This series of biographical profiles shines a spotlight on that special place “Where the West meets the Guitar.” From Gene Autry and Roy Rogers to contemporary artists like Michael Murphy, Red Steagall, Don Edwards and Riders in the Sky, many entertainers have performed music of the West, a genre separate from mainstream country music and yet an important part of the country music heritage. Once called “Country and Western,” it is now described as “Country or Western.” Though much has been written about “Country,” very little has been written about “Western”—until now.
Featured are a number of photos of the top stars in Western music, past and present. Also included is an extensive bibliography of works related to the Western music field.

Don Cusic is professor of music business at the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Don Cusic
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 284
Bibliographic Info: 35 photos, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6314-5
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8605-2
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      v

Preface      1

Introduction: Cowboys and Country Music      5

1. Roundin’ Up Radio      11

2. Gene Autry and The Phantom Empire      18

3. The Big Three: Gene, Roy and the Sons of the Pioneers      25

4. Dale Evans, Queen of the West      33

5. Girls of the Golden West      39

6. Louise Massey and the Westerners      41

7. Patsy Montana      44

8. Ray Whitley      47

9. Guitars, Cowboys and Country Music      50

10. Andy Parker and the Plainsmen      54

11. Foy Willing and Riders of the Purple Sage      56

12. Jimmy Wakely      60

13. Johnny Bond      65

14. Rosalie Allen      72

15. Cindy Walker      73

16. Marilyn Tuttle      75

17. Smiley Burnette      79

18. Stuart Hamblen      82

19. Tex Ritter      86

20. Wesley Tuttle      89

21. Monte Hale      94

22. Rex Allen      97

23. John Wayne      100

24. Bob Wills, King of Western Swing      108

25. Bing Crosby and Country Music      112

26. Riders In The Sky      114

27. Flying W Wranglers      119

28. Michael Martin Murphey      121

29. Ray Price      129

30. Marty Robbins      142

31. Johnny Cash      146

32. Johnny Western      154

33. Red Steagall      160

34. Don Edwards      164

35. Rex Allen Jr.      170

36. Lynn Anderson      176

37. Ian Tyson      181

38. Sons of the San Joaquin      187

39. Asleep at the Wheel      193

40. Wylie and the Wild West      197

41. R.W. Hampton, Riding for His Own Brand      202

42. Waddie Mitchell, Cowboy Poet      209

43. Chris LeDoux      216

44. George Strait      218

45. Country Music, Cowboys and the West      224

46. The West on the Music Charts      232

Bibliography      251

Index      257