Ray Whitley

Raymond Otis Whitley (December 5, 1901 – February 21, 1979) was a country and western singer, songwriter, and actor, best known for writing the Western song "Back in the Saddle Again". His career in film lasted between 1936 and 1956.

Early life Whitley was born in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

Whitley recorded for several record labels, including Okeh, Apollo Records and Decca.

Motion pictures In 1937, Whitley was signed by RKO Radio Pictures as a specialty performer in the studio's "B" westerns starring George O'Brien, and O'Brien's successor Tim Holt. RKO also gave Whitley a starring series of his own: 18 two-reel musical short subjects, produced between 1937 and 1942.

In the late 1950s, Whitley made appearances on the Roy Rogers TV specials, he also appeared in the feature film Giant starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean.

Whitley wrote the Western tune "Back in the Saddle Again".

Gibson Shipping Ledgers show the following totals for the Montgomery Ward – Recording King Ray Whitley Jumbo Models:

Total of 147 – RK Ray Whitley Model No. 1027 (Rosewood back & sides, "bat wing" shaped bridge) Total of 170 – RK Ray Whitley Model No. 1028 (Mahogany back & sides, plain rectangle-style bridge)

Breaks down like this: 143 No. 1027s shipped in 1939 Only 4 No. 1027s shipped in 1940

115 No. 1028s were shipped in 1939 55 No. 1028s shipped in 1940

First shipment of 1027s – January 23, 1939 – Last: February 27, 1940, First shipment of 1028s – June 23, 1939 – Last: June 13, 1940

Filmography Feature films, featuring Ray Whitley

Short subjects, starring Ray Whitley and His Six Bar Cowboys All produced and released by RKO Radio Pictures