Tumbling Tumbleweeds

"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is a Western music song composed by Bob Nolan, a founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers. Nolan wrote the song in the early 1930s while he was working as a caddy and living in Los Angeles. It was first recorded by the Sons of the Pioneers in 1934, and it became one of the most famous songs associated with the group. Originally titled "Tumbling Leaves", the song was reworked into the title "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and into more widespread fame with the 1935 film of the same name starring Gene Autry. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. Cover versions The Sons of the Pioneers first recorded the song for Decca on August 8, 1934, and it enjoyed chart success that year. Their 1934 recording was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Their 1946 version of the song was featured in the 1998 film The Big Lebowski, though it did not appear on the soundtrack release. Gene Autry recorded his version on January 11, 1935, at ARC Studios, New York City. Bing Crosby recorded the song with John Scott Trotter's Orchestra in Los Angeles 9 February 1940. This version reached the No. 12 position in the charts of the day during a 7-week stay. Crosby recorded the song again in 1954 for his album Bing: A Musical Autobiography. Kate Smith recorded the song on June 1, 1945 for Columbia (36871) and it is available on her CD 16 Most Requested Songs. Jazz trombonist J. J.