Origin: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine

Subject: Origin: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 01:15 PM

Hi,

I was wondering about the song "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine." Most places it says co-written by Gene Autry but I think it was only written by Jimmy Long.

Does anyone know any details?

I believe Autry's was the third recording of the song (after Long and Robertson) and it was made with Long. It was recorded in Oct. 1931 but when was it released?

According to one source it sold 30,000 units after its release in 1931. Is this true? When was the song a hit for Autry?

Was this the first gold record?

Richie

Subject: RE: Origin: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 01:58 PM

You can find this information at:
http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/fame/autry.html

Subject: RE: Origin: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 07:55 PM

Thanks guest,

I all ready had that info before I asked. Actually it doesn't answer any on the questions except the first Gold album. I also don't consider it the first Country million seller. I am wondering why that was the first. I know the Prisoner's Song was the first certified million seller.

There are several sources that say Autry didn't co-author the song. I think Autry made an arrangement with Long to share the song, hence the co-authorship listing.

I'd also like to know if anyone knows when the song was written. There are different versions on the internet but most say back in the Frisco days in Oklahoma.

Richie

Subject: RE: Origin: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 09:21 AM

Here's info from one on-line source:

Re: CowboyPal Trivia for May 31, 2007
From: PAUL HOPPER
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 5:37 PM

More than you want to know but still of some interest regarding "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine":

1930 12 02    Jimmy Long & Cliff Keiser record it for Gennett. Released on Champion and Supertone labels.
1931 10 20    Frank Novak & Dick Robertson record it for Victor. Released on Victor and later Montgomery Ward labels.
1931 10 29    GENE AUTRY & JIMMY LONG record the song for ARC. It is released on the many ARC labels and Conqueror.

    After the success of the song in "The Phantom Empire" (1934) and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (1935) it finally charts 3 1/2 years after first release and other artists then take their turns at it.
    Nineteen years after the Long / Keiser version, to the day, and eighteen years after the first Autry version Gene records the song again.

1949 12 02    GENE AUTRY & BERT DODSON record it for Columbia Records. Bert subbed for the deceased Jimmy. Bert was a member of the Cass County Boys.

    Through all the credits on the records, song sheets, and in songbooks showing Gene's name associated with it he had nothing to do with the writing. Of all the songs "co-authored" with Jimmy Long this is the only one whose copyright remains in the possession of Jimmy's descendants. Gene never owned it, just had deals for a slice of performance and publishing royalties.

Subject: RE: Origin: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine
From: Genie
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 10:00 PM

Thanks for the info, Richie.   There are a number of songs attributing songwriting credits to singers who popularized them, and I always like to credit where it's really due. This is a song I use every year around Father's Day, and I can now correct my introduction.

Genie