David Stout "Dave" Stogner (1920-1989) was one of the premier Western swing musicians playing on the West Coast. Known as the "West Coast King of Western Swing", Stogner moved to California to pursue a musical career with the encouragement from fellow Texan, Milton Brown.
Although famous for his long-time big band, The Western Rhythmaires, his first band was called The Arkansawyers. Dave Stogner and The Western Rhythmairs hosted a show at the Big Fresno Barn Dance for more than ten years in the 1950s. Stogner recorded for Four Star Records, Decca and Mosrite Records. He co-wrote the song Black Cat Stomp with Joe Holley. Stogner and his band appeared on television and radio shows throughout the San Joaquin Valley including a show on Channel 17 in Bakersfield in the early 1960s.1
At least one author described Stogner's sound as "hard driving hillbilly".
Throughout his long career, in addition to his many hit recordings, Stogner wrote, and co-wrote, several songs including "Hard Top Race" in 1953. Stogner was elected to the Western Swing Hall of Fame in Sacramento in 1988.
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National and Regional Sponsors
During the 1950s Dave Stogner and his band hosted TV shows in Fresno. His show on the ABC affiliate station was sponsored by Coca-Cola exclusively. During that time Coke sponsored Dave's show on the west coast and the Eddie Fisher Show on the east coast.
Regional sponsors included Dave's own brand of western style boots, "The Official Dave Stogner Boot".
Recordings
A compilation album of many of Dave's recordings for Decca and 4Star are available online at CDBaby. Or see his memorial page at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame website.
