Welcome to the official site of Carolina Cotton, dedicated to the memory of America's favorite yodeling cowgirl from the Golden Age of Western Swing music and B movies.
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Come explore our Virtual Museum and experience Carolina's fascinating career, from her personal collection of memorabilia. Journey back in time to the days of cowboy and cowgirl heroes, as they rode across the silver screen at the Saturday matinee. When the radio airwaves were alive with Western Swing music and variety shows. When Television was something new and curious. And folks enjoyed a fun-filled evening at the local Dance Halls and Grand Ballrooms, dancing the night away.
From the early 1940s to the mid 1950s, Carolina Cotton was one of Hollywood's early innovators of Western entertainment. And, yes, she was a yodeler (and WHAT a yodeler!).
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L A T E S T N E W S:
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NEW FOR 2022:
FILM FESTIVAL BOOK BY TERRY SWINDOL:
"Memories Of The Stars"
Film historian - videographer Terry Swindol has done it again!
There were some great film festival memories in his 2018 book
"Stars I Have Met: What They Were Really LIke"...but there
was more to tell. In this companion book, "Memories Of The
Stars", he recalls many other fascinating stories of celebrities
attending these Festivals. Join Terry as he takes you back to
these exciting get-togethers, for a behind-the-scenes visit with
the stars!
Order through Amazon ($14.00):click here
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ANOTHER NEW BOOK FOR 2021!
“Lost Amusement Parks Of Southern
California - The Postwar Years”
In the early 1950s, Compton CA once had a kiddieland
called "Carolina Cotton's Tiny Town"! An now both
Carolina and the Park made it into a new book!
"Lost Amusement Parks Of Southen California - The
Postwar Years" is a nostalgic recollection of the
many fun spots once found all over SoCal. Lots of
great photos will take you back to those favorite
rides, themed entertainment and surroundings once
loved by pleasure seekers. Written beautifully by
writer - historian Lisa Hallett Taylor, with a
forward by Disney Imagineer & artist Roland "Rolly"
Crump. You can get a copy here:
Lost Amusement Parks Of Southern CA
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NEW BOOK FOR 2021!
“Hillbilly Maidens, Okies and Cowgirls”
This fascinating new book which has a chapter about
Carolina Cotton! “Hillbilly Maidens, Okies and Cowgirls”
looks at the history of women in country (& western)
music from a different angle. Author Stephanie Vander Wel
is an associate professor of music at the University of
Buffalo. She takes you through a detailed & well-researched
journey into how some key female performers carved their own
niche amid gender, social & class-based challenges
"way back when”. You’ll find bio studies of Lulubelle, Patsy
Montana, Rose Maddox, Kitty Wells and more. It’s an honor to
know that Carolina is included! To get your copy, click here:
"Hillbilly Maidens, Okies and Cowgirls" book
THE NORTH "POLE" STORY: READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Yes, Virginia...there IS a "pole" at the North Pole! And
Carolina helped put it there. Check out whole detailed
story of her fascinating trip to Fairbanks, Alaska.
There are lots of photos and a rare radio transcription
(as a YouTube video). Journey back with Carolina back to
December 1951 by clicking here: North Pole story
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NEW FOR 2018:
FILM FESTIVAL BOOK BY TERRY SWINDOL:
"Stars I Have Met: What They Were Really Like"
A Western Film Festival is more than a gathering of stars & fans
It is for many a personal experience. "Better than a family
reunion - no fights", as Carolina once said!. And few can
describe these events better than documentary producer-author
Terry Swindol.
As a videographer for the Memphis Film Festival, Terry has
attended and worked many of these get-togethers over the years,
plus working for Access Hollywood. For the first time, he brings
the reader first-hand accounts of what your favorite heroes from
Golden Age of Westerns were like in person. And that includes
Carolina Cotton!
If you've never been to a Western Film Festival, this book will
give you a glimpse into how much fun they were (and still are).
And if you were there, this will bring back some great memories.
In addition, Terry recalls some encounters outside of the
Festivals. Lots of photos, too! Only $25, including postage.
Email Terry and order the book here
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
CAROLINA HONORED ON WORLD YODEL DAY:
Our own Yodeling Blonde Bombshell, Carolina Cotton, was
remembered during the big World Yodel Day 2017 celebration
in S. Korea. And some very talented entertainers performed
her songs! Click Here for videos and more: World Yodel Day 2017
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
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NEW BOOK:
Western authors Donn and Nancy Moyer have just released a unique
book, "Terror, Tragedy and Tears in The Evergreen State".
You can get the Kindle version by clicking here:
And be sure to check out their other great publications on the
Wild West Publishing site.
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NEW ALBUM:HYMNS OF THE OLD WEST
We have been asked over the years, "Did Carolina ever put out
a Gospel album?" Although she didn't record any gospel songs,
she did sing backup on several hymns performed on the radio.
Now, for the first time, these wonderful songs are available on
the new album "Hymns Of The Old West", with 18 traditional hymns
performed by such classic Western Swing greats as The Plainsmen,
Foy Willing & The Riders Of The Purple Sage, Slim Duncan, Martha
Mears & Art Wentzel. And if you listen closely, you may just hear
Carolina Cotton singing with the band!
This album is available download only) at most online outlets,
including Amazon and iTunes.
Download from Amazon here
Check out a sample of the album in the video at the top of
the page!
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"STALLION CANYON" HISTORY ONLINE:
Carolina and Ken Curtis starred in this 1949 indie Western movie, the only one made by Kanab Pictures. Much of its history had been all but forgotton. But thanks to a joint project with George R. Cannon Jr. and the good folks at
Utah's Washington County Historical Society,
it has been brought back from the dusty trails
of time. Rare photos, publicity material, and Carolina's script can be found on the site.
And a personal account from James E. Kemple,
who was involved with the onsite filming. Rediscover it all here: http://wchsutah.org/videos/stallion-canyon/stallion-canyon.php
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TINY TOWN KIDDIE PARK WEBSITE LAUNCHED
Until now, little has been known about Tiny Town,
the amusement park in Compton, CA that Carolina was
connected with back in 1952. We are happy to say
that there is now an official website for the Park!
A big Thank You to Candy Jean Halverson (the Princess
of Tiny Town). She is the granddaughter of Harry
Curtis Matthews, owner of the amusement center.
Carolina, Doye O'Dell (who also had the honor of
having the Park named after him), Iron Eyes Cody
and other Western celebrities frequently appeared.
Enjoy a visit to Tiny Town here: Tiny Town Park
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NEW ONLINE RADIO STATION PLAYING MUSIC OF
CAROLINA COTTON: Welcome KNLDJ!
"Old Time Radio, Where Memories Live Forever"
Owned and operated by longtime CC fans, our good
friends Donn and Nancy Moyer. Tune in here: KNLDJ
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1949 DAUGHTER OF THE PIONEERS? The Bob Nolan
website features a detailed story of Carolina's tour with
this legendary group. Click here
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