Who was/is Sheb Wooley ? - CDs, Vinyl LPs, DVD and more

Sheb Wooley

Shelby Wooley was born just outside Erick on April 10, 1921. His father, Bill, was a farmer who sang bass in gospel quartets and played fiddle. By his teens, young Sheb was riding in local rodeos as well as performing there with his Plainview Melody Boys, also working in the oil fields. While cocking an ear to the country sounds that were coming from Nashville, Chicago and points East, Sheb was clearly drawn to the Western swing sounds of Texas and Oklahoma.

By 1945, he'd married Roger Miller's older sister, Melba; spent a while in a California orange packing plant; and, sidelined from military service by an old riding injury, worked in a World War II defense plant.

Moving to Nashville, then developing as a center of the country music industry, he performed for 'exposure' – promoter talk for without pay – on WLAC; performed around the area; and cut for the local Bullet label. Owner Jim Bulleit had formed a troupe that performed through the Carolinas, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, and names Sheb road manager. After an unrewarding year – and money disputes with Bulleit - he moved to Ft. Worth, Texas. Sheb got a radio show sponsored by General Foods' Calumet Baking Powder, whose logo was an American Indian chief. And, he recorded some sides, among them an answer to the current hit Jole Blon, for the local Bluebonnet label.

Los Angeles-based musician and A&R man Cliffie Stone heard Peepin' Through A Keyhole Watchin' Jole Blon, and cut his own hit version, and there was another cover, by Johnny Tyler for RCA Victor.

Looking to negotiate a new contract, General Foods brought Sheb to New York City, where he immediately contacted RCA's Steve Sholes. The man who would later bring Elvis to RCA didn't sign Sheb, but Wooley told Kevin Coffey that it was in the hall outside Sholes' office that he met Jean Aberbach, co-founder of the Hill & Range music publishing company; who (condensing the story a bit) arranged for Sheb to be signed to M-G-M Records, which released a session cut in Texas and financed by the publisher.

Wooley returned to California; ostensibly hoping to find a place in the movie industry, but doubtless aware of the major country music scene developing in the area. "I was raised on a ranch,"Wooley explained to 'Los Angeles Times' writer Don Alpert in 1960, "and I went into town on Saturdays to see the movies. They were all western films, and I think it became indelible in my mind that I could do that, too.

"Actually, I came out to be a singing cowboy, but when I got here in 1950 [sic] they didn't want any singing cowboys, even if you had your own guitar."

A retainer from Hill & Range helped Sheb through his acting lessons with Hollywood coach Jack Kosslyn and time spent on auditions; his first film role was a minor one in the 1950 Errol Flynn western 'Rocky Mountain.'

Several small roles followed, but his first real break came when he appeared in 'High Noon.' The film was a big production: produced by Stanley Kramer's company, written by Carl Forman, directed by Fred Zinnemann, and starring Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges and Grace Kelly. Sheb's was another relatively small part – brother of Frank Miller, leader of the outlaw gang faced down by Cooper - but he didn't go unnoticed, especially back home. Recalls Erick-born songwriter Michael Smotherman"Roger Miller told me that the marquee of the theater in Erick said 'High Noon, Starring Sheb Wooley'."

 

Sheb's other film credits were many, but particularly notable titles included'Little Big Horn,' 'The Man Without A Star,' 'Giant,' and 'Rio Bravo.' Roger Miller and Sheb remained close through the years, says Smotherman, who for some time played piano in Miller's band."Sheb [who played fiddle as well as guitar] got Roger started on the fiddle. Later, he was going to follow Sheb out to Hollywood to be an actor; but when that didn't work out, Roger came to Nashville and became what he became."

Sheb Wooley White Lightnin'
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Copyright © Bear Family Records®. Copying, also of extracts, or any other form of reproduction, including the adaptation into electronic data bases and copying onto any data mediums, in English or in any other language is permissible only and exclusively with the written consent of Bear Family Records® GmbH.

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White Lightnin' (CD)
Sheb Wooley: White Lightnin' (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD16894

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

He starred alongside Gary Cooper in ‘High Noon,’ alongside James Dean in ‘Giant,’ and alongside Clint Eastwood in ‘Rawhide!’ He wrote the theme tune of the long-running TV show ‘Hee-Haw!’ He was a country singer... and a cousin of Roger...
$14.21 $18.05
That's My Pa (4-CD Deluxe Box Set)
Sheb Wooley: That's My Pa (4-CD Deluxe Box Set) Art-Nr.: BCD15902

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4-CD box (LP-size) with 44-page book, 113 tracks. Playing time approx. 292 mns. Sheb Wooley has done it all: singer, songwriter, comedian and actor. In a career that spans over a half century he has scored major hits as performer and...
$67.85 $90.48
Rawhide - How The West Was Won
Sheb Wooley: Rawhide - How The West Was Won Art-Nr.: BCD15899

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1-CD with 44-page booklet, 24 tracks. Playing time approx. 60 mns. Oklahoma-born Sheb Wooley had pursued a country singing career before his skill with horses launched him into the movies. In 1959, he began a seven-year role as trail...
$15.79 $18.05
The Purple People Eater
Sheb Wooley: The Purple People Eater Art-Nr.: BCD16149

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1-CD with 20-page booklet, 31 tracks. Playing time approx. 70 mns. 'You have a hell of a lot more fun if you're versatile,' reflects Sheb Wooley , and, if this is so, the multi-talented Wooley must have had much more than his fair share...
$14.21 $18.05
Texas Tango (CD-R)
Sheb Wooley: Texas Tango (CD-R) Art-Nr.: CDD090

only 1x still available
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(2004/BACM) 26 tracks BULLET & MGM 1945-1954
$17.54
Blue Guitar (LP)
WOOLEY, Sheb: Blue Guitar (LP) Art-Nr.: BFX15175

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(Bear Family Records®) 16 Tracks
$22.58
The Purple People Eater - I Can't Believe (7inch, 45rpm)
Sheb Wooley: The Purple People Eater - I Can't Believe... Art-Nr.: 871904

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(Polydor) 2 tracks, Nice Rock'n'Roll Jiver!
$11.26
Chantilly Lace - The Purple People Eater (7inch, 45rpm)
Sheb Wooley / Big Bopper: Chantilly Lace - The Purple People Eater... Art-Nr.: 45ER4104

the very last 1 available
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(Eric Records) 2 tracks Side A - Chantilly Lace, Big Bopper Side B - The Purple People Eater, Sheb Wooley
$11.26
Country Boogies, Wild And Wooley! (LP)
Sheb Wooley: Country Boogies, Wild And Wooley! (LP) Art-Nr.: BFX15099

the very last 1 available
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​(Bear Family Records) 16 tracks 1948-1955
$22.58
22 Best Of The Best
Sheb Wooley: 22 Best Of The Best Art-Nr.: CDTVC0722

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(2003/KING) 22 tracks
$20.31
Wild And Wooley, Big Unruly Me
Sheb Wooley: Wild And Wooley, Big Unruly Me Art-Nr.: BCD16150

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Du hast jede Menge mehr Spaß, wenn du vielseitig bist, blickt Sheb Wooley zurück.'. Und wenn dem so ist, dann muß der vielseitig talentierte Sheb Wooley im Laufe seiner fünfzigjährigen Karriere weit mehr als den normalen Anteil an...
$15.79 $18.05