PETE SAYERS

Born in Bath, Somerset

Died Cambridge 11 December 2005

Pete Sayers
Bath / Newmarket                                  1942-2005

[The Singing Cowboy] Bath born Sayers is first seen by the Archive auditioning for the Anglia Talent Show, Showdate 61’A2at Lowestoft’s Theatre Royal under the title Pete Sayers & His Country & Western Friends. Peter Esmond Bernard Sayers was born on 6 November 1942 and moved to Newmarket with his family in 1949, aged seven. In his early twenties, he was performing and involved in organising clubs playing country and bluegrass music. In April 1966, he released his first solo single on the Suffolk based label Ralph Tuck Promotions and was given the mantle The Singing Cowboy, a fitting title as the label was also home to the successful if unlikely folk artist Allan Smethurst, The Singing Postman. Like Smethurst, Sayers had come to recognition through TV performances and radio spots, and the label looked to launch Sayers’ career in a similar way, but The Singing Cowboy name was soon dropped when the single failed to make an impact. In the summer of 1966, Sayers set off on holiday to Music Town, Nashville and once there, was employed as a warmup act at The Grand Ole Opry and is believed to be the first British artist to have played regularly at the venue. He also hosted a Nashville breakfast TV programme. Sayers returned to the UK in 1971 and inaugurated the UK Grand Ole Opry based in Newmarket (1972-1982). Sayers passed away in Cambridge on 11 February 2005.

Discography:
7” Her Name I Do Not Know / Pete's Polka (Instru)
b/w Bluegrass / Gopher (Instru)
Ralph Tuck Promotions Ltd RTPEP500 [r] ??/04/66

Releases
Cover	Title	Studio	Label	YoR
	PETE SAYERS, THE SINGING COWBOY		RALPH TUCK RECORDS	1966