Song: Last Round-Up, The
Written by Billy HillAce country/pop songwriter Billy Hill wrote THE LAST ROUND-UP in 1933, the year it became a smash in seven different versions. First recorded by tenor Joe Morrison with the big band of George Olsen (that version soared to No. 1 and stayed there for nine weeks!), this mournful ballad was performed on Broadway in the "Ziegfeld Follies Of 1934" and featured in cowboy star Gene Autry’s films The Singing Hill and Don’t Fence Me In. Hit recordings include those by Guy Lombardo (No. 1), Done Bestor (No. 2), Victor Young (No. 3), Gene Autry (No. 12), and Conrad Thibault (No. 18). The Sons of the Pioneers performed the tune for about ten years before recording their 1947 version.