T. Texas Tyler

by Frank M. Roberts

March 2016

Swing music enthusiasts will remember an old Harry James hit, "I've Heard That Song Before." Country music enthusiasts have heard this 'song' before: Well known singer grows up in poverty, teaches himself how to play the guitar. He pulls himself up by the bootstraps, enjoys great fame as a performer, then gets involved with drugs and drink, then redeems himself when he finds God.

Yeah, that's the scenario, and it is the story of a country/western swing/honky tonk performer -- T. Texas Tyler who was born and raised in Mena, ARK. in Polk County, not too far from where some of my family lives in Beebe.

TTT is largely forgotten now but, back in the '50s he had many hits, and many fans who enjoyed the singer who was distinguished by the 'growl' in his voice and, he is remembered for pioneering the mix of singer and narrator, an idea picked up by such performers as 'Whispering' Bill Anderson, Red Sovine, Jimmy Dean and others. Another performer who utilized that style was Tex Ritter who was quoted as saying that triple 'T' greatly influenced him.

The singer's real name had nary a 'T' in it. His birth certificate lists him as David Luke Myrick. He was the youngest of three brothers who grew up in a home with no electricity, no indoor plumbing, and very little furniture. His parents took on menial jobs - when they could find work.

He managed to scrape up enough money to buy a Sears-Roebuck guitar - $3.98, plus postage. He taught himself how to play it -an excellent investment. Learning that musical instrument was just about the extent of his education. He quit school after finishing the eighth grade.

Evidently, he was a good student - a quick study. In no time, he went to work, performing in local talent shows and at dances. When he was 16, he joined the Navy. He was stationed in Newport, R. I. - neat, since he had a brother who was living nearby. Soon, TTT traded Navy blue for cowboy outfits, and he went to work at area radio stations. The 'biggie' break came when he appeared on "Major Bowes Amateur Hour," forerunner to the many such shows making the rounds on teevee these days.

And, hey, he won first place singing ye olde song about a "Silver Haired Daddy." It was the start of an impressive career. Next, he toured with one of the Major's travelling groups, using the moniker, "Ozark Mountain Dave." EEee-haa! Bowes suggested that our hero call himself 'Texas Tyler' - a combination of the names of Tex Ritter and Tom Tyler.

Where did the TTT come from? He was about to sing, "I Was Only Teasing You," and the radio announcer introduced him and the song this way: "Teasing singer 'T' Texas Tyler." The name, as you surmised, stuck. (See below for a personal experience).

Soon after that he partnered with a young fiddler named Clarence 'Slim' Clere. They worked together in West Virginia and, while in the town of Huntington, in 1942, he met and married Claudia Foster. It was, however, an abbreviated marriage. In that state, he worked with an abbreviated native - Little Jimmy Dickens. They performed in Indiana and Louisiana. Soon, he once again worked for Uncle Sam - this time, with the Army, wearing khaki until the end of WW2.

Tyler exited the service in 1946 (the year I entered). He put on civvies and went to southern California where he organized a band. His husky voice became quite an attraction, as did his mix of country, western swing, and honky tonk. Slowly, but surely, the hits started coming - "Filipino Baby," "Remember Me," "Oklahoma Hills" and, the song that put him on the map - "Deck Of Cards." That's when he featured the mix of music and narrative. It became his fame-claim.

Another early hit was - sniff-sniff - "Dad Gave My Dog Away." TTT became one of the most popular country music stars - unfortunately, his name is not well remembered in this day and age but, in that day and age he climbed up. He and his band, The Oklahoma Melody Boys, appeared at Carnegie Hall, and he had himself his very own show on teevee.

Of special interest to Jimbo's western movie enthusiasts, he made a couple of movies. He appeared with Charles Starrett in "Durango Kid," and with Roy Rogers in "Twilight In the Sierras." Of course, he was a regular on "Louisiana Hayride," and, naturally, "The Grand Ole Opry." At that time, he covered a Hank Williams song, "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It," and had a hit with, "Divorce Me C.O.D." (He already did that).

As happened with so many others, rock 'n roll noised in - er - nosed in, and he 'slumped.' Also, as happened with so many others, he tried to ease the pain with marijuana, and alcohol. Then - turnaround time. He had a 'religious experience' while attending Foursquare Gospel Church in Long Beach, CA. He turned to evangelism, and became an ordained Assembly Of God minister. Then, he met a Canadian lady, Doris, and the two became one. They settled in Springfield, MO. where he continued speaking in churches.

TTT developed skin cancer and, in 1971, he died. Radio personality, Paul Harvey, encouraged listeners to buy TTT's records to help the family pay the mounting medical bills.

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In those days, a lot of country stations mixed it up - records, plus performers, live and in person. While I deejayed at KXGI (veterans only) in Fort Madison, IA., I did some fun stage shows with an excellent group - Wade Patrick And the Santa Fe Riders. I emceed, using the name of 'Buttons Baxter', complete with a cowboy outfit. I have no idea how or why I invented that name).

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Hey, podner -- did you hear about the sheriff out west? He was so tough -- he joined a nudist colony and wore his badge, anyway.