Dave Stogner
Background information
Birth nameDavid Stout Stogner
Also known asWest Coast King of Western Swing
Born(1920-05-15)May 15, 1920
St. Jo, Texas, U.S.
DiedMay 17, 1989(1989-05-17) (aged 69)
Fresno, California, U.S.
GenresWestern swing
Occupation(s)Musician, Bandleader, Radio & TV host
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin
Years active1940s-1980s
Labels4 Star - Decca

David Stout Stogner (May 15, 1920 – May 17, 1989) was an American musician, who was one of the premier Western swing musicians playing on the West Coast. Known as the "West Coast King of Western Swing", Stogner moved to California to pursue a musical career with the encouragement from fellow Texan, Milton Brown.[1]

Although famous for his long-time big band, The Western Rhythmaires, his first band was called The Arkansawyers.[2] Dave Stogner and The Western Rhythmairs hosted a show at the Big Fresno Barn Dance for more than ten years.[3]

At least one author described Stogner's sound as "hard driving hillbilly".[4]

Throughout his long career, in addition to his many hit recordings, Stogner wrote, and co-wrote, several songs including "Hard Top Race" in 1953. Stogner was elected to the Western Swing Hall of Fame in Sacramento in 1988.

National and regional sponsors

During the 1950s, Dave Stogner and his band hosted TV shows in Fresno. His show on the ABC affiliate station was sponsored by Coca-Cola exclusively. During that time Coke sponsored Stogner's show on the west coast and The Eddie Fisher Show on the east coast. Regional sponsors included Stogner's own brand of western style boots, "The Official Dave Stogner Boot".

Recordings

A compilation album of many of Stogner's recordings for Decca and 4Star are available online.[5]

References

  1. Ginell, Milton Brown and the Founding of Western Swing, p. 254: "Dave Stogner did indeed become a musician. With Milton Brown as his idol and inspiration, Stogner moved to central California, where he formed a popular western swing band in Fresno."
  2. Haslam, Workin' Man Blues, p. 90: "Elwin Cross and the Arizona Ramblers was an important band in part because Cross hired to future stalwarts, Bill Wood and Dave Stogner. Woods later formed his own Texas Stars and Stogner started the Arkansawyers."
  3. "KCSOS : KC Museum : Dave Stogner". Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
  4. Workin' Man Blues - Country Music in California. Gerald W. Haslan. University of California Press. 1999. p. 97
  5. "Sell Music Online". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2020-03-29.

Bibliography

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