I'm having such a hard time putting this one together in my mind, but I do know it was written by Leon Payne. At any rate, there are quite a number of good performances which predate the Jim Reeves or Al Martino ~~ good though they may be. Elvis Presley recorded it for Sun in 1954, and it was not a new song then. I think I remember earlier recordings by Ernest Tubb, Leon Payne himself, George Morgan, and more, but at the moment I just can't think of the recorded history of the song. No doubt someone will come along and correct me, and add to the knowledge. In any event, think late 1940s for the first one.