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Al Dexter

Clarence Albert Poindexter (May 4, 1905 – January 28, 1984), known best as Al Dexter, was an American country musician and songwriter.

He is best known today for his most popular song, "Pistol Packin' Mama", a 1943 hit which was one of the most popular recordings of the World War II years, and later became a hit again with a cover by Bing Crosby, as well as the Andrews Sisters.

Birth and Death Data: Born Jacksonville (city in Cherokee County, Texas, United States), Died January 28, 1984 (Denton (city in Denton County, Texas, United States) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1936 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, leader, songwriter, composer, electric guitar, lyricist, electric mandolin, guitar, mandolin

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-056531 10-in. 10/12/1940 Blue eyed baby Cecil Campbell ; Tennessee Ramblers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Victor D6VB-2277 10-in. 6/4/1946 Guitar polka (old Monterey) Rosalie Allen ; Black River Boys Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
Columbia H735 10-in. 3/18/1942 It's up to you Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H736 10-in. 3/18/1942 So long pal Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H737 10-in. 3/18/1942 Too late to worry Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H738 10-in. 3/18/1942 Rosalita Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H739 10-in. 3/18/1942 Remember you're mine Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, vocalist, composer, lyricist  
Columbia H740 10-in. 3/18/1942 My blue eyes Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, vocalist, composer, lyricist  
Columbia H741 10-in. 3/18/1942 Pistol packin' mama Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H742 10-in. 3/20/1942 Why did it have to be Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H743 10-in. 3/20/1942 I'll wait for you dear Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H744 10-in. 3/18/1942 There'll come a time Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H745 10-in. 3/21/1942 Maybe, baby it's me Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, electric guitar, composer, leader  
Columbia H746 10-in. 3/21/1942 Guitar polka Al Dexter ; Troopers String band instrumentalist, electric guitar, composer, leader  
Columbia H747 10-in. 3/21/1942 What is life lined alone Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, composer, lyricist  
Columbia H748 10-in. 3/21/1942 I'm losing my mind over you Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, electric guitar, composer, leader  
Columbia DAL785 10-in. 6/13/1939 Daddy's in the dog house now Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL786 10-in. 6/13/1939 Diddy, wah, diddy with a blah! blah! Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia DAL787 10-in. 6/13/1939 Jelly roll special Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia DAL788 10-in. 6/13/1939 My troubles don't trouble me no more Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL789 10-in. 6/13/1939 My blue eyes are not my blue eyes now Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL790 10-in. 6/13/1939 Why do I think of someone Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL791 10-in. 6/13/1939 Bar hotel Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, songwriter  
Columbia DAL792 10-in. 6/13/1939 Sunshine Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric mandolin, songwriter, leader  
Columbia DAL1044 10-in. 4/23/1940 There's no use in loving you Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL1045 10-in. 4/23/1940 When we go a honky tonkin' Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1046 10-in. 4/23/1940 Let me join the C.C.C. Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1047 10-in. 4/23/1940 Walking in my sleep Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1048 10-in. 4/23/1940 Wine, women and song Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1049 10-in. 4/23/1940 Poor little honky tonk girl Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric mandolin, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1050 10-in. 4/24/1940 Things that might have been Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Columbia DAL1051 10-in. 4/24/1940 Come back to me my darling Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Columbia DAL1052 10-in. 4/24/1940 You may be sorry Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL1053 10-in. 4/24/1940 Rainbow trail Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1215 10-in. 3/4/1941 Down at the Roadside Inn Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric mandolin, leader, vocalist, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL1216 10-in. 3/4/1941 It's too late to say you're sorry now Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, vocalist, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL1217 10-in. 3/4/1941 Meet me down in honky tonk town Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, electric guitar, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia DAL1218 10-in. 3/4/1941 You will always be my darling Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, vocalist, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1219 10-in. 3/4/1941 The money you spent was mine Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, vocalist, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1220 10-in. 3/4/1941 Alimony blues Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, vocalist, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL1221 10-in. 3/4/1941 Darling, it's all over now Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia DAL1222 10-in. 3/4/1941 Sweet talkin' mama Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, vocalist, composer, lyricist  
Columbia DAL1223 10-in. 3/4/1941 New soldier's farewell Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader, vocalist, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1224 10-in. 3/4/1941 Spanish rose Al Dexter ; Troopers String band instrumentalist, electric mandolin, leader, vocalist, songwriter  
Columbia DAL1225 10-in. 3/4/1941 Honky tonk Chinese dime Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia DAL1226 10-in. 3/5/1941 All I want is you Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, electric guitar, songwriter, leader  
Columbia DAL1227 10-in. 3/5/1941 Who's been here? Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia DAL1228 10-in. 3/5/1941 Sundown polka Al Dexter ; Troopers Electric guitar solo, with string band composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H1338 10-in. 4/4/1945 My love goes with you Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H1341 10-in. 4/4/1945 Honey do you think it's wrong Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H1342 10-in. 4/5/1945 Who's gonna love you when I'm gone Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H1343 10-in. 4/5/1945 Can this love be real Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, electric guitar, lyricist, leader  
Columbia H1344 10-in. 4/5/1945 Am I to blame Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H1345 10-in. 4/5/1945 Wine, women and song Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H1361 10-in. 4/11/1945 Love lanes of yesterday Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H1362 10-in. 4/11/1945 I'm lost without you Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H1363 10-in. 4/11/1945 Two broken hearts Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia H1365 10-in. 4/11/1945 Triflin' gal Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, electric guitar, leader  
Columbia HCO1900 10-in. 7/15/1946 Kokomo Island Al Dexter ; Troopers Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia HCO1901 10-in. 7/15/1946 I learned about love (from you) Al Dexter ; Troopers Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO1902 10-in. 7/15/1946 Down at the roadside inn Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO1903 10-in. 7/5/1946 Remember you're mine Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO2333 10-in. 5/26/1947 New broom boogie Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia HCO2334 10-in. 5/26/1947 I told my heart Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO2335 10-in. 5/26/1947 Texas waltz Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia HCO2336 10-in. 5/26/1947 I waited too long Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO2800 10-in. 11/15/1947 It's just because of you (the frog song) Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia HCO2801 10-in. 11/15/1947 Barrel house boogie Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO2802 10-in. 11/15/1947 New pistol packin' mama Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia HCO2803 10-in. 11/15/1947 Saturday night boogie Al Dexter ; Troopers String band vocalist, leader, composer  
Columbia HCO2806 10-in. 11/15/1947 High price for love Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia HCO2807 10-in. 11/15/1947 Calico rag Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia HCO2808 10-in. 11/15/1947 Rose of Mexico Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia HCO2809 10-in. 11/15/1947 Texas rose Al Dexter ; Troopers String band leader, composer  
Columbia HCO2899 10-in. 12/7/1947 Just take a little time Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO2900 10-in. 12/7/1947 I cry when I'm blue Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO2902 10-in. 12/7/1947 Is that the way to treat a friend Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo and group vocal ensemble vocalist, leader  
Columbia HCO2903 10-in. 12/8/1947 Calamity Jane Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader, songwriter  
Columbia HCO2904 10-in. 12/8/1947 A good man is hard to find Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia HCO2905 10-in. 12/8/1947 Rock and rye rag Al Dexter ; Troopers String band instrumentalist, mandolin, composer, leader  
Columbia HCO2906 10-in. 12/8/1947 I'm leaving my troubles behind Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, leader  
Columbia HCO2979 10-in. 11/15/1947 Barrel house polka Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia HCO2982 10-in. 12/15/1947 I'll always be loving you Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia HCO2998 10-in. 12/15/1947 At the end of each day Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia HCO2999 10-in. 12/15/1947 New guitar polka Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
Columbia C3371 10-in. 10/7/1940 Wine, women and song Prairie Ramblers String band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia RHCO3943 10-in. 11/14/1949 Each night I cry over your picture Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist  
Columbia RHCO3944 10-in. 11/14/1949 I don't suppose Al Dexter ; Troopers String band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist  
Columbia CO38753 10-in. 12/28/1947 Just say a little prayer The Johnson Family Singers Mixed vocal group, with piano and guitar composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO41781 10-in. October 1949 I'm startin' sweetheartin' again Al Dexter ; Troopers Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, leader  
Columbia CO41782 10-in. October 1949 Always in my heart Al Dexter ; Troopers Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, leader  
Brunswick DAL330 10-in. 6/15/1937 Dusty road Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL331 10-in. 6/15/1937 Car hoppin' mama Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL332 10-in. 6/15/1937 One more day in prison Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL333 10-in. 6/15/1937 Waiting old pal for you Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick DAL344 10-in. 6/17/1937 Honky tonk baby Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL345 10-in. 6/17/1937 Broken hearted blues Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL346 10-in. 6/17/1937 Don't cry for me when I'm gone Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL347 10-in. 6/17/1937 The calico rag Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL348 10-in. 6/17/1937 Stealing through the shadows Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL349 10-in. 6/17/1937 You've got love in your heart (and the devil on your mind) Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL350 10-in. 6/17/1937 In a little green valley Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL351 10-in. 6/17/1937 Sweet lips (kiss my blues away) Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL352 10-in. 6/17/1937 I'm leaving my troubles behind Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL353 10-in. 6/17/1937 In the days of yesterday Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL493 10-in. 5/11/1938 She's the sunshine of Moonshine Valley Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL494 10-in. 5/11/1938 Bring it on home to me Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL495 10-in. 5/11/1938 The day you came along Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick DAL496 10-in. 5/11/1938 Dreaming of you Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick DAL497 10-in. 5/11/1938 My baby loves me Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL498 10-in. 5/11/1938 One more day in prison Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL499 10-in. 5/11/1938 Blue eyed baby Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL500 10-in. 5/11/1938 She can't be satisfied Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick DAL501 10-in. 5/11/1938 I'm happy when you're happy Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick DAL502 10-in. 5/11/1938 In days of yesterday Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL503 10-in. 5/12/1938 Gypsy swing Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL504 10-in. 5/12/1938 Answer to "Honky tonk blues" Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick DAL517 10-in. 5/13/1938 Blue Hawaiian moonlight Nite Owls String band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick SA2640 10-in. 11/28/1936 New Jelly Roll blues Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick SA2641 10-in. 11/28/1936 Honky tonk blues Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick SA2642 10-in. 11/28/1936 If we can't be sweethearts why can't we be pals Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick SA2643 10-in. 11/28/1936 Little sod shanty Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Brunswick SA2644 10-in. 11/28/1936 Whisper again that you love me Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick SA2645 10-in. 11/28/1936 Mother mine Al Dexter String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Decca 84457 4/16/1953 Move over Rover Al Dexter vocalist  
Decca 84458 4/16/1953 That's how gossip gets around Al Dexter vocalist  
Decca 84459 4/16/1953 I got a guilty conscience Al Dexter vocalist  
Decca 84460 4/16/1953 My careless heart Al Dexter vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dexter, Al," accessed January 7, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106833.

Dexter, Al. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 7, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106833.

"Dexter, Al." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 7 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106833

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