Cowboy Church #200

 Hello my friends and welcome back to another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with A Christmas Prayer. This recording comes from Roy and Dale's 1967 Christmas album, Christmas is Always. 

This is followed by Gene Autry with An Old Fashioned Tree. This recording comes from an episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch radio show, that aired on December 5, 1948.

Afterwards comes Tennessee Ernie Ford with his 1971 recording of Hark the Herald Angels Sing. This hymn was written by Charles Wesley. Wesley stated that what he hoped to achieve through his hymns was to teach sound doctorine to the poor an illiterate, who may not be able to read the Bible for themselves. His brother John Wesley, who was a famous theologian and one of the founders of Methodism, stated that Charles' hymnal was the best book on Theology there was out there. Charles wrote the words to this hymn as he heard the church bells ringing on his way to church on Christmas Day. He intended this to be a poem that would be read in Church on Christmas Day. This poem first appeared in print in 1739 in Hymns and Sacred Poems. In 1753 George Whitefield, put these words to the music we know today. Whitefield also added the term “newborn king.” 

Next comes Merle Haggard with Santa Claus and Popcorn. This song comes Merle's 1973 Christmas album, Hag's Christmas. It is important to remember that no matter how we celebrate this Christmas to remember that the reason that we celebrate is because of Jesus Christ and that Jesus loving us is something that we must never forget. It may be the simplicist piece of theology, but it is something that must be instilled and us and something that we never forgot on our Christian walk. 

Now for the Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power in the Blood. 

Then comes The Petersens with O Holy Night. This hymn was written in 1847. The lyricist for the song was Placide Cappeau. Cappeau was a poet who rarely wrote about Christian subjects, however the local priest asked him to write a poem for Christmas mass. He didn't know what to write so he looked at the story of Jesus' birth in the book of Luke and tried to place himself there. He then asked his friend Adolphe Charles Adams (who had composed over 80 operas) to write some music. This hymn would gain controversy in France, when the church learned of its writers. Cappeau had left the church and joined the socialist party. Adams was not Christian, but rather Jewish. The idea that neither of the writers of a Christian hymn were in fact Christian, upset many church leaders. These church leaders denounced the song and deemed it not fit to sing in a church. Yet despite this the hymn was one of the most popular Christmas songs in France at the time. 

Then comes The Sons of the San Joaquin with It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. The song was written by Edmund H. Sears. This hymn first appeared in Boston's Christian Register, on December 29, 1849 (yes after Christmas). That version has a verse that does not appear in this version, "But with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not the love-song, which they bring: O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing!" This verse reflects the state if America at the time this song was written. The Civil War was approaching, and Sears found himself concerned with the division in our country. Unlike many Christmas songs, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear is not a song about peace on Earth but rather a plea for it. With the division and anger that is so prevalent today, this is a perfect Christmas song for our time. This song has been put to different tunes over the years and the two most prevalent are Carol (by Richard Storis Willis in 1850) and Noel (by Sir Arthur Sullivan in 1878). Carol is the preferred version of this song in the U.S. and is the one Willie performs here. The tune had been used for other lyrics dating back to when it was written in 1850, and was first used to accompany, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear in 1878.

Today's musical selection ends with Johnny Cash singing God is Not Dead. This recording comes from John's 1968 gospel album The Holy Land. This album was inspired by a trip John and his wife, country singer June Carter Cash, took to Israel and as well as music also including some recordings of John narrating what sees while in The Holy Land. If you ever get the chance to go to Israel, it will become very clear to you that God is definitely not dead, as you can fully feel his presence with you while you are there. This song was written by John himself and fully reflects the sentiments of any Christian who visits Israel.  

Today's movie trailer is for a fun and silly little B-western, Gold Raiders (1951). This film stars George O'Brien and The Three Stooges. Today George O' Brien is probably best remembered for his role in F.W. Murnau's Sunrise (1927). However he had a very prolific career in Westerns. He rose to prominence in John Ford's landmark silent western, The Iron Horse (1924). He went on to star in a large number of B-westerns in the 1930's as well as having supporting roles in A-Westerns including the John Ford and John Wayne masterpieces Fort Apache (1948) and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949). Naturally, I don't need to tell you who The Three Stooges are. This is the second and last feature film that features Shemp as a member of The Stooges. The other feature films with The Three Stooges had either Curly or Joe DeRita in the role of the third stooge. The movie was directed by Edward Bernds, who was a regular director of The Stooges short films if this era. The film was written by Elwood Ullman (a regular writer for The Stooges) and William Lively (who wrote a good number of B-westerns). 

Next is the C.S. Lewis short story, The Man Born Blind.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. Job 22:27

They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:11

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Cowboy Church #195

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's music selection begins with Gene Autry's 1946 recording of When It's Round Up Time in Heaven. This song was written by Jimmie Davis, former governor of Louisiana and writer of You Are My Sunshine and I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes. Gene recorded this song on June 4, 1946. The same day he recorded another cowboy gospel number, Rounded Up in Glory.  

This is followed by Merle Haggard with Softly And Tenderly. The song was written by an Ohio businessman named Will Thompson in 1880.  As well as writing gospel songs Thompson also wrote quite a few secular songs and parotic songs. When the songs he wrote were rejected by publishers he created his own company, Will L. Thompson & Company. This company would not only publish music by sell musical instruments. Softly and Tenderly first appeared in 1880's Sparkling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, a collection of songs from the company. When evangelist Dwight L. Moody was on his death bed he told the songwriter, "Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life." This was appropriate as Will decided to make songwriting his career while at a meeting held by Moody.

Next is The Charlie Daniels Band with a wonderfully country blues filled version of Just a Closer Walk With Thee. This version of the classic hymn comes from the band's 2002 album, How Sweet the Sound. Unlike their previous Christian albums, that consisted mostly of original songs, this album found the band performing old gospel songs and hymns. It is probably the band's finest album of the 21st Century. 

Then comes Glen Campbell with I Love to Tell the Story. When recovering from a sickness, Arabella Katherine Hankey wrote a poem about the life of Christ. This poem was broken into two parts the first being called The Story Wanted (published in January, 1866) and the second called The Story Told (published in November, 1866). I Love to Tell the Story comes from this second part. In 1869 William G. Fisher put this text to music and that is the version we know today. Still it is worth noting that Hankey wrote her own music for these words, but her music was seldom used and is now forgotten.

Afterwards comes The Blue Sky Boys with their 1936 recording of Where the Soul of Man Never Dies.

Now for Anne Wilson with Scatter. This song comes from her 2022 debut album, My Jesus. 

Now for The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power In The Blood. I love the Sons of the Pioneers' gospel recordings of this time period. The meaning of the word gospel is "good news", and these songs perfectly match that description as the are filled with joy and fun. Being a Christian should be a joyous thing that brings us much happiness and these recordings are full of pure joy and fun. 

Today's musical selection ends with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing I'll Fly Away. This version of the classic southern gospel song comes from their 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet By and By. 

Today's movie trailer is for The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1958). This is the second feature film, released to movie theaters, based off of the Lone Ranger TV series. Like the first film, this movie is in full color and features Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels playing The Lone Ranger and Tonto. The movie was directed by Lesley Selander, who also directed the previous film and before this had a long history of B-westerns including some Hopalong Cassidy and Red Ryder movies. After this there would be no more feature length Lone Ranger films until 1981.

Now for a message from the Reverend Billy Graham.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Movie Review: Country Music - A Film By Ken Burns

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

As every reader of this blog knows, I am a huge country music fan. As such it is no wonder that Ken Burns' recent country music documentary had such an appeal to me. It certainly did not let me down in the least.

This is a very in depth look at the history of country music. However how wide reaching country music is, this film could no cover everything. There were artists I wished could have been discussed much more. For instance The Sons of the Pioneers and Roy Rogers (and Dale Evans receives no mention at all) only got passing mentions and I certainly would love to have heard more about Lynn Anderson, The Statler Brothers, Jim Reeves, Johnny Rodriguez, Tex Ritter, Charley Daniels, George Strait and Tompall Glaser. To cover that much would have been an impossibility, so this becomes little more than nitpicking. There is a lot to learn in this movie even from country music buffs like me. Also it is really nice to see DeFord Bailey get the attention he deserves. As a harmonica player myself DeFord is definitely an influence on me. I also loved that they payed tribute to country music from artists who are not known for country such as Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and The Byrds.

The highlight of this movie is the interviews. We get to see true country music legends discuss country music. It is always a joy to see Kris Kristoffeson, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams JR. (when the film focuses on Hank Williams Sr. the subtitle under Hank Jr literally says "Hank Williams Jr. - Son"), Dwight Yoakam, and Willie Nelson. It was also a very nice surprise to see Merle Haggard and Little Jimmy Dickens, who had passed away recently. Charley Pride always seems like the nicest guy in the world whenever I see him talk. If there is anybody in country music I would like to be friends with, it is Charley Pride. Charley is of course one of the all time great country singers and I wish more people I knew were fans. Marty Stuart shows how he truly is country music's resident historian. Emmylou Harris is a delight and her passion for country music can be felt each time she talks. Dwight and Merle often stole the show. They both would sing the songs as they were talking about them and even singing brief snippets of the songs, you could hear the incredible emotion in their voice fully be reminded of why these two are such great singers. They just have a perfect way with words and a great sense of humor. I love Merle stating that if anyone doesn't like Bob Wills they are under suspicion with him, or Dwight saying that Lovesick Blues is sentimental to its core but also sticks its middle finger up at the world. Hearing Dwight yodel that song is also a highlight, and I want to see him do a full cover of that song.

Plus getting to hear songs by all those previously mentioned plus Jimmie Rogers, The Carter Family, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Lefty Frizzell, Pasty Cline, Gene Autry, Roy Acuff, Buck Owens, Bill Monroe, Townes Van Zandt and more certainly didn't hurt the film at all.

Most of all though this film is a love letter to country music and a lovely heartfelt one at that. I found myself singing along with each song, remembering why I fell in love with the genre. This movie made me fall in love with Country music all over again.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

Cowboy Church #6

Happy Easter my friends, it is time for some more cowboy church.

To start our music selection off today, appropriate for Easter we begin with Johnny Cash performing He's Alive. This version is from his 1979 gospel album A Believer Sings the Truth. Next up come another Johnny Cash song for Easter. This is Where You There When They Crucified My Lord. This version is from a 1962 performance on the Grand Old Opry's TV program. Next comes Merle Haggard singing the gospel classic The Old Rugged Cross off his 1981 album Songs For the Mama Who Tried. Next is Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and the Sons of the Pioneers performing The Place Where I Worship on TV in 1962. After this is The Carter Family's 1935 recording of Diamonds in the Rough. Last up is Gene Autry singing the great hymn Beautiful Isle of Somewhere from the feature film, Colorado Sunset (1939).

The following is a 1957 article from Radio TV Mirror about Roy Rogers.




 

    

For Easter here is an Easter message from Billy Graham.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.  She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!"  Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see.  The other disciple outran Peter and got there first.  He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.  Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there,  while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.  Then the other disciple also went in, and he saw and believed. John 20:1-8

-Michael J. Ruhland 

Roy Rogers: A Western Star is Born

The following is an article from the Motion Picture Herald, dated August 24, 1943 and titled A Man, A Horse and a Campaign.

"This is a story of how a star was made. Its is the story of a campaign which added to the integrity of motion picture exploitation and the publicity of the advertising principals and methods of a toothpaste manufacturer.

"The star is Republic's Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger, and this is how it happened.

"Gene Autry top box office western star and for two years high up in the charmed circle of Hollywood's ten biggest money makers, was U.S. Army Bound. Time was short. Republic and its customers wanted a successor in an hurry. So driven by necessity, the studio decided upon a record-breaking apportion for the buildup of the man they hoped to crown 'King of the Cowboys.'


"Promotion Went into High With Rodeo Appearance"By October 25, 1942, nine months ago, the Rogers' promotional campaign was in high gear. On that date he appeared in New York's Madison square garden, at the World's Championship Rodeo. Roy took only the proverbial bull by the horns, leaving the rough stuff for the professional cowboys out for cash prizes, but he got top billing and during his New York visit appeared on Fred Allen's radio program, was photographed at Randolph Field and exchanged with Mayor LaGuardia a pair of silver spurs for the key to the city.


"In the whirlwind campaign that followed, the name of the man who was to be Gene Autry's successor became known to public and exhibitors alike. Autry's rise to fame was slow but steady, but Roy Rogers' name was shot across the cinema horizon like a fighter plane heading for his target.


"Through national magazines, newspapers, rural weeklies, billboards and the airwaves, the campaign has deluged the American public with volumes of Roy Rogers material.


"By topping press and radio publicity and advertising with personal appearances of their Western star, Republic has seen to it that few are the Americans who have neither seen nor heard of Rogers. As a result, exhibitors not only have found themselves with a name to substitute for Gene Autry, but are also finding that their Western-fan patrons are more concerned with who is heading the cast then with the title.


"Engaged in Six-Week Tour of American Army Camps"Leaving New York in October of last year, Rogers appeared with the rodeo in Boston and Buffalo. From Buffalo, he went to Toledo, to participate in the Community Chest Drive. Then followed a six week tour of Army camps, with 136 performances in 20 days. Roy ended that phase of his campaign in Las Vegas, where he was named Grand Marshall of the Helldorado celebration, and where he checked into his hotel astride his horse Trigger who holding a pencil in his mouth signed the register with an X as the cameras clicked.

"When time allowed he took to the road, making personal appearances from coast to coast, calling on children at orphanages in Washington and Texas, performing for soldiers at camps, USO Canteens, Stage Door Canteens and participating in War Bond drives.

"His personal appearances hit a climax two weeks ago when he appeared at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago in conjunction with the first run of his 'Song of Texas.' Even the studio has lost count of the number of his personal appearances.

"In conjunction with the Rogers' tours, Republic has plastered billboards from coast to coast with advertisements of their cowboy star, reading: 'Roy Rogers - King of the Cowboys - 'Trigger' - Smartest Horse in the Movies - Appearing in Republic Pictures - Satisfying America's Demand for Western Romance!' Republic points out that the display concerns Roy and Trigger only, all without reference to the title of any picture.


"There followed in the wake of this combined exploitation and advertising a great flood of publicity in fan and general magazines, daily newspapers and weeklies. Photographs of Rogers, usually in the company of Trigger, appeared in display windows, pamphlets and all types of periodicals. Roy astride Trigger rearing up on his hind legs, decorated the Life Magazine's July 12th issue with a featured story inside.          

"In exploitation, all chapters of the Junior Rodeo fans of America, a national organization, are kept informed by Republic where and when Roy Rogers films are showing and in many cases are feeding their local chapters with the same service.

"Past and Present Cowboy Kings Unique Stunt
"There are two albums of Roy Rogers Cowboy Songs, published in cooperation with Republic. The company is prepared to provide exhibitors with the sheet music albums at reduced prices for promotional prize contests or tieups with music stores.

"One exhibitor worked out his own exploitation idea. The Skouras Victory theatre in Bayside, N.Y., booked William S. Hart's 'Tumbleweed,' ran it with 'Idaho,' staring Roy Rogers, and advertised the program as 'King of the Cowboys, Past and Present.'

"The first known Western star was Max Aronson, former vaudeville actor, who, as Broncho Billy Anderson, directed, produced and stared in screenplays written by Max Aronson, turning out one a week for 376 weeks. In the season just ended, Roy Rogers starred in eight big-budget (Some $350,000 per picture) films for Republic, with eight more big-budget pictures scheduled for the new season.

"Republic executives have emphasized that through consistent use of trade paper advertising, the exhibitor has been kept abreast of the national campaign, conceived and supervised by Charles Reed Jones, Republic's director of advertising and publicity.

"Report 100 Per Cent Rise on Rogers Films
"At their recent sales meetings Republic officials announced that film rental grosses on current releases had reached a new high surpassing all expectations, and that the gross receipts on the Roy Rogers big-budget films were 100 per cent above last year.

"James R. Grainger, Republic president has attributed the 100 per cent rise in receipts on Rogers' films to the increased production budgets, and the advertising and exploitation campaign on the films. Ad no small percentage of the expenditure went into the personal promotion of Roy Rogers, 'King of Cowboys.'"


Now for our music selection for today. This clip is from the 35th episode (the 6th episode of the 2nd season) of the TV show Hee Haw (1969-1997), which premiered on October, 20, 1970. Also guest staring on this episode was Roy's wife, singing partner, and often film costar Dale Evans and Doug Kershaw. Roy was a popular guest star on this show appearing in 4 episodes in season 2 alone. The song Roy is performing in the script is a Merle Haggard cover, The Fighting Side of Me. This patriotic song was written by Merle. It was released as a single in December 1969, and then was the title track for his 1970 live album.

   

       

Here is Merle performing the song.





   Happy Trails to you until we meet again.

-Michael J. Ruhland