Monte Hale Biography

Fast Facts

• During World War II, he sang with the Stars Over Texas Bond Drive, whose chairman, Phil Isley, later recommended him to Herb Yates, the head of Republic Pictures
• Made his screen acting debut as a singer in the film "The Big Bonanza" in 1944
• Bought his first guitar with the money he earned picking cotton and pecans as a child and began singing in local clubs at the age of 13
• Starred the Gene Autry Museum, now known as the Autry National Center of the American West, in 1988 with the help of his wife, Joanne
• Best known as one of the last "singing cowboys" of Hollywood's B-westerns in the 1940s
• Made nearly 30 films for Republic Pictures, 19 of which starred him as the singing hero Monte Hale
• Some of his best known songs are "Statue in the Bay" and "In My Stable There's an Empty Stall․"
• Had a small but memorable role in the 1956 film "Giant" as Rock Hudson's lawyer, Bale Cinch