Singing cowboy Sandy's elaborate costumes. While other western actors, such as John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, only dabbled in singing roles, some actors became known mainly for their parts as singing cowboys. The most famous of them was Gene Autry, and the moniker "the singing cowboy" usually refers to him in particular. When Wayne declined further singing cowboy roles, Republic looked for a replacement. Former rodeo rider Autry was chosen because he was the one candidate who could both sing and ride a horse, namely Champion the Wonder Horse. The choice was so successful that, at the time of his death in
Against Me! as the Eternal Cowboy different versions of the songs than those found on the album. "As the Eternal Cowboy" was Against Me!'s first album to reach the "Billboard" charts, reaching No. 36 on Top Independent Albums. In 2009 Fat Wreck Chords released "The Original Cowboy", a demo recording that the band had done in preparation for recording the album. Against Me! announced plans to record the album in July 2003, stating that they would work with producer Rob McGregor, who had recorded their first album and two previous EPs, and that the album would be released November 4. The band planned to record at