Tex Ritter: From Texas to Broadway, etc.
Posted: 3 Oct 2000 11:14 am
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Written by Michael Simmons. (Never met the man. Have no idea what he's talking about.)
TEX RITTER GOES FROM TEXAS TO BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD TO NASHVILLE
"Tex Ritter, who was one country music's most famous singing cowboys, took a circuitous route to stardom. Although he was raised on a ranch in Texas, he had ambitions to become a lawyer. While he was attending
law school at the University of Texas, he decided to become an actor, so he headed to New York to try his luck. After working in a few shows, he got a part in "Green Grow the Lilacs," the play that was the basis for the musical "Oklahoma." Part of his role was to play guitar and sing western songs during the scene changes, which led to his being invited to sing on various radio shows. A film producer heard him and hired him to star in a series of westerns to compete with Gene Autry. By the time singing cowboys became old hat, he had made 85 movies and begun a new career as a country singer. Throughout the 1940s, Tex Ritter songs, like "I'm Wasting My Tears on You," "You
Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often," and "You Will Have to Pay," were regular visitors to the top of the charts. In 1953, Ritter recorded "Do Not Forsake Me," the theme song of the Gary Cooper western "High Noon." In 1961, he scored his last top-five country hit with his recording "I Dreamed of a Hill-Billy Heaven." In 1965, he moved to Nashville, where he finally became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Ritter continued to perform there until he died of a heart attack in 1974.
By Michael Simmons
Written by Michael Simmons. (Never met the man. Have no idea what he's talking about.)
TEX RITTER GOES FROM TEXAS TO BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD TO NASHVILLE
"Tex Ritter, who was one country music's most famous singing cowboys, took a circuitous route to stardom. Although he was raised on a ranch in Texas, he had ambitions to become a lawyer. While he was attending
law school at the University of Texas, he decided to become an actor, so he headed to New York to try his luck. After working in a few shows, he got a part in "Green Grow the Lilacs," the play that was the basis for the musical "Oklahoma." Part of his role was to play guitar and sing western songs during the scene changes, which led to his being invited to sing on various radio shows. A film producer heard him and hired him to star in a series of westerns to compete with Gene Autry. By the time singing cowboys became old hat, he had made 85 movies and begun a new career as a country singer. Throughout the 1940s, Tex Ritter songs, like "I'm Wasting My Tears on You," "You
Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often," and "You Will Have to Pay," were regular visitors to the top of the charts. In 1953, Ritter recorded "Do Not Forsake Me," the theme song of the Gary Cooper western "High Noon." In 1961, he scored his last top-five country hit with his recording "I Dreamed of a Hill-Billy Heaven." In 1965, he moved to Nashville, where he finally became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Ritter continued to perform there until he died of a heart attack in 1974.
By Michael Simmons