The Official WYNN STEWART website

The OFFICIAL
Wynn Stewart logo
Website

The BIOGRAPHY of Wynn Stewart

The First Recording Contract

In February 1954, at the age of 20, Wynn signed his first recording contract with the independent label, Intro. He recorded "I've Waited a Lifetime" and "Strolling". His big break came when the single caught the attention of Skeets McDonald , whom he met on the set of a local Sunday afternoon TV show. McDonald, a true godfather of the west coast hard country scene, set up an audition for Wynn with his label, Capitol Records . Legend has it that Wynn sung over the phone to Ken Nelson , Capitol's A&R man, and was offered a contract on the spot.

In 1956, Wynn made several records for Capitol Records , including his first hit, "Waltz of the Angels" and "The Keeper of the Key" (which he co-wrote), with Skeets McDonald and his orchestra backing him up. Eddie Cochran played on guitar. "Waltz of the Angels" was released on 7/21/56 and spent one week at number 14 on the country charts; the single was later a hit for George Jones and Margie Singleton.

"Waltz of the Angels" was also recorded by Lefty Frizzell . (Columbia 21530 (78rpm), 4-21530 (45rpm) (Released 6/4/56)). With both artists competing against each other with the same song, neither one of them had great sucess with it.

At the time, many country artists were going pop, which infuriated Wynn. Switching to rock 'n' roll and trying to create "cross-over" records was like a betrayal of his country heritage. After two years and 4 more singles, Wynn left Capitol Records.

(the following story is in the words of Wynn's ex-wife, Dolores)

"In the late 50's Buck was trying hard to get a record deal but none of the major labels would give him a chance. Wynn really believed in him and pushed a tape of Buck's to Ken Nelson, at Capitol Records. After Ken replied that he wasn't impressed, Wynn pushed again until finally, Ken agreed to sign Buck. This was Buck Owen's first major record deal with Capitol Records and who knows if we would even know his name today if it weren't for the efforts of Wynn since almost all of Buck's albums came from Capitol Records. Buck recorded his first Capitol album later in 1961."

Here is an excerpt from a Bakersfield write-up about Ken Nelson :

"The black binder reminds Nelson of a landmark date: Aug. 30, 1957, the day he signed Owens. He’d known Buck for some time before that, of course, from Owens’ guitar-playing sessions in Hollywood behind Collins, the Farmer Boys and others. Buck says he never personally asked Nelson about joining Capitol although others asked on his behalf."

Buck Owens also played guitar with Wynn's band at the Nashville Nevada in the early 60's.