This Week in Texas Methodist History September 22

Dr. J. H. Hamblen Returns to Abilene after Three Week Revival in Hollywood, September, 1938

The Rev. J. H. Hamblen was one of the most prominent Methodist preachers of the mid-20^th century.  He had begun his career in the East Texas Conference but transferred to the North West Texas Conference and eventually was appointed to First Methodist Abilene.  In the summer of 1938 he conducted a 3 week tent revival in Hollywood, California.  News reports reveal that on only one night was the attendance less than 1000 worshipers.  

Rev. Hamblen’s son, Stuart Hamblen (b. 1908), was a big Hollywood star at the time.  The younger Hamblen finished McMurry in Abilene.  In 1926 he began a singing cowboy show on KFYO in Abilene.  A $50 prize in a talent show in Dallas was enough for him to go to the Victor (later RCA Victor) studios in New Jersey for an audition.  The audition resulted in 4 records which enjoyed enough success for him to go to California.  He quickly found his way into the entertainment world as a radio cowboy, actor, and recording artist.

Hamblen had a gift for musical composition.   Texas Plains, Ridin’ Ole Paint, and Mary all come from the 1930s.  He did not handle his fame well.  Alcohol, brawling, shooting out street lights, and gambling all took their toll, but Decca and motion picture executives always smoothed over the troubles he got himself into.  

After World War II he composed two widely played songs, Remember Me, and I Won’s Go Hunting with You Jake (But I’ll go Chasing Women). 

His wife persuaded him to go to Billy Graham’s tent revival, and he was converted.  The next day on his radio program he announced “I hit the sawdust trail.”    Some authorities credit that statement to the reason William Randolph Hearst sent his memo, “Puff Graham.”

After his conversion, his compositions reflected a gospel emphasis with hists such as It is no Secret, Open Up Your Heart (and let the Sun Shine In), and This  Ole House. 

His conversion made him refuse to air a beer commercial on his radio program.  The sponsors cancelled his show but the Prohibition Party nominated him for President in 1952.  He came in 4^th to Eisenhower but received the highest vote total of any Prohibition Party candidate

1952 was not his firsr foray into politics.  He had run for Congress in the Democratic primary of 1938----at the same time his father was conducting a three week revival.   Coincidence?

He died in 1989 and Billy Graham spoke at his funeral.

What about his father, James Henry Hamlen?  He also entered politics---church politics.  When the northern and southern branches of Methodism united in 1939 Hamblen had no part of it.  He was instrumental in the creation of the Evangelical Methodist Church (1946) and became its first General Superintendent.