Memories from the Homestead: The music of Stuart Hamblen

     He made records for three different labels, was heard on radio broadcasts for four decades, made appearances in Westerns, and his compositions are still performed today by a number of artists. Here are some interesting details on the great Stuart Hamblen.

    Stuart often talked of his Texas roots. Stuart was born in Kellyville, Texas, on October 20, 1908. Stuart's father J.H. Hamblen was a longtime Methodist preacher, remembered for organizing the Evangelical Methodist Church of Abilene, Texas.

Stuart Hamblen's "It Is No Secret" LP from 1956 was very popular and is remembered as one of his best compositions. (Photo courtesy of the Sons of the Pioneers Museum).

     Stuart would become California based, and his music career would take off in the Los Angeles area in the early 1930s. Stuart would sign with Decca Records in 1934. It was during this time that he composed a tune that would become a standard in Western Music, "Texas Plains."

     In 1937 Stuart began a run of film appearances; his first was in Gene Autry's "Springtime In the Rockies." Over the next few years he was seen in films with Roy Rogers and John Wayne.

     After a battle with alcoholism, Stuart gave his heart to the Lord at a Billy Graham crusade event in 1949. Soon he was fired from his radio programs for refusing to do beer commercials. He also gave up gambling and horse racing.

     In the early 1950s, Stuart's radio program, The Cowboy Church of the Air saw a successful run in the California market. It was also during this time that a number of his songs reached major hit status, further extending his popularity and recording career.

     "It Is No Secret" was written based on a conversation Hamblen had with John Wayne. Apparently, Wayne had offered Hamblen a drink and he refused, and told Wayne, "It is no secret what the Lord can do." Wayne stated, "You should write a song with that title." The song was one of the most popular recordings of the 1950s with releases by Kate Smith, Jim Reeves, Rosemary Clooney, Elvis Presley and others.

     "This Ole House" was based from a hunting trip that John Wayne and Hamblen experienced when they were in the high Sierras. While on horseback they rode up to an abandoned shack and discovered the body of an elderly man who had apparently died of natural causes. Riding back down the mountain, Hamblen came up with the lyrics, and a week later the melody was completed. It would also be a hit for Rosemary Clooney and others.

     One of my favorite Stuart Hamblen recordings was his 1955 release of "Open Up Your Heart (And Let the Sunshine In)."  The recording sold extremely well and reached number eight on Billboard's Hot 100 pop charts in 1955.  His wife Suzy and their daughters performed on the recording as well.

     Hamblen's career with RCA remained steady, his gospel recordings are treasured among collectors today. He remained California based for the remainder of his career. During the 1970s Hamblen was a frequent participant in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, always on horseback. In 1976, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

     Hamblen would receive multiple honors and inductions, even after his passing on March 8, 1989, in Santa Monica. At his funeral, Billy Graham gave the eulogy, and a large crowd attended.

    There are plenty of YouTube links with Stuart's recordings and a number of interviews. Stuart was remembered as a great storyteller. Many of his albums can be found online.   

     Happy trails, everyone!