Monte Hale (born Samuel Buren Ely June 8, 1919 – March 29, 2009)[1] was an American B-Western film star and country musician.

)[2] After working as a laborer at various jobs in Ada and Enid, Oklahoma, Herod Ely settled in Shawnee and became an evangelist with the Church of God.

A man there convinced him to head to California, but all he was able to do there was scratch together a small band and play at a winter resort dude ranch.

During World War II he got a job as a replacement guitarist with the Stars Over Texas Bond Drive, joining several Republic Pictures celebrities and staff.

[citation needed] This introduced him to western stars like Chill Wills and convinced Phil Isley to recommended him to Herbert Yates, head of Republic Pictures.

He was often cast as a young cowboy, with cameos by Don Barry, Allen Lane and Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

By 1947 the formula was set with Paul Hurst joining the series as Hale's sidekick and Riders of the Purple Sage providing the music.

[3] In 1948, he made a trip back to see friends and family in his hometown of Shawnee plus appearances in 18 other Oklahoma towns to promote his latest movie, Son of God's Country.