Tex Ritter (part of speech given to the Country Music Association Awards Banquet in October, 1973, nine years after he had been inducted into the CMA Hall of Fame)"...Changes do have to take place in all walks of life if we are to understand each other...if we are to grow...if we are to make this a better world for ourselves and our children and our children's children.  And the answer is in our music.  Simple, basic truth...from the heart to the heart...that's what it's all about. We seem to better understand each other in song. A song by its very construction leaves no room for shadings or sham.  And the country song seems to be the most direct for the country writer knows no other way.  His songs reflect the hopes and dreams of everyone as well as everyone's fears and failures.   And his songs are a common meeting ground.  His songs are not unlike the mirror held before the dirty-faced little boy which causes him to wash that face.   And maybe, just maybe, if the whole world would listen to our country songs there'd be a whole lot of face-washing going on." (from Tom Ritter) "Dad wrote a number of songs with Frank Harford, one being "Lovely Veil of White" which Bing Crosby recorded.  It was said to have been one of Mr. Crosby's favorite songs.  So, of course, it was one of Dad's favorites too." Birth Name: Woodward Maurice Ritter Induction Year: 1971 Date of Birth: 1/12/1905 Date of Death: 1/2/1974 Place of Birth: Carthage, TX Place of Death: Nashville, TN   Former Occupations: dishwasher life insurance salesman Education: Grade School--Carthage Grade School (from 1911-1919) High School--South Park High School (Beaumont) (from 1921-1923); graduated with honors College--University of Texas (from 1923-1928); studied pre-law, majored in government, political science and economics College--University of Texas Law School (from 1927-1928) Career Milestones: 1928--sang on radio station KPRC (Houston) in a 30-minute program of cowboy songs 1928--moved to New York City 1928--made the men's chorus in the Broadway show "The New Moon" 1930--appeared as "The Cowboy" in the Broadway production of "Green Grow the Lilacs" 1932--starred on WOR (New York) radio show "The Lone Star Rangers" (NY's first radio western) 1933--wrote and starred in radio show "Cowboy Tom's Roundup" in New York; daily program aired over 3 stations and was the favorite children's radio series on the East coast for 3 years 1933--recorded for the American Record Company (Columbia Records) 1933--first record released, "Goodbye Ole Paint" 1933--landed a major role in the daily radio show "Cowboy Tom's Roundup" on WINS 1934--performed on the radio show "WHN Barndance" 1935--signed with Decca Records (recorded 30 songs between 1935 and 1939) 1936--moved to Los Angeles 1936--motion picture debut in "Song of the Gringo" for Grand National Pictures (made 12 pictures for Grand National between 1936 and 1938) 1942--signed with newly established Capitol Records as their first Western singer and their first artist signed; first recording session on June 11 1945--had the #1, 2 and 3 songs on Billboard's "Most Played Jukebox Folk Records" poll, a first in the industry 1952--recorded "High Noon" for Gary Cooper's film of the same title; became a near-million seller 1952--first tour of Europe 1953--sang "High Noon" at the first-ever televised Academy Awards Show (title song won Oscar for best movie song of the year) 1953--began performing on "Town Hall Party" on radio and television in Los Angeles 1955--formed Vidor Publications Inc. (music publishing firm) with Johnny Bond; "Remember the Alamo" first song in catalogue 1957--first lp album released, "Songs From the Western Screen" 1959--starred in his own television musical, "Ranch Party," telecast worldwide for four years 1965--moved to Nashville and began working for WSM and the Grand Ole Opry 1973--recorded last session for Capitol Records Awards: 1964--Country Music Hall of Fame induction Catalog Highlights Boss Jack Artists:Tex Ritter, Johnny Cash I've Done the Best I Could Co-writer: Frank Harford Artists: Tex Ritter Gold Is Where You Find It Artists: High Wide and Handsome Co-writer: Ted Choate Artists: Tex Ritter In Your Lovely Veil of White Co-writer: Frank Harford Artists: Bing Crosby Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide Co-writer: Joe Allison I'm Wastin' My Tears on You Co-writer: Frank Harford Artists: Tex Ritter Remember the Alamo Co-writer: Mary Bowers Artists: Tex Ritter, Kingston Trio Comments: Interested in preserving Country Music heritage, he was instrumental in establishing the library in the Country Music Association's Hall of Fame After graduating from the University of Texas, Ritter toured as a singing lecturer, known as "The Texas Cowboy and His Songs" During his early days at Grand National, when he reported to the office of publicity and promotion, he was asked his age. He replied that he was 31. The publicity person asked him what he thought of publicizing his age at 29--thought it would be better if he were "under 30." Birth year was listed as 1907 instead of 1905. This stuck and is even the year listed on his plaque in the Country Music Hall of Fame Unsuccessfully challenged Senator Bill Brock for the Republican Senatorial nomination in Tennessee in 1970