Hillbilly-Music.com—The People. The Music. The History.
Dave Burges
and the Desert Aires

About The Artist

Dave Burges and the Desert Aires. One of favorites of 30,000 listeners to KAVL in Lancaster, California they wrote back in 1952. Back in 1952, they were one of the more youthful acts around.

The group was getting popular back in 1952 and they used that popularity to get an audition with Republic Pictures. In addition, they were getting ready to start their own television show in Hollywood.

On Saturday nights, the band would play to an audience that was said to have come from a 200 mile radius, though they did not mention the venue in the article we found.

Dave Burges, their leader at the time, was only 17 back in 1952 and also wrote many of the popular tunes the band played.

Timeline & Trivia Notes

Group Members:

  • Dave Burges, leader, vocal, guitar
  • Greg Ryan, steel guitar
  • Tex Burges, drums
  • Arlen Raikes, bass fiddle

Credits & Sources

  • Cowboy Songs No. 22; September 1952; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT