Wesley Tuttle introduced "Detour" on Capital Records in 1946!Buffalo Rick met Wesley & his lovely wife Marilyn just a couple of years ago, and began a freindship that has lead to an exciting recording project.
As a member of The Old Cowhands, Buffalo Rick proposed the idea of recording a tribute album for Wesley,wich will be released in mid Nov. to coincide with his induction into the Western Music Hall of Fame, in Tucson, Arizona.
Featured on the CD are some of the many songs Wesley & Marilyn Released between 1946-1957. From the popular "Detour" to "Slippin' Around With Jole' Blond", plus some classics like "Strawberry Roan" & "Via Con Dios" Musicians on the CD include The Old Cowhands, Rusty Richards, Wesley & Marilyn Tuttle, Al Casey, Rags Allen, Dave Bourne & Amy Jo Richards.
If you would like more info on obtaining a copy of this Historic Western CD project, or a collectors issue, which will include photos of the sessions, an autographed musicians studio book (only one book per musician available), and an autographed photo of Wesley, Contact me below.
To Purchase a CD, Send $15.00 + 2.95 S & H to
BUFFALO RICK - POB 255 - CAVE CREEK,AZ 85327
OR PHONE: 602-992-4578
What a long overdue process this has been to pay tribute to a legend, Wesley Tuttle. Somehow the past 40 years or more Capitol Records (which is now EMI) has forgotten about one of it’s early recording artists. Here is a true western gentleman singer who has had numerous Country/Western hit records in the late 1940’s and 1950’s, and has never had any re-release material available. A lot of people seemed to forget about Wesley Tuttle. He has been out of the music business for a long time.
It is very interesting how this project came about, but first what about this legend, Wesley Tuttle. Not only is he a legand, but a living legend.
Wesley Tuttle was born December 30, 1917 in Lamar, Colorado. He was an only child. Like most children in the 1920’s and 1930’s, he listened to the radio. He and his Mom and Dad moved to San Fernando, California when Wesley was still very young. His early childhood was very normal growing up in the San Fernando Valley area. Country/Western Music was being played over the radio waves and Wesley was listening to about every Country/Western music program there was. His first favorite singing star was the Blue Yodeler, Jimmie Rogers. Wesley would spend hours imitating Rogers vocal and yodeling style. At the age of seven years old Wesley recieved a ukulele. He practiced and practiced. Later he would get a guitar and became a self taught guitar picker.
At the age of 13, Wesley met Stuart Hamblin. Hamblin encouraged Wesley’s vocal style and guitar playing. Wesley started playing guitar and singing with Hamblin’s group. After high school graduation in San Fernando, Wesley went to work with Hamblin’s group, The Beverly Hillbillies and for a short while was an alternate member with the legendary western group, The Sons of the Pioneers.
Wesley proved a valuable singer with these various singing groups. He was much in demand with his tenor voice. Wesley learned all of the harmony parts. He played good guitar and was an exceptional bass guitar player. Wesley would soon play with local groups in the San Fernando Valley area such as Jack & His Texas Outlaws and Jimmy LeFevre. It was during 1935 that Wesley first met Lloyd Perryman. Perryman later in 1936 became a long time member of The Sons of the Pioneers.
In 1939, Wesley went to Cincinnati and performed on radio station WLW. This was a clear channel station that could be heard throughout the entire eastern United States at night. Wesley performed on the popular Boon County Jamboree until 1941. While living in Cincinnati, he became aquainted with Merle Travis and Grandpa Jones. They all performed on the Boon County Jamboree. Travis and Jones remained close friends with Wesley all these years. Travis passed away in 1983 and Grandpa Jones still continues to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.
Wesley decided to move back to the Hollywood, CA area to persue his music. He got aquainted with Tex Ritter, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Jimmy Wakely and Johnny Bond. He started appearing in western cowboy movies as a singer. He made movies with Johnny Mack Brown, Tex Ritter, Russell Hayden and Jimmy Wakely. It was during the mid 1940’s that Wesley signed with Capitol Records. He was one of the earlier singers signed to this label.
Wesley toured with Tex Ritter during 1945. Their first stop was Nashville, TN. They had five touring cars on this tour. “Cannonball” Dub Taylor, Arkansas Slim Andrews, Paul Stambaugh, Buddy Ray, June Widner, Charlie and Margie Linville all traveled together on this tour.
Wesley would sing his big hit “With Tears In Mu Eyes”. This was his first Number One hit for Capitol Records in 1945. It was #1 in Billboard Magazine for four weeks In the late 1940’s, Wesley Tuttle started making guest appearences on the World Famous Grand Ole Opry. He introduced his next big hit recording “detour”. This was a hit for him two different times. It is still a great sounding song.
Later Wesley became music director for the famous ABC TV series, Town Hall Party. This was to be a major part of Wesley and Marilyn Tuttle’s career. This was a popular western-cowboy-country music TV series that originated from Compton, CA. Many of the members of the Town Hall Party were already living in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles area. Many were already established stars. Among the many members were Fiddlin’ Kate (Margie Warren), Tex Ritter, Freddie Hart, Johnny Bond, Joe and Roselee Maphis, Larry & Lorrie Collins and the famous Merle Travis.
After the Town Hall Party, Wesley was the musical director for Sacred Records from 1957-1970. He and Marilyn recorded nine albums between them. Those are highly collectible by western and gospel music fans.
There is much more that can be written about Wesley Tuttle, it would be a great movie made for television. Wesley has helped a lot of performers in the industry and has made many friends throughout his life. Those stories are interesting also. Whenever there is a book being written about country music legends, Wesley Tuttle is always one of the first to be interviewed. His life has touched many people including myself. Thanks Wesley and Marilyn for all the great memories and many happy times we have shared together. I look forward to many more.
Fred Goodwin, Concept Productions
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