So night riders would circle the herd, checking for signs of danger while crooning low, restful songs to the cattle. Once the old songs were in print they began to be sung throughout the country. By the late 1920's more singing cowboys could be found in recording studios and radio stations than on cattle ranches. In these films it is painfully obvious that all of the songs were dubbed. While poor John Wayne never achieved success as a singing cowboy many others did.
Today there are plenty of musical performers who sing while wearing a cowboy hat.
But only a few actually sing anything that can remotely be considered cowboy songs. But when most people think about singing cowboys they imagine the 1930's. A time when young Cody Smith finds work on the Lazy T ranch and agrees to compete for the title of All-Around Singing Cowboy. It's still possible to return to those thrilling days of yester-year. Classic movies and recordings are readily available.