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You Were Only
Passing Time With Me

Smith Ballew & His Orchestra

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This recording was made in New York City in 1930 featuring Smith Ballew vocals, Jack Purvis trumpet, Wally Curtis and Lyle Bowen clarinet & alto sax, Babe Russin tenor sax, Bruce Yantis violin, Bobby Van Eps piano, Dick McDonough guitar, Ward Lay string bass, and Dee Orr drums.

*"(You Were Only) Passing Time With Me" was composed by Alex Hill.

Sophisticated Texas singer and recording star Smith Ballew does great justice to this memorable song written by pianist and bandleader Alex Hill. In the 1930's Smith Ballew would become known for his roles potraying a singing cowboy in films for Paramount Pictures and later for 20th Century Fox. Continuing to appear on an abundance of records for OKeh and many of the dime store labels issued under his own name between 1929 and 1935 there was little indication of his future transition to "Western" style.

From 1935 to 1937 Smith Ballew was also a host on "Shell Chateau" a popular radio show sponsored by Shell Oil.