1. Carl Stuart Hamblen was an American entertainer who in 1926 became one of radio's first singing cowboys, going on to become a singer, actor, radio show host and songwriter.
24 Facts About Stuart Hamblen
1. 2.
Stuart Hamblen converted to Christianity under the ministry of Billy Graham, becoming a temperance movement supporter and running several times for political office.
3.
Stuart Hamblen is best known as the composer of the song "This Ole House", most notably recorded by Rosemary Clooney and Shakin' Stevens.
4.
Stuart Hamblen married Suzy Daniels and they had two children.
5.
In 1931, Stuart Hamblen began hosting the popular radio program Family Album in California.
6.
Stuart Hamblen composed music and acted in motion pictures with cowboy stars, including Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and John Wayne.
7.
Stuart Hamblen did not cope well with the pressures of his high-profile career and sought relief in alcohol.
8.
The Texas State Historical Association reports that Stuart Hamblen identified himself as the "original juvenile delinquent".
9.
Inevitably, Stuart Hamblen's drinking and gambling problems severely affected his life and career.
10.
In 1949 after years of struggle with alcohol, Stuart Hamblen converted to Christianity at a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles, and was fired from his radio program after refusing to do beer commercials.
11.
Stuart Hamblen subsequently gave up gambling and horse racing, and entered Christian broadcasting with his radio show The Cowboy Church of the Air, which ran until 1952.
12.
Graham said Stuart Hamblen was the No 1 radio personality in Los Angeles, which drew in crowds.
13.
Stuart Hamblen went on to relate an anecdote about Hamblen's hunting skills, instrumental in Hamblen's capture of a wild panther in the Los Angeles area prior to the crusade.
14.
Stuart Hamblen died March 8,1989, in Santa Monica, California, of brain cancer.
15.
Stuart Hamblen wrote the hit songs "This Ole House" and "Open Up Your Heart ".
16.
Stuart Hamblen came up with the lyrics to the song while riding horseback down the mountain, and composed the melody within a week.
17.
Stuart Hamblen wrote the lyrics to the Christmas cult favorite "Hardrock, Coco and Joe".
18.
The Stuart Hamblen family participated in the Pasadena Rose Parade for many years, riding Peruvian Paso horses.
19.
At Stuart Hamblen's well-attended funeral in Los Angeles, a recording of his was played; Billy Graham gave the eulogy.
20.
Stuart Hamblen was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, was presented the ACM Pioneer Award 1972, received the Gene Autry Golden Boot Award 1988, and was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame 2001.
21.
Stuart Hamblen later received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
22.
Stuart Hamblen was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Western Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
23.
Stuart Hamblen supported the American temperance movement and ran as the Prohibition Party's candidate for US president in the 1952 presidential election.
24.
Previously, Stuart Hamblen ran for California's 11th congressional district seat as a Democrat, losing to Carl Hinshaw in the 1938 election cycle.