"Shake Hands with Danger" (early 1970's)

Cool bad-ass country vocals and guitar...

Cowboy Songs as Sung by Silver Yodeling Bill (1935)

Canadian Mountie Tin Lid (1940's)

This is a tin that I got from my grandmother. Doesn't that Mountie look sharp? What a great uniform.

"Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa played by "Prince Band" 78rpm

Happy Independence Day!

Gene Autry & Smiley Burnette "Uncle Noah's Ark" (1935)

It's June 22nd and that means that the start of the Gene Autry and the Twentieth Century West exhibit opens at The Autry... Here's the scoop:

Gene Autry and the Twentieth-Century West:
The Centennial Exhibition 1907-2007
Autry National Center, Griffith Park Campus
in Los Angeles, California
June 22, 2007 through January 13, 2008

Gene Autry achieved fame as America's Favorite Singing Cowboy, but he was so much more than that. Come learn about this multifaceted man who was the first and only entertainer to earn five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for recording, radio, motion picture, television, and live performance. Gene Autry and the Twentieth-Century West: The Centennial Exhibition, 1907-2007 provides a comprehensive window into Gene Autry as a celebrity, innovative media maverick, sports team owner, businessman, and humanitarian.

On display in the George Montgomery Gallery from June 22, 2007, through January 13, 2008, the exhibition spotlights Gene's contributions during the significant events of his lifetime, including his military service during World War II, friendships formed with U.S. presidents, and his involvement in Major League Baseball. At every critical point throughout the twentieth century, Gene Autry was there-as a patriot, celebrity, visionary, and everyday hero who helped shape and influence our culture.

As you tour the five-gallery exhibition, you'll engage with fun, interactive, multimedia displays that allow you to sample early recordings and film clips. You'll also experience the more personal side of Gene as you peruse his closet full of brilliantly embroidered Western shirts, handsome, hand-tooled leather boots, and spotless cowboy hats, not to mention his famous Martin D-45 guitar. Additional displays round out the other dimensions of Gene, effectively bringing this legend to life for all to experience anew.





To celebrate here's a clip from my favorite Gene Autry movie/serial, "The Phantom Empire". Here's the plot summary...

When the ancient continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean, some of its inhabitant survived in caverns beneath the sea. Cowboy singer Gene Autry stumbles upon the civilization, now buried beneath his own Radio Ranch. The Muranians have developed technology and weaponry such as television and ray guns. Their rich supply of radium draws unscrupulous speculators from the surface. The peaceful civilization of the Muranians is corrupted by the greed from above, and it becomes Autry's task to prevent all-out war, ideally without disrupting his regular radio show.

This is an incredible film. Visit www.geneautry.com for more Gene goodness.

The Hoosier Hot Shots - Etiquette Blues (1946)

Here's another YouTube clip I ripped from Pappy Stuckey's page. I'll even rip-off his text....

Along with Freddie Fisher and the Korn Kobblers, the Hot Shots were the precursor to Spike Jones, albeit with a rural bent... they were highly successful, making at least 22 movies throughout the 40's & 50's -- this one from the 1946 feature Lone Star Moonlight -- and featured the greatest musical washboard of all time, walloped by the great Hezzie! Dig in!

The Rio Theater Ad (1944)

"The Amazon Yolanda" Burlesque Newpaper Ad (1945)

The Knott's Berry Farm Burro in Ghost Town (1955)

"FATHER DIED THIS MORNING" Aug 24, 1928

I found this Western Union Telegram envelope today at my Grandmother's house in the desert. This letter is from my Great Uncle Emmet, who lived in Detroit, to my Great Grandfather, living in Los Angeles, telling him of my Great Great Grand Father's death. I think that Western Union charged by the word. That might be why the message is so brief and to the point. It could also be that there is not much else to say between two brothers when it comes to their father's death. 1145 Arizona Ave is right off Olyimpic just east of the 710 and 5 freeway intersection.

Jimmie & Leon Short - "Old Indians Never Die" (1947)

Some good ol' Delmore Bros.-type harmonizin' from the 1947 feature Hollywood Barn Dance. Yes, that's Ernest Tubb intro-ing the Shorts...

I ripped this off PappyStuckey's Youtube page. This guy manages to find the cool/rare C&W and Jazz clips. Amazing stuff.

I've been real busy with a bunch of personal stuff (nothing bad, all good) and I haven't had the time to dedicate to this blog like I used to. Hopefully that will all change, so keep coming back and check out Sick's Sick Six too. That's my other blog with more Horror/weird/crazy stuff.
Thanks, HG

Christmas Ad (1962)

Goldak Metal/Mineral Locator Ad (1963)

"Westen Note Paper" Ad (1963)

"Fort Apache Indian Reservation" Ad (1963)

"The Alaskan Camper" Ad (1963)

"Ruldolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" 7" Record (19??)

Little Jimmy Dickens "Big Sandy"

Ernest Tubb "Walkin' the Floor over You"

The Big Bopper "Chantilly Lace"

Wrestling at Legion Arena, Newpaper Ad (1949)

Gene Aurty Picture from Songbook (1946)

Midget Wrestlers Photo (1949)

"The Robert E. Lee" Burlesque Show at The Colony Club Newspaper Ad (1951)

"Catalgue of Secret Society Rituals" by Ezra A. Cook (1930s)

Hole in Rock, near Phoenix, Arizona Postcard

Superstition Mountain - Arizona Postcard (19??)

Old State Penitentiary at Yuma, Arizona Postcard

"Herbert Hoover's 'Mistakes'" Pro-Hoover Flyer

"Rejected" Anti Franklin Delano Roosevelt Flyer

Encyclopedia of Folk, Country, and Western Music" by Irwin Stambler & Grelun Landon (1969)