Premier Collections:
Chuck-Wagon Jamboree, Volume 2
Liner notes written by Harlan Zinck
Click to listen to a Microsoft WMA audio clip
Click to listen to a MP3 audio clip
"Let's be happy, gather 'round, 'cause it's time for you and me...
...to sing a song as we jog along to the Chuck-Wagon Jamboree!"
To western fans, he will always be best known as Festus Haggen, the grizzled and
cantankerous sidekick of Sheriff Matt Dillon on the CBS television series
"Gunsmoke." Complete with a three-day growth of beard and a dry-throated voice,
Ken Curtis co-starred on the series for eleven years and became one of the
best-loved comedic actors in television history.
But even die-hard fans of Dodge City may not realize that, in the years just
after World War II, their favorite western deputy was, in fact, a singing cowboy
-- the star of his own movie series at Columbia Pictures and a musical radio
favorite to boot.
Born in Colorado in 1916, Curtis Wain Gates was the son of a homesteader, Dan
Gates, and his wife, the former Millie Sneed. Spending most of his formative
years in Las Animas, Colorado ("I grew up 100 miles from Dodge City," he later
said), Curtis was twelve years old when his father was first elected to the post
of county sheriff. "Our living quarters were on the ground floor and the cells
were upstairs. Mother used to cook the meals for the prisoners and I took them
up to the cells while she held a shotgun in her hands in case any of them got
frisky." His youth appears to have been largely uneventful and, aside from
occasionally standing in as sheriff when his father was away and playing the
saxophone in his high school band, there seems to be little indication of the
career he was destined to enjoy; in fact, when he attended college in Colorado
Springs after graduating from high school, his intention was to study medicine.
However, at college, he found he had an aptitude for singing and songwriting
and, in the mid-1930s, he decided to leave college and head for the west coast
to try his luck in the music business.
Then as now, it was difficult to be successful in the highly competitive world
of popular music and it didn't take long before Curtis realized he simply wasn't
exceptional enough to become an overnight sensation. Alone in Los Angeles and in
need of work, he hooked up with a small band and began accepting musical
engagements at small nightclubs. Legend has it that, one night, Cecil B.
DeMille's secretary was in the audience, liked what she heard, and recommended
him to her boss for a possible movie role. This chance for stardom,
unfortunately, didn't end up leading anywhere -- but, having proven himself to
be a melodic and reliable vocalist, he soon began singing anonymously on various
network radio shows and was also given the chance to regularly record 'demos' -
recordings of newly-written popular songs, designed to be distributed to
bandleaders in hopes that their orchestras might add them to their repertoire.
One 'demo', featuring a song written by composer Harold Arlen, made its way to
bandleader Tommy Dorsey; Dorsey didn't much care for the song, but he was in
need of a new male singer -- and so got in contact with Curtis and offered to
pay his way to New York to rehearse and sing with the band. Dorsey didn't much
care for the name Curtis Gates, though, and decided that it should be changed;
thus, having been hired to sing with one of the top bands in the country, Curtis
Gates became Ken Curtis.
Joining Dorsey mid-engagement at the Paramount Theater, Ken successfully filled
the shoes vacated earlier by singers Frank Sinatra and Dick Haymes, but his
tenure was fairly brief and may, in fact, have been temporary from the start.
After leaving Dorsey, he began singing with the band of Shep Fields, a
bandleader best known for his "Rippling Rhythm" musical style but, after Pearl
Harbor, Curtis knew that it was only a matter of time before he would be
drafted. He chose instead to enlist in the infantry in 1942 and, after a
military career spent serving in the Pacific, he was honorably discharged in
1945.
After the war, Curtis resumed his singing career by appearing in a number of
guest spots on radio. One such spot - for which he was recommended by a friend,
former Dorsey singing alumnus Jo Stafford - was on a radio show hosted by
singer/composer Johnny Mercer. On the program, Curtis sang "Tumbling
Tumbleweeds" - apparently the first time he had performed a country-tinged
ballad on the air. On the strength of his appearance with Mercer, Columbia
Pictures called to audition him for a new series of musical B-westerns they were
considering producing. Passing his screen test with flying colors, Curtis was
soon cast as Columbia's newest singing cowboy - eventually appearing in eight
western films between 1945 and 1946, often with the novelty musical ensemble the
Hoosier Hot Shots. (Considering that Tommy Dorsey had renamed him Ken, it's
interesting to note that, in most of his westerns, his character's first name is
once again Curt or Curtis.) The low-budget films, running only about one hour in
length, were successful at Saturday matinees and as second features and usually
featured support from character stalwarts like Guy Kibbee and Guinn "Big Boy"
Williams, but were not particularly distinguished plot-wise. "I'd stop in the
middle of a gun fight and sing a song," was how Curtis would later describe the
acting requirements of his early film career.
By 1947, the era of the singing cowboy was drawing to a close and Curtis'
Columbia contract was cancelled. By this time, however, Curtis had made multiple
appearances on radio shows and was always in demand for more. With his clear,
smooth tenor and a likeable, boyish nature, he perfectly fit the bill of the
clean-cut and wholesome cowboy singer, which led to multiple appearances on
radio's "Hollywood Barn Dance" and "The All Star Western Theater." He also came
to the attention of the Hollywood-based Teleways Radio Productions, a recording
company specializing in syndicated musical programs featuring popular western
music stars. Teleways had been founded in 1946 and was already successfully
syndicating quarter-hour shows starring the Sons of the Pioneers and Foy Willing
and the Riders of the Purple Sage. Their idea was to feature Curtis in a
fifteen-minute five-a-week daily program patterned after similar network musical
shows, as well as shows recorded and syndicated by the Missouri-based RadiOzark
Enterprises and the Los Angeles-based C. P. MacGregor Company.
Joining Ken Curtis on this new series of shows, titled "Chuck-Wagon Jamboree,"
was a batch of talented studio musicians called The Novelty Aces, who would
support Curtis musically in his solo numbers, appear as laughing and joking
hillbilly hicks between songs, and also be featured in their own musical
numbers. Art West, a talented musician and composer in his own right, was hired
as both announcer and performer, and two of the singers would change their
voices and appear as "The Goon Holler Twins" for twangy duets. Musically, the
tone was decidedly down-home, with selections ranging all the way from Stephen
Foster favorites to barbershop ballads, from spirituals to fiddle break-downs,
and from popular tunes to a daily close-harmony hymn that would close each
program on a peaceful note. Curtis would generally be featured in two songs per
program, often choosing his selections from the popular recordings of western
performers like Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Bob Wills, and Al Dexter, and
emphasizing the ballads that had made him a singing cowboy in the first place.
Judging from the length of the series - 131 shows in all - "Chuck-Wagon
Jamboree" seems to have been quite successful in various markets - particularly
in the south and southwest - and was syndicated for about two years, alongside
other Teleways productions. The shows themselves were recorded in Los Angeles in
three to six minute segments, complete with openings and closings, and then
pressed on 16" vinyl discs for national distribution. (Following the standard
practice of the time, segments were sequenced to allow advertising to be
inserted by local stations.) There's no question that "Chuck-Wagon Jamboree" did
a lot for Ken Curtis' singing career; by 1949, he had not only returned to
filmmaking - appearing in various westerns for independent studios and also for
Republic Pictures - but had also been hired as the lead singer for the Sons of
the Pioneers, a good fit musically, personally, and financially. (He would
continue singing lead with the group until 1953.)
Heard today, "Chuck-Wagon Jamboree" still has much to offer. Reminiscent of "The
Grand Old Opry" and, particularly, "The National Barn Dance," the series is a
tuneful throwback to a simpler time when cowboys rode the range with their
guitar by their side and everyone knew the old songs they had learned on their
grandmother's knee. While listening to these shows, don't be surprised if you
discover you actually remember all the words to an old hymn you used to sing as
a child or find yourself humming along to a time-honored western favorite. Taken
from an original set of 16" Teleways transcription recordings and fully restored
for beautiful, high-fidelity sound, here's your invitation to stop by the
Jamboree and join in the fun. I bet you'll have a wonderful time.
Here is the complete content of this second set of forty quarter-hour shows;
each show has been titled with the first musical selection:
The Fireball Mail (#42)
Musical selections include "The Fireball Mail," "The Song of the Bandit," a
'Memory Medley' featuring "Buffalo Gals" with Jerry on the fiddle, Emmy Lou
soloing of "Smoky Mountain Bill," and a vocal quartet rendition of "Sippin'
Cider through a Straw." Ken Curtis returns to sing "The Funny Old Hills" and the
program closes with the hymn "Lead Kindly Light"
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29138.jpg
I Tipped My Hat and Slowly Rode Away (#43)
The program opens with "I Tipped My Hat and Slowly Rode Away," followed by "The
Old Spinning Wheel," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Goober," "There'll Come a Day,"
and "Down on the Old Plantation," followed by Ken singing "When Day is Done" and
the closing hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29139.jpg
One More River to Cross (#44)
Musical selections include "One More River to Cross," "Leanin' on the Old Top
Rail," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Ida Red," "Some of These Days," and "Nobody
Knows the Trouble I Seen," followed by "That Pioneer Mother of Mine" and "I'm
Praying for You."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29140.jpg
Texas Ain't Old Texas Anymore (#45)
A spirited program, opening with "Texas Ain't Old Texas Anymore," followed by
"When It's Prayer Meeting Time in the Hollow." Today's 'Memory Medley' contains
"Wagonner," "Gentle Annie," and "Lies," Ken Curtis continues the show the
"Western Sky" and the closing hymn is the standard "Onward Christian Soldiers."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29141.jpg
San Antonio Rose (#46)
Musical selections include "San Antonio Rose," "Carry Me Back to the Lone
Prairie," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Mississippi Sawyer," "Sweethearts or
Strangers," and the quartet vocalizing on "Moonlight and Roses," Ken Curtis
singing "Where the Mountains Meet the Sky" and the show closes with the rousing
"Battle Hymn of the Republic."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29142.jpg
Take Me Home Boys Tonight (#47)
The show opens with "Take Me Home Boys Tonight," followed by "The Missouri
Waltz," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Rochester Schottische," "Silver Threads
Among the Gold," and "Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider," a Ken Curtis solo on "Heading
for the Great Divide," and the closing hymn "Stand Up for Jesus."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29143.jpg
Careless Love (#48)
"Careless Love" is the opening number, followed by "Back Home in Ol' San
Antone," a 'Memory Medley' of "Casey Jones," "Feudin' Fussin' and Fightin'," and
"In My Little Red Book," followed by "Song of the Sierras" and "Safe in the Arms
of Jesus."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29144.jpg
Press Along to the Big Corral (#49)
Musical selections include "Press Along to the Big Corral," "Old Black Joe," a
'Memory Medley' offering "Rocky Mountain Hornpipe," "Long Long Ago," and "When
You're Smiling," followed by Ken singing "The Lady from Twenty-Nine Palms" and
today's closing hymn, "Mother Dear O Pray for Me."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29145.jpg
The Covered Wagon Rolled Right Along (#50)
Today's program includes "The Covered Wagon Rolled Right Along," "The
Night-Herding Song," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Wake Up Susie," "Shoe Shine
Boy," and "Standing in the Need of Prayer," a Curtis solo on "Prairie Serenade,"
taken from his Columbia picture "Texas Jamboree" and the closing hymn "Work for
the Night is Coming."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29146.jpg
Hold That Critter Down (#78)
The program opens with "Hold That Critter Down," followed by "Take Me Back to My
Boots and Saddle," and a 'Memory Medley' offering "Turkey in the Straw," "Lazy
River," and "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean." After the center commercial, Ken
Curtis returns to sing "Sierra Sue" and the show closes with "Abide With Me."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29174.jpg
Shortnin' Bread (#79)
"Shortnin' Bread" is the opening number, followed by "When the White Azaleas
Start Blooming," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Begin the Beguine," "Carolina
Moon," and "Dixie," followed by Ken Curtis singing "A Gal in Calico" and, for
the closing hymn, "Take Time to Be Holy."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29175.jpg
Behind Those Swinging Doors (#80)
Musical selections include "Behind Those Swinging Doors," "An Old Sweet Song for
a Sweet Old Lady, a 'Memory Medley' offering "The Old Grey Mare," "Lovin' Ducky
Daddy," and "Down in the Cornfield," Ken Curtis singing "Along the Navajo
Trail," and "The Unclouded Day."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29176.jpg
Detour (#81)
The show opens with the country swing classic "Detour," followed by "After the
Ball," a 'Memory Medley' containing "Chicken Reel," "It Was an Old Fashioned
Garden," and "I've Been Working on the Railroad," and then Ken Curtis singing
"The Utah Trail" and, as a closing hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29177.jpg
Corrine Corrina (#82)
Today's program includes "Corrine Corrina," "Grandfather's Clock," a 'Memory
Medley' offering "South," "I Gotta Stop," and "Dixie Jamboree." Ken Curtis
returns to sing "My Little Buckaroo" and the closing hymn is "Bring Them In."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29178.jpg
There is a Tavern in the Town (#83)
Musical selections include "There is a Tavern in the Town," "Riding Down the Red
Rock Canyon Trail," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Soldier's Joy," "Born to Lose,"
and "My Sweetheart's the Man in the Moon," followed by Ken singing "When It's
Nighttime in Nevada" and, in closing, "Count Your Blessings."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29179.jpg
Deep in the Heart of Texas (#84)
Musical selections include "Deep in the Heart of Texas," "Old Dog Trey," a
'Memory Medley' offering "Baa Baa Black Sheep," "Frankie and Johnnie," and
"Alabammy Bound," "Gold Mine in the Sky," and "Come Thou Almighty King."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29180.jpg
Sweet Betsy from Pike (#85)
Musical selections include "Sweet Betsy from Pike," "When You and I Were Young,
Maggie," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Hail Hail the Gang's All Here," "The Girl I
Love in Sunny Tennessee," and "Who Broke the Lock on the Henhouse Door,"
followed by "It Makes No Difference Now" and "Sun of My Soul Thou Saviour Dear."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29181.jpg
Mama Don't Allow (#86)
Musical selections include "Mama Don't Allow," "Over the Rainbow," a 'Memory
Medley' offering "Hickory Dickory Dock," "I'll Never Let You Go," and "Little
David," followed by "South of the Border" and "Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead
Us."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29182.jpg
Mail Order Mama (#87)
Musical selections include "Mail Order Mama," "Sweet Genevieve," a 'Memory
Medley' offering "Little Jack Horner," "The Kentucky Waltz," and "Get on Board
Little Chillen," followed by "Home on the Range" and "Jesus Saviour Pilot Me."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29183.jpg
Keep on the Sunny Side (#88)
Musical selections include "Keep on the Sunny Side," "Sleepy Rio Grande," a
'Memory Medley' offering "Little Bo Peep," "In the Cumberland Mountains," and "I
Want to Go Back to West Virginia," followed by "Mexicali Rose" and, to conclude
the show, the hymn "O Worship the King."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29184.jpg
Jubilo (#89)
Musical selections include "Jubilo," "The One Rose," a 'Memory Medley' including
"See-Saw Marjorie Daw," "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes," and "Sailing
Over the Bounding Maine," followed by Ken soloing on "My Way Back Home" and, in
closing, "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29185.jpg
I'm Riding That Long, Long Trail (#90)
Musical selections include "I'm Riding That Long, Long Trail," "Tired Little
Wrangler," a 'Memory Medley' consisting of "Reuben and Rachel," "I Only Want a
Buddy, Not a Sweetheart," and "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree," followed by
a Curtis solo on "Ain't No Gal Got a Brand on Me" and, in closing, "I Am Thine O
Lord (Draw Me Nearer)."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29186.jpg
O Dem Golden Slippers, with Guest Carolina Cotton (#91)
Musical selections include "O Dem Golden Slippers," "When the Bloom is on the
Sage (When It's Round-Up Time in Texas)," guest Carolina Cotton singing "I Love
to Yodel," Ken Curtis singing "Out California Way" and, in closing, the old
standard "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29187.jpg
It Ain't Gonna Rain No More, with guest Carolina Cotton (#92)
Musical selections include "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More," "Chant of the
Wanderer," guest Carolina Cotton singing "Yodel Mountain," Ken singing "Marqueta,"
and, in closing, "Glory to His Name."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29188.jpg
Down Quintana Way (#93)
Musical selections include "Down Quintana Way," "The Whiffenpoof Song," a
'Memory Medley' containing "Over the Waves," "And Then It Happened," and "The
Old Oaken Bucket," followed by a Ken Curtis solo on "The Sweep of My Sombrero"
and, as a closing hymn, "Where He Leads Me I Will Follow."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29189.jpg
Way Down in Dixie (#94)
Today's show offers "Way Down in Dixie," "There's a Patch of Land," a 'Memory
Medley' containing "Yankee Doodle," "Peach-Pickin' Time in Georgia," and "Down
in Jungle Town," followed by Ken Curtis singing "Leaning on the Old Top Rail"
and, in closing, "Lily of the Valley."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29190.jpg
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee (#95)
Musical selections include "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee," "You Can Bet Your
Boots and Saddle," a 'Memory Medley' offering "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party,"
"Flow Sweetly Sweet Afton," and "Back to Old Smokey Mountain," followed by Ken
singing "Broomstick Buckaroo" and, as the closing hymn, "Jesus Saves."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29191.jpg
Michael Finnegan (#96)
Musical selections include "Michael Finnegan," "In the Little Red Schoolhouse,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Carry Me Back to the Mountains," "There's a New Moon
Over My Shoulder," and "Oh, Didn't He Ramble," Ken Curtis singing "Ridin' Ropin'
Rarin'" and, in closing, the hymn "Tell Mother I'll Be There."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29192.jpg
Polly Wolly Doodle, with Guest Carolina Cotton (#97)
Musical selections include "Polly Wolly Doodle," "Gentle Annie," guest Carolina
Cotton singing "I'd Love to be a Cowgirl," Ken Curtis singing "Old Faithful"
and, in closing, "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29193.jpg
Molly and Tenbrooks (#98)
The program opens with "Molly and Tenbrooks" (a.k.a. "The Racehorse Song," a
tune commemorating one of the last long-distance horse races between two
champions, Ten Broek and Molly), followed by "Over the Santa Fe Trail," guest
Carolina Cotton singing "Chime Bells," Ken Curtis singing "Empty Saddles" and,
as the closing hymn, "Praise Him, Praise Him."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29194.jpg
Footprints in the Snow (#99)
Musical selections include "Footprints in the Snow," "There's a Round-Up in the
Sky," a 'Memory Medley' containing "Red Wing," "Slumber Song," and "My Mother
Was a Lady," a Ken Curtis solo on the western classic "Red River Valley" and, in
closing, the rousing spiritual "(Give Me That) That Old Time Religion."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29195.jpg
That Old White Mule of Mine (#100)
The program opens with "That Old White Mule of Mine," followed by " Down the Old
Chuckwagon Road," a 'Memory Medley' offering "On the Dixie Bee Line," "Smoke,
Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette," and "Down by the Riverside," followed by Ken
Curtis soloing on "The West is Wild as Ever" and, in closing, "Yield Not to
Temptation."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29196.jpg
Stay a Little Longer (#101)
The show opens with the country western classic "Stay a Little Longer," followed
by "My Saddle Serenade," a 'Memory Medley' containing "Loch Lomond," "When the
Sunshine Turns the Ocean's Blue to Gold," and "Roll, Jordan, Roll," followed by
a Ken Curtis solo on the ballad "You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven" and, in
closing, the hymn "Take the Name of Jesus with You."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29197.jpg
I'm Going Back to My Little Mountain Shack (#102)
Musical selections include "I'm Going Back to My Little Mountain Shack," "When
the Prairie Sun Says Good Morning," a 'Memory Medley' containing "The Farmer in
the Dell," "The Wabash Cannonball," and "Oh, Mary Don't You Weep," followed by
Ken Curtis singing "Nobody's Darling But Mine" and, in the closing hymn spot,
"More Love to Thee."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29198.jpg
Happy Roving Cowboy (#103)
Musical selections include "Happy Roving Cowboy," "Ridin' Down the Canyon," a
diverse 'Memory Medley' offering "Chattanooga Choo-Choo," "Beautiful Dreamer,"
and "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey," followed by Ken Curtis singing "The Last
Round-up" and, in closing, the beautiful hymn "In the Garden."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29199.jpg
Keep in the Middle of the Road (#104)
Musical selections include "Keep in the Middle of the Road," "The Little Old
Church in the Valley," a 'Memory Medley' containing "Chuckwagon Boogie," "Billy
Boy," and "Dez Bones Gwine Rise Again," followed by a Ken Curtis solo on "A
Lonely Cowboy's Prayer" and, in closing, the spiritual classic "Will the Circle
Be Unbroken?"
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29200.jpg
Little Brown Jug (#105)
Musical selections include "Little Brown Jug," "Silver Threads Among the Gold,"
a 'Memory Medley' containing "Pop Goes the Weasel," "Bury Me Beneath the
Willow," and "Massa's in de Cold, Cold Ground," Ken Curtis singing "Little
Cowgirl" and, in closing, "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29201.jpg
Wait for the Light to Shine (#106)
Musical selections include "Wait for the Light to Shine," "No One Will Ever
Know," a 'Memory Medley' containing "The Preacher and the Bear," "Time Changes
Everything," and "The Bowery," Ken Curtis singing "You Are My Sunshine" and, in
closing, the old standard "Throw Out the Lifeline."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29202.jpg
Take Me Back to Tulsa (#113)
There's a touch of western swing in the air as the program opens with "Take Me
Back to Tulsa," followed by "Chant of the Wanderer," a 'Memory Medley' offering
"Chloe," "Old Folks at Home" (a.k.a. "Swanee River"), and "I Want a Girl (Just
Like the Girl that Married Dear Old Dad)," followed by Ken singing "Red Silk
Stockings and Green Perfume" and, in closing, "Day is Dying in the West."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29209.jpg
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (#131)
A special Christmas program offers a wide range of holiday favorites,
including "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Winter Wonderland," a 'Memory
Medley' containing "Jingle Bells," "Santa Bring My Mommy Back to Me," and "Aunt
Dinah's Quilting Party," Ken Curtis singing "White Christmas" and, in closing,
the sweet and reflective "Silent Night, Holy Night."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication
http://www.radioarchives.org/scans/29227.jpg
Radio Archives gratefully acknowledges the assistance, information,
and photograph provided by Alan Johns, without whom the release of this Premier
Collection would not have been possible.
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