From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sat Jan 12, 2002  2:31 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Tex Ritter

TEX RITTER

Born Woodward Maurice Ritter, 12 January 1905, on a farm near
Murvaul, Panola County, Texas
Died 2 January 1974, Nashville, Tennessee

Country singer / actor.
Ritter spent two years in law school, then left for a career on Broadway.
He worked on many radio shows, especially in the 30's. In 1936 he moved
to Hollywood and starred in 85 Western movies until 1946, mostly as a
singing cowboy. His career as a recording artist had started in 1934,
but was unsuccesful until he signed with the fledgling Capitol label in
1942, the first country artist to do so. Until 1950 he scored hit after hit
on the country charts, including three number ones : "I'm Wastin' My
Tears On You" (1944), "You Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often" (1945)
and "You Will Have To Pay" ( 1945). From 1953-1960 Ritter was co-host
of the radio and TV series Town Hall Party. He sang the title song on the
soundtrack of the film "High Noon" (1953), which won an Academy Award
and reached # 12 on the pop chart, though Frankie Laine had the bigger hit.
Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1964. Moved to Nashville in
1965 and worked on the Grand Ole Opry. Ran for the US Senate in 1973,
but lost. Died of a heart attack the year after.
Bear Family issued two 4-CD box-sets by Tex Ritter: "Blood On The Saddle"
covers his performances from the 30's and 40's (old-time cowboy and
hillbilly material); "High Noon" picks up the story in December 1947 and
moves through December 1954, by which time Ritter had turned to the
country mainstream.

More info on the website: http://www.surfnetinc.com/chuck/ritter.htm
Biography: Johnny Bond, The Tex Ritter Story. New York : Chappell
Music, 1976. 397 p. (Out of print.)