A Brief Biography
of
PATSY MONTANA
by Jane Frost
In 1929 Montana went to California to study violin at the University of the West, which later became UCLA. She won a local talent contest singing and yodeling Jimmie Rodger's songs and playing the guitar. This gave her a beginning on radio. First prize was a stint on the Hollywood Breakfast Club. It was while in California she took her famous professional name from the World Champion Roper, Monte Montana.
During the summer of 1933 Montana traveled to the Chicago World's Fair where she auditioned at WLS for a group called the Prairie Ramblers. Montana and the Ramblers became regulars on the famous WLS Chicago Barn Dance program and stayed with the Barn Dance, off and on until the 1950's. During her stay at the National Barn Dance, she worked with Gene Autry, Pat Buttram, Red Foley, Millie and Dolly Good (the Girls of the Golden West) Lulu Belle and Scotty, Hoosier Hot Shots and George Gobel. She made one full length feature film, Colorado Sunset, with Gene Autry and Pat Buttram.
She married Paul Rose, manager of duo Mac and Bob, July 4, 1934. Their two daughters, Beverly and Judy later joined their mother as the Patsy Montana Trio.
Montana found rock n' roll and folk music in the 1960's to be difficult foes. In the 1970's her career revived with college campus concerts and her popularity became even stronger with new nationwide interest in country and western music.
I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart was not an instant hit. "But it never died." Miss Montana stated. "This is the secret of the song's success." Patsy Montana was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996.
Patsy Montana's professional career spanned over seven decades performing from 1922 until late 1995. She passed away in May, 1996. Patsy Montana completed dictating her auto-biography prior to her death.
More to follow . . .
Sources
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