–78) Oklahoma-born Johnny Bond originally formed a trio with Jimmy Wakely and gained national attention on Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch radio show. He made appearances in several singing-cowboy movies, first as a member of The Jimmy Wakely Trio, then leading his own group, The Red River Valley Boys. A prolific songwriter, he is ...
The myths, legends and lore of the Wild West, for better or worse, have done much to shape the American character. They have given rise to the nation’s lingering infatuation with guns, outlaws, the rugged ethos of self-reliance, individualism and a world with simplistic definitions. These themes, usually portrayed in an earnest and nostalgic ...
Although one tends to think of Nashville as the primary source for country music, many other regions contributed to this music’s growth, especially the West Coast, where migrant workers from Oklahoma, Texas and other regions of the Southwest played a vital role in putting California on the country-music map. With Los Angeles as its focal point, ...
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