Known as "America's Favorite Cowboy," Ken Maynard (1895-1973) was the first movie singing cowboy-- starring in over 300 movies. Although he claimed Texas, Maynard was born in Indiana and came to Hollywood in 1923. He had experience as a cowboy, rodeo and circus performer, and stuntman --touring with the Kit Carson show in 1914. Shortly thereafter, he was a featured performer with Ringling Brothers Circus specializing in rope tricks and trick riding. His first films were silent and among his many movies, the 1934 film In Old Santa Fe is notable since it included Gene Autry's screen debut.
Maynard had one recording session in 1930, recordng eight songs. Lone Star Trail, the most popular of them, came from the 1929 film The Wagon Master. The song dates back to the trail driving days (Guy Logsdon, notes to Cowboy Songs on Folkways Smithsonian Folkways 40043.)
FOR ADDITIONAL RECORDINGS of Maynard, see the collections: Silver Screen Cowboys (COL 57475 c); Make Me a Cowboy Again for a Day (MMC 9106d); and When I Was a Cowboy, Vol. 1 (YZ 2022c). For additional information on Maynard, see Ken Griffis, "The Ken Maynard Story", JEMF QUARTERLY No, 9 part 2, No. 30 (1973). Also see the recording, Back in the Saddle Again (NW 314/15a).
OTHER RECORDED VERSIONS include:
Folksong revival: as Lone Star Trai: Dave Fredrickson (SF 40043c, FW 5259c); Merrick Jarrett (RVR 12-631a).
