Tex Morton was born Robert Lane August 30th 1916 in Nelson, New Zealand. He performed and recorded at the age of 16 and left for Australia in 1932. Tex pioneered the travelling country show and toured the world. The showman supreme, he single handedly established the identity of Australasian country music.

After arriving in Australia in 1932 Tex survived by working various jobs and busking.  His breakthrough came with his earliest recordings for the Regal Zonophone label, where he recorded from 1936 - 1941. This 46 track double cd features Tex Mortons recordings from 1936 -38 for Regal Zonophone .Insert features detailed essay and history.

' The Regal Zonophone Collection, Vol. 1 is the first of two double-disc sets that compile Morton's rare early sides. This first volume contains 46 songs from 1936-1938, and the importance of these recordings in the history of Australia's country music scene cannot be exaggerated. Morton made a bid for U.S. acceptance in the '40s and '50s, opening for Hank Williams and releasing a handful of records. Although he never broke through to the American audience, his spiritual connection with Jimmie Rodgers and his general artistic excellence make him well worth discovering for country music enthusiasts around the world.' - allmusic

1.Texas in the Spring
2.Going Back to Texas
3.Happy Yodeller
4.Swiss Sweetheart
5.Wyoming Willie
6.You're Going to Leave the Old Home, Jim
7.The Oregon Trail
8.Carry Me Back to the Lone Prairie
9.The Prairie Is a Lonesome Place at Night
10.Sing You Cowboy
11.Wrap Me Up in My Stockwhip and Blanket
12.The Wandering Stockman
13.Old Ship of Mine
14.Ragtime Cowboy Joe
15.Just Drifting Along
16.The Yodelling Bagman
17.On the Gundagai Line
18.All Set and Saddled
19.Lonesome Valley Sally
20.Take Me Back to Dream by the Old Mill Stream
21.The Black Sheep
22.You Only Have One Mother
23.Old Pal of My Boyhood Days
24.Across the Great Divide (Disc 02)
25.Why Should I Work
26.The End of the Hobo's Trail
27.The Railroad Bum
28.Fanny Bay Blues
29.Barnacle Bill the Sailor No 2
30.Peg-Leg Jack
31.My Sweetheart's in Love with a Swiss Mountaineer
32.The Big Rock Candy Mountains
33.Rocking Alone in an Old Rocking Chair
34.There Are Tear Stains on Your Letter Mother Dear
35.The Greatest Mistake of My Life
36.I'm Dreaming Tonight of the Old Folks
37.The Letter Edged in Black
38.The Yellow Rose of Texas
39.My Blueridge Mountain Home
40.Weeping Willow Tree
41.When It's Night Time in Nevada
42.Red River Valley
43.I Left My Heart in Red River Valley
44.Bird in a Gilded Cage
45.Sergeant Small
46.The Martins and the Coys