The Original Singing Cowboy (1:60)

Carl Sprague was the original singing cowboy. He was not the first person to record cowboy songs but was the first to dress like a cowboy while performing the songs. He was raised between Alvin and Manvel and later worked at A&M as an athletic trainer. During the 1930s he was a successful recording artist and recorded several songs that sold over a million copies including “When The Work’s All Done This Fall”. The Depression stopped his singing career. Please note the titles of some of his songs including “O Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie”.

Utah Carl, a 1950s Channel 13 TV performer is pictured in the lower portion of the display.  He would perform every weekend at Dr. Hayes’ Gulf Coast Furniture Store in Alvin.