HARPER, HECK

Homebase: Portland, OR.
Stats: 1919-1998
Misc Notes: Hector "Heck Harper" Vincent Flateau's recordings were released credited to the names listed directly below. We have opted to log in all his recordings under the name Heck Harper to simplify his listings.
1.) Heck Harper
2.) Heck Harper and Band
3.) Cowboy Heck Harper
4.) Heck the Singing Cowboy
5.) Heck Harper and his Ranch Hands

The following biography was adapted from pdxradio.com:

In June 1945 Harper was discharged at Fort Lewis, Washington, as a sergeant. He moved to Longview, WAshington, landing a job at KWLK where he was a singer, board operator and announcer. On June 8, 1946 Billboard magazine ran this ad: "Singing Guitarist -- 5 Years radio, club experience, own 15 minute cowboy program. Free to travel. Union. Seeks hillbilly show or dance orch. Hector V. Flateau, 301 Chestnut St., Kelso, Washington." Around August 1946 he left for Pullman, Washington, to work for KWSC, and then, after six months, moved to Portland

On February 19, 1947 "Cowboy Heck" began his first Portland radio show on KEX called Heck, The Singing Cowboy weekday mornings at 7:00am following. In an article August 23, 1947 Heck was deeply grateful for the public response towards his show. He would keep making good music. As Heck said: "I'll do my darndest!"

In 1948 "Heck, The Singing Cowboy" cut a couple 78 rpm discs -- "The Talkin' Blues" / "You Can't Break The Chains of Love," (Rose City Records #1005) and "Hang Out The Front Door Key" / "Foggy River"  (Rose City Records #1006).

In June 1948 it was reported Cowboy Heck had about 7 cowboy outfits, each a star-spangled work of art, with neon embroidery. "He sings right nice and plays a solid guitar." On August 10, 1948, the Heck, The Singing Cowboy show ended its run on KEX and Harper left Portland, beginning a tour of 40 states. Along the way Harper performed on the National Barn Dance radio show, and gigged alongside such name artists as: Chicago's Rusty Reuben's Gang, Texas's Rio Grande Rangers, and Jimmy Wakley and his Saddle pals. On November 19, 1948, Cowboy Heck returned to Portland for a night, as lead vocalist in Skinnay Ennis western band at the Jantzen Beach Ballroom. Afterwards,  he  toured with the band for a year.

On March 8, 1952 Billboard magazine reported Heck "Harper" -- now with a new stage-name, borrowed from Western entertainer Red Harper -- was living in Seattle and playing at a nightclub. He also filled in as host for a children's show (Sheriff Tex's Safety Junction) on KING-TV for a month and was heard a time or two on several Seattle radio stations. On September 7, 1953 it was reported  Harper had returned to Portland, joining the cast of the KEX program Something For The Girls.

On November 2, 1953 Harper became "Foreman Heck" on his new Bar 27 Corral TV show on KPTV. The show would open with Harper greeting his "ranch hands," (children guests on the show) then tell a story, a cowboy film was shown as a serial, then Harper would sing a few  songs, and finally offer some personal words to his young guests. In December 1953 he left the cast of KEX and also began playing regularly at Tiny Dumont's Park. On February 6, 1954, Harper jumped back into radio taking over KGW's Western Hit Parade on Saturdays.

On March 13, 1954 Harper was heard on another KGW Saturday night radio program called The Corral, broadcast live from the Division Street Corral. On May 8, 1954, Billboard reviewed Heck's new record "Give Me A Hundred Reasons" / "You're The One" (Northwestern 2337). On June 19, 1954 Heck's Western Hit Parade on KGW switched its name to Foreman Heck Harper. On January 31, 1955 Harper began a weeknight deejay show on KVAN called Records By Heck. On February 19, 1955 he added a 15-minute show on KGW  Saturdays.

On April 25, 1955 Harper's Bar 27 Corral moved from 5:30pm to 5:00pm on KPTV. On June 11, 1955, the show  aired for the last time on KGW Radio. On August 7, 1955, it was mentioned that  Harper was playing with his Musical Ranch Hands band. On October 31, 1955 he began hosting KPTV's new Western Theater at 5:00pm, right after his Bar 27 Corral program.

On March 5, 1956, Heck Harper's Jamboree debuted on KPTV. On September 8, 1956 Billboard reviewed his new 78 rpm release "Hats off To Texas" / "I Like To Sing of Texas" (Northwestern #2405) record. On November 2, 1956 the last Bar 27 Corral program aired on KPTV. On December 15, 1956, Harper did his last Saturday evening show 8:00pm to 9:00pm on KGW Radio. On December 17, 1956 -- after the debut of KGW-TV on the 15th -- the new Heck Harper Pioneer Club for youngsters show debuted. Also on December 22, 1956, Billboard reviewed his new record, "Do Right" / "There Is Fog In The Mountain" (Northwestern #2411)..

On January 12, 1957, KGW-TV's Circle 8 Hoedown, starring Heck Harper & The Wagon Masters debuted, broadcasting live from the Division Street Corral (and simulcast on KGW Radio).  On February 18, 1957, the Heck Harper Pioneer Club became The Heck Harper Show on KGW-TV. On September 7, 1957, Circle 8 Hoedown debuted  on KGW's sister stations, KING-TV in Seattle, and KREM-TV in Spokane.

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