Johnny Cooper and his Range Riders, Wellington, c. 1955. From left: Johnny Cooper, Will Lloyd-Jones, Don Aldridge, Ron James, Jim Gatfield. (Sonic Records)
Once the recording industry was established in 1949, besides novelty pop, the two genres that dominated were both of American origin, but enthusiastically adopted by New Zealand artists and record companies...
Chris Bourke features pioneers such as Tex Morton and the Tumbleweeds, as well as their acolytes such as Rex and Noelene Franklin, Johnny Granger, Jack Christie, Jack Riggir.
The Hawaiian style was also hugely popular, featuring the lap steel guitar of Bill Sevesi and Bill Wolfgramm, and the creamy vocals of singers such as Daphne Walker and George Tumahai.
Music Details - Cowboys and Hawaiians:
Track: Hawaiian War Chant
Artist: Hawaiian Serenaders
Composer: Kalapana
From NZ Presents (late 1940s NZBS radio programme)
Source: Radio NZ music library, Wellington, HOPT 6167.03. Original at RNZ Sound Archives, Christchurch
Track: Blue Smoke
Artist: Ruru Karaitiana Quintet with Pixie Williams
Composer: Ruru Karaitiana
Album: Kiwi Nostalgia Hits of the 50s
Catalogue Number: BMG 139283
Track: Graceful Hula
Artist: Bill Sevesi Rhythm with Janine Matthews
Composer: Bill Sevesi
Album: The Great Kiwi Tanza
Catalogue Number: Rajon RTCD 411
Track: Haere Mai
Artist: Daphne Walker
Composer: Freedman
From: The Great Daphne Walker
Catalogue Number: Rajon RTCD 407
Track: Girl from Holokau
Artist: Mati Hita
Composer: unknown
Source: Private Recording
Track: South Sea Island Magic
Artist: Rosemary O’Connor with Bill Wolfgramm
Composer: Tomerlin-Long
Album: The Great Bill Wolfgramm
Catalogue Number: Rajon RTCD 406
Track: South Seas Swing
Artist: Wolfgramm Islanders
Composer: Pahene
Album: The Great Bill Wolfgramm
Catalogue Number: Rajon RTCD 406
Track: When My Wahine Does the Poi
Artist: Daphne Walker
Composer: Sam Freedman
From: The Great Daphne Walker
Rajon RTCD 407
Track: Maori Style
Artist: Daphne Walker
Composer: Sam Freedman
From: The Great Daphne Walker
Catalogue Number: Rajon RTCD 407
Track: Hawaiian Rock’n’Roll
Artist: Morgan Clark & the Hulawaians
Composer: Stebbing
Album: Early Rock & Roll and Boppin’ Hillbilly Recordings Vol 7
Catalogue Number: Collector CLCD 7756 A/B
Track: Cotton Eye Joe excerpt
Artist: Arthur Pearce
Source: Radio NZ Sound Archives, Christchurch
Catalogue Number: DCDR 352A
Track: I’m Gonna Yodel My Way to Heaven
Artist: Tex Morton
Composer: Frankie Marvin
Album: Pioneers of New Zealand Country Music
Catalogue Number: Kiwi Gold KG-CD-1010
Track: Travel By Train
Artist: Tex Morton
Composer: Tex Morton
Album: Pioneers of New Zealand Country Music
Catalogue Number: Kiwi Gold KG-CD-1010
Track: Maple on the Hill
Artist: The Tumbleweeds
Composer: Addison Cole
Album: Pioneers of New Zealand Country Music
Catalogue Number: Kiwi Gold KG-CD-1010
Track: Mother Pal and Sweetheart
Artist: The Tumbleweeds
Composer: Holms
Album: Pioneers of New Zealand Country Music
Catalogue Number: Kiwi Gold KG-CD-1010
Track: Bell Bird
Artist: Les Wilson
Composer: unknown
Private recording
Track: You Don’t Know What Lonesome Is
Artist: Johnny Granger with Buddy Kaine & His Rhythm Boys
Composer: Carling and Washburne
From 78rpm disc: Zodiac Z111
Track: Let Mother Nature Have Her Way
Artist: Johnny Granger & Pat McMinn
Composer: Clark and Southerland
From 78rpm disc: Zodiac Z133
Track: I'm Sticking With You
Artist: Johnny Granger With The Rock’A Billys
Composer: Bowen-Knox
Album: Early Rock’n’Roll from New Zealand, Vol 7, tk 4
Catalogue Number: Collector CLCD 7756 A/B
Track: Rocky Mountain Lullaby
Artist: Rex & Noelene Franklin
Composer: Rex Franklin
Album: A Real New Zealand Cowboy Song
Catalogue Number: Viking, reissued by Bear Family BCD 16228 AH
Track: A Real New Zealand Cowboy Song
Artist: Rex & Noelene Franklin
Composer: Rex Franklin
Album: A Real New Zealand Cowboy Song
Catalogue Number: Viking, reissued by Bear Family BCD 16228 AH
Track: Chew Tobacco Rag
Artist: Johnny Cooper and the Range Riders
Composer: Briggs
Album: Ridin Along with Johnny Cooper and the Range Riders
Catalogue Number: Sonic SON 011
Track: One By One
Artist: Johnny Cooper, Margaret Francis and the Range Riders
Composer: Wright
Album: Kiwi Nostalgia Hits of the 50s
Catalogue Number: BMG 139283
Track: New Zealand is My Home
Artist: Garner Wayne
Composer: Wayne
Album: The Best of Garner Wayne & His Saddle Pals
Catalogue Number: BUD CD 13
Track: Love in a Fowlhouse
Artist: Garner Wayne
Composer: Wayne
Album: The Best of Garner Wayne & His Saddle Pals
Catalogue Number: BUD CD 13
