Ray Whitley

Ray Whitley is probably best known as composer of Gene Autry's theme, "Back in the Saddle Again". He composed numerous other songs, as well, recorded by many Western artists including Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers. But his contribution to Western Music went beyond his compositions. He starred as the musical companion to George O'Brien, William Boyd and Tim Holt in numerous B- Western films in the 1930s and 40s, introducing his western songs to movie-going audiences. He sometimes attracted as much or more fan mail than the non-singing stars, resulting in his filming of 18 musical shorts for RKO between 1937 and 1942. In addition, at different times in his career, he managed the Sons of the Pioneers and Jimmy Wakely and was an executive with Gene Autry's music publishing and record companies. He also designed the SJ-200 guitar series for the Gibson Guitar Company, the original of which is on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. (By O.J. Sikes)