Westerners WLS National Barn Dance

About The Group She was Betty Lorene Riley and was from the birthplaced of country music legend Jimmie Rodgers of Meridian, Mississippi. She appears to have started her musical career around 1952 or so, playing the piano and singing tunes for appreciative audiences. Tragedy struck this talent on a late Sunday in November of 1954 when she died when her automobile crashed into the rear end of a truck about thrity miles east of Dallas, Texas. Ms. Riley was on her way to start an engagement at an unnamed Dallas night spot the following night (November 15). Betty had just completed a series of appearances at the Dinkler-Andrew Jackson Hotel in Nashville at its Old Hickory Room. During those two years, she had made a few appearances in Nashville, and made an impression with those she met. SHe had also appeared at the John Ringling Hotel in Sarasota, Florida and the Tutwiler in Birmingham, Alabama. She must have made an impression in those visits to Nashville, for the only mention we found was of her passing in the publication that the Solemn Old Judge George D. Hay headed up for a time. Pickin' and Singin' News notes that she was survived by her parents and two brothers in Meridian, Mississippi. Credits & Sources Pickin' and Singin' News; Vol. II no. 22; November 30, 1954; Fountain Publications, Inc.; George D. Hay, Publisher; 804 Church Street, Nashville, TN Read More About The Group Printer Friendly Version Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   Columbia Rec. No. Side Song Title   20230 A Nobody To Love   20230 B When The White Azaleas Start Blooming   20303 A Little Wooden Whistle Wouldn't Whistle   20303 B Good Old Turnip Greens   20508 A Squeeze Box Polka   20508 B Waltz Time Melody   Conqueror Rec. No. Side Song Title   8204 A The Cowboy's Dream   8204 B New River Train   8205 A The Trail To Mexico   8205 B The Big Corral   8286 A A Round-Up Lullaby   8286 B Riding Down That Old Texas Trail   8291 A When It's Prayer Meetin' Time In The Hollow   8291 B There's An Empty Cot In The Bunk House   8437 A Round-Up Time In Heaven   8437 A Beautiful Texas   8437 B Round-Up Time In Heaven   8437 B Beautiful Texas   8444 A If Jessie James Rode Again   8444 B Pretty Boy Floyd   8807 A My Little Buckaroo   8807 B Lif'es Evening Sun Is Sinking Low   8812 A When My Dream Boat Comes On Home   8812 B Where The Poppies Bloom Again   8820 A What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul No. 2   8820 B Falling Leaves   8895 A Raggin' The Blues At The Old Piano   8895 B Where The Morning Glories Grow   8896 A Carry Me OverThe Warm Desert Sands   8896 B Old Rose Waltz   Harmony Rec. No. Side Song Title   570-H A Our Bungalow Of Dreams   570-H B Under The Clover Moon   Melotone Rec. No. Side Song Title   6-0862 A Is It True What They Say About Dixie?   6-0862 B Partner, It’s The Parting Of The Ways   OKeh Rec. No. Side Song Title   02957 A What Would You Take In Exchange For Your Soul No. 2   02957 B Life's Evening Sun Is Sinking Low   Vocalion Rec. No. Side Song Title   04221 A When The White Azaleas Start Blooming   04221 B Nobody To Love   04222 A Honeysuckle Schottische   04222 B Varsovienna   04223 A En El Rancho Grande   04223 B My Gal On The Rio Grande   04310 A Carry Me Over The Warm Desert Sands   04310 B Old Rose Waltz   04414 A Good Old Turnip Greens   04414 B Little Wooden Whistle Wouldn't Whistle