Richard Thomas Goldhahn, a singing cowboy with the stage name "Dick Thomas"
who wrote "Sioux City Sue," a western anthem popularized by Bing Crosby and
by Gene Autry in a movie of the same title, has died. He was 88.

Mr. Goldhahn died last Saturday in his sleep in a hospice in Abington, Pa.,
of heart failure.

A favorite among fans of the singing-cowboy genre, "Sioux City Sue" began
with the lyrics: "Sioux City Sue, Sioux City Sue. Your hair is red, your
eyes are blue, I'd swap my horse and dog for you." Mr. Goldhahn co-wrote the
lyrics with Max C. Freedman and composed the music for the catchy tune in
1945.

His own recording of the song sold more than 150,000 copies. When Crosby
recorded it in 1946, the song made the Lucky Strike Hit Parade for 14
consecutive weeks.

The same year, Autry recorded "Sioux City Sue" as the title song of his
Western film, solidifying the tune's place in western music history. Willie
Nelson later recorded a version.

Born on a pig farm now within Philadelphia city limits, Mr. Goldhahn studied
violin and accordion.

He began playing guitar, yodeling and singing on the radio and in nightclubs
in the 1930s. He moved to Los Angeles in 1941 and adopted cowboy garb to
perform at the Hollywood Tropics nightclub for a record 62 weeks.

Mr. Goldhahn, who served in the Army toward the end of World War II,
composed, recorded and performed his songs at clubs from Los Angeles to Las
Vegas, New York and Philadelphia for about 20 years.

He also worked on Philadelphia television.

Among his songs were "The Beaut From Butte," "Esmereldy," "Weary Nights and
Broken Dreams," "Give Me Back My Heart" and "I've Got a Gal in Laramie."

I went back in time and remembered Dick Thomas when he made his home in New York.
Dick was a part of the same group of people who wrote those great old songs we remember from way back.

The group of people were the late Roy Horton past president of the CMA and head of C&W music at Southern Music Publising Co at 1619 Broadway NYC.

Dick Thomas was a part of the group of writers such as the late Vaughn Horton,Roy,s
older brother who wrote Mocking Bird Hill and
Teardrops in My Heart.

Sam Martin who wrote "You Call Everbody Darling". Also a mega hit which crossed over to the pop field.

Billy Hayes who wrote "Blue Christmas"
Jack Rollins who composed "Frosty The Sno Man
Peter Cottontail. Jack and Zeb Carver were a writing team for many years before Frosty and Peter Cottontail and composed many songs recorded by Autry and Lawrence Welk.

I remember a special occasion when I was young when Dick Thomas "who had a beautiful voice with a falcetto" teamed up with Rosalie
Allen and Elton Britt,that was something to hear the three of them sing and yodel.

Since I was still in my teens,my knee's were
knocking when I was asked to play a steel solo on SS Sue.

You bring back many memories. Thanks for this
and few people these days know who Dick Thomas was and how well he sang as he was remembered for his writing and not his extra
talented singing voice.

They are all gone now,but it was my good fortune to have known all of them..Zeb Carver was and still is my dad who passed away in 1986. I'm sure they are all together again.

When I go to Manhattan,I stop by the Brill Building at 1619 Broadway and can still see those images of all those fine people. Add Zeke Manners to that group of fine people.
Zeke wrote "The Pennsylvania Polka" and add
Denver Darling who wrote "Silver Stars Purple Sage Eyes Of Blue".

Not many know that there were some great talented writers back here and in PA.

Thank You Again Janice.

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 30 November 2003 at 09:17 PM.]

You can look in the obituaries OK..but I hope
you dont see my name there for while

When Its time,I'll e mail you.

You are very knowledgeable and thoughtful.
You make this Forum a better place