| Golden Memories | SWD International Quartet Champions |
| man "rehearsed with an audience" one number
with the Society's first champions. It may have been the original "sing
with the champs". The Barflies claimed it was their 167th "final appearance".
By this time, Harry and George's other quartet was gaining national popularity. They were called the Flying L Ranch Quartet. One of their biggest fans was Roy Turner, owner of the Flying L Ranch (near Davis) and soon-to-be Oklahoma's Governor. Also an amateur song writer, Turner penned Hereford Heaven. HAPPY TRAILS TO HOLLYWOOD The song became popular and Roy asked his favorite quartet to perform it. In the summer of 1946, Roy Rogers decided to use the song and the quartet in his movie, "Home in Oklahoma". Each quartet member was renamed: Harry "Shorty" Hall, Bill |
"Smiley" Palmer, Fred "Stumpy" Graves,
George "Slats" MeCaslin for the movie. Some of the filming took place on
the Flying L Ranch and some took place in Hollywood. Gabby Hayes also appeared
in the film.
The Flying L Ranch Quartet was invited to sing at Roy Rogers and Dale Evans' wedding December 31, 1947 at The Flying L Ranch. Recently Roy and Dale were contacted and recalled: We remember what great voices they had". High profile events continued to seek out this popular quartet. In addition to singing for Roy Turner's inauguration on January 13,1947, they performed for the Truman Presidential Inauguration in 1949. The Flying L continued in various forms for many years with replacements such as Bob McCullough (lead), Gene Earl (bari), Bob Kirk (bari) and Gene Nash (lead). They are reported to have been active as late as 1951. |
Flying L in Hollywood
Front Row (L-R): McCaslin, Hall, Palmer, Graves
Back Row: Oklahoma Governor Roy Turner, Dale Evans, Mrs. Roy Turner, Roy Rogers
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Contents |
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How It All Began Chapters Chapter Histories International Quartet Champions ChorusesAdministration
Contests and Conventions Registered Quartets Publications Recognitions In Conclusion