WHITLEY, RAY
(1901–1979)
WHITLEY, RAY (b. Atlanta, Ga., December 5, 1901–February 21, 1979) A popular singing COWBOY and songwriter, Whitley provided GENE AUTRY with many of his biggest hits, including Back in the Saddle Again. After serving in the Navy, Whitley settled in the New York area, where he was an electrician and steel-worker while playing music on the side. He successfully auditioned for the New York-based WHN Barn Dance in the early 1930s, and by the middle of the decade was cohost of the show with TEX…