Chanteur Country US né Lester Alvin Burnette, le 18 Mars 1911 à Summum (Illinois). Smiley Burnette est décédé le 16 Février 1967 à Encino (Californie).

Based on his record sales, Smiley Burnette wasn't more than a footnote in the annals of recorded country music. However, thanks to his appearances as a sidekick to Gene Autry in dozens of Republic Pictures Westerns before World War II, and with Charles Starrett and Roy Rogers later on, he was one of the most familiar country & western performers in movies, and a beloved performer on stage and radio.
Burnette began his performing career at age nine, playing the musical saw. He organized and led his own band in high school in the late '20s, and after graduation he set out on a performing career. Burnette became successful as a one-man band — he claimed proficiency on 100 instruments — and worked in vaudeville before becoming an announcer and performer on radio in Tuscola, IL. Autry discovered Burnette and hired him to appear on the WLS Barn Dance out of Chicago, where Autry was already the top singing star. His recording career began around this time, centered around the Conqueror and American Record Company labels.
Autry went to Hollywood when producer Nat Levine at Mascot Pictures decided to put a professional country singer into the Ken Maynard film In Old Santa Fe, and he brought Burnette with him. The duo was established on the screen as a double act, one of the most popular in the history of B picture Westerns. With his portly physique, good-natured but slightly dim-witted persona, and trademark floppy hat, he became a familiar screen presence as Autry's sidekick Frog Milhouse, appearing in 55 Westerns alongside Autry between 1933 and 1942. In most of these, he was also called on to sing at least one number of his own, which he did in either his normal voice, which was funny enough, or a deep, frog-like croak.
As an actor, Burnette was one of B Westerns' two "kings of the sidekicks" (the other was George "Gabby" Hayes, who didn't sing). His featured musical numbers, like his records ("Mama Don't Allow No Music" on ARC, reissued by Sony in 1995, is a good representative piece), were usually novelty songs with a strong comedic content, in contrast to the romantic ballads that Autry or Rogers would do in the same movies. He also made appearances in supporting roles in non-Westerns, including Republic's serials (Dick Tracy, etc.) in the 1930s. Burnette subsequently did dozens of films with Rogers and Starrett (The Durango Kid).
Burnette was a successful songwriter, and his music was recorded by the likes of Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Red Foley, and Ferlin Husky, among others. He made appearances on his own, as a musical performer, on the Ozark Jubilee, Jubilee USA, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Louisiana Hayride, and played rodeos as well. In 1962, Starday Records released an album of Burnette's funniest songs under the title Ole Frog. From 1962 through 1967, he was a regular on the television series Petticoat Junction, playing railroad engineer Charlie Pratt.
In 1971, four years after his death from leukemia, Burnette was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

http://www.smileyburnette.org/Smiley/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_Burnette

Talents : Vocals, Songwriter, Guitar, Accordion,  Comedy Actor

Style musical : Comedy, Singing Cowboy, Traditional Country

https://youtu.be/umUY1p8wR-Q   

Peg Leg Jack (1935)

TEN GALLON HAT (1946)

Swamp Woman Blues (1947)

THAT LONG WHITE LINE (1954)

WAY DOWN LOW (1959)

Years in activity :

1910 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 2000 10 20

DISCOGRAPHY

78 t,  Singles & EP

07/1934 78 t. MELOTON 13046 (CAN) . Mama Don't Like My Music / He Was A Travelin' Man
07/1934 78 t. BANNER 33082 (US) . Mama Don't Like My Music / He Was A Travelin' Man
07/1934 78 t. ROMEO 5344 (US) . Mama Don't Like My Music / He Was A Travelin' Man
07/1934 78 t. ORIOLE 8344 (US) . Mama Don't Like My Music / He Was A Travelin' Man
07/1934 78 t. PERFECT 13011 (US) . Mama Don't Like My Music / He Was A Travelin' Man
07/1934 78 t. MELOTON 13072 (CAN) . Mathilda Higgins / Peg Leg Jack
07/1934 78 t. BANNER 33104 (US) . Mathilda Higgins / Peg Leg Jack
07/1934 78 t. ROMEO 5354 (US) . Mathilda Higgins / Peg Leg Jack
07/1934 78 t. ORIOLE 8354 (US) . Mathilda Higgins / Peg Leg Jack
07/1934 78 t. PERFECT 13018 (US) . Mathilda Higgins / Peg Leg Jack
1935 78 t. CONQUEROR 8387 (US) . He Was A Travelin' Man / Mama Don't Like My Music
1935 78 t. CONQUEROR 8483 (US) . Gene AUTRY & Smiley BURNETTE - When The Desert Sun Goes Down / Wagon Train
1935 78 t. CONQUEROR 8484 (US) . Angel Boy (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG) / The Covered Wagon (Gene AUTRY & Smiley BURNETTE)
08/1935 78 t. BANNER 33485 (US) . Uncle Noah's Ark (Gene AUTRY & Smilie BURNETTE) / My Cross-Eyed Girl (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG)
08/1935 78 t. ROMEO 5489 (US) . Uncle Noah's Ark (Gene AUTRY & Smilie BURNETTE) / My Cross-Eyed Girl (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG)
08/1935 78 t. ORIOLE 8489 (US) . Uncle Noah's Ark (Gene AUTRY & Smilie BURNETTE) / My Cross-Eyed Girl (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG)
08/1935 78 t. PERFECT 13159 (US) . Uncle Noah's Ark (Gene AUTRY & Smilie BURNETTE) / My Cross-Eyed Girl (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG)
10/1935 78 t. MELOTONE 35 10 18 (CAN) . Gene AUTRY & Smiley BURNETTE - Ridin' Down The Canyon / Wagon Train
12/1935 78 t. PERFECT  5-12-53 (US) . The Old Covered Wagon (Gene AUTRY & Smilie BURNETTE) / Silver Haired Mother Of Mine (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG)
1935 78 t. CONQUEROR 8467 (US) . Uncle Noah's Ark (Gene AUTRY & Smiley BURNETT) / My Shy Little Blue Bonnet Girl (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG)
1935 78 t. CONQUEROR 8483 (US) . Gene AUTRY & Smiley BURNETTE - When The Desert Sun Goes Down / Wagon Train
1935 78 t. CONQUEROR 8484 (US) . Angel Boy (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG) / The Covered Wagon (Gene AUTRY & Smiley BURNETTE)
1935 78 t. CONQUEROR 8493 (US) . Peg Leg Jack / Mathilda Higgins
1935 78 t. MELOTONE 13452 (CAN) . Uncle Noah's Ark (Gene AUTRY & Smiley BURNETT) / Cross-Eyed Gal (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG)
1935 78 t. BANNER 33485 (US) . My Cross Eyed Gal (Gene AUTRY & Smiley BURNETT) / Uncle Noah's Ark (Gene AUTRY & Jimmy LONG)
12/1938 78 t. DECCA 5633 (US) . Down In The Cane Brake (Bill BURNETT) / Uncle Fraley's Formula (Smiley BURNETT)
05/1939 78 t. DECCA 5685 (US) . Bill BURNETT - Steamboat Bill / Lawyer Skinner
05/1945 78 t. ARA 4002 (US) . Smiley BURNETTE with The SUNSHINE GIRLS  - Do You Want My Heart / It's My Lazy Day
05/1945 78 t. ARA 4003 (US) . I Hope You're Having Fun Hurting Me (Smiley BURNETTE with The SUNSHINE GIRLS) / I'm A Stranger Here Myself (SUNSHINE GIRLS)
09/1945 78 t. ARA 4004 (US) . Cool Water (Smiley BURNETTE) / Foggy, Foggy Dew (Smiley BURNETTE with The SUNSHINE GIRLS)
03/1946 78 t. ARA 4005 (US) . Hominy Grits (Smiley BURNETTE with The SUNSHINE GIRLS) / Ten Gallon Hat (From Powder River) (Smiley BURNETTE)
06/1946 78 t. ARA 4008 (US) . Peg-Leg Bandit / Catfish Take A Look At That Worm
1946 ? 78 t. RANCHO R-701 (US) . Smiley Burnette & Georgia Crackers - Smart Alec Crow / Courtin' Cricket / Thievin' Burro / Grand Daddy Frog
1946 ? 78 t. RANCHO R-702 (US) .

Smiley Burnette & Georgia Crackers - Hitch Hikin' Indian / Prairie Dog Lament / Blue Bottle Fly / Bang, Bang, Bang

1947 78 t. ARA 4025 (US) . It's My Lazy Day / Do You Want My Heart
1947 2 78 t. Hollywood Film Guild 471 (US) 4 Songs By Smiley Burnette :
DISC 1 : Bang! Bang! Bang! / Hitch-Hikin' Indian
DISC 2 : The Prairie Dog Lament / Grand Dad Frog
1947 78 t. UNITED ARTISTS UA 603 (US) . Smiley BURNETTE & His RANCHEROS - Swamp Woman Blues / Catfish Take A Look At That Worm
12/1947 78 t. UNITED ARTISTS UA 604 (US) .

Smiley BURNETTE with The SUNSHINE GIRLS  - It's My Lazy Day / Honiny Grits

1947 78 t. UNITED ARTISTS UA 606 (US) . Smiley BURNETTE & His RANCHEROS - Swamp Woman Blues / Catfish Take A Look At That Worm
05/1948 78 t. BULLET 654 (US) . Smiley BURNETTE & His RANCHEROS - It's A Lazy Day / Hominy Grits
09/1948 78 t. BULLET 655 (US) . Smiley BURNETTE & His RANCHEROS - Swamp Woman Blues / Catfish Take A Look At That Worm
03/1949 78 t. BULLET 676 (US) . Smiley BURNETTE & His RANCHEROS - House Trailer Blues / I Hope You're Having Fun Hurting Me
05/1950 78 t. CAPITOL 1165 (US) .

Jackass Mail / Catfish, Take A Look At That Worm

05/1950 SP CAPITOL F1165 (US) . Jackass Mail / Catfish, Take A Look At That Worm
1950 78 t. CAPITOL 30129 (US) . Smart Alec Crow / Blue Bottle Fly
1950 SP CAPITOL F30129 (US) Smart Alec Crow / Blue Bottle Fly
1950 78 t. CAPITOL 30131 (US) .

The Donkey Engine / I Wish That I'd Said That

1950 SP CAPITOL F30131 (US) The Donkey Engine / I Wish That I'd Said That
11/1950 78 t. CAPITOL 30133 (US) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer / The Swiss Boy
11/1950 SP CAPITOL F30133 (US) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer / The Swiss Boy
11/1950 78 t. CAPITOL 1304 (US) . Rosie The Elephant / You Put Me On My Feet
11/1950 SP CAPITOL F1304 (US) . Rosie The Elephant / You Put Me On My Feet
01/1951 78 t. CAPITOL 1347 (US) . Hominy Grits / My Lazy Day
01/1951 SP CAPITOL F1347 (US) . Hominy Grits / My Lazy Day
05/1951 78 t. CAPITOL 1520 (US) . Do The Pines Grow Green In The Valley / I Can't Be Honest
05/1951 SP CAPITOL F1520 (US) . Do The Pines Grow Green In The Valley / I Can't Be Honest
08/1951 78 t. CAPITOL 1746 (US) . I Ain't Done Nothin' To You / Can't Go On
08/1951 SP CAPITOL F1746 (US) . I Ain't Done Nothin' To You / Can't Go On
02/1954 78 t. ABBOTT 154 (US) . Mucho Gusto / Chuggin' On Down '66
02/1954 SP ABBOTT 154-45 (US) . Mucho Gusto / Chuggin' On Down '66
04/1954 78 t. ABBOTT 161 (US) . Lazy Locomotive / That Long White Line
04/1954 SP ABBOTT 161-45 (US) . Lazy Locomotive / That Long White Line
1959 SP CRICKET C-113 (US) SMILEY BURNETTE SINGS - Clementine / Boss Of The Town
1959 SP CRICKET C-119 (US) SMILEY BURNETTE SINGS - Smart Alec Crow / Gran'pa Frog
1959 EP CRICKET CEP-20 (US)

Smiley Burnette And His Rodeo Songaree - Volume 1 - Boss Of The Town / Gran'pa Frog / Smart Alec Crow / Clementine / Buffalo Gals

04/1962 SP STARDAY 586 (US) . Old Fishin' Pole / It's My Last Day
1964 SP RANCHO 1001 (US) . Smiley BURNETTE & Rufe DAVIS - Steam, Cinders & Smoke / Clickity Clack
























Albums

1959 LP 12" CRICKET CR-11 (US) SMILEY BURNETTE & HIS RODEO SONGAREE - Gran'pa Frog / Thievin Burro / No Kids: Prairie Dog Lament / Deep Froggy Blues / Red River Valley -Clementine (Medley) / Boss Of The Town / Smart Alec Crow / Way Down Low - I Wish Thati'd Said That (Medley) / Pussy Foot / Buffalo Gals - Comin‘ Round The Mountain (Medley)
1962 LP 12" STARDAY SLP-191 (US) OLE FROG - It's My Lazy Day / Lilac Lane / Broomstick Buckaroo / Old Fishin' Pole / I Lied Blues / Catfish, Take a Look At That Worm / Introduction-Comedy / Everybody Makes Me Feel At Home / Swiss Boy / That's All, Brother, That's All / Lil' Indian / Way Down Low
1991 LP 12" COWGIRLBOY LP-5050 (GER) A LAZY DAY IN THE COUNTRY - It’s My Lazy Day / Do You Want My Heart? / Broomstick Buckaroo / If I Was The Boss Of The Town / Cecil Could You See What He Wanted To See / That’s All, Brother / Catfish, Take A Look At The Worm / The Swiss Boy / Just Come On In / Ramblin‘ Blood In My Veins / Mama Don’t Allow It / The Deep Froggy Blues / I Don’t Want Nothin‘, I’m Just Lookin‘ / No Time / Three Hermits / Swamp Woman Blues
05/1997 CD KING 6104 (US) IS FROG MILHOUSE - It's My Lazy Day / Lilac Lane / Broomstick Buckaroo / Old Fishin' Pole / I Lied Blues / Catfish, Take A Look At That Worm / Comedy / Comedy / Everybody Makes Me Feel At Home / Swiss Boy / That's All Brother / Lil' Indian / Way Down Low
02/1998 CD SIMITAR 5570 (US) COLLECTORS EDITION - Ramblin' Blood / Red River Valley - Clementine / Gran'pa Frog / That's All Brother That's All / Thievin' Burro / Way Down Low - I Wish That I Said That / Smart Alec Crow / No Kids/Prairie Dog Lament / Deep Froggy Blues / Buffalo Gals - Comin' round The Mountian / Boss Of The Town / Magic Guitar
1998 CD CATTLE CCD 203 (GER) SMILEY BURNETTE - GENTLE GENIUS OF COUNTRY MUSIC (1934-47) - Hank Newman & His Georgia Crackers : Swamp Woman Blues / Catfish, Take A Look At That Worm / Merle Travis & The Sunshine Girls : Ten Gallon Hat / Foggy, Foggy Dew / Smiley BURNETTE : Peg Leg Jack / Steamboat Bill / Down In The Cane Brake / Uncle Fraley's Formula / Smiley Burnette & The Sunshine Girls : Hominy Grits / Do You Want My Heart / Smiley BURNETTE : It's My Lazy Day / House Trailer Blues (Need A Woman 'Round Here) / That's Why I Am At This Bar Tonight (Previously Unissued) / I'm Not The Forgetting Kind (Previously Unissued) / Smiley Burnette & The Sunshine Girls : Cool Water / Smiley BURNETTE : He Was A Travelin' Man / Mama Don't Allow It (Mama Don't Like Music) / Smiley Burnette & The Sunshine Girls : I'm A Stranger Here Myself; Lawyer Skinner / I Hope You're Having Fun Hurting Me / Gene AUTRY ; Uncle Noah's Ark
2004 CD BACM D 080 (UK)

COUNTRY SONGS & COMIC CUTS - Eye / Tonight’s My Night To Howl / When A Country Girl Loves You / The Wooing Of Kitty McQueue / If I Thought I’d Make A Hit With You / Poor Baby / My Ring Eyed Pony / Harmonica Bill / The Rich Get Richer, The Poor Get Poorer / The Dentist Song / Hat Check Girl / It Ain’t Much Help / Calleop / I Don’t Like Work / Gordy The Little Pea Frog / Just Like A Rainbow After Rain

© Rocky Productions 16/07/2022