Dave Stogner

(1920-1989)

The Dave and Vi Stogner Story

David Stout Stogner was born May 15, 1920 on a farm in St. Jo, Texas, and he was the youngest boy of nine children. By the age of 13 he was playing fiddle with his father and brothers at country-dances in north Texas. He joined a band in his hometown at age fifteen, and formed his own band and played on an Oklahoma radio station and at dances statewide. Following World War II, Dave Stogner formed a five-piece band called "Dave Stogner and The Western Rhythmaires." After the service Dave stayed in California's Bay area near Richmond, Bakersfield and Fresno and became a fixture at the Big Fresno Barn every Saturday night. He worked for radio stations in the San Joaquin Valley, and was a television personality for more than ten years.

Dave Stogner recorded songs on Decca and Mosrite labels. He also made appearances in Nashville, Tennessee where he met and became friends with some of the legends in Country Music. Among his friends were Marty Robbins, Johnny Russell, Jeanne Sheppard, Merle Haggard, Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Woods, a lifelong friend. He booked many Country Music Hall of Famers to the Big Fresno Barn in the 1950's, including Hank Williams, Faron Young, Hank Snow, Lonzo and Oscar, Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys. Stogner brought Western Swing music to the San Joaquin Valley in the 1950's, and those musicians that influenced his music were Milton Brown and The Musicial Brownies, and Bob Wills. His wife, Viola Stogner, is writing a biography titled, "The Dave Stogner Story: Only A Memory Away." The book should be released in the spring of 2002.

Dave Stogner died May 17, 1989 in Fresno, California. Dave Stogner is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, The Western Swing Hall of Fame in Sacramento, California, and he has been honored with displays in the West Coast Country Museum in Bakersfield, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dave Stogner and The Western Rhythmaires.

Dave Stogner started in Fresno, California with a five-piece band and later added two more musicians. Coca-Cola sponsored them for a number of years. They played at dances throughout the San Joaquin Valley and recorded for Four Star Records in 1951. Stogner started his own television show on Channel 47 when television came to Fresno and he appeared five evenings a week. His band played every Saturday night at the Big Fresno Barn, a popular spot at that time. He played there for eleven years. He also had a television show on Channel 24 for five years.

The Big Fresno Barn
was home to Dave Stogner & The Western Rhythymaires ...

... and Home of the Country Western Stars from Nashville. It was called Nashville West by Dave Stogner who booked many of the guest like Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Little Jimmy Dickens, Hank Snow, Faron Young, Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys.

Dave Stogner jams with Little Jimmy Dickens.

Dave plays fiddle with Ricky Skaggs.

Dave Stogner & Marty Robbins were very close friends.

Viola Stogner and Dave relax in their home in Santa Cruz.
Viola Stogner made some of the shirts that Dave wore on stage. They were married for 17 years before Dave died May 17, 1989. She lives in Madera, California now, and she enjoys her family, including her two sons, two step-sons, and many grandchildren.

Below are some of Dave's most popular song titles:

Fiddlin' Around
Jam Blues - (Duke Ellington)
When My Dreamboat Comes Home - (Friend-Franklin)
I Dreamed of an Old Love Affair - (Bonnie Dodd- Jimmy Davis)
Yes Sir - (Dave Stogner)
Texas Hambone Blues - (W. Jones)
Woodchoppers Ball - (Joe Bishop)
You've Got Me Crying - (T. Atchison)
Pretty As A Picture - (Dave Stogner)
Tulsa Baby - (Stogner-J. Childress)
Johnson Rag - (Guy Hall-Henry Kleinkauf)

Fiddlin' Around Again

Walking On Easy Street - (Dave Stogner)
Everything Happens To Me - (Dave Stogner)
Bandera Polka - (Owen Bradley)
Black Cat Stomp - (Stogner-Joe Holley)
Juke Box Love w. (Stogner & Essley)
My Galveston Gal - (P. Harris)
If You Can't Get Five Take Two - (Simmie Davis) ASCAP
Oh Sweet Mama- (Dave Stogner) Joyce Records
"T for Texas (Blue Yodel #1) - (Jimmy Rodgers)
Hard Time Blues - (Dave Stogner)
Orange Blossom Special - (Ervin T. Rouse)

These CD's can be ordered from Viola Stogner at $15.95 each. Please e-mail her below.

Dave and his band when Coca Cola was his sponsor for 5 yrs' on KGEO-TV, Fresno.

VIOLA STOGNER lives in Madera, CA, and she enjoys visiting with her family, and friends. She is taking computer classes and working out at the gym.

If you want to contact Viola Stogner, e-mail: denedodie@sbcglobal.net

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