Western Song: When Roy Rogers Was Around
W.C. Jameson produced the song “When Roy Rogers Was Around.” He was an American writer, award-winning singer/songwriter, recording artist, and performer. As an author, his writings primarily focus on American Western subjects. He was also the past president of the Western Writers of America. Jameson also won their Stirrup Award for best magazine article twice.
Meanwhile, American Western music singer-songwriter Bill Barwick sang “When Roy Rogers Was Around” on his 2004 album, Wide Open Range. Barwick’s version was also a part of “The Silver Screen Cowboy Project,” an album that features some of the finest contemporary Western music songwriters and musicians.
“When Roy Rogers was Around” enters the Top 100 Western songs of all time after members of the Western Writers of America added it to the list.
About Bill Barwick
Born on March 12, 1946, Bill Barwick was an American Western music guitarist, singer/songwriter, and sought-after voiceover artist. He gained fame for his smooth and deep signature voice to deliver passages and sing cowboy songs. A weekly regular, Barwick regaled patrons with Western songs and stories at Denver’s historic Buckhorn Exchange for years, along with his sidekick Roz Brown. He also delivered a big part at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas as an emcee and performer. It was one of the popular acoustic music events in America. He also represented multiple companies, doing voiceovers and commercial announcements for American Red Cross, Hewlett-Packard, Coors, and many more.
Barwick recorded several songs and albums under his independent label. His 2012 album The Usual Suspects paved the way for The National Cowboy & Western Heritage to present him with a Western Heritage Wrangler Award. Among his other awards include the Academy of Western Artists Will Rogers Award for Male Vocalist of the Year in 2005 and the 2009 Performer of the Year by the Western Music Association.
Bill Barwick died from complications due to an aneurysm on November 10, 2017, at the Presbyterian Hospital.
Albums of Bill Barwick
American singer-songwriter Barwick released the following albums of Western music:
- Cowboys, Liars & Lovers
- From Somewhere Out West
- Livin’ the Dream
- … Sometime …
- Sons of the Tumbleweed
- Wide Open Range
- Cowboy Bill & Other Stories
- The Usual Suspects
- Just in Case
Listen to When Roy Rogers Was Around (Bill Barwick Version)
When Roy Rogers Was Around Lyrics
I paid my dime, took my seat Watched him ride across the silver screen Catchin' the bad guys... savin' the town Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around. Lord it was a different time back then Life was good and men were men Never had no worries... never saw a frown Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around. Roy never gave up, he never gave in Never backed down, he'd always win Never compromised with the bad guys nobody... pushed him around Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around. [Guitar] Now life was a whole lot sweeter then Skies seemed bluer and the grass was greener Nothin' bad ever lasted long... nothin' much got you down Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around. I still see Roy a-ridin' in my dreams Trigger and Dale still look the same Got me through some hard times... saw me safe and sound Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around. Roy never gave up, never gave in Never backed down, he'd always win Never compromised with the bad guys nobody... pushed him around Life was a whole lot better, life was a whole lot better Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around. [Guitar]
