Born in Reed, Oklahoma Territory, USA. Accomplished composer and musician at Hal Roach studios during the 1930s; he wrote Laurel & Hardy's legendary signature tune, "The Cuckoo Song." He composed scores and much uncredited stock music for almost 40 of Laurel & Hardy's shorts and features, including BEAU HUNKS (1931), BONNIE SCOTLAND (1935), A CHUMP AT OXFORD (1940), THE MUSIC BOX (1932), PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES (1932), SAPS AT SEA (1940), SONS OF THE DESERT (1933), SWISS MISS (1938) and WAY OUT WEST (1937). Other scores include GENERAL SPANKY (1936), NOBODY'S BABY (1937), THERE GOES MY HEART (1938), CAPTAIN FURY (1939) and WHO KILLED DOC ROBBIN? (1948). In the early 1930s, he appeared on camera in several Hal Roach shorts as part of The Ranch Boys.

Nominated for Music Scoring Awards (Best Score) 1937: WAY OUT WEST - for Score and as head of Hal Roach music dept.  Nominated for Music Scoring Awards (Original Score) 1938: BLOCK-HEADS  Nominated for Music Scoring Awards (Best Score) 1938: THERE GOES MY HEART 3 nominations