Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Al Dexter And His Troopers – Guitar Polka
Instrumental
Written by Al Dexter
78 RPM audio transfer from Bowness Arts' collection of vintage records
Al Dexter And His Troopers – Guitar Polka / Honey Do You Think It's Wrong
Label: Columbia – C776 (Canada)
Format: Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Released: Dec 24, 1945
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country
Other side of this record: Honey Do You Think It's Wrong
youtu.be/PH2lIfwaOSs
Al Dexter was born Clarence Albert Poindexter on May 4, 1905, in Jacksonville, Texas. He was an American country singer, musician, and songwriter. In the 1930s, Dexter owned a bar and helped popularize the style of country music known as "honky tonk." He made his recording debut on November 28, 1936, for ARC Records, possibly being the first artist to use the term "honky tonk" in a country song when he recorded "Honky Tonk Blues" at his first session. He is best known for his self-penned song, "Pistol Packin' Mama," a 1943 hit that was one of the most popular recordings of the World War II years. The 1943 movie of the same name, produced by Republic Pictures, earned Dexter close to $250,000 in royalties. Another hit from the 1940s was "Guitar Polka," which topped Billboard's list as the "Most Played Juke Box Folk Record" for 16 consecutive weeks in 1946. Additional hits include "So Long Pal," "Triflin' Gal," "I'm Losing My Mind Over You," and "Too Late to Worry." Dexter was the first country singer to perform on Broadway, and in 1971, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Dexter passed away on January 28, 1984, in Lewisville, Texas.
Note: The first 78 RPM record came into existence around 1894, and in 1912, the Gramophone Company established 78 Rotations Per Minute as their recording standard. The production of shellac records continued throughout the 78 rpm era, with "non-breakable" 78 rpm vinyl records being introduced in the 1940s. The popularity of the 33 1/3 rpm "Long Play" record, initially released in 1948, caused the 78 rpm record to become obsolete before the end of the 1950s. As these 78 rpm recordings are quite old, they may contain derogatory language and/or negative stereotypes. It is important to evaluate such recordings within their historical context and consider them as a reflection of the attitudes prevalent at the time. These recordings form an integral part of the historical record and do not represent the views of this poster, channel, or Bowness Arts.
Al Dexter And His Troopers – Guitar Polka
Instrumental
Written by Al Dexter
78 RPM audio transfer from Bowness Arts' collection of vintage records
Al Dexter And His Troopers – Guitar Polka / Honey Do You Think It's Wrong
Label: Columbia – C776 (Canada)
Format: Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Released: Dec 24, 1945
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country
Other side of this record: Honey Do You Think It's Wrong
youtu.be/PH2lIfwaOSs
Al Dexter was born Clarence Albert Poindexter on May 4, 1905, in Jacksonville, Texas. He was an American country singer, musician, and songwriter. In the 1930s, Dexter owned a bar and helped popularize the style of country music known as "honky tonk." He made his recording debut on November 28, 1936, for ARC Records, possibly being the first artist to use the term "honky tonk" in a country song when he recorded "Honky Tonk Blues" at his first session. He is best known for his self-penned song, "Pistol Packin' Mama," a 1943 hit that was one of the most popular recordings of the World War II years. The 1943 movie of the same name, produced by Republic Pictures, earned Dexter close to $250,000 in royalties. Another hit from the 1940s was "Guitar Polka," which topped Billboard's list as the "Most Played Juke Box Folk Record" for 16 consecutive weeks in 1946. Additional hits include "So Long Pal," "Triflin' Gal," "I'm Losing My Mind Over You," and "Too Late to Worry." Dexter was the first country singer to perform on Broadway, and in 1971, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Dexter passed away on January 28, 1984, in Lewisville, Texas.
Note: The first 78 RPM record came into existence around 1894, and in 1912, the Gramophone Company established 78 Rotations Per Minute as their recording standard. The production of shellac records continued throughout the 78 rpm era, with "non-breakable" 78 rpm vinyl records being introduced in the 1940s. The popularity of the 33 1/3 rpm "Long Play" record, initially released in 1948, caused the 78 rpm record to become obsolete before the end of the 1950s. As these 78 rpm recordings are quite old, they may contain derogatory language and/or negative stereotypes. It is important to evaluate such recordings within their historical context and consider them as a reflection of the attitudes prevalent at the time. These recordings form an integral part of the historical record and do not represent the views of this poster, channel, or Bowness Arts.
