Frankie Masters and the Doodlebug Orchestra Born:  April 12, 1904 Died:  October 28, 1990 WSM Grand Ole Opry KMOX St. Louis, MO WENR Chicago, IL WMAQ Chicago, IL WOR New York, NY

About The Artist In the summer of 1934, WSM seemed to forgo the traditional music heard on the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights. Radio logs published indicate the Opry program was on WSM from 8:00pm to 12:00pm (midnight). On September 22, 1934 and September 29, 1934, from 11:30pm to midnight, WSM aired the Doodlebug Orchestra. While this act may not have fit the Opry's 'rural image', it did fit an aspect that was a part of the Opry - dancing and entertainment. Research seems to indicate the leader of the orchestra was Frankie Masters. He was actually born Frank E Masterman to parents Wiiliam and Alice Masterman in St. Mary's, West Virginia in 1904. His father worked in the oil industry. By 1910, the family had moved to Robinson, (Crawford County) Illinois. He registered for the draft on February 16, 1942. Frank E. Masters has his obituary spelled it died in 1990. He was survived by his wife, Phyllis Myles Masters. She was born on September 14, 1917 in Mount Vernon, NY. She passed away on December 18, 1991 in Barrington, IL Credits & Sources Behind The Mike; Neal Howard; May 23, 1934; Stockton Independent; Stockton, CA Bands, In Various Parts Of Nation, Will Contribute To Unique Program; Oscar H. Fernbach; January 23, 1934; The San Francisco Examiner; San Francisco, CA Hungarian Actor Will Play Tonight In 'A Marriage Has Been Arranged'; April 9, 1934; The San Francisco Examiner; San Francisco, CA Thomas Coakley, 90, was judge, musician; May 26, 1995; Oakland Tribune; Oakland, CA Obituary: Thomas Coakley; May 20, 1995; The San Francisco Examiner; San Francisco, CA

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