ROOTS of Country Music

Country Song Roundup

Country Song Roundup was a country music publication that lasted longer than any of their predecessors or competitors. Published by Charlton Publishing Corporation (Derby, Connecticut) for several years, this magazine covered evolving country music during the post World War II era. The first editors of Country Song Roundup were Don Davis, Harold Hersey and Norman Silver and the first issue was distributed in July 1949.

Initially, Country Song Roundup featured various industry topics such as how to get songs copyrighted, and published. There were in-depth articles and viewpoints on how to get started in the music business and other commentary about the music business in general.

Pictured 1959 issue of Country Song Roundup

Country Music Hall of Famer, Pee Wee King was a longtime columnist contributing information about his meeting and working with various country music acts in the business. He would often write of the various tours he and the Golden West Cowboys were on and mention the various venues they were playing.

Another long running Country Song Roundup writer was the Canadian star, Earl Heywood. With Heywood’s column and later another column called Up Canada Way, readers were kept informed on stars not only from the Grand Ole Opry, but major acts across the country and in Canada.

During the early editions, Country Song Roundup also featured articles on lesser known or local acts and new up and coming performers that were a part of the thriving country music scene. From October 1950 to August 1953, a column by George Sanders kept readers informed on what was going on in Hollywood, California and the West Coast country music scene.

Over the years dozens of artists appeared on the cover of Country Song Roundup. A 1954 issue featured Faron Young. This vintage magazine,which originally sold for twenty fives cents, featured a cover photo of Faron Young, plus an article with photos. Young was originally known as the Hillbilly Heartthrob and the Singing Sheriff.

Dolly Parton was on the cover of the February1981 issue, titled "The Bad, The Beautiful, And Dolly." The issue featured articles on Dave & Sugar, Marty Robbins, Slim Pickens, Mel Street and Billie Jo Spears. The issue sold for $1.

Pictured right Country Song Roundup, Mar. 1960. Top-Faron Young, middle-the Wilburn Brothers, bottom-Don Gibson.

Artists who appeared on the cover of Country Song Roundup more than five times were such names as Webb Pierce, Jim Reeves and Carl Smith. Elvis Presley was on the cover six times between August 1956 and May 1960. Country Song Roundup continued publication into the mid-1990s.

Pictured above left Country Song Roundup Oct. 1969, right  Country Song Roundup Annual, Fall 1977.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Researched, compiled and written by Richard Bell, Roots of Country Music, Mar. 5, 2012.