Born Leonard Franklin Slye in Ohio, Roy Rogers was one of the most prominent of the singing cowboys, forging a career as a singer and actor in western movies during the 1930s.

Following in the footsteps of Gene Autry, who he took over from as the main star at Republic Pictures in 1938, he became the “King Of The Singing Cowboys” after appearing in more than 100 films and became the star of his own TV show. Throughout his career he also recorded prolifically, initially as a member of The Sons Of The Pioneers, but then as a solo artist.

This 55-track collection features selected A and B sides from his releases on the Vocalion, Decca and RCA labels during this era. Across two CDs, the compilation includes his pop and country chart entries from these years, Hi-Yo Silver, A Little White Cross On The Hill, My Chickasay Gal and Stampede, as well as the theme song of his TV show Happy Trails. His music was firmly rooted in the ethos of the cowboy west, and the traditions of the trail, with many of his releases being with songs featured in his films, like the movie title songs Colorado Sunset, On The Old Spanish Trail, The Yellow Rose Of Texas and Along The Navajo Trail.

Rogers was twice elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, first as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1980, and again as a soloist in 1988. As of August 2022, he remains the only person elected to achieve this. He died of congestive heart failure on 6 July 1998, aged 86, in California. This collection is a relaxed and unhurried showcase for a performer who typified his particular brand of evocative cowboy country.

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