COLLECTOR’S NOTES:

Roy Rogers began on radio in 1931, singing with a group called Uncle Tom Murray's Holywood Hillbillies. His own radio show, The Roy Rogers Show, debuted on November 21, 1944 and it lasted into 1955. At first it was modeled after Gene Autry's Melody Ranch, but it eventually evolved into a blend of music and action story lines. In the early years, the Sons of the Pioneers provided songs. Riders of the Purple Sage replaced the Pioneers in 1948. Gabby Hayes was Roy's first sidekick. He was replaced by Pat Brady (formerly Autry's Pat Butram) in the later years.