JOHNNY
WESTERN Johnny
Western (born: Two Harbors, MN Oct 28, 1934) is an
accomplished actor, performer and songwriter who got
his start on, and currently works in, radio. Western
decided to be a singer on his fifth birthday, when
his parents took him to see a 1936 Western called Guns
and Guitars starring Gene Autry. For his 12th birthday,
he received a guitar and a year later he joined a trio
which was hired by KDHL Faribault, MN in 1949. In addition
to singing, he acted as a DJ and host, introducing
live and recorded Country & Western music. He earned
a mention in Billboard magazine as the youngest DJ
and singer on American radio. In 1953, he joined KAUS,
Austin, MS and became a singing cowboy on its sister
station. KMMT-TV. In 1954 he moved to Hollywood and
earned a place in Gene Autry’s band, replacing
Johnny Bond. as a guitarist and singer. After Autry
retired from performing, Western did a pilot for a
series called Pony Express which, in turn, led to appearances
in more than 30 other television shows (including Gunsmoke)
and several feature films, including The Dalton Girls,
Fort Bowie, and Gunfight at Dodge City. In 1957, a
new series called Have Gun, Will Travel went into production;
Western was cast in a small role in one episode, and
while working on the show he composed a song about
the series' hero, Paladin. "The Ballad of Paladin" was
adopted as the show's closing theme. He joined Johnny
Cash’s band as a singer/guitarist band for six
years, playing rhythm guitar on recordings such as "Johnny
Yuma, The Rebel," and "The Little Drummer
Boy," among many others. Western was also befriended
by Marty Robbins who later participated in Western's
recordings. When he wasn't on tour with Cash, Western
was playing shows on his own and working with ex-members
of Ernest Tubb’s and Porter Wagoner's bands.
During most of this period, he played 200 shows a year.
In 1986, he resumed his radio career by joining KFDI
Wichita. Johnny Western was inducted into the Country
Music D J Hall of Fame is 2000. He is currently heard
on KFDI “The Ranch” from 11:00 to 4:00
pm daily.
