Oral history interview with Foy Willing; 1975 December 16; interview conducted by Douglas B. Green. 1975 Dec. 16.

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Oral history interview with Foy Willing; 1975 December 16; interview conducted by Douglas B. Green. 1975 Dec. 16.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/62297620

Performer Foy Willing talks about the early years of his career. Discussion includes his childhood; comments on Nat Vincent's promotion of his early career; adopting the name Willing; his first group and recording on Capitol Records; the harmony style of the Riders of the Purple Sage; his early career with the Three Tall Guys From Texas; working on the Crazy Water Crystals show in New York; highlights from the Crazy Water Crystals sales pitch; comments on the state of country music in New York during the early 1930s and in California during the 1940s; his decision to return to Texas to learn more about the radio industry; the formation of the Riders of the Purple Sage; memories of the Hollywood Barn Dance; his efforts to balance his radio, film, and recording work; and his decision to sign with Republic Pictures.

Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center

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SNAC Resource ID: 7811368

Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Crazy Water Company

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6j787j9 (corporateBody)

Company in Mineral Wells, Texas that originated the "Crazy" brand of mineral water and evaporated mineral crystals. This company also launched the musical radio programs which began in Texas and spread throughout the southeastern United States. The Famous Mineral Water Company in Mineral Wells now controls and distributes the Crazy brand....

Willing, Foy, 1914-1978

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bk1b09 (person)

Country performer. Born 1915. Died June 24, 1978. Singer and songwriter. Leader of the western vocal group Riders of the Purple Sage. Began career in the early 1930s in New York radio with a show for Crazy Water Crystals. During the late 1930s-early 1940s worked in Texas and Oklahoma. In 1943 formed the Riders of the Purple Sage. The group appeared on the Hollywood Barn Dance, recorded for the Columbia, Decca, and Majestic record labels and backed numerous western performers on radio and film. ...

Willing, Foy, 1914-1978

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bk1b09 (person)

Country performer. Born 1915. Died June 24, 1978. Singer and songwriter. Leader of the western vocal group Riders of the Purple Sage. Began career in the early 1930s in New York radio with a show for Crazy Water Crystals. During the late 1930s-early 1940s worked in Texas and Oklahoma. In 1943 formed the Riders of the Purple Sage. The group appeared on the Hollywood Barn Dance, recorded for the Columbia, Decca, and Majestic record labels and backed numerous western performers on radio and film. ...

Green, Douglas B.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63r0qrw (person)

Country music performer. Born March 20, 1946. Best-known as Ranger Doug from Riders in the Sky, a cowboy revival act he co-founded in 1977. Performed as a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys during the late 1960s. Recording credits include a solo album, Songs of the Sage, released on the Warner Western label in 1997. From the description of Oral history interview with Douglas B. Green; 1993 November 23; interview with John W. Rumble. 1993 Nov. 23. (Country Music Foundation, Libra...