"Ole Buttermilk Sky" was a popular song in 1946 for big band leader and radio host Kay Kyser (1905–1985), as well as other artists. Many artists have covered the song over the years. It was nominated the next year for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Background

The song was written by Hoagy Carmichael (1899–1981) and Jack Brooks (1912–1971). Carmichael first performed the song in the Western film Canyon Passage (1946), which featured actors Dana Andrews, Brian Donlevy, Susan Hayward, Patricia Roc, Ward Bond, and Andy Devine.

Composition

"The song 'Ole Buttermilk Sky' was mainly written as a cowboy song to describe the setting where the character meets his lover. The song uses jazz music in the part where it mentions 'can't you see my little donkey and me.'"

Chart performance

According to the December 14 issue of The Billboard magazine, "Ole Buttermilk Sky" by big band / orchestra leader and radio personality Kay Kyser was ranked #1 in the Best Selling Popular Retail Records section. It rose two positions from its previous spot at #3. The song had been on the chart for seven weeks. A later version by Helen Carroll and the Satisfiers (1914–2011) was ranked #8. Paul Weston (1912–1996), with his ensemble Paul Weston and his Orchestra and vocalist Matt Dennis (1914–2002), had their version at #9.

For the week ending December 14, 1946, in the Most Played Juke Box Records chart, the song received many plays. Five versions of the song were noted. Kay Kyser's version on Columbia 37073 was at #2. Hoagy Carmichael's version was at #5. Paul Weston and his Orchestra with Matt Dennis were at #9. Helen Carroll and the Satisfiers were at #15. A new version by female singer Connee Boswell (1907–1976) was rising in the charts.

Awards and honors

The song "Ole Buttermilk Sky" was considered for an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 19th Academy Awards. The event happened at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, in March 1947. The Oscar that year was won by the song "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" from The Harvey Girls. The music was written by Harry Warren, and the lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer.