Stuart Hamblen was a country singer and noted songwriter, who began his career in the 1920s on radio as one of the first “singing cowboys”, and had the staying power to enjoy his biggest successes in the post-war years, famously writing the song “This Ole House”, which was a pop No. 1 for Rosemary Clooney in 1954, as well as providing him with a pop and country hit of his own. Along the way, he had brushes with the law through his drinking and gambling, as well as embracing religion and becoming an evangelist after encountering Billy Graham, with his later work sometimes encompassing faith-based messages. This 52-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A & B sides of his releases during this era on the Victor, Bluebird, ARA, Superior, 4-Star, Columbia and RCA labels, plus his versions of notable hit songs for other artists released on his later albums. It features his Top 10 country hits “(I Won't Go Huntin' Jake) But I'll Go Chasing Women”, “(Remember Me) I'm The One Who Loves You”, “It’s No Secret” and “This Ole House” and his recordings of his hit compositions “Open Up Your Heart (And Let The Sunshine In)”, “Go On By” and “His Hands”. Just about all the songs in the collection were written by Hamblen. He was a complex character, but was also hugely talented, and this collection offers both a substantial overview of his career and a fine showcase for his particular brand of country music.

CD 1

1. IT'S BETTER TO BE A HAS-BEEN (THAN BE A NEVER WAS Rusty and Doug (Feature 103) 1953-55

2. NO, NO, IT'S NOT SO  Rusty and Doug (Feature 103) 1953-55

3. KARY-ON-BOOGIE Rusty and Doug (Flyright FLY571) 1953-55

4. LET’S GET MARRIED TONIGHT Rusty and Doug (Flyright FLY571) 1953-55

5. NOTHING MATTERS, DEAR Rusty and Doug & Little Sunshine (Flyright FLY571) 1953-55

6. I WANNA WANNA WANNA Rusty and Doug (Flyright FLY571) 1953-55

7. I’M GONNA LEAVE, ADIEU Rusty and Doug (Flyright FLY571) 1953-55

8. RATTLESNAKE Rusty & Doug Kershaw with Wiley Barkdull  (Flyright FLY619) 1953-55

9. LET'S DO IT ANYWAY Rusty and Doug (Crown  CLP5331) 1953-55

10. SO LOVELY BABY Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1027) 1955

11. WHY CRY FOR YOU Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1027) 1955

12. CAN I BE DREAMING Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1036) 1955

13. LOOK AROUND (TAKE A LOOK AT ME) Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1036) 1955

14. HONEY HONEY Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1042) 1956

15. LET'S STAY TOGETHER Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1042) 1956

16. HEY YOU THERE Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1048) 1956

17. YOUR CRAZY CRAZY HEART Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1048) 1956

18. I'LL UNDERSTAND Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1055) 1956

19. MISTER LOVE Rusty and Doug With Wiley Barkdull (Hickory 1055) 1956

20. MONEY Al Terry with Rusty & Doug (Hickory 1061) 1957

21. GOING DOWN THE ROAD Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1063) 1957

22. YOU'LL SEE Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1063) 1957

CD 2

1. I NEVER HAD THE BLUES Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1068) 1957

2. LOVE ME TO PIECES Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1068) 1957

3. DREAM QUEEN Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1072) 1957

4. TAKE MY LOVE Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1072) 1957

5. HEY MAE Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1077) 1958

6. WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1077) 1958

7. HEY SHERIFF Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1083) 1958

8. SWEET THING Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1083) 1958

9. IT'S TOO LATE Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1091) 1958

10. WE'LL DO IT ANYWAY Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1091) 1958

11. KAW-LIGA Rusty and Doug With Wiley Barkdull (Hickory 1095) 1959

12. NEVER LOVE AGAIN Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1095) 1959

13. DANCING SHOES Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1101) 1959

14. I LIKE YOU (LIKE THIS) Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1101) 1959

15. THE LOVE I WANT Rusty and Doug With Wiley Barkdull (Hickory 1110) 1959

16. OH LOVE Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1110) 1959

17. LOUISIANA MAN Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1137) 1960

18. MAKE ME REALIZE Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1137) 1960

19. DIGGY LIGGY LO Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1151) 1961

20. CHEATED TOO Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1163) 1962

21. SO LOVELY BABY Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1163) 1962

22. CAJUN JOE (BULLY OF THE BAYOU) Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1177) 1962

23. SWEET SWEET GIRL TO ME Rusty and Doug (Hickory 1177) 1962

24. (OUR OWN) JOLE BLON Rusty and Doug (Hickory LPM-103) 1962