Stuart Hamblen,
Our Presidential Candidate in 1952
Stuart Hamblen, the country and gospel music legend whose mid-life repudiation of alcohol lead him to run against President Eisenhower as a Prohibitionist, died 8 March 1989 at the age of 80, of complications from a cancer operation. Hamblen's career on radio, in the theater, and in motion pictures spanned 50 years.
During the 1950s, Hamblen wrote several songs that cemented his place in gospel and country music history. He is best known for his spiritual tunes, such as "It Is No Secret what God can Do" and "This Old House." Rosemary Clooney's recorded version of "This Old House" became a million-seller. Other well-known recording artists who preserved his work include Jo Stafford, Kate Smith, Ray Price, Jimmy Dean, and Mahalia Jackson.
Hamblin hosted several radio shows, beginning in 1931 and including the "Cowboy Church" radio show in Los Angeles. He performed in 9 movies, alongside stars such as Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. He was a member of the original "Beverly Hillbillies" cast. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976.
Hamblen was born in Kellysville, Texas on 20 October 1908, the son of an itinerant Methodist preacher. In chronically poor health, he was sent to work on ranches each summer as a restorative. There, he practiced singing, alone on the Texas plains.
After winning a yodeling contest in 1929, he used his prize money to go to Camden, New Jersey and cut 4 platters at the Victor Talking Machine Company plant. Money from this recording session took him to Los Angeles and a job in 1931 as "Cowboy Joe" on radio station KFL.
He became wealthy enough to purchase a stable of race horses and to become a breeder of Peruvian Paso horses. He was a regular rider in the Rose Bowl Parade.
An acknowledged alcoholic, Hamblen said his life changed on night in 1949, when he visited a tent revival show conducted by Billy Graham. He immediately swore off both alcohol and race horses. He also gave up his $1000/week radio show, after objecting to having brewers as sponsors.
In 1933, Hamblen ran (as a Democrat) for the California 20th Congressional District. He lost to Carl Hinshaw. Eighteen years later, while performing in Indianapolis, Indiana, he was heard by several delegates to the then-ongoing Prohibition Party nominating convention and was persuaded to run for President on the Prohibition ticket.
Data from an AP obituary, from notes by Earl F. Dodge, and from the websites (20 Oct 04) mymusicway.com and members.aol.com/HamblenMC/