The Dave Stogner Story
Only A Memory Away

... is the story of Dave Stogner, a world-class bandleader in the 1950's and 1960's, who left his home in St. Jo, Texas to become one of the best known Western Swing band leaders on the West Coast. And, Viola Stogner, an Oklahoma gal who dreamed of being a "Cowboy's Sweetheart," and succeeded. Viola Stogner, now widower, tells her gripping story about a twenty-year romance with her "Cowboy Sweetheart." She tells her story for the first time as her friend, Marie Brown, and her granddaughter, Bethany Coffer, listen intently at a beach house in Capitola, California. Each of them has their own lives to live. For Viola Stogner, she found her true soul mate, but for Marie Brown, she has still yet to find hers, and Bethany Coffer is a newly wed, but each enjoy the stories Viola tells about her romance and friendship with the late great Dave Stogner.

Dave Stogner and the Western Rhythmaires were stalwarts in the San Joaquin Valley and played in front of the largest crowds ever at the Big Old Fresno Barn. Many of Nashville's greatest came to The Barn to play at Dave's request. Dave Stogner could have made it big on the Nashville scene and the Grand Ole Opry circuit, but he decided the Nashville life wasn't for him, and neither did his band.
Dave Stogner had a sound in his mind that Milton Brown put there. He was able to perfect that sound with his band “The Western Ryhtymaires.” Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys, and Milton Brown and The Musical Brownies, were influential in his style of music.

This is a story that music fans from all over will want to read, and for those romantics who like to read about romance, love, and family, and how Viola got her man. Viola Stogner

Viola Stogner lives in Madera, California in the house that Dave and her bought before he died in 1989. She enjoys time with her children and grandchildren, and spends a lot of time with her neighbor, Marie Brown, who has listened faithfully to her stories about love and romance.

Judy Malmin wrote the first manuscript that was titled, "It Wasn't Easy, Was It." Judy lives in Santa Cruz with her husband and son. Judy spent hours taping conversations with Dave Stogner before he died.

John W. Cargile enlarged on the first manuscript and spent hours e-mailing and talking to Judy and Viola about the book's contents. John lives in Coker, Alabama with his wife and son. He is the publisher of Rolling Chrome Books.

Rolling Chrome Books
12208 Mt. Olive Road
Coker, AL 35452
(205)339-3621
(205)339-3034 Fax
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John Cargile - Publisher