[I want to go back to the prairies]

Composer: Redd Harper

Born: September 29, 1903, Nocona, Texas. Died: February 16, 1992, Los Angeles, California. Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California. Harper grew up primarily in Oklahoma, where he had many influences, both religious and musical, that would shape his future. He grew up with two devoutly Christian friends who, over time, were partly the cause of him accepting the faith. He was a natural guitar player and had an interest in traditional western country music, but also newer genres such as western jazz, leading him to learn to play the trumpet as well. In his teens, he discontinued his work as a cattle hand and rancher to pursue journalism. He enrolled in the University of Oklahoma and, upon graduation, began work as a new… Go to person page >