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An early picture of one of the first bands. 1939 and early 1940's Rubye with the rare Guitar Base Fiddle. Guitarist, Lower Left is Colleen Summers, Lower Right, is Laurie Selat. Other ladies might be Bernie, Dolly, Marie, Rose or Ellen Lower Left Guitarist is Colleen Summers, AKA Mary Ford. She was from the same town as Rubye, Pasadena, Calif. so it was only natural that she was in one of the first performing Coverd Wagon Girls Bands. She played with the early bands, prior to her marrieage to Les Paul. He chose her stage name of Mary Ford out of the phone book. He told her in the mid 40's that she needed to stop playing with this band. He had invented the Electric Guitar and his method of her singing harmony with herself on records. She needed to make new records with him, they were going to be famous and they were. There are two bands of ladies that I do not know their names. I was only 9 years old. in the early 40's. Help in figuring out who the ladies were in these bands, would be greatly appreciated. azhorse@pacifier.com Dolores Whitaker/Dougherty, Rubye's daughter
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Another of the early bands, early 1940's, Rubye sitting in the center front row. This white costume was her first one, I later wore it in the mid to late 40's Laurie Selat, Guitarist, Rubye and Lorine Van, Guitarist Laura & Lucille Lentz, The Lee Twins on either side of Barbara Ware singer Standing
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| Band Approx. 1941 | |
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Approx. 1942 Rubye with the rare early Guitar Base Dolores, her daughter, age 9 in wagon holding the mascot miniature wagon Laurie Selat, Guitarist. Names needed for these other ladies There were the Nelson Sisters and the Saunderes Sisters in her bands over the years. They are possibly in these other photos, that I do not remember who they are. . |
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| Band Approx. 1943 ~ War Bond Rally, with either the Nelsons or the Saunders Sisters and Rubye | |
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Approximately 1944 to early 1945 Top ~ Banjo Artist Beulah Kettle, one of the Kettle Sisters group. Eunice Kettle, Guitarist, Ione Kettle, Base Fiddle, Possibly Maxine Bennett, Might be Viola Soule who Played the Fiddle in the early band. Nadine Oustenland, Accordion, Rubye holding the Wagon. Herman the Hermit, musician with the Stuart Hamblin radio show, gave the Banjo to Beulah, he was very impressed with her music ability. This Band made a recording of the Bands Theme song, "My covered Wagon" written by Rubye's brother Russell Reeder The dress that Rubye is wearing was accidentally destroyed Jan 1, 1946, During the Rose Parade. Rubye is holding the miniature replica of a covered wagon, hand made for her by a 90 year old gentleman who had come across the plains in a covered wagon himself, just like it. |
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| Approx 1944 | |
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Three of the girls who were known as the Kettle Sisters, took the stage name of the Pinafore's, in late 1945.. When they were signed to an exclusive contract with Gene Autry Enterprise, which meant they could no longer perform in the band. They were on his radio show, in movies and possibly in other venues with him, November 1945 thru 1050's. |
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Most of these pictures were taken in the late 1930's to early 1940's, up to 1950. The scrap book holds numerous thank you letters for the variety of events that the All Girl Western Swing Band was involved in from War Bond Raising events during WWII, to entertaining the troops at the Sawtelle Veterans Hospital and Southern Calif. Army Camps. They always played at dances where no liquor was served. They made Records, were on Radio and TV in the late 1945 to 50's. Played at Rodeo's, Grand Openings of Events, and Dances, including the USO. Had a prize winning (Presidents Trophy) Covered Wagon float in the 1946 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. Herman the Hermit of the Stuart Hamblin Radio Show, taught her to play the Tenor Guitar and Base Fiddle. Rubye Sang, played the Tenor Guitar, Base Fiddle and was a champion Whistler. Her bird call imitations were so good, the birds would call back to her. She had a Magazine, Newspaper Column in 35 papers around the Southern Calif. area and Weekly Radio Show by the same name, called the Pony Express News. |
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 Knotts Berry Ghost Town late 1940's Mr. Knott started out in the late 30's with just a Berry Stand beside the Road. He loved old equipment, so started a Ghost Town. His favorite joke would be to hide in the old Jail, then talk to visitors through a loud speaker. Sure scared the folks and he loved it. Most of these Band Wagon photos were taken during week days at his Ghost town, as the general public was not around. He was supportive of Rubye's Band eforts. |
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| A Photo of her with the Uke and part of her new group at age 60 |
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| In later years she entertained with various friends at a variety of events around Apple Valley and Hesparia Calif. |
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