Tex Ritter

Tex Ritter, father of actor, John Ritter, was among the major of country musicians associated with Hollywood. Born Woodward Maurice Ritter in Murvaul, Texas, on 12 January 1905, he began his professional career in 1928, singing for KPRC radio in Houston [Wikipedia]. He moved to New York City the same year and landed a chorus role in the Broadway production of 'The New Moon'. IBDB has him performing as Woodward Ritter at the Guild Theatre in 'Green Grow the Lilacs' in 1931. Come 'The Round Up' at the Majestic in March of 1932 and 'Mother Lode' at the Cort in December 1934.

Ritter's initial recording sessions in September and October of 1932 went unissued. Titles on September 2 for Columbia eventually saw release in 1999 by Bear Family on 'Blood on the Saddle: Complete Recordings 1932-December 1947' (BCD 16260 DI). Those were 'A Ridin' Old Paint' / 'Git Along Little Doggies' and 'Rye Whisky'. 'Cowboys Christmas Ball' went down on October 31 of 1932 unreleased. March 15 of 1933 saw unissued titles for ARC also issued in 1999 on BCD 16260 DI: 'A Ridin' Old Paint', 'Goodbye Old Paint' and 'Rye Whisky'. 'Every Day in the Saddle' went unissued. Titles released from that session were Gene Autry's 'Goodbye Old Paint' and 'Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey' on Banner 32735. RateYourMusic has those released in 1933 on Columbia 1075.

'Goodbye Old Paint'   Tex Ritter

Ritter's first-known recording to issue

15 March 1933 in NYC   Matrix 13157-1

Vocalion 5493 / Melotone 12664 / Conqueror 8073 / Banner 32735

Oriole 8222 / Perfect 12903 / Romeo 5222 / Columbia 37460

Composition: Gene Autry

'Get Along Little Dogies'   Tex Ritter

21 Jan 1935 in NYC   Matrix 39272-A   Champion 45191

Composition: Wikipedia

In 1936 Ritter moved to Los Angeles to appear in his first film, 'Song of the Gringo'. He maintained a strong presence for twenty years from the forties into the sixties. His first to chart at #1 in Billboard's new Country category was 'I'm Wastin' My Tears on You' in 1944. 'You Two Timed Me One Time Too Often' saw #1 in 1945, 'You Will Have to Pay' in 1946. His last Top Ten title was 'I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven' in 1961 at #5. His last Top Forty title was 'Growin' Up' in 1969 at #39.

'Rye Whiskey'   Tex Ritter

In the film 'Song of the Gringo' released 22 Nov 1936

Composition: Gene Autry

IMDb   Leterboxd   TV Guide   Wikipedia

'Jingle, Jangle, Jingle'   Tex Ritter and his Texans

11 June 1942 in Los Angeles   Matrix 26-1   Capitol Records 15215

Composition: Joseph Lilley / Frank Loesser

'There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder'   Tex Ritter and his Texans

23 Nov 1943 in Hollywood   Matrix 115-3   Capitol Records 15215

Composition: Jimmie Davis / Ekko Whelan / Lee Blastic

'I'm Wastin' My Tears on You'   Tex Ritter and his Texans

23 Nov 1943 in Hollywood   Matrix 117-2   Capitol Records 15258

Composition: Frank Harford / Tex Ritter

'Jealous Heart'   Tex Ritter

20 Sep 1944 in Nashville   Matrix 288-3   Capitol Records 179

Composition: Jenny Lou Carson

Ritter's first album was 4 shellac discs of eight titles issued in 1945 on 'Children's Songs and Stories' (Capitol BD-14). Come the same 4-disc deal in 1946 for 'Cowboy Favorites'. In 1952 he made his first tour of Europe. RateYourMusic has Ritter issuing two LPs in 1958: 'Songs from the Western Screen' and 'Psalms'. Come 'Blood on the Saddle' in 1960, 'The Lincoln Hymns' and 'Hillbilly Heaven' in 1961.

'Deck of Cards'   Tex Ritter

25 March 1948 in Montgomery AL   Matrix 3273-4   Capitol Records 40114

Composition: T. Texas Tyler

'Do Not Forsake Me' ('The Ballad of High Noon')  Tex Ritter

For the film 'High Noon' released 24 July 1952

Music: Dimitri Tiomkin   Lyrics: Ned Washington

'The Searchers'  Tex Ritter   Orchestra conducted by Harry Geller

16 April 1956 in Hollywood for the film 'The Searchers' released 16 May 1956

Matrix 15346   Capitol Records 3430

Composition: Stan Jones