Monday, 06 September 2010
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Light Crust Doughboys Hall of Fame and Museum |
Friday, December 02, 2005
The Light Crust Doughboys Hall of Fame and Museum Grand Opening set for December 3 in Quitman
The
Quitman Heritage Foundation (QHF) announces the Grand Opening for The
Light Crust Doughboys Hall of Fame and Museum in the Governor Jim Hogg
City Park, Quitman, Texas, Saturday, December 3, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00
p.m.
The event celebrates the completion of the project that was
introduced to the public and the media on August 3rd during the Wood
County Old Settlers Reunion.
The grand opening will feature a
personal appearance by the Light Crust Doughboys, Sam White’s world
famous stew and hot mulled cider.
The Hall of Fame and Museum, which
opened for general viewing November 19, incorporates a large number of
photographs, documents, memorabilia and instruments that tell the
amazing story of the Light Crust Doughboys, their impact on the
evolution of Western Swing and the evolution of the entertainment
industry over the group’s 76-year history.
Quitman Mayor Larry Robertson applauded the museum.
“This
is a true community project that has come together for the City of
Quitman. We are proud to be the home for the Light Crust Doughboys Hall
of Fame and Museum,” the mayor said. “This represents the first of many
projects the Quitman Heritage Foundation has planned for our community.”
Art
Greenhaw, manager and member of the Doughboys expressed his excitement
for the project and shared his dream of continuing the tradition of
Western Swing, blues, country gospel and other styles of music
established by the multidimensional group over the years.
“The
Doughboys deeply respect our responsibility to the memory of Bob Wills,
Milton Brown, Smokey Montgomery and, of course, W. Lee ‘Pappy O’Daniel
and all past and present Light Crust Doughboys,” Greenhaw said. “We
show our appreciation to our fans by continuing to hold to the high
standards of music the Light Crust Doughboys developed.”
Denise
Miranda, Executive Director for the Quitman Heritage Foundation joined
the board of directors in applauding the ambitious work of volunteers
who have brought the Hall of Fame and Museum to life.
“The amount of
work that’s been done on this project is amazing,” Miranda said. “I can
already tell there is so much support from the community to make this
museum a place for people to visit and learn about Texas’ rich musical
heritage.”
Exhaustive preservation work and displaying of hundreds
of photographs dating back to the earliest years of the Doughboys give
visitors a true feeling of the role the Doughboys played in country
music.
Kathy McKinley, Director of Volunteers, pointed to the
original scrapbook kept by Gov. O’Daniel’s secretary during his
political years as a unique treasure currently on display.
“Over the
past months we have put together a museum that will bring memories to
thousands of visitors, as well as providing a learning experience for
younger people,” Mrs. McKinley said.
The collection continues to grow from the generosity of former Light Crust Doughboys and their families.
“We
are particularly excited to have the donation of Smokey Montgomery’s
piano from his wife, Barbara, as well as many original compositions
that will be of important interest to music enthusiasts and scholars
over the coming years,” Mrs. McKinley added.
Also included in the
collection are the first professional electric guitar of Art Greenhaw,
an Epiphone Olympic Double with "vibrola"-style vibrato electric
guitar; mahogany wood, cherry finish, rosewood fingerboard, which was
played extensively from 1964 to 1974; and the first professional
acoustic guitar of Art Greenhaw, an Epiphone Cortez acoustic flattop
guitar; spruce top, mahogany back and sides, sunburst finish, rosewood
fingerboard played extensively from 1964 to 1981.
Both historic
guitars were made in the United States, from 1957-1969, when Epiphone
was American-manufactured by Gibson Guitars, according to Greenhaw.
The
history of the Doughboys is filled with appearances in small and large
cities, from school grounds to the largest auditoriums, with the famous
phrase, “The Light Crust Doughboys are On the Air!” being heard by
audiences captivated by the humor and artistic work of the founders of
Texas Swing.
Bob Wills formed the Light Crust Doughboys in 1929 under the name of the Wills Fiddle Band.
The
name was changed when Burrus Mill, manufacturer of Light Crust Flour,
became the sponsor of the group. W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel was general
manager of the company. It was common for musical groups to take on
the name of their sponsor back then.
O’Daniel became the announcer
for the Doughboys who were heard on more than 170 radio stations –
spanning the South and Southwest from New Mexico to the
Carolinas. Most of the broadcasts originated on WBAP, Fort Worth. The
popularity of The Doughboys was such that O’Daniel was able to win the
governorship of Texas as a result of his connection with the group.
Wood
County Judge Royce McCoy, Quitman Heritage Foundation Board Member,
said the Light Crust Doughboys Hall of Fame and Museum is an important
first step toward the expansion of the vision at the Governor Jim Hogg
City Park to include other exhibits and special events.
“We have
plans for a ‘Golden Age of Radio’ exhibit, a Texas Swing Festival in
2006 and, eventually, a special tribute to Sissy Spacek, a Quitman
native, for her accomplishments and contributions to the motion picture
industry,” McCoy said.
Governor Jim Hogg City Park contains 27.9
acres and is presently equipped with a pavilion for shows, a children’s
playground, fully equipped RV spaces, the museum building and two Texas
proclaimed historical homes.
The homes are currently included in plans for restoration for future public exhibits.
The
Quitman Heritage Foundation has received funding from the Old Settlers
Reunion, Wood County and the City of Quitman for use in developing the
park as a major attraction for visitors to Wood County, Lake Fork and
Quitman.
The foundation has also received important direct support
from Team Worldwide and Wood County National Bank in making the Museum
and Hall of Fame a reality.
Led by Grammy Award-winning
instrumentalist, vocalist and producer Art Greenhaw on electric bass,
The Light Crust Doughboys’ current roster includes Maurice “Reece”
Anderson on steel guitar, Jerry Elliott on guitar, John Walden on
violin, and oftentimes, Jim Baker on violin and Dale Cook on percussion.
The
Light Crust Doughboys have played prestigious festivals throughout the
United States, have toured Austria, and make frequent television
appearances. Current Light Crust Doughboys have over 150 years of
combined experience playing in The Light Crust Doughboys band.
The
Light Crust Doughboys were named The State of Texas’ Official Music
Ambassadors by the 74th Texas Legislature, are Texas Commission on the
Arts’ official touring artists, and are inductees in the Texas Cowboy,
Texas Western Swing, Rockabilly, Texas Music, and Cowtown Society of
Western Music Halls of Fame.
In every personal appearance by The
Light Crust Doughboys, the band pays tribute to its legacy by honoring
the musical contributions of Bob Wills, Milton Brown, and especially,
Marvin “Smokey” Montgomery, a Light Crust Doughboy from 1935 until his
passing in 2001.
The Light Crust Doughboys are considered the
longest-running country and western band in the world and one of the
top historical bands of all time.
Members of the Quitman Heritage
Foundation board of directors are: Gary McKinley, President; Barry
Carlson, Vice President/Treasurer; Terry Mathews, Secretary; Royce
McCoy, Larry Robertson, Joe Brunson, JoAn Coker, R.T. Bridges, Gordon
Stone, Joe Parris and Annie Golightly.
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