These pages are dedicated to those music performers who travelled the roads with their bands in Flxible buses performing in many of the cities and regional centres throughout the States.
Riley B. King. - 1957 Flxible Starliner. After serving in World War II, Riley B. King, better known as B.B. King, became a disc jockey in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was dubbed "the Beale Street Blues Boy." That nickname was shortened to "B.B.," and the guitarist cut his first record in 1949. He spent the next decades recording and touring, playing more than 300 shows a year. King has worked with artists from rock, pop and country backgrounds. He won his 14th Grammy Award in 2006. B.B. King named his beloved guitar Lucille after a woman he never met who was the cause of a fight that almost cost him his life.
B.B. KING traveled the roads in a 1957 Flxible Starliner till 1966 when it was stolen in Chicago. It is believed that the bus was stripped for spare parts. King's Starliner was the first off the line Serial No. 30926.
B.B. KING traveled the roads in a 1957 Flxible Starliner till 1966 when it was stolen in Chicago. It is believed that the bus was stripped for spare parts. King's Starliner was the first off the line Serial No. 30926.
- NAME: B.B. King
- OCCUPATION: Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
- BIRTH DATE: September 16, 1925
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Itta Bena, Mississippi
- FULL NAME: Riley B. King
- AKA: B.B. King
- NICKNAME: King of the Blues
- NICKNAME: The Beale Street Blues Boy
Doc Williams. 1914-2011. - 1957 Flxible Starliner
Doc Williams and his wife Chickie have been a fixture of the WWVA Jamboree since 1937. A singer, guitarist and bandleader, Doc is an institution in Wheeling and a living symbol of pure, basic country music. Thanks to the strength of the WWVA signal, Doc and Chickie were also popular in Canada and New England. The couple, along with their band the Border Riders, recorded, performed live and appeared on the radio for more than five decades. Doc was born Andrew John Smik, Jr. in Cleveland, OH, and was raised in Kittaning, PA, and got his professional start playing with the Kansas Clodhoppers during the early ’30s. The Clodhoppers eventually became the Border Riders, and moved to WWVA in Wheeling in 1937. Soon, with the addition of comedian Froggie Cortez and cowboy crooner Big Slim the Lone Cowboy, they became one of the station’s most popular attractions.
That's Doc and Chickie on the left. At this stage I am not sure who owned the Flxible Starliner. It may have belonged to W.W.V.A. Apparently Doc and the band travelled the roads from gig to gig.
Doc Williams and his wife Chickie have been a fixture of the WWVA Jamboree since 1937. A singer, guitarist and bandleader, Doc is an institution in Wheeling and a living symbol of pure, basic country music. Thanks to the strength of the WWVA signal, Doc and Chickie were also popular in Canada and New England. The couple, along with their band the Border Riders, recorded, performed live and appeared on the radio for more than five decades. Doc was born Andrew John Smik, Jr. in Cleveland, OH, and was raised in Kittaning, PA, and got his professional start playing with the Kansas Clodhoppers during the early ’30s. The Clodhoppers eventually became the Border Riders, and moved to WWVA in Wheeling in 1937. Soon, with the addition of comedian Froggie Cortez and cowboy crooner Big Slim the Lone Cowboy, they became one of the station’s most popular attractions.
That's Doc and Chickie on the left. At this stage I am not sure who owned the Flxible Starliner. It may have belonged to W.W.V.A. Apparently Doc and the band travelled the roads from gig to gig.
Rick and the All Star Ramblers - 1957 Flxible Starliner
Rick & The All-Star Ramblers Western Swing Band travel the region of Vermont in “The Pickle,” an attention-grabbing 1957 Flxible Starliner tour bus in the style of early western swing legends like Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys. The Pickle enjoyed a fan-financed, 13 month major restoration over the past two years, thanks to donations from more than 125 “Pickle People” from all over the world under the auspices of Bear Bessete in Hardwick, Vermont. The Pickle was honored on national television at the end of June when the Travel Channel’s “Mega RV Countdown” featured The Pickle at Hardwick’s Spring Festival Parade.
Rick & The All-Star Ramblers Western Swing Band travel the region of Vermont in “The Pickle,” an attention-grabbing 1957 Flxible Starliner tour bus in the style of early western swing legends like Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys. The Pickle enjoyed a fan-financed, 13 month major restoration over the past two years, thanks to donations from more than 125 “Pickle People” from all over the world under the auspices of Bear Bessete in Hardwick, Vermont. The Pickle was honored on national television at the end of June when the Travel Channel’s “Mega RV Countdown” featured The Pickle at Hardwick’s Spring Festival Parade.
Rick (Seated) and the All Star Ramblers.
Rick Norcross : Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Taryn Noelle : Vocals
Julia Shannon-Grillo : Vocals
Josie Ritter : Harmony Vocals
Charlie MacFadyen : Piano, Accordion & Lap Steel
Dono Schabner : Lead & Rhythm Guitars (Telecaster & D-45)
Doug Reid : Fiddle
Dave Rowell :Vocals & Bass
Brett Hoffman : Drums
Ken Grillo : Sound & Road Manager
Taryn Noelle : Vocals
Julia Shannon-Grillo : Vocals
Josie Ritter : Harmony Vocals
Charlie MacFadyen : Piano, Accordion & Lap Steel
Dono Schabner : Lead & Rhythm Guitars (Telecaster & D-45)
Doug Reid : Fiddle
Dave Rowell :Vocals & Bass
Brett Hoffman : Drums
Ken Grillo : Sound & Road Manager
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Rick Norcross
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The Texas Top Hands Band - Now at the Texas Pride Barbecue in Adkins Texas. Slowly getting her roadworthy again! They just rebuilt the original GMC 302 inline six, and It sits cozy in a semi covered venue next to a stage where country bands perform every weekend. Thanks Steve Anderson for this info.
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Whoopee John Wilfaht's Polka Band - Details coming soon - Flxible Visicoach
Polk legend Whoopee John Wilfahrt (center) with Cedric Adams of WCCO Radio (as the bus driver) and Station Producer Robert Sutton. 1952
Polk legend Whoopee John Wilfahrt (center) with Cedric Adams of WCCO Radio (as the bus driver) and Station Producer Robert Sutton. 1952
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Frank Wojnarowski and his Polka Band - 1948 Flxible Clipper
Singer/songwriter and bandleader Frank Wojnarowski is best-known for his contributions to the field of polka music. One of the first bandleaders to introduce the style to ballrooms, Wojnarowski enjoyed several hits during his career (the best-known of which was "Matka"), appeared on both radio and television, and was one of the first polka recording artists to receive a gold record. The 1990s saw numerous reissues and compilations issued, including 1995's Matka & Other Wojnarowski Hits. |
International Polka Association states the following;
Frank Wojnarowski, a resident of Fairfield, Connecticut, was born in Sanok, Poland. He started the Frank Wojnarowski Orchestra thirty years ago; his instrument was the violin. His sister Eleanore was the original vocalist in the band. Their first break, a recording session with Dana Records, came in 1947 – “Bije Mamcia” was their first record.
Shortly after came a big hit, “Jedzie Boat.” This is the record that touched off the polka craze in New England, which, during that period, went through its golden years, lasting through the fifties.
Other hits followed, like “Goral,” “Jasiu, Jasiu,” “Oh Suzanna,” “Rozmaria,” etc. He then wrote, sang and recorded his big one – “Matka.” For this he received a gold record award.
After Dana Records sold their company and discontinued making records, Frank recorded for Silverbell, Dyno, and presently is on RMI Records.
Frank toured and played all over the United States and Canada. His longest tour lasted eight weeks. Besides being popular in New England and Pennsylvania, he drew the largest crowds in the Detroit area for the late WJLB radio personality, Eugene Konstantynowicz, at his annual outdoor event in Warsaw Park. Frank played this event for eight consecutive years.
In the early fifties, Frank was busy with his own radio show on WLIZ in Bridgeport doing live shows with the band. He went on to greater things when he hosted his own “Pic A Polka” TV Show in Buffalo, New York. This show lasted over two years, and in its prime it had a higher rating than the Ed Sullivan Show in the Buffalo area.
The Frank Wojnarowski Orchestra was called on to play top polka events, such as the Milwaukee Summerfest, Ocean Beach Festival and the IPA Convention.
Frank Wojnarowski, a resident of Fairfield, Connecticut, was born in Sanok, Poland. He started the Frank Wojnarowski Orchestra thirty years ago; his instrument was the violin. His sister Eleanore was the original vocalist in the band. Their first break, a recording session with Dana Records, came in 1947 – “Bije Mamcia” was their first record.
Shortly after came a big hit, “Jedzie Boat.” This is the record that touched off the polka craze in New England, which, during that period, went through its golden years, lasting through the fifties.
Other hits followed, like “Goral,” “Jasiu, Jasiu,” “Oh Suzanna,” “Rozmaria,” etc. He then wrote, sang and recorded his big one – “Matka.” For this he received a gold record award.
After Dana Records sold their company and discontinued making records, Frank recorded for Silverbell, Dyno, and presently is on RMI Records.
Frank toured and played all over the United States and Canada. His longest tour lasted eight weeks. Besides being popular in New England and Pennsylvania, he drew the largest crowds in the Detroit area for the late WJLB radio personality, Eugene Konstantynowicz, at his annual outdoor event in Warsaw Park. Frank played this event for eight consecutive years.
In the early fifties, Frank was busy with his own radio show on WLIZ in Bridgeport doing live shows with the band. He went on to greater things when he hosted his own “Pic A Polka” TV Show in Buffalo, New York. This show lasted over two years, and in its prime it had a higher rating than the Ed Sullivan Show in the Buffalo area.
The Frank Wojnarowski Orchestra was called on to play top polka events, such as the Milwaukee Summerfest, Ocean Beach Festival and the IPA Convention.
Charles Gould
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THE BOSTON GLOBE NOV 8 2011
HUDSON - Frank Wojnarowski and his 1940s polka band faded into musical history long ago. But the 1948 Flxible Clipper tour bus that ferried them around still exists (in running condition, no less) thanks to Charles Gould, a Newton lawyer whose passion for collecting vintage vehicles is exceeded only by his reluctance to part with them. Three years ago, Gould, 55, got a call from an Auburn man wanting to sell the Clipper, which had been sitting beside his house for 20 rust-inducing years. Gould demurred. He mostly collects European-made microcars from the ’50s and ’60s. The man persisted. “He said he knew I ran an orphanage for unloved vehicles,’’ recalls Gould, who agreed to look at the bus anyway. After tinkering with the engine for 90 minutes, Gould fired it up, then drove the bus around shouting, “It’s alive!’’ The Clipper is now parked in one of two Hudson warehouses containing Gould’s amazing collection, which has grown to comprise nearly 100 vintage cars plus dozens more motorcycles, sidecars, trailers, and other rarities. |
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The 1948 Flxible Clipper in one of Charles' sheds
Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys - Details coming soon - Flxible Clipper
Jim Reeves and the Blue Boys - 1956 Flxible Visicoach
James Travis "Jim" Reeves was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well known as a practitioner of the Nashville sound.
“Big Blue” was purchased by Jim Reeves on January 23, 1961. Jim borrowed $7,500.60 from the Third National Bank in Nashville, Tennessee to pay for the bus. He made monthly payments of $291.90 on the bus until it was paid off on January 18, 1963. Big Blue had a 1956 GMC Bus Chassis with 29 passenger Flexible body with air conditioning. Its serial number is 30923 with a motor number of 4A56589. It was his first and only bus.
Jim Reeves and the Blue Boys traveled all over the United States in Big Blue making personal appearances that were often many distances between each other. Tom Perryman, one of Jim’s business partners, tells of the times when the boys could not even stop to use the restroom. “We had to just open the door and keep the wheels rolling!”
After Jim’s tragic death in 1964, (He died in a plane crash) his band The Blue Boys used the bus on personal appearances. Jim’s wife Mary kept the band and the bus on the road entertaining Reeves fans.
Around 1965, the bus was sold to Wilma Burgess and then to Nat Stuckey. It was later sold to Teddy and Doyle-The Wiburn Brothers for their shows.
Mary Reeves purchased the bus back for the Jim Reeves Museum. She built a deck and a cover for the bus and it was on display at the Nashville museum until it closed. The bus can be seen at the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum in Brady, Texas,
James Travis "Jim" Reeves was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well known as a practitioner of the Nashville sound.
“Big Blue” was purchased by Jim Reeves on January 23, 1961. Jim borrowed $7,500.60 from the Third National Bank in Nashville, Tennessee to pay for the bus. He made monthly payments of $291.90 on the bus until it was paid off on January 18, 1963. Big Blue had a 1956 GMC Bus Chassis with 29 passenger Flexible body with air conditioning. Its serial number is 30923 with a motor number of 4A56589. It was his first and only bus.
Jim Reeves and the Blue Boys traveled all over the United States in Big Blue making personal appearances that were often many distances between each other. Tom Perryman, one of Jim’s business partners, tells of the times when the boys could not even stop to use the restroom. “We had to just open the door and keep the wheels rolling!”
After Jim’s tragic death in 1964, (He died in a plane crash) his band The Blue Boys used the bus on personal appearances. Jim’s wife Mary kept the band and the bus on the road entertaining Reeves fans.
Around 1965, the bus was sold to Wilma Burgess and then to Nat Stuckey. It was later sold to Teddy and Doyle-The Wiburn Brothers for their shows.
Mary Reeves purchased the bus back for the Jim Reeves Museum. She built a deck and a cover for the bus and it was on display at the Nashville museum until it closed. The bus can be seen at the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum in Brady, Texas,
Jim Reeves
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Jim Reeves' Bus Note For The Purchase of Big Blue
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The Wilburn Bros - Details Coming soon - 1956 Flxible Visicoach
Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys - Details coming soon - 1949 Flxible Visicoach
Floyd Tillman - 1946 Flxible Clipper
Floyd Tillman was an American country musician who, in the 1930s and 1940s, helped create the Western swing and honky tonk genres. Floyd developed his own style of performing at an early age. He was always just a little off from the beat of the other musicians. He would rather sing his own compositions than the common hits of the day.
Tillman was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984 - for both song writing as well as recordings. He was known as an inspiration and mentor to none other than the legendary Willie Nelson.
Floyd Tillman was an American country musician who, in the 1930s and 1940s, helped create the Western swing and honky tonk genres. Floyd developed his own style of performing at an early age. He was always just a little off from the beat of the other musicians. He would rather sing his own compositions than the common hits of the day.
Tillman was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984 - for both song writing as well as recordings. He was known as an inspiration and mentor to none other than the legendary Willie Nelson.
Born: December 8, 1914 in Ryan, Oklahoma
Died: August 22, 2003 (aged 88) Bacliff, Texas
Genres: Country music, Western swing, Honky tonk
Tillman's 1946 Clipper has been saved from a Texas junk yard and is slowly being restored
Died: August 22, 2003 (aged 88) Bacliff, Texas
Genres: Country music, Western swing, Honky tonk
Tillman's 1946 Clipper has been saved from a Texas junk yard and is slowly being restored
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Otis Redding - Details coming soon - 1947 Flxible Clipper
Otis Redding
Details coming
Lil Green centre standing with Milt Larkin - and the Orchestra
Lillian (Lil) Green - Details coming soon - 1930's Flxible Clipper
Lillian Green
Details Coming