Tex Cochrane

b. Gordon D. Cochrane, 15 June 1914, Sweet’s Corner, Nova Scotia, Canada, d. 1995. Cochrane learned to play the guitar and first sang during his high school days and had some thoughts of a musical career after being encouraged by Cecil and Leslie Flynn, who played for local dances. However it was not until 1934, that he gained a daily 15-minute spot on CHNS Halifax, where he adopted the name of Tex as being more suitable for his music. No doubt inspired by fellow Canadian Wilf Carter’s popular ballads and yodels, he wrote many of his songs. The listener reaction soon saw him offered sponsorship by Mother’s Own Tea for a programme on the larger and more powerful CFCY Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Here, he also played and toured with the Merry Islanders, a popular country band; initially they were led by George Chappelle but later by the more popular Don Messer. Cochrane’s performances with the band and at CFCY, attracted the attention of Hugh Joseph of RCA - Victor Records who gave him the opportunity to record. Between 1937 and 1939, he cut 16 self-penned numbers for that label all of which gained release on 78s. Complete with fine yodels, as and when required, they included ‘cowboy’ songs such as ‘Roundup Days In Cheyenne’, ‘My Old Cowpony And I’ and the wistful ‘Goin’ Home In The Moonlight’.

In 1940, Cochrane enlisted in the Canadian Army, where he served throughout World War II. After the war, he remained in the service until he retired with the rank of major in 1963 and so never returned to his musical career. Later, he worked as manager and public relations director in the transport department of a major food company until finally retiring to live in Frederictown, New Brunswick in 1979. In 1985, the German Cattle Records label released an album containing the 16 sides, which represent Cochrane’s total recorded output. A fine singer, yodeller and songwriter, Tex Cochrane merits his little place in history. He was inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.

Gordon D. "Tex" Cochrane was born in Sweet's Corner. Nova Scotia on June 14, 1914. While in school he learned to play guitar with the help of Cecil and Leslie Flynn. The family was aware of his musical ability and an older brother. Aubrey, bought him a guitar In 1935 Tex started broadcasting on CHNS in Halifax but soon moved to CFCY in Charlottetown which at the time was the top station in the Maritime Provinces. Here he got better promotion and coverage. Tex soon got a sponsor in Mother's Own Tea who soon gave him a raise in pay when then sales doubled, he was later sponsored by Davis & Lawrenc Pharmaceutical of Montreal. During this time Tex also played with George Chappelle & The Merry Islanders who were on CFCY and also heard coast to coast on the CBC. In 1937 LA. (Art) McDonald of CFCY knew that due to Tex's popularity he should be recording and suggested this to A. Hugh Joseph who was A & R man for the Canadian division of RCA Victor. Mr. Joseph agreed and the records sold well enough that he was given a better royalty deal on his sessions in 1938 and 1939. In 1939 Don Messer was brought to CFCY to take over the Islanders and Tex remained until joining the army in 1940. In spite of his popularity Tex never resumed his career in music but remained in the army and retired in 1963 with the rank of Major. After the army he worked in the trucking industry finally retiring as Manager of Sales & Public Relations for the transport division of the McCain Foods empire. In the 1980's Tex was surprised to find he was still remembered and that collectors all over the world were trying to locate his old recordings. He was contacted by Cattle Records in Germany and in 1985 they re-issued his old RCA material.