In 1938, because of dispute by Gene Autry with RKO, Roy Rogers (born: Leonard Slye, 1911-1998) was given the opportunity to star for his first Republic western.
The film was titled UNDER WESTERN STARS, a topical story about the lack of water and the dust storms in the West.
It is available on this DVD:.
UNDER WESTERN STARS
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 song as in his first feature in 1938.
What is that song? Read on...
The Song
The song featured in both UNDER WESTERN STARS (1938) and
UNDER CALIFORNIA STARS (1948) was "Dust" (music & lyrics by Johnny Marvin).
This song was the first one from a B-western to be nominated for an Oscar in its first appearance in UNDER WESTERN STARS. 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. Why the change from just Johnny Marvin? Probably because Autry had also recorded this song and he liked the song.
So he bought the song and gave himself co-credit with Marvin.
"Dust" was recorded by Roy Rogers as a Vocalion single in March of 1938. Nine years later, he 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:
Film Stars and Singing Cowboys
Also read about two eBooks:
"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 extra 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
.jpg)
