Shelby Fredrick Sheb Wooley April 10 1921 September 16 2003 was an American singer songwriter and actor He recorded a series of novelty songs including the 1958 hit rock and roll comedy single The Purple People Eater1 and under the name Ben Colder the country hit Almost Persuaded No 2 As an actor he portrayed Cletus Summers the principal of Hickory High School and assistant coach in the 1986 film Hoosiers Ben Miller brother of Frank Miller in the film High Noon Travis Cobb in The Outlaw Josey Wales and scout Pete Nolan in the television series Rawhide