Hank Caldwell and the Saddle Kings KFPY Spokane, WA KGO San Francisco, CA KHQ Spokane, WA KID Idaho Falls, ID KYA San Francisco, CA

About The Artist Hank Caldwell was a native of Vernal, Utah, standing six feet tall and about 185 pounds with chestnut brown hair and blue eyes they say. Hank and his band were seen on radio and televsioin throughout California in 1953 and were on U.S. Armed Forces overseas broadcasts, on the "Carolina Cotton Calls" show. In the fall of 1953, they were said to be working on a program called "Rodeo Review" that was supposed to be the 'second most expensive show to be auditioned out of Hollywood.' They also did four trio numbers in the movie "Outlaw Marshall" that was to be released in the future. Hank's ride to fame has an interesting tale as he started out. It seems that he and his partner, Speed Bastian, decided that they wanted to try their luck in the big city of Los Angeles and started off with only $100 in their pockets. Just as the money was running out, they got a job at a local Pico Street honky tonk, working from 6pm to 8am for "tips". Just as they were beginning to get their heads above the water, they lost their job when the boss found them taking request money from one of his girl friends who was enjoying their music. Hank worked with a variety of acts before forming the Saddle Kings. He sang and played the bass fiddle with Harry Fletcher and "Pop" Hemingway's Purple Sage Riders. He also worked with folks such as Curt Massey, Roy Rogers, Hank Penney, Jimmy Wakely, Dude Martin's band, Forman Phillips, Doye O'Dell and Foy Willing's Riders of the Purple Sage. Hank was also the originator of "The Plainsmen" that was later headed up by Andy Parker. Hank was also a songwriter, one, "Throw a Saddle on A Star" was the name of a movie also. Other tunes of his included "What Might Have Been" and "In the Arms of Your Old Rocking Chair". In the fall of 1952, the band appeared at the Hollywood Palladium Ballroom with none other than Woody Herman's band and enjoyed a rousing successful appearance. In a Cowboy Songs article, they quoted a bit of Hank's philosophy toward his hard work ethic and life: "To be successful in anything, a person should never know the meaning of failure. He should keep trying in spite of any odds. You get out of life just about what you put into it. ... I don't want to be rich; I want to be happy and have health. If I could live so everyone would have something good to say about me, and I could bring cheer into the lives of others, my happiness would be complete." Timeline and Trivia Notes Group members included: Hank Caldwell, leader, vocalist, bass fiddle Bud Smith, accordion (from Utah) Jimmy Widner, guitar (from Alabama) Hal Metzger, fiddle (from Kansas) Credits & Sources Cowboy Songs No.28; September 1953, American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT.

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