Ryan (Chuck) Collection, 1950-1977

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Summary

Title:
Chuck Ryan Collection
Dates:
1950-1977
Abstract:
Chuck Ryan was a singing cowboy, songwriter, actor, and western show performer who went by several titles including "The All American Cowboy," "California's Blue Yodeling Singing Cowboy," and the "Golden Voice of the Rangeland." This collection contains photographs of Ryan with his horse Sunny, promotional materials, news clippings, a song book, and other ephemera related to Ryan's career. The collection also includes a Memorial booklet that celebrates the life and musical career of Jack Guthrie. Most materials are from the 1960s-1970s.
Extent:
1 Linear Feet (13 folders)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Chuck Ryan Collection, 1950-1977, Autry Library, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MSA.47; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Background

Scope and content:

This collection of 13 folders contains promotional materials such as adverisements and posters, ephemera, song books, news clippings, and photographs related to Chuck Ryan's career as a cowboy performer. It also includes a Memorial Folio that celebrates the life and musical career of Jack Guthrie.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Bruce "Chuck" Ryan was born April 11, 1925, in Gridley, California to Charles H. Ryan and Edith Case Ryan. As a teen, he moved to the Folsom/Shingle Springs area in Sacramento County and worked on a cattle ranch.

Ryan was a singer, musician, song writer, performer, and actor who toured the United States, performing in country shows, theaters, fairs, rodeos, circuses, and Armed Forces Shows. He was a radio and television personality and appeared in several films, including Nevada Range War, Guns of El Dorado, Covered Wagon Musical, One for the Devil, and West Covered Wagons. According to his promotional materials, he was "known famously for his individual gun draw, Western Classic singing, and riding western shooting act" (from "Chuck Ryan All American Cowboy").

Throughout his career, Ryan was variously known by many titles including: "the All American Cowhand," the "Californian," "California's Blue Yodeling Singing Cowboy," the "Golden Voice of the Rangeland," "America's Drifting Cowboy," and most commonly, "The All American Cowboy."

Ryan had a ranch house in Canoga Park, Southern California, and owned the Double CCR Movie Ranch nearby in Acton where he produced a wild west show. He was named "Honorary Sheriff of Canoga Park" and "Honorary Marshall of the Great Canyon country area." He died in California in 2006.

References

"California, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS2K-H7PZ-G?view=index : Apr 30, 2025), image 936 of 1039; National Personnel Records Center (St. Louis, Missouri). Image Group Number: 103830314

Chuck Ryan Collection, 1950-1974, Autry Library, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MSA.47; MSA.47.2 Biography of Chuck Ryan, undated.

Chuck Ryan Collection, 1950-1974, Autry Library, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MSA.47; MSA.47.3, Ryan Biography from 2nd Annual Folsom All Indian Rodeo-Fair program, undated.

Acquisition information:
Donated in memory of Phillip Chronis, to the Autry Library, 2013.
Custodial history:

These materials were collected by Ryan's attorney Phillip Chronis. Phillip Chronis took an interest in collecting materials related to his clients.

Arrangement:

Materials are in 13 folders, arranged by topic.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Molly Smith
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-05-08 21:45:23 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Preferred citation:

Chuck Ryan Collection, 1950-1977, Autry Library, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MSA.47; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Location of this collection:
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027, US
Contact:
(747) 201-8448
rroom@theautry.org
Website