A Short Biography

The Hardin-Simmons University Cowboy Band acquired the nickname "World
Famous" after its European tour in 1930, and since that time has
performed in forty states, eight capitals of the world, ten foreign
countries, and as far north as ten miles from the Arctic Circle.

Since the Band's inception, it has been an important and active part of
the Big Country and Abilene as is has marched in presidential and
gubernatorial inaugurations, nationally televised football games, and a
host of parades and other festive affairs.

It was back in 1923 that Grady Kinsolving, secretary of the Abilene
Chamber of Commerce, asked the Band to represent Abilene at a West Texas
Chamber of Commerce gathering in San Angelo (quite an honor considering
the fact that the little band had previously ventured no farther than
the towns of Baird, Tuscola, and View, traveling by train and horse
drawn coach).  In looking about for some distinctive yet affordable
uniforms, a visit to the local dry goods store turned up some chaps,
hats, and neckerchiefs; the Cowboy Band was born!

In the mid-twenties, Will Rogers, America's beloved humorist, heard the
Band and became its friend and promoter.  He gave the boys his blessing
and one hundred dollars, saying, "I'm gonna give you one hundred dollars
on the condition that you buy some music with a tune in it."  They
returned the favor by making Rogers an honorary member of the Band.
Although Rogers was the first genuine celebrity to perform with the
Band, many others have as well, among them Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Bing
Crosby, Paul Whiteman, Gary Cooper, Dale Robertson, and most recently,
the popular cowboy singing group, Riders in the Sky.

The Cowboy Band is one of the most widely traveled bands around.  The
first European tour came in 1930 as they traveled to England, France,
Belgium, and Holland.  In 1952-53 they paraded through the continent
again with the USO European tour.  In 1963 the Band traveled to Japan
with the International Baptist Convention, and in 1979 they toured in
Montreal, Canada.  In 1984 they traveled to England, France,
Switzerland, and West Germany under the sponsorship of the men's
department of the Baptist World Alliance.

The Band has played for six presidential inaugurations: Herbert Hoover
in 1929, Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941, Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953,
Richard Nixon in 1969, Jimmy Carter in 1977, and George W. Bush in
2001.  It has also performed for several Texas governors'
inaugurations-the first for Governor Dan Moody in 1929 and the most
recent for Governor George W. Bush in 1995-and has represented the State
of Texas at national and international civic club conventions in San
Francisco, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Dallas.

The Cowboy Band has earned a reputation for being one of the top rodeo
bands in the country, having played for world championship shows in
Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden, Cheyenne, Colorado Springs,
Phoenix, and numerous others.

The following is a chronology of some of the continuing activities of
the  "World Famous":

1989 Winter Carnaval - Nice, France (invited back by popular demand)
1990 Adolphus Children's Christmas Parade - Dallas, Texas
             (Featured group at the beginning of the parade)
1991 Governor Ann Richards Inaugural Parade - Austin, Texas
1992 Winter Carnaval - Mets/Marly, France
1993 Foley's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Dallas, Texas
1994 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys Victory Parade - Dallas, Texas
1995 Governor George W. Bush Inaugural Parade - Austin, Texas
1996 Carnaval Celebration - Nice, France, and Tour of Nice, Monaco, and Paris
1997 Neiman-Marcus Flagship Store 90th Anniversary - Dallas, Texas
1998 New Year's Parade and Tour of London, England
1999 Adolphus Children's Christmas Parade - Dallas, Texas
1999 Chuy's Christmas Parade, Austin, TX
2001 President George W. Bush Inaugural Parade, Washington D.C.
2001    Tour of Spain, Caceras, Spain
2001 Washington Mutual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Houston, Texas

Last updated 9.05.01