June 15, 2017

15 June – birth anniversary of Tex Owens (June 15, 1892-Sept 9, 1962), cowboy singer and yodeller whose recording career began August 1934 at a session which included his composition Cattle Call which has become a country music classic. Surprisingly, given his talents, Owens recorded very little commercially so BACM’s compilation is especially welcome. It features 40 song excerpts from the radio serial Life On Red Horse recorded in 1935. A mix of cowboy songs and popular tunes from the era including numbers popularised by Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry. Also four brilliant instrumentals by Owens’   group The Texas Rangers, who went on to become popular in their own right.