Description

Description: This November 28, 1948 Western Hall of Fame First Annual “Hoss Opera” souvenir program is pencil or ink signed  by several of the performers and people involved with the production. Some of the signers include: Spade Cooley, Les Anderson, Gus Ehrman, Ken Gurtis, Kenne Duncan, Becky Barfield, Doye O’Dell, Cliffie Stone, Herman the Hermit, Wesley Tuttle, Tex Williams, Eddie Kirk, and others. This “Hoss Opera” was apparently organized to try to stir enough interest and support to create a Western Hall of Fame in California, an effort that ultimately was unsuccessful.

Stapled wraps, produced by Harry Sherman Productions, 12 pages extensively illustrated with black and white images of performers, contributors, and Western entertainment-related figures, numerous ads for Hollywood, California businesses, Roy Rogers Quaker Oats ad on rear wrap.

Spade Cooley (1910-1969), the “King of Western Swing”, was an American Western swing musician, big band leader, actor, and television personality. He was the music director for this show. Thirteen years after signing this program he was convicted for the murder of his second wife, Ella Mae Evans, after he learned of her early 1950’s affair with Roy Rogers.

Cliffie Stone (1917-1998) was an American country singer who played a pivotal role in California’s thriving country music scene after World War II. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989.

12″ x 9″. Item #A01382

Condition: Corners bumped and edges rubbed, light staining, pages 5-8 are loose but present, pencil notes relating to the different acts. Generally good condition.