Карл Стюарт Хэмблен: От ковбоя к проповеднику

American singer songwriter (1908–1989)

Carl Stuart Hamblen (October 20, 1908 – March 8, 1989) was an American entertainer who in 1926 became one of radio's first singing cowboys, going on to become a singer, actor, radio show host and songwriter. He converted to Christianity under the ministry of Billy Graham, becoming a temperance movement supporter and running several times for political office. He is best known as the composer of the song "This Ole House" (1954), most notably recorded by Rosemary Clooney and Shakin' Stevens.

Hamblen was born into the family of an itinerant Methodist preacher on October 20, 1908, in Kellyville, Texas. Hamblen did not cope well with the pressures of his high profile career and sought relief in alcohol. Many times his drinking landed him in jail for public brawling and other destructive behavior. The Texas State Historical Association reports that Hamblen identified himself as the "original juvenile delinquent". Because Hamblen was hugely popular, his radio sponsors regularly bailed him out of jail and smoothed things over. Inevitably, Hamblen's drinking and gambling problems severely affected his life and career. In 1949 after years of struggle with alcohol, Hamblen converted to Christianity at a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles, and was soon fired from his radio program after refusing to do beer commercials. He subsequently gave up gambling and horse racing, and entered Christian broadcasting with his radio show The Cowboy Church of the Air, which ran until 1952.

Hamblen was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, was presented the ACM Pioneer Award 1972, received the Gene Autry Golden Boot Award 1988, and was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame 2001. Previously, Hamblen ran for California's 11th congressional district seat as a Democrat, losing to Carl Hinshaw in the 1938 election cycle. The race ended with Hinshaw at 47 percent and Hamblen with 41 percent of the vote.

Year SingleLabel Chart PositionsA sideB side 1929"When the Moon Shines Down Upon the Mountain""The Boy in Blue"RCA Victor1930"I Gotta Feelin'""Wrong Keyhole""Standin' on the Pier in the Rain""Hawaii""Sailor's Farewell""By the Sleepy Rio Grande""The Big Rock Candy Mountains–No. 2""Drifting Back to Dixie"1932"My Brown Eyed Texas Rose""My Mary"1934"Poor Unlucky Cowboy" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Covered Wagon Jubilee)"Texas Plains" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Covered Wagon Jubilee)Decca1935"Lola Lee" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Covered Wagon Jubilee)"Sunshine Alley" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Covered Wagon Jubilee)"Be Just Like Your Daddy" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Covered Wagon Jubilee)"Poor Boy" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Covered Wagon Jubilee)"Riding Old Paint" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Covered Wagon Jubilee)"Lopez the Bandit" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Covered Wagon Jubilee)1940"Golden River" (with Ted Dahl Orchestra)"Dream Book of Memories" (with Ted Dahl Orchestra)Bluebird1945"Whistling My Love Song to You""They're Gonna Kill Ya"Ara1947"Ace in the Hole" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Lucky Stars)"My Old Hound Dog" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Lucky Stars)4 Star"Our Anniversary" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Lucky Stars)"Blue Bonnets for Her Golden Hair" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Lucky Stars)1949"(I Won't Go Huntin', Jake) But I'll Go Chasin' Women""Let's See You Fix It"Columbia3"Blue Bonnets in Her Golden Hair""Pony Express"1950"Sheepskin Corn and a Wrinkle on a Horn""Condemnation""(Remember Me) I'm the One Who Loves You""I'll Find You"2"It's No Secret""Blood on Your Hands"8 "Good Mornin' Yall""I Whisper Your Name" "Three Little Dwarfs""You Can't Kiss Santa Goodnight" 1951"My Life With You""Old Glory""King of All Kings""He Bought My Soul at Calvary""Our Old Captain (Ain't a Man)" (with Darol Rice and His Orchestra)"Don't Fool Around With Calico, When You Have Silk at Home" (with Darol Rice and His Orchestra)"These Things Shall Pass""I Believe""Just Let Me Love You""You're Always Brand New"1952"This Ship of Mine""Black Diamond""Lord, I Pray""Got So Many Million Years (I Can't Count Them)""Known Only to Him" (with Darol Rice's Orchestra)"Is He Satisfied" (with Darol Rice's Orchestra)"Our Love Affair (Will Always Smolder)""I Get Lonesome""Grasshopper Mac Clain" (with Darol Rice's Orchestra)"Oklahoma Bill" (with Darol Rice's Orchestra)1953"My Mary" (with Darol Rice and His Orchestra)"A Million Wild Horses""Old Pappy's New Banjo" (with the Cowboy Church Prairie Choir)"Friends I Know" (with the Cowboy Church Prairie Choir)"Daddy's Cutie Pie" (with Darol Rice and His Orchestra)"The Hidden You" (with Darol Rice and His Orchestra)"Teach Me Lord to Wait""I Believe""Partners With God""You Must Be Born Again""He Made a Way""My Religion's Not Old Fashioned"1954"The Workshop of the Lord""Rose of Cavalry" "This Ole House""When My Lord Picks Up the 'Phone"RCA Victor 226"Please Tell Me Why""Beyond the Sun"Columbia"Heavenly Cannonball""I Am Persuaded"RCA Victor"Ole Pappy Time (Is a Pickin' My Pockets)""The Toy Violin""My Brother""If We All Said a Prayer" "Open Up Your Heart (And Let the Sunshine In)" (as the Cowboy Church Sunday School)"The Lord Is Counting on You" (as the Cowboy Church Sunday School)Decca 81955"Just a Man""Go On By"RCA Victor"Lord I'll Try""Lonesome Valley""The Little Black Sheep" (as the Cowboy Church Sunday School)"Go on By" (as the Cowboy Church Sunday School)Decca"Lord I Can't Come Now" (with Martha Carson)"Got So Many Million Years (I Can't Count Them)" (with Martha Carson)RCA Victor"A Handful of Sunshine""You'll Always Be Mine"1956"Those Bad Bad Kids" (as the Cowboy Church Sunday School featuring Little Miss Tomboy Janie)"A Handful of Sunshine" (as the Cowboy Church Sunday School featuring Little Miss Enry)Decca"Hell Train""A Few Things to Remember"RCA Victor"Don't Send Those Kids to Sunday School (Get Out of Bed and Take Them)" (as Cowboy Church Sunday School)"It Is No Secret" (as Cowboy Church Sunday School)Decca"The Rock""This Book"RCA Victor"Desert Sunrise" (as Stuart Hamblen's Orchestra)"The Whistlers Dream" (as Stuart Hamblen's Orchestra)"God Is a Good God""The Sweetest Story Ever Told""Beyond the Sun" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Family)"Dear Lord, Be My Shepherd" (as Stuart Hamblen and His Family)1957"My Father" (with Darol Rice's Orchestra)"The Lonesome Cowboy's Prayer" (with Darol Rice's Orchestra)"Oh Miss Chicken""The Baby Racoon in the Hollow Log""The Old Rugged Cross""Old Time Religion""This Ole World""Don't Fool Around With Calico"1958"You Can't Love Without Giving""Someone"Coral1959"(Remember Me) I'm the One Who Loves You""Indiana (Back Home Again in Indiana)"1960"Golden River""The Foreman"Columbia1961"The Good Old Days""What Can I Do for My Country"1962"My Home (It's Always Where You Are)""Across the Great Divide"1966"Tho' Autumn's Coming On""This Old House Has Got to Go"Kapp1971"When Earth's Last Picture Is Painted""What Can I Do for My Country"RCA Victor1973"It's a Brand New Day""The Last Cowboy"Voss1974"Rack Up the Balls""Little Old Rag Doll"Lamb & Lion