Woodward Ritter had gone to the University of Texas to study the law. Yet here was, in his fourth year of college and his grades were a disaster. Ten law classes. Five F’s, three D’s and two C’s. 

All his time, including when he should have been studying, had been taken up by his time singing, crisscrossing the country as a performer and the president of the UT glee club.

But the law would never enter the picture. Performing took Woodard on the road more and more. Eventually, he moved to New York City and landed a part on Broadway, where his distinct baritone voice and Western accent earned him a nickname that stuck.

Woodard “Tex” Ritter became one of America’s most beloved cowboys and country singers and went on to start a show business dynasty. He died this week, January 2, 1974.