Biography

Howard Wright (born Frederick Howard Wright) was a songwriter ("The Strawberry Roan," "When the Bloom Is on the Sage"), composer, author, singer, radio actor, writer, producer and director, educated in college and then an Army officer in World War I. He appeared in musical comedies and tab shows, and also directed and produced in Portland, Oregon; San Francisco; Oakland; Long Beach; San Diego; and Honolulu. He toured in vaudeville and was a member of the radio and recording team The Happie Chappies, with Nat Vincent. Also he wrote for acts, including the original Beverly Hillbillies. For twelve years, he acted in the "Ma Perkins" radio series, as well as in many other radio shows. In addition, he wrote scripts for radio series ("Mystery Is My Hobby," "Deadline") and extras. Joining ASCAP in 1957, his chief musical collaborator was Nat Vincent, and other examples of his popular-song compositions include "Mellow Mountain Moon," "Little Girl Dressed in Blue," "At the End of the Lane," "Sitting on the Bank by the River," "It's Great to Love Someone Who Loves You Too," "My Pretty Quadroon," "Me and My Burro," "Old Black Mountain Trail," "My Dear Old Arizona Home," and "It's Time to Say Aloha."