Jimmy Wakely, one of the last surviving "singing cowboys" who bridged country music and Hollywood cinema, died on 23 September 1982 at age 68 from heart failure. His career was significant in establishing a unique fusion between the country music industry and B-movie Westerns during the 1940s and 1950s.

Born in Arkansas in 1914, Wakely formed the Jimmy Wakely Trio in 1937 and rose to prominence after meeting Gene Autry in Oklahoma in 1940. He appeared in numerous Western films for Monogram Pictures, recorded multiple number-one hits including "One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)" and the 17-week chart-topping duet "Slippin' Around" with Margaret Whiting, and hosted his own CBS radio and television programmes. Beyond recording and film work, Wakely appeared in an 18-issue comic book series, developed Shasta Records as a producer, and remained a regular Grand Ole Opry performer until his death.