Stuart Hamblen Biography

Fast Facts

• His classic song "It Is No Secret" has been translated into more than 50 languages and was the first song to crossover as a number one hit on the Gospel, Country, and Pop charts
• Was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001
• Joined KFI in Hollywood as "Cowboy Joe" and later joined the Beverly Hill Billies singing radio group
• Used his winnings from a talent show in Abilene, Texas in 1929 to go to Camden, N․J․ to begin recording his music
• Began his career as a singer when he began doing broadcasts for radio stations in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas in 1926
• Also appeared in several films, including "The Arizona Kid," "In Old Monterey," and "King of the Cowboys․"
• Best known as one of the first singing cowboys on American radio and later as a Christian songwriter
• Had his own radio programs for several years, including "Covered Wagon Jubilee" and "Stuart Hamblen and His Lucky Stars․"
• Ran for President on the Prohibition Party ticket in 1952 after he lost his radio show for refusing to record an advertisement for an alcohol product
• His original manuscript for "It Is No Secret" is buried in the cornerstone of a Copyright Building at the Library of Congress
• Became the first person to put a horse on an airplane when he took his race horse, El Lobo, to the Burlingame Handicap from Los Angeles in 1945