Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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LEWIS, Texas Jim

LEWIS Texas Jim (b James Lewis Jr. 15 Oct. '09, Meigs GA, d 23 Jan. '90) Western- swing styled singer, guitarist and bandleader. Grew up in Fort Myers FL; moved to Texas '28, took up farming, factory work and dabbled in music. He joined his family in Detroit '31 and teamed with half-brother Jack Lewis to play in speakeasies; joined Swift Jewel Cowboys in Houston '32; returned to Detroit to join Jack West and his Circle Star Cowboys on WJR radio '34; formed his own Lone Star Cowboys working mainly in and around New York. Recorded for Vocalion '37-9 and helped to popularise Western Swing in the eastern USA; signed to Decca '40 with biggest record "Too Late To Worry, Too Blue To Cry' '44; appeared in more than 42 films incl. Pardon My Gun and Durango Kid; on army call-up '42 his band was taken over by Spade Cooley; after demob formed new band based in California and recorded "Leven Miles From Leavenworth' and "Squaws Along The Yukon' (latter revived by Hank Thompson later); moved to Seattle '50 and had own radio shows leading up to Ranier Ranch on KING-TV and later Sheriff Tex's Safety Junction, a children's show '50-7. Children's records for King incl. Ophelia The Cow and Safety Songs. He re-formed a western swing band '60s, still playing club dates well into the '70s; gained long-overdue recognition as a pioneer shortly before his death. Albums incl. Texas Jim Lewis & His Lone Star Cowboys Vols. 1 & 2 '81, Squaws Along The Yukon '85, The King Of North Western Swing '85 all on Cattle.