Shorty Long Born:  October 31, 1923 Died:  October 25, 1991 WEEU Reading, PA WFIL Philadelphia, PA WLS Chicago, IL

About The Artist A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Shorty Long was the leader and organizer of the Santa Fe Rangers. When he was just 14, his parents, who were musically inclined, sent him to study music at the College of Rome where he got an education in classical music. They said he graduated cum laude as a violinst. During that time it seems he had formed a hillbilly music band that shocked his 'serious- minded' parents and the professors. That classical musical training just added to the bands musical sounds. Shorty Long could also play the accordion, and sang both solo and tenor lead in his combo. He was with radio station WEEU in Reading from about 1946 and by 1951, seemed to be still there. His fan mail was said to be phenomenal. Prior to returning to his hometown of Reading, he had also appeared on the WSIL Hayloft Hoedown and also the WLS National Barn Dance during the Alka-Seltzer sponsored portions. He also played to rave reviews at New York City's Paramount Theatre when he was featured with the Foy Willing Trio on the Andrew Sisters' "Eight-To-The-Bar Ranch Show". Shorty spent his summers at his Santa Fe Ranch which was on Rt. 422 just outside of Reading. It may have been some place where entertainment was held as they mention he played host to the big names in the entertainment field. He also appeared in the movie, "Powder River Gunfire". He had also just signed a recording contract with RCA Victor then, too. And in his song folio of 1951, was a recent addition to the King record label. And from what we could tell in the song folio, Shorty appears to have been married to Dolly Dimples. However, we could find no mention of the names of the band members. Credits & Sources Shorty Long Song Folio; 1951; Tannen Music, Inc.; Keys Music, Inc.; 146 West 54th Street, New York 19, NY. Country Song Roundup No. 5; April 1950; Charlton Publishing Corp.; Derby, CT.

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Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   Cowboy Rec. No. Side Song Title   CR-201 A Blue Ranger (w/Santa Fe Rangers)   CR-201 B Side Saddle Joe (w/Santa Fe Rangers)   CR-202 A I Round Up The Stars (w/Santa Fe Rangers)   CR-202 B You've Got My Heart In Trouble (w/Santa Fe Rangers)   CR-203 A Blue Rose Of The Rio (w/Santa Fe Rangers)   CR-203 B I'll Still Go On Loving You (w/Santa Fe Rangers)   Decca Rec. No. Side Song Title   46139 A Sweeter Than The Flowers (w/Santa Fe Rangers)   46139 B I Love You So Much, It Hurts (w/Santa Fe Rangers)   46142 A Yesterday's Mail   46142 B Tennessee Moon   Dot Rec. No. Side Song Title   1154 A Pretend   1154 B Crying Street Guitar Waltz   King Rec. No. Side Song Title   874 A Because The One I Love Has Said Good-bye   874 B Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers   889 A Foolish Pride   889 B Calm, Cool and Collected   906 A No Wars In Heaven   906 B Don't Tell My Mommy   923 A Blinding Tears   923 B Mama   949 A Hillbilly Wedding (w/Dolly Dimples)   949 B I Miss You So (w/Dolly Dimples)   953 A Goodnight Cincinnati, Good Morning Tennessee   953 B Just Like Two Drops of Water   RCA Victor Rec. No. Side Song Title   20-6472 A Hey, Doll Baby   20-6472 B Luscious   20-6572 A Burnt Toast And Black Coffee   20-6572 B Vacation Rock   20-6804 A Another Love Has Ended   20-6804 B Little White Horse   20-6873 A I'd Crawl Back If I Could   20-6873 B You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry   Signature Rec. No. Side Song Title   1014 A Air Mail Special On The Fly   1014 B After All These Years   1015 A The Miner's Song   1015 B Sweet Corrina Blues   1023 A I Hang My Head and Cry (w/Riley Shepard)   1023 B That Ain't Right (w/Riley Shepard)   1030 A Sailor's Hornpipe (w/Riley Shepard)   1030 B Turkey In The Straw (w/Riley Shepard)   1031 A Shepard's Schottische (w/Riley Shepard)   1031 B The Devil's Dream (w/Riley Shepard)   1032 A Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay (w/Riley Shepard)   1032 B Boil Them Cabbage Down. (Hoe Down) (w/Riley Shepard)   X Rec. No. Side Song Title   4X-0024 A Standing In The Station   4X-0024 B Make With Me De Love   4X-0039 A Cry Cry Darlin'   4X-0039 B Hi-Yi