Monte Hale

In 1944, Monte Hale came to Hollywood as a singer. While still a boy in Texas, he had gained experience as a cowboy singer working rodeos and dances. In Galveston, he was hired to play guitar, backing Lee "Lasses" White, former vaudeville entertainer and movie sidekick to Tim Holt and Jimmy Wakely. White was working in Texas with a group of Hollywood stars engaged in a war bond drive. Monte's warm voice, with its authentic accent, his appearance and his charisma landed him a contract with Republic Studios.

Monte Hale's first Western film, "Home on the Range," was Republic's first B-Western shot in color. His back-up group for the occasion was Bob Nolan & the Sons of the Pioneers. In his films Out California Way" and "Along the Oregon Trail," also in color, he was joined by Foy Willing & the Riders of the Purple Sage. He made a number of other western films before retiring his series from the screen in 1951, shortly before the end of the B-Western era, but not before making an important contribution to the genre.

During his movie years, Monte was very active doing musical guest spots on national radio shows, such as "All-Star Western Theatre." And his popularity continued well beyond the screen years. For example, a Fawcett comic book series featuring Monte Hale ran for 59 issues between 1948 and 1956, and he was featured in other comic book series as well.

After the movie era, Monte toured with singing cowboy and noted composer Ray Whitley and his band, bringing western music to rodeos around the country. Later, he continued to tour with others, and he composed and recorded for Beltone and MGM. Unfortunately, few of his recordings have been properly preserved, but he can still be heard at his best on the soundtracks of his early movies.