1. James Clarence Wakely was an American actor, songwriter, country music vocalist, and one of the last singing cowboys.
18 Facts About Jimmy Wakely
1. 2.
Jimmy Wakely owned two music publishing companies in later years, and performed at the Grand Ole Opry until shortly before his death.
3.
Jimmy Wakely was born in Howard County, Arkansas, but his family moved to Rosedale, Oklahoma by 1920.
4.
In 1939, Wakely made his screen debut in a Roy Rogers Western, Saga of Death Valley.
5.
Jimmy Wakely made only one film with Autry, Heart of the Rio Grande, at Republic in 1942.
6.
Jimmy Wakely was sometimes referred to as a low-budget Autry in films.
7.
Jimmy Wakely appeared in some non-Westerns, including I'm from Arkansas in 1944, a showcase for country and hillbilly performers who bring their comedy, tunes and yodeling to Pitchfork, Arkansas.
8.
Jimmy Wakely had a number one country hit with "One Has My Name ", a song originally released by Western singer Eddie Dean.
9.
Jimmy Wakely made several appearances on television variety shows; and in 1961 he was one of five rotating hosts on the NBC-TV program Five Star Jubilee.
10.
Jimmy Wakely converted part of his California ranch into a recording studio, producing recordings for himself as well as for other country Western performers, including Tex Williams, Merle Travis, Eddie Dean, Tex Ritter and Rex Allen.
11.
Jimmy Wakely created a records by mail system for the Shasta label, becoming extremely successful despite lack of radio play.
12.
Later in life, Jimmy Wakely performed at the Grand Ole Opry and National Barn Dance.
13.
Jimmy Wakely's nightclub act visited Las Vegas, Reno and other venues.
14.
Jimmy Wakely did a Christmas USO Tour with Bob Hope.
15.
Jimmy Wakely made appearances at Western film nostalgia conventions and continued personal appearances and stage shows, often with his daughter Linda and son Johnny in the act.
16.
Wakelys Daughter, Linda, wrote a biography about Jimmy Wakely titled "See Ya' Up There, Baby - The Jimmy Wakely Story".
17.
Jimmy Wakely was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971, and the Western Music Association Hall of Fame in 1991.
18.
Jimmy Wakely was awarded the "Western Life Achievement Award" by Tex Williams at the Hollywood Bowl, July 30th, 1949.