Wilf Carter - Music Career

Music Career

Carter performed his first radio broadcast on CFCN in 1930. Soon after, he was heard locally on CFAC and nationally on the CRBC. Two years later, he was entertaining tourists as a trail rider for the Canadian Pacific Railway, who promoted horseback excursions into the Canadian Rockies. Carter soon became very popular in the region.

In 1932, Carter began recording for RCA Victor in Montreal. His first 78 recording, which included "My Swiss Moonlight Lullaby" and "The Capture of Albert Johnson," was the first hit record by a Canadian country music performer. Carter's popularity grew steadily. In 1933, he was hired as an entertainer on the maiden voyage of the British ship S.S. Empress. On his way to the ship, he stopped off in Montreal and recorded two songs he had just written: "My Swiss Moonlight Lullaby" and "The Capture of Albert Johnson." The record became a best-seller within a year. That same year, Carter also wrote and recorded "Pete Knight, The King of the Cowboys," which also became a hit.

In 1935, Carter moved to New York City, where he performed on WABC radio. He also hosted a CBS country music radio program until 1937. During this time, someone tagged him with the name "Montana Slim," and the name stuck. In 1937, Carter returned to Alberta, where he purchased a ranch. He continued to appear on both American and Canadian radio shows, as well as perform live concerts.

In 1940, Carter seriously injured his back in a car accident in Montana. He was unable to perform for much of the decade, but his popularity was sustained by the periodic release of new recordings. He sold his ranch in 1949 and moved his family to a 180-acre (0.73 km2) farm in New Jersey. In 1952, he moved again, this time to Orlando, Florida, where he opened the Wilf Carter Motor Lodge, a venture that lasted only two years.