Dude Martin

Dude Martin
Born
John Stephen McSwain

(1915-03-11)March 11, 1915
DiedFebruary 11, 1991(1991-02-11) (aged 75)
GenreWestern swing
OccupationsSinger, bandleader, radio and television host
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
LabelsRCA Victor, Mercury
Spouse
Sue Thompson

John Stephen McSwain (March 11, 1915 – February 11, 1991), better known by his stage name Dude Martin, was an American country singer and bandleader, radio and early television personality.

Career

In the 1930 and 1940s, Dude Martin and His Roundup Gang were regulars on radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

He notably hosted KGO radio shows called Cowboy Review and Sunrise Roundup and then, with the advent of television, moved to KGO-TV as well.

He recorded for labels such as RCA Victor and Mercury.

Personal life

He married singer Sue Thompson, who performed and recorded with his band Dude Martin and His Roundup Gang.

Accolades

In 2008, he was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.

Further reading

Billboard charts

Billboard reviews

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Dude Martin". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
  2. 1 2 Bronson, Fred (1997). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN 978-0-8230-7641-3.
  3. 1 2 "BACM Country Music History: 11th February - Dude Martin. Death". BACM Country Music Records (country-music-archive.com).
  4. 1 2 "Dude Martin". World Famous KWPX Cowpoke Radio.
  5. ↑
  6. 1 2 3 "Dude Martin". Bay Area Radio Museum & Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "Radio Daily". 1944.
  8. ↑ Kienzle, Rich (11 October 2013). Southwest Shuffle. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-71889-2.
  9. ↑ "Folk Talent and Tunes". Billboard. 7 June 1952.