During the next six years, the Golden West Cowboys hit the Top 15 ten times in succession. Redd Stewart, who had joined in 1937 and outlasted them all, became the star of the show on King's charting hits, beginning with the #3 hit Tennessee Waltz in 1948. "I learned a lot about showmanship from him,"said Eddy Arnold. By 1937, the Golden West Cowboys had accepted a spot on the Grand Ole Opry.ĭuring the early-to-mid-'40s, Pee-Wee's band proved an important breeding ground for vocalists in the span of just five years, Eddy Arnold, Milton Estes, Cowboy Copas, Minnie Pearl, and Tommy Sosebee all spent time with the Golden West Cowboys. He ran a tight ship, organizing arrangements and intricate stage shows which promoted the band well around the Louisville area. Opting to stay with country music, Pee Wee changed his name to 'King' in honor of polka favorite Wayne King.Īfter a year spent with Frankie More's Log Cabin Boys, Pee Wee formed his own Golden West Cowboys with vocalist Texas Daisy, fiddler Abner Sims and guitarist Curly Rhodes. By 1934, Autry and King moved to WHAS Louisville, but after less than a year, Autry departed for Hollywood. After graduation, while fronting his own band, he met Gene Autry the future cowboy star was hosting his own program on Chicago's WLS and offered King an opportunity to back him. Born Julius Frank Kuczynski in 1914 in Wisconsin, he learned concertina, fiddle and accordion while playing in his father's polka band. Jewelcases / Trays / Protection jacketsĪs an instrumentalist, bandleader, actor, songwriter, and businessman, Pee Wee King had a long and varied career.