Dusty Rose, the professional name of Cecil F. Mead, had a prolific career as songwriter and performer. Dusty Rose’s songs have been performed by Hank Snow and the Collins Kids. “Hula Rock” was performed by Hank Snow on RCA Victor Records and “The Rockaway Rock” and “Make Him Believe” by the Collins Kids, the brother-and-sister act who appeared by KTRB’s popular “Town Hall Party” TV show. With Rose Maddox he wrote “I’ve Got Four Big Brothers” and “No More Time.” With Ginny Wright he wrote and performed “It Makes Me So Mad” (released as his solo performance on Fabor 120).
Born in Branson, Missouri, on April 19, 1921, Dusty Rose described himself as a salesman when he moved to Oregon at the age of 27. He then became a disc jockey, working on KWRO Radio Conqulle and he later moved to KRNR in Roseburg, Oregon. He became part of the Fabor Robison’s songwriting and recording group centered on the Abbott Studios in Malibu, California.Songs he wrote and recorded included "My Little King" (Fabor 128),
On November 23, 1949, at the age of 28, he was married to 19-year-old Betty June Deardoff by Judge D.N. Busenkrott of Douglas County, Oregon. Songs he wrote with his wife Betty include “Just a Lot of Sweet Talk,” “Whirlwind Girlfriend” (released on Fabor 134) and “The Stranger.”
Dusty Rose died at the age of 59 on June 29, 1980 back in his native Branson, Missouri. His funeral and burial were on July 3, 1980 in Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
