Tex Ritter was one of the first “singing cowboys”, a performer  who started out singing on radio in Texas in the 1920s before moving to New York to appear on radio and on Broadway.

A pioneer of American country music, he made his first records in 1933, and went enjoy a recording career that lasted four decades. His motion picture debut was in Song of the Gringo (1936) for Grand National Pictures and  went on to appear in 70 movies as an actor, and 76 on film soundtracks.

He attracted special attention in 1952 for his rendition of The Ballad of High Noon over the opening credits of the celebrated film High Noon, and later sang it at that year’s Academy Awards ceremony, where it won Best Original Song. In 1944, scored a hit with I’m Wastin’ My Tears On You, which hit No.1 on the country chart and No.11 on the pop chart. An article in the trade publication Billboard noted 14 years later that with that song, he “reached the style of rhythmic tune that would assure his musical stature.”

Other popular numbers include You Two-Timed Me Once Too Often, You Will Have To Pay, and the Top 3 hits There’s A New Moon Over My Shoulder, Jealous Heart, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You and When You Leave Don’t Slam The Door.

This 77-track set comprises recordings on the Vocalion, Champion and Decca labels from the 1930s, and then, when he was one of the first signings to the newly-founded Capitol label, further selected A- and B-sides from the 1940s and ‘50s.

A substantial and varied showcase for his talent and his highly distinctive style, the collection encompasses children’s songs and faith-based material as well as his ground-breaking country numbers.

TRACKS