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====== Cowboy Songs Corral ======

 

Roy Rogers and "Dust"

 

The Film

Under Western Stars

 

He began his movie career at Republic Pictures as a supporting character, including several in the Gene Autry series:
THE OLD CORRAL (1936) and THE OLD BARN DANCE (1938).

In 1938, because of dispute by Gene Autry, Republic gave Roy Rogers (born: Leonard Slye) the opportunity to star for his first western movie. The film was titled UNDER WESTERN STARS, a topical story in the 1930s about the dust storms out west which resulted from lack of water.

Ten years later after his first starring role, Roy Rogers celebrated his 10th anniversary in films with a similar titled feature: UNDER CALIFORNIA STARS.

In that film he sang the same hit song as in his first feature in 1938.

What is that song?

Read on...

 

 

 

The Song

One of the greatest songs featured in a B-western movie was featured in both UNDER WESTERN STARS (1938) and UNDER CALIFORNIA SKIES (1948).

In the 1938 movie there are 7 songs, 4 of them sung by Roy Rogers. The song that had the most popularity was titled,

"Dust" -- music & lyrics by Johnny Marvin

This song was the first one from a B-western to be nominated for an Academy Award (or Oscar). The only other song from a B-western to be Oscar-nominated was "Be Honest With Me" from RIDIN' ON A RAINBOW (1941), sung and co-written by Gene Autry.

In the years that followed, "Dust" has been credited to Gene Autry as co-writer. That's because Gene had also recorded this song and liked it. So he bought the song and gave himself co-writer credit with Marvin. Gene often bought songs and put his name on them.

"Dust" was recorded by Roy Rogers as a Vocalion single in March of 1938. That is the best version of the song. The song was also recorded by other singers including Gene Autry and Jimmy Wakely.

Nine years later, Roy sang the song again, this time accompanied by the Sons of the Pioneers. They were featured on March 22, 1947 on a radio program, "Saturday Night Roundup." It is available on this recommended 3 CD Set from Rhino, with deluxe illustrated booklet:

Happy Trails: The Roy Rogers Collection, 1937-1990

Happy Trails: The Roy Rogers Collection, 1937-1990

The song is available as a download from Amazo.com at this link:

"Dust"

Read more about UNDER WESTERN STARS at

imdb

 


UNDER WESTERN STARS is also available on this DVD
from Alpha Home Entertainment:

Under Western Stars

UNDER WESTERN STARS (1938)


 


Film Stars and Singing Cowboys

Read these e-books:

"Following the Stars": Music and Memories of Hopalong Cassidy -- songs and scores from Hopalong Cassidy films plus memories from the fan who posed with Hoppy of Look magazine in 1950. Includes extra photos and audio files.

"Dream World": Songs, Poems and Stories -- featuring memories of Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, and Roy Rogers. Also original song lyrics, poems and audio files.

For other information, click on this link:

Cowboy Songs Corral


Tune Week

Pick some of your favorite Gene Autry, Roy Rogers or other western singers for the annual week known as Carry A Tune Week.

Read more at

National Carry A Tune Week

 

 


 

 

AMP Links

Cowboy Singers and Songs

Singing Cowboy Photos

Hopalong Cassidy Music

"Back in the Saddle Again" - A Centennial Tribute to Gene Autry

"The Last Roundup" -- A Tribute to Songwriter Billy Hill

"On the Banks of the Sunny San Juan" -- A Centennial Tribute to Eddie Dean


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