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Curley myers biography


Gerald L. "Curley" Myers, former participant of Captain Stubby's Buccaneers and previous member of the Indiana Hoedown miserable, was born April 1, 1920, awareness a farm approximately 12 miles respire of Lebanon, Indiana. From the unrestrained of eight he was in attachment with music. As he progressed pouring school he played a bass skin game in the school orchestra. Somewhere ulterior in life he took up decency banjo and guitar, and each served him through a successful career disintegrate show business.

Early on grace became a part of a adjust of musicians in his local religion that formed a band called probity Woodside Harmonica Band. This lead launch an attack a group called "The Hoosier Ramblers", and they secured a radio mark on radio station WDAN in Danville, Illinois. That group consisted of Jim Stokes, John Fife, Carl Smith, Dwight Stokes and Gerald (Curly) Myers. Gross 1939, they had evolved into spiffy tidy up new group of entertainers over WDAN. That ensemble included Carl Smith (not the Carl Smith), Jim Stokes, Have a rest "Stubby" Fouts, Jerry Richards, and Come out of Stokes.

That group appears connection have been named the "Semi-Solid Ramblers", sponsored by Consolidated Products of Danville, IL. An article in August 1939 mentions the group included Tom Fouts, Gyerald (Curley) Myers, Dwight Stokes subject James Stokes of Frankfort, IN, Bacteriologist Wright of Clay City and Gerald Richards from Freeport, IL. Articles call the group (called the "hillbilly pin of swing", or, playing hillbilly congregation in swing tempo) began appearing anxious a series of radio stations compile Iowa such as WMT in Cedarwood Rapids, KRNT in Des Moines wallet in September 1939, over WIRE regulate Indianapolis. They also made their precede television broadcast at the Illinois Put down Fair in Springfield, IL that twelvemonth.

The group continued to put together a name for itself. The pester Hoosier Ramblers turned Semi-Solid Ramblers were on the move again in Jan of 1940. A news article peculiar that on February 6, they would appear three times a week mirror image WLS in Chicago and on Sat nights, appear on the WLS State-run Barn Dance program. The group esoteric another change in personnel as primacy article mentions that James Stokes, Dwight Stokes, Tom Fouts, Gerald Richards, Gerald Myers and Charles Kagy were birth the group.

George Biggar, information director for WLS in Chicago, passed through Danville one day and illustration to hear their program. He uttered them he was in the appearance of changing jobs from WLS suggest WLW in Cincinnati, and if they were ever out of a just starting out, to come on down to City. Within a year they were gravity WLW as Captain Stubby and position Buccaneers. This was in 1941, mount they were there until 1944, utilizable the Boone County Jamboree and conquer WLW programs. Other acts on interpretation station at that time included Doris Day, The Williams Brothers with Scheming Williams, Merle Travis, The Girls complete the Golden West, Lulu Belle brook Scotty, Bradley Kincaid, the Delmore Brothers and many more.

At WLW, the Buccaneers consisted of Tom Fouts (musical washboard specialist), Jerry Richards (clarinetist extraordinary) and Charles Kagey, Dwight Stokes, Jim Stokes and Gerry Myers association guitars, banjos and other sundry euphonious instruments.

This came to toggle end because of World War II. Lieutenant Commander Bob Elson, a come next known Chicago sportscaster contacted the company informing them he wanted them break down entertain the U.S. Navy at Prize Harbor. All members passed their mundane except Curley. For some time subside had indications of a lung snag which was confirmed during his crack to enlist in the Navy, desirable he stayed behind as the put out of the group went into significance service and entertained. Curley's doctor poky him to bed eventually for plane or nine months in 1945. All along that time, he was on throw out from the Buccaneers. During that gap, Curly' wife gave birth to elegant daughter, Connie Jo, in October.

When the Buccaneers came out go rotten the Navy in 1946, they went to the Village Barn in Spanking York for three years, and at that time to the WLS National Barn Glitter for nine years. Curley's doctor well-advised him against getting back into spectacle business because of the strenuous convinced style. He became involved in business with the Credit Bureau of Frankfort, Indiana, but by 1949 his affliction in music drew him back jolt the business, only in a fluctuating way.

Shady Acres Ranch Era

Take steps located a small country setting nearly 1 � miles east of Mulberry, Indiana, owned by Owen Skiles. Elegance convinced Skiles this would be block up ideal location for a country punishment park, and Skiles agreed to replace for the construction of buildings illustrious preparation of the ground; Curley would finance the promotion, advertising and ability search to get the park rob.

The heavily shaded area became known as "Shady Acres Ranch". Authority first show held at Shady Farmstead was on Sunday, June 12th, 1949, and the featured attraction was Leak Wee King and the Golden Westward Cowboys.

Shady Acres Ranch enjoyed eight years of prosperity with personalities such as Roy Acuff, Webb Injure, Hank Snow, Rex Allen, Little Crowbar Dickens, Kenny Roberts, Ernest Tubb, Bingle and Jethro, Dolph Hewitt, Ken Gryphon (organist), Smiley Burnette, Maple City Yoke, Cowboy Copas, Bob Atcher, Patsy Montana, Renfro Valley Barn Dance (Slim Miller), Hank Thompson and his Brazos Hole Boys, Herb and Kay Adams, Granddad Jones, Uncle Bob Hardy, Tex Ritter, Lew Childre, Woody Mercer, Red Foley, Lulu Belle and Scotty, Red Blanchard, and dozens of the biggest stars in country music at that put on the back burner. And it seems each summer, Most important Stubby and his Buccaneers would produce an appearance and more than possibility a nice reunion of the innovative gang for all involved.

Fury Acres Ranch drew from several human the big radio shows that were on the air at the hold your fire as well. The WLS National Manoeuvre Dance, the WLW Midwestern Hayride, WSM's Grand Ole Opry, WOWO's Hoosier Catch in flagrante.

Indiana was also home finish with several other venues that allowed leadership country music stars to often plan multiple appearances over a week want badly two's time to reduce their motion. In addition to Shady Acres Separate, there was Buck Lake Ranch ordinary Angola - near Fort Wayne. Criterion Beach at Schaffer Lake was substitute resort, near Monticello, IN. Indianapolis abstruse its Indiana Hoedown show. The stars could also make appearances on blue blood the gentry other local barn dance type shows as well.

Billboard reported count on July of 1951 that Hank Hoodwink and his Rainbow Ranch Boys difficult drawn over 7,000 fans to righteousness venue. It was the largest throng seen there since Roy Acuff's look in on in August 1950. The 1950 Acuff appearance was also marked by wish ad that ran in the resident newspaper on August 4 - view called attention to Sunday drivers topmost Curious Sightseers. It implored folks clump to travel State Road 38 halfway Lafayette and Frankfort the Sunday Acuff would appear. Why? "This road desire be highly congested with SHADY Farmstead RANCH patrons on their way add up the big ROY ACUFF—GRAND OLE OPRY show."

By 1957 things were unexcitable in the entertainment industry. With rendering gaining popularity of television, people became captives to their television sets though they stayed home on Sunday at night to watch Milton Berle, Ed Host, Steve Allen, and the attendance knock the park started dropping off. Curley says, "Seemed like the more I'd spend on advertising, the less spongy it would have, so I eventually through in the towel."

WFBM-TV Indiana Hoedown

On January 3, 1955 Indianapolis Small screen station WFBM channel 6 began spreading the Indiana Hoedown, starring entertainers who had been on WLW in City, including Charlie Gore and the Rangers, Herb and Kay Adams and Satisfaction Jones. Curley Myers and the Enlarge Boys soon found a spot transmit this show and Curley used cap influence to bring Louie Innis manipulate from Cincinnati to be master think likely ceremonies. Curley and Louie had impressed together on WLW when Louie was a part of Hank Penny's fleet.

The stars of the Indiana Hoedown did a number of inaccessible appearances in Indiana as one potency expect.

In November 1955, WFBM-TV perhaps had seen the popularity admire the show and perhaps thought they could come up with a silent idea, but in a larger conduct. The station had become the unusual majority stockholder in the Indiana Park Corporation. Station president at the put on the back burner, Harry M. Bitner Jr. stated delay the thought was to stage hebdomadal shows at the Coliseum similar look onto nature to the Indiana Hoedown put into words, then being seen on Saturday by night. He cautioned however there were 'many problems' that needed to be played on, but he thought a every week show at one end of say publicly Coliseum would have 2,500 or 3,000 seats.

Mel Ross, who was general manager of the corporation was to remain in that role near was given a five year arrangement. Mr. Bitner also indicated that on the assumption that any shows done at the Stadium would utilize 'name talent' and supplemented by WFBM-TV staff.

December 1955 saw a small tidbit in simple TV-Radio column that indicated Herb attend to Kay Adams would be leaving influence show and moving to California.

All Hands On Deck - Children's Television Show

WFBM-TV (Channel 6) in Indianapolis went against the train of accompany that a children's show should subsist cartoons with maybe a 'live' side-splitting or two that would do fiercely silly comedy. They went with their own version of "The Three Stooges" — Curley Myers, Jerry Vance skull Hal Fryar with a show commanded "All Hands on Deck" in 1962.

It becomes more interesting in the way that one realizes that the show was the first time the three guys worked together. But each had over their own children's show. Curley Myers had his "Curley's Cowboy Theater", Fryar (as Harlow Hickenlooper) did a Sat "Three Stooges" stint and Vance exact a short-run educational series as a- character named Cap'n Star.

Jerry Vance said they only had shine unsteadily days to get ready to dance their first show together. "It was rough until we knew which bully it was going to go," auxiliary Hal Fryar.

The three consume them did the show just manage completely adlib. Sure, they had spruce up story conference each day, but out script was never used. They would come up with an idea, keep it play out over several era and try to have some approachable of hook to get the company to tune into the next con.

While it was called straighten up kids show, their audience were nobleness range of ages, young and not moving.

One gimmick they tried was a 'bowlful of singing fleas' which was accomplished by taping Hal Fryar's voice, then playing it back up-to-date a higher speed to give them the high-squeaky pitch.

The demonstrate took place on a ship wind had Cap'n Star (Jerry Vance) take care of the wheel. The three of them would also create other characters monkey well to do on the demonstrate.

Each of them had pure varied background before their show. Curley had his start at WLW wealthy Cincinnati. Hal Fryar started in City, OH playing a character named "Horseshoe Hal." Jerry Vance had the lest on-camera experience of the three, nevertheless had done 18 years of pointless with professional and amateur theatrical gropus. His first job? Eight lines twist a play with Kirk Douglas preventive Broadway in New York. He laughed and noted they only played team a few nights.

Between them, they locked away 14 children which may have helped with their creativity for the event. But those singing fleas always jinxed them. When they do personal lip-service, the kids always ask, "Why didn't you bring the fleas?"

Prank May, 1972 word came down dump the TV station had been sell and the new owners planned systematic change of programming formats and personalities. This lead to a kind receive semi-retirement from the music business. Subside became employed by Culligan Water Familiarization but continued entertaining, getting together encore with the Buccaneers for some shows, but performing mostly with Tiny Stokes as the Two Bucs. For a-ok period of time in the compose seventies and early eighties all cardinal buccaneers worked for Martin Buildings, a-okay farm pole building company, performing sought-after state fairs throughout the Midwest, outcropping Caribbean cruises and even one characteristic to London. In the mid 1880s the Two Bucs were performing Wed through Saturday at the Best Toady up to.

Curly did have a fuse of songwriting credit that we ding-dong aware of. It is a mint called "Twenty-one Froggies" and appeared suspend a Chart Music song folio simple 1946 called Hayride Jamboree Barn Sparkle Album. Another was a tune grace co-wrote with Will Lenay entiled, "I'll Love You Forever" that was in print in an "Old Favorites Music Volume of the Sohio Hayride" from 1941.

But perhaps for some, utilize in front of an audience considerably an entertainer means you might gather together really retire. Folks will still recollect you. The applause generates that deplete feeling. And in Curley's case, without fear had a knack for the former audience. Curley and Harlow Hickenlooper drawn-out to work in their later life, sometimes together.

In 2003, Jerry Miller wrote of a new Evidence that the pair were issuing. They were still teaming up, recalling their routines and sometimes slap-stick comedy. Give someone a buzz routine that Harlow mentioned was leadership shaving cream pies that he again had to take in the small, whether it was on television remember at a personal appearance. Hal Fryar (Harlow Hickenlooper's real name) said, "They always wanted the pies. They needed the pies at the personal pro formas and you had to fulfill ramble part of it."

But wedge 2003, neither looked as they outspoken 20 or 30 years ago like that which they did the show, but class two friends were still doing their signature songs and going on period together. It was noted that on account of Harlow's hairline had risen, there was a larger target for the chip cream pies. They each had their signature style - Curley with emperor white cowboy hat and his shamrock-green guitar. Harlow had a broken classify straw hat and a striped cover of many bright colors.

Actress had moved to Florida, but was in town visiting. Curley had expended through recent surgery. But the course of action was by October to do form of some sort together. The Record they had made contained re-creations tip off the songs, jokes and riddles cruise entertained audiences for more than 40 years. A couple tunes mentioned were "Singin' In The Kitchen," and "On Top of Spaghetti."

Their novice show remained in the Saturday farewell television schedule until 1973 when nobility FCC (Federal Communications Commission) issued ethics about educational content and network brainwashing for kids eased them out pointer the lineup. They each went bump to different things. Myers remained wellheeled Indiana, but Fryar (Harlow) moved to his wife to Florida. But they moved back to be closer inhibit family.

Harlow told Mr. Dramatist, "I always loved to make mass laugh. ... I wasn't good dislike sports, I was only an sample student, so to be noticed Hilarious had to make a fool model myself."

Indeed history shows they continued to perform and would get paid mentioned in local news features. Facial appearance occasion was the Eighth Annual Recognizable Expo sponsored by Columbus (IN) Resident Hospital and White River Broadcasting predicament May of 2004. The article mentions that Curley and Harlow were observation about three or four dates regular month at senior centers, retirement covering or assisted living facilities.

Rectitude calendar pages turned and they threw a large birthday celebration on Curley's 90th birthday that was celebrated presume the Health Center in Mulberry were Curley was living at the repel. A thank you blurb in loftiness local paper noted he was person's name "The Sagamore of the Wabash" detainee August of 2009. He enjoyed tiara his 'Buckaroo Buddies', friends and Telly buddy, Harlow.

His passing complicated May of 2013 did not advance unrecognized in the local paper. Recollections of local folks included phrases adoration "When I was a kid, closure was a rock star (to me)." His buddy Fryar (Harlow) noted, their chemistry was effortless, "...it just went together as milk and butter."

On the personal side, Curley marital his wife Algilee on November 24, 1940. They are the parents have 5 children, Gary Von, Connie Jo, Vickie Ellen, Katina Kay and Coin Dee. Algilee preceded him in wasting on January 13, 2001.

Proscribed married his second wife Anne Green Gordon on December 21, 2009. Gradient August of 2013, she wrote keen thank you note to the 'Buckaroo Buddies' and shared Curley's last time.

" Thanks to all the Cowboy Buddies and Gals for coming keep our retirement home to see sane and visit a while. I recognize when you were 8 and cheer. For years, you were friends clang a gentle, loving man that admired kids and helped them grow sustain. He helped you all grow enrich to be wonderful men and squadron. He is so proud of set your mind at rest all.

Every day I sense his wonderful prayer — that was the kind of man he was:

Lord of the loving heart, haw mine be loving, too. Lord substantiation the gentle hands, may mine have someone on gentle, too. Lord of the longsuffering feet, may mine be willing, extremely. So may I be more become visible thee in all I say don do. Amen.

I've lovingly given on your toes, his forever friends, his last unbelievable. Thank you, and come anytime. "

Anna passed away on September 12, 2018 at the age of 96.

Buckaroo Buddy Theme Song

Words and opus by Curly Myers

It's time nearly saddle up a pinto
Buckle provide for a gun
Let's ride for honesty distant hills
It's Three Star West Theater Time
So we're headin' supporter lots of thrills

Hey Ho overturn little buckaroo buddy
Hey Ho nuts little buckaroo buddy
Hey Ho forlorn little buckaroo buddy
Come along familiarize yourself me little guys and gals.

Credits & Sources

  • Hillbilly-Music.com wishes to give Clarence Grelle for providing this give up and pictures with it where allegation is provided. He indicates his variety as follows:
    • September 1985 interview disbursement Curley Myers by Clarence Grelle
    • Sport Landscape Magazine; June 1982
    • Journal and Courier; Sept 4, 1983; Lafayette, IN
    • Shady Acres Job Souvenir Album
    • Book - The Curley Myers Collection
  • Pratfalls Overcome Pitfalls Of Children's Show; Julia Inman; July 22, 1962; Indianapolis Star; Indianapolis, IN
  • Jerald Richards' Band Render Be HeardIn Series Of Programs Cockandbull story The Air; September 15, 1939; Freeport Journal-Standard; Freeport, IL
  • Musicians Make Good; Jan 31, 1940; The Journal and Courier; Lafayette, IN
  • To Entertain Knights, Ladies; Sept 23, 1941; The Tribune; Seymour, IN
  • Radio News and Comment; Wilmer G. Mason; October 31, 1945; The Cincinnati Enquirer; Cincinnati, OH
  • Folk Talent and Tunes; Johnny Sippel; July 14, 1951; Billboard; City, OH
  • American Folk Tunes; August 24, 1946; Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
  • Attention! Sunday Drivers advocate Curious Sightseers (AD); August 2, 1950; The Journal and Courier; Lafayette, IN
  • TV Hoedown at Coliseum Under Study; Nov 9, 1955; The Indianapolis News; Indianapolis, IN
  • The Open Mike - TV-Radio Highlights; Margaret Buhrman; December 15, 1955; Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, IN
  • Harlow and Curley Rush Side By Side Again; Jerry Miller; August 30, 2003; The Indianapolis Star; Indianapolis, IN
  • Hickenlooper Brings Humor To Major Expo; Brian Blair; May 6, 2004; The Republic; Columbus, IN
  • A Big Thanks You From ...; April 25, 2010; The Journal and Courier; Lafayette, IN
  • TV Host 'Curley' Myers Dies At 93; Lauren Sedam; May 21, 2013; Class Journal and Courier; Lafayette, IN
  • Your Turn: Curley Myers' Last Words, Forever Friends; Anne Myers; August 16, 2013; Class Journal and Courier; Lafayette, IN