Foy Willing

Biography

Foy Willing was an American singer, songwriter and bandleader who worked in Western music and Western films. Born in Iredell, Texas, he started at a local radio station while in high school, went to New York City in 1933, and by 1942 had settled in California during radio's golden age. In 1942 he and Iowa musician Al Sloey formed Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage, whose lineup at times included Patti Page and fiddler Johnny Paul; Willing wrote the group's first hit, Texas Blues. For about a decade the band backed Roy Rogers and Monte Hale at Republic Studios and appeared in Western movies from the 1940s into the early 1950s alongside Charles Starrett and Dale Evans. The Riders disbanded in 1952 and reunited in the late 1950s and early 1960s to record and perform, and Willing played Western festivals in the 1970s and toured with Gene Autry. He died in 1978.

64years old at death

Born May 14, 1914Bosque County
Died July 14, 1978Nashville
Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20

Movie Career

Films: 3
Career span: 2 years1948 to 1950

Every film, newest first

1950Bells of CoronadoIMDb rating 5.9
1950Twilight in the SierrasIMDb rating 6.1
1948Grand Canyon TrailIMDb rating 5.6

Genres

Did you know?!

A first
Willing started the group Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage in 1942 alongside Al Sloey, a musician from Iowa. Willing wrote the band's first hit, "Texas Blues".
First role
While he was a high school student in Texas, Willing worked at a local radio station, and in 1933 he went to New York City to advance his radio career.

Foy Willing movies on Netflix

Bells of Coronado1950IMDb rating 5.9as Foy
Twilight in the Sierras1950IMDb rating 6.1as Foy Willing
Grand Canyon Trail1948IMDb rating 5.6as Singer…

Most often with

William Witney directed three of these films. Three actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Roy Rogers

TriggerRiders of the Purple Sage

Dale Evans

Pat BradyWilliam WitneyDirector, 3 films

Films together

Roy Rogers3 films together, 1948 to 1950
Roy Rogers's page
- Bells of Coronado1950IMDb rating 5.9Willing as FoyRogers as Roy Rogers
- Twilight in the Sierras1950IMDb rating 6.1Willing as Foy WillingRogers as Roy Rogers
- Grand Canyon Trail1948IMDb rating 5.6Willing as Singer…Rogers as Roy Rogers
Trigger3 films together, 1948 to 1950
Trigger's page
- Bells of Coronado1950IMDb rating 5.9Willing as FoyTrigger as Roy's Horse
- Twilight in the Sierras1950IMDb rating 6.1Willing as Foy WillingTrigger as Trigger - Roy's Horse
- Grand Canyon Trail1948IMDb rating 5.6Willing as Singer…Trigger as Trigger - Roy's Horse
Riders of the Purple Sage3 films together, 1948 to 1950
Riders of the Purple Sage's page
- Bells of Coronado1950IMDb rating 5.9Willing as FoySage as Power Co. Linemen…
- Twilight in the Sierras1950IMDb rating 6.1Willing as Foy WillingSage as Singing Ranch Hands
- Grand Canyon Trail1948IMDb rating 5.6Willing as Singer…Sage as Singing Ranchers
Dale Evans2 films together, 1950
Dale Evans's page
- Bells of Coronado1950IMDb rating 5.9Willing as FoyEvans as Pam Reynolds
- Twilight in the Sierras1950IMDb rating 6.1Willing as Foy WillingEvans as Pat Callahan
Pat Brady2 films together, 1950
Pat Brady's page
- Bells of Coronado1950IMDb rating 5.9Willing as FoyBrady as Sparrow Biffle
- Twilight in the Sierras1950IMDb rating 6.1Willing as Foy WillingBrady as Dr. Sparrow Biffle DVM
William WitneyDirector, 3 films, 1948 to 1950
All films by William Witney
- Bells of Coronado1950IMDb rating 5.9Willing as Foy
- Twilight in the Sierras1950IMDb rating 6.1Willing as Foy Willing
- Grand Canyon Trail1948IMDb rating 5.6Willing as Singer…

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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