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Western Ranch Music
Country / Blues / Rockabilly

		KINGSBURG, California United States Profile Views: 2088 Last Login: 7/9/2009
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Western Ranch Music: General Info

Member Since	7/7/2008
Band Website		Record Label	WESTERN RANCH MUSIC
Type of Label	Major

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Check out WRM Artists at LAST.FM RADIO for on-line radio streaming and available downloads. Just click on the following links: KED KILLEN: http://www.last.fm/music/Ked+Killen/KILLEN+COLLECTOR+COMPILATION?autostart LEE FELTS: http://www.last.fm/music/Lee+Felts/LEE+FELTS++and+His+Feltons?autostart VIRGE BROWN: http://www.last.fm/music/Virge+Brown/VIRGE+BROWN++%22ROSE+OF+CHEROKEE%22?autostart Or, SEE OUR OTHER COUNTRY MUSIC SITE FOR SOME FREE LISTENING by simply clicking on this link: http://www.mycountryspace.com/westernranchmusic AND OUR WRM MUSIC DOWNLOADS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE BY SIMPLY CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING WIDGET:

Killen Collector Compilation Album Art Rel Dec. 2008

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS with KED KILLEN13 track, Nov. 2008

Esther 'Kitty' Casteel designed her WRM record label around 1950 and became an ASCAP member around that time. As history provides, she started recording under the WRM Label between 1950 and 1952 in Thornton, California; (per the Manteca News, Ca., article of 1983 and to The Galt Herald, Ca., article 03/73); and by dates in “The American Record Label Directory” By records of her works, it appears that many of her songs recorded and dated in the 1960's were also recorded much earlier. In the "American Record Label Directory 1940-1959" the WRM (Western Ranch Music) Label "address" is dated first as 12/53 in Thornton, CA.; Then Esther went back to Cimarron New Mexico and did some business (address dated 5/54); probably with “The Sun Valley Boys" band; and returned shortly after to California, and formed three recording bands; The Westernairs, Old Westerners and Rhythumaires" and did recording in California until 1960, then as recorded in the directory she moved just across the boarder to Oregon, around 4/60. She was there for just a few years then returned back to California and continued recording music under the Western Ranch Music Record Label during the 1960's and on up to 1988. And then even around age 85 she still allowed "Country Star International" to release her "Rose of Cherokee" and "Little Falling Star"again in 1995. In an article from “Lifestyle” in The Manteca News on May 28, 1983, Esther says, that "Rose of Cherokee went Gold in Canada and stayed 1 for 16 weeks, she said it earned her a "Best Western Country Writer" trophy and her name is listed in the "Who's Who in Country Music". And in an article from Kern River Scene dated Friday July 16 2004, she says that “Rose of Cherokee” was the first song she ever wrote. Not the first recorded, published or registered). “Rose of Cherokee” is in great hands, the song was renewed by Esther with the US Copyright Office in 1984. In that same article, Esther Casteel claimed to be 3/4 Sioux with a little Chippewa, and of course the rest white. She looked American Indian, but had blue eyes. Dr. Grahm was her dad. He was part English and had some Sioux and Chippewa in his blood as well. And according to Esther’s story, the Cherokee comes in with her husband Ray Casteel, whom was mostly Castilian and Basque. The song "One Little Rose" that Esther wrote is referring to her when she was younger, before she married Ray Casteel. She had moved to a relative’s ranch in Colorado at a young age to help them on the ranch. She helped the Cowboy ranch hands by cooking, cleaning, and caring for them. Then, after she was married to Cowboy and Rancher Ray Casteel and while living in Cimarron NM, together, she wrote the romantic song "Rose of Cherokee" which refers to them. (On the banks of the Cimarron river...the jingling of the spurs, etc.) She was the “One Little Rose” whom came to help the cowboys/ranch hands and now she was his “Rose of Cherokee”. In that same article, Esther says that an English couple adopted her from the Rosebud Agency in South Dakota. Esther may have been at the Rosebud Agency at first, since that is the area where the reservation and her tribe was; however, she was officially adopted from the 'Child Saving Institute' in Omaha, Nebraska. Since she was born on the Indian Reservation, she likely needed to be transferred to 'The Child Saving Institute' in order for the Saunders (English couple) to adopt her. As the story goes, Dr. Grahm (her father) found out about Esther being given up to an orphanage/agency by the Chief ‘s daughter (her mother); and the dad (Dr. Grahm) had allot to do with saving his daughter Esther, from an unpredictable life. He helped get her into the safe hands of the Saunders (The English couple). There is an article in the Galt Harold dated April 19, 1973, titled “Eulogy To A Chief.” Chief White Buffalo Man, grandson of the great Sioux Chief, Sitting Bull, conducted graveside services in the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery at Portland Oregon, for Esther’s nephew “Chief White Eagle”. Esther Casteel was a writer for The Galt Herald, at the time, so she wrote the Eulogy. Unfortunately, The Sioux Indian tribe has always denied Esther (Saunders) Casteel, of her roll number and any possible benefits, and Esther was never able to obtain acceptance through the Sioux Indian tribal leaders, nor, has her children received any benefits. The Sioux rejected her, up to her passing. Esther Casteel, raised seven children and took good care of her family. During her long lifetime, she suffered many losses of children, family, relatives and friends. She worked in the fields of California with her children, in the early 1950’s picking tomatoes, cotton, and fruit in the Central Valley. They followed the crop to Northern California, picking green beans and other vegetables and then to Oregon, to pick berries. This was a woman that knew adversity and worked hard for what she loved most. (Family, music, art and writing). Her husband never earned much income being a very hard working blue collar, Cowboy Rancher all his life. But he loved what he did. Ray Casteel literally died in his boots, on his horse; falling from the horse from a massive heart attack in 1971, at Circle-K Ranch in Northern California, with one boot still stuck in the stirrup. He was getting ready to move the herd. He was 100% cowboy to the end. The story goes that Dr. Grahm, used his status to get Esther into safe hands. Dr. Grahm knew the Saunders personally, and was probably related to them. He knew that the Saunders (an English couple) had recently lost their baby girl and that Mrs. Saunders still wanted a baby girl. Dr. Grahm, then arranged adoption to the Saunders and this way, also assured that Esther had some physical contact with “his” other children. Esther went to school with all white children and was made fun of by them at times. She said, children would ask “why does she come to our school?” And, “shouldn’t she be in a different school?” things like that. The Saunders were loving and kind parents with Christian values and it was these wonderful parents who taught Esther to play the piano and how to read and write music. She was always proud of that, and grew up to love writing and music and art. Esther also held onto the Christian principles taught to her by the Saunders, and then she too taught Sunday School in Colorado, and to her children. It is no wonder that allot of Esther’s songs depict sadness. Songs like Lonesome Blues, Cryin’ Blues, All Those Teardrops, Worried Blues, and The Clouds Are Raining Teardrops, etc.. She understood rejection, her own trials, the hard life of a Cowboy and being the wife of one. She also raised many children in hard times. She did have some romantic and up beat songs too; like Hey! Pretty Mama, Another Love, Rose of Cherokee, The Picture, Little Falling Star, One little Rose, Forbidden Kisses, Doll Upon The Shelf, etc. And, since she knew rejection and had feelings of not belonging, she understood the less fortunate people, like the poor and handicapped and blind people. She wrote "Little Blind Boy" and "Hello Mr. Santa". Both songs are about blind persons, and are sure to bring a tear to anyone who has a caring heart or compassion for the less fortunate. She understood people who got made fun of by others and so there is a complex song of emotions when you listen to her song "They Call Him a Bum". Even though the drunken father verbally abuses his son for being crippled, the son still covers for his dad. She loved Christmas. So her songs, Baby Fleetfoot, Hello Mr. Santa and Little Blind Boy are all songs that are very emotional and with Christian values, that either pertains to Christmas or, is happening during the holiday season. She knew what it was like to feel left out and abandoned like the persons in those songs. Christmas time was likely hard on Esther. She also went through the Great American Depression days, and her family struggled to make ends meet. They were all hard working people, but not many were getting paid much in those times. She had a very large family to care for. We have great admiration and respect for our grandmothers work and legacy. The goal of WRM is to protect and preserve The Western Ranch Music Record Label and history, and to share these songs and this history with the public, fans of the music, collectors, and the art world. Keeping all of this available to all of those who appreciate it. We hope you enjoyed this version of label history. Written by Douglas Deason. © Western Ranch Music July 2008 ********************************************************** AUTHOR/COMPOSER/ARTIST BIO ESTHER ‘KITTY’ CASTEEL & WESTERN RANCH MUSIC Esther Casteel, designed her “Western Ranch Music” Record Label, around 1950, in Thornton, California, and obtained her recording license between 1950 and 1952. Some bands and artists under her recording label and others who performed and sang her songs from the 1960’s to 1995, were Ked Killen and His Western All Stars (20 ea Country Retro, Blues and Rockabilly songs); Lee Felts & His Feltons (You’ll Never Cry Again, All I Do Is Cry, All Those Teardrops and My Throbbin’ Heart); Pell Brothers (Big Earl); Cecil Ziebart and The Polka Pals (December Waltz and Pretty Patricia); Gordon Harris & Western Four (Now I’m Releasing You and Kisses Sent By Letter); John York (Another Love); Virge Brown & The Saddle-Mates (Rose of Cherokee and Little Falling Star); and more.

VIRGE BROWN Artist, sang and performed Rose of Cherokee and Little Falling Star songs, written and composed by Esthe

Around 1952 and into the late 1950’s, she had three other recording Bands “The Westernairs” “Old Westerners” and “Rhythumaires”. She recorded previously under “White Label” in New Mexico and Colorado, from about 1940-1952. “The Sun Valley Boys” were one of her earlier recording bands when she lived in New Mexico. Also, in the early 50’s she had her own band called "Cimmeron Sun Valley Boys". 13 bands and 7 singers contracted to Esther Kitty Casteel, including Canadian groups. In 1983 she was already a 25-year member of The National Academy of Arts and Sciences. She became an ASCAP NY member around 1950. In 1973 Esther Casteel, was voted to become one of 21 Grammy Governors to serve from 1973-1974 out of the San Francisco, Ca., Chapter. (The only woman.) She was a voting member of NARAS, Los Angeles, Ca., Chapter for 15 years, by 1983. She wrote and recorded hundreds of songs starting from the 1940’s and by the year 1983; many were 45 vinyl records (78 and 45 rpm); after that on Cassette and now on CD. Other releases of Records and Repro vinyl 45 and Collector Mono LP's and Cassettes were produced with her works after that, as late as 1995. Now on CD and digital download. Esther ‘Kitty’ Casteel was a pioneer of 1940’s-50's music and sound carried over into her 1960’s-70's C&W Retro, Blues & Rockabilly style. These works continue under her original label and more are returning to the market for collectors and fans that love this old original sound in her 1960’s-70's C&W Retro music collection. Here are some of her most favorite songs that she wrote and helped compose: 1) Hey! Pretty Mama (or, Hey, Pretty Mama) 2) Lonesome Blues 3) Rose of Cherokee 4) Forbidden Kisses 5) Another Love 6) Old Saddle Pal (miss you tonight) 7) Little Blind Boy 8) Baby Fleetfoot 9) Be Sure, Dear 10) Will The Pardon Arrive Too Late 11) One Little Rose 12) Hello, Mr. Santa 13) They Call Him A Bum 14) My Throbbin' Heart 15) You'll Never Cry Again 16) Clouds Are Raining Teardrops 17) All I Do Is Cry 18) Big Earl 19) Hello and Goodbye 20) The Picture 21) Cryin' Blues 1) 22) Cryin' Blues 2) 23) Lyin Eyes 24) Doll Upon The Shelf 25) Worried Blues 26) Little Falling Star 27) Colorado Moon 29) All Those Teardrops 30) Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star 31) Song Of The Dusty Trail 32) Now I'm Releasing You 33) Kisses Sent By Letter. She authored, composed and recorded many more songs. She also authored several books; 1. Lucky Little Lady 2. Patches and Pigtails 3. When The Owl Hoots and more. From 1972 through 1977, Esther Casteel, was a Thornton, California columnist/correspondent for The Galt Herald, California, Newspaper. Esther Casteel, was 3/4 Native American Indian, She was an artist of: 1)Western & Native American Oil Paintings, 2)Native American Indian, Kachina Dolls, 3)Porcelain Indian Dolls, Leather Work, Pottery, 5)Indian Bead Work, 6)Author of many books, 7)Newspaper columnist/correspondent, 8)Songwriter/Composer from the 1940's to 2006, 9)Musician, Performer, 10)Recording Artist, 11)Pioneer of Retro C&W, Blues, Rockabilly (1940's-50's style) in the late 1960's, And, 12)Wife and mother of seven children, 13)And Grandmother and Great-grandmother to about 37. Esther Casteel, passed away in December of 2006 at a Bakersfield, California Hospital, at age 95. Written by Douglas Deason. © Western Ranch Music July 2008 **********************************************************

Artist/performer KED KILLEN Recorded songs for WRM Label Esther Casteel in the late 1960s.

Ked Killen was born on May 10, 1911 in Jenkins, Kentucky and raised there. From the time he was a teenager until 25 years of age Ked sang and played the guitar only locally with other musicians at neighborhood get-togethers and in Virginia. Ked married a childhood sweetheart by the name of June. They raised two lovely daughters, Debra and Regina. Ked Killen had compiled a group of musicians, which he named ~Western All Stars~. No opportunity came Ked's way to record for a company until he had seen an add and write-up on Western Ranch Music record label. It was in early 1966 when he contacted Western Ranch Music Records with an audition tape. The company liked his down-to-earth country sounds and signed him to a recording contract on August 1, 1966. Until retiring in late 1969 playing only for his family and friends Ked had recorded 20 masters for Western Ranch Music Records. After many hours of re-mastering and restoring the old masters not all of the tracks sound as clean and crisp as back then. Ked's records had some very good ratings in various areas. Not too much has ever been known about his personal life. Through the studio where Ked recorded in Virginia we could find out that he was working on another tape several years ago, when illness and death struck his wife June, leaving him very distraught and depressed, until he became quite ill himself and passed away in 1986. He is buried at a local cemetery at Clintwood, Virginia. Ked was one of the many fantastic Country singers who- for one reason or another- missed the ~boat to fame~. The main reason certainly was the fact that he was discovered by a record label at least 15 years too late. His voice would have been suitable for the early 50's country sound and of his many tracks most sound like 1950's recordings. The two pictures that you will see of Ked Killen and his band are the only ones that Western Ranch Music Records ever received from Ked Killen. Even with the poor picture quality and with the poor tonal quality on several items we thought that Ked Killen's memory had to be kept alive for record collectors around the world. Original Western Ranch Music tracks of Artist Ked Killen have shown up in C&W and Rockabilly album releases produced in the European Union and Canada, for the fans and collectors of C&W Retro, Blues, and Rockabilly music. Here are a few foreign labels that include songs by Artist Ked Killen : 1) White Label, Netherlands 1988 2) Binge, West Germany 1989 3) Sun Label, England 1990 4) Rich ~ R ~ Tone, And more. Written by Esther Casteel and Douglas Deason © Western Ranch Music™ 1989, 2008 **********************************************************

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InEddy	Mar 5 2009 7:12 AM Hello Thanx for adding me and have listen my french songs. I like your western music I m a big Fan :-) You are on my top friends. Bye from France http://www. eddyraycooper. com
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