July 1950
Star of NBC’s
“Western Caravan”
When the faint wisps of the novelty song, “Smoke! Smoke!
Smoke!” first attracted the attention of the entertainment world, few observers
recalled the old saw about “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
When the smoke cleared away, however, the song had sold over
2,000,000 copies and had established Tex Williams, one of its composers and
singing star of NBC’s new dramatic Western series, “Western Caravan” (Sundays,
6:30 p.m., EDT) as one of the brightest stars on the entertainment horizon.
A native of Ramsey.III., Tex had more than the ordinary
obstacles to overcome before he could pursue his musical career. Stricken with
polio as a child, it took years of long, grueling exercise to strengthen his
body to the degree needed to carry out his ambition.
In 1937, he joined a traveling band and. as has happened to
many an aspiring artist. was stranded without funds, in this case in Oregon. A
generous couple. Mom and Dad Cook. grubstaked him, however, as soon he was on
his wondering way again.
For the next few years the singer traveled all over the
country, leading a ‘band-to-band’ existence. On July 4, 1946, Tex declared his
own independence. With three oter roving musicians he formed the “Western
Caravan” and was on his way.
A recording contract was given Tex and his band, and their
first two records each sold over two million copies. A motion picture contract
followed, and to date he has appeared in more than sixteen films, including “Gold
Strike” and “Ready to Ride.”
In addition to his other duties, the personable young singer
also finds time to make personal appearances from coast-to-coast, do guest
shots on other shows and handle his own local video show
A sincere and charming personality, Tex never forgets the
trouble he had in getting to the top. As he puts it, “It takes a lot if livin’
to get a lot of a learnin’ but when you make your strike, it’s worth it.”
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