Hoosier Sod Busters WLS National Barn Dance

About The Group It was reckoned that the Hoosier Sod Busters played the largest and the smallest harmonicas in the world back then. One was said to be the size of your little finger. And the other one, both had to carry. They wrote back then it only proves if you work hard enough at something, you'll get somewhere with it. They were quite adept with the harmonicas and would sometimes change instruments as many as three times in a single tune! Later on they kept at it and sometimes you'd see them use four or five harmonicas during a song. The boys were well travelled around the midwest, making many personal appearances. The group was also a part of Chicago television history. Back on March 30, 1939, Howard, Reggie and Rusty appeared on the first television broadcast in Chicago. They said the experimental telecast was received all of 18 miles from the television transmitter. Both of the boys were Hoosier natives. But then, we kinda figured that. Around 1939, they added two members to the group. One, Rusty Gill, later became a solo artist in his own right. With the addition of those two, they said the group could make a few harmonicas sound like a '15-piece orchestra'. Sometime between 1939 and 1941, Jack McCoy left the group. Reggie was said to have one of the 'largest harmonica collections in the world.' And once in a while, he'd play one that was nearly four feet long! Timeline and Trivia Notes Group Members included: Members of this group: Reginald Cross Howard Black Jack McCoy - joined around 1939 Rusty Gill - joined around 1939 Gene Colin, around 1947 Other notes: Howard got married around 1936-37 to Billie Flannery, one of the Flannery Sisters. Appearance History This Month   June 10, 1936 Linden, IN   June 21, 1936 Good Templar Park Geneva, IL   June 22, 1936 Edna Theatre Gibson City, IL WLS National Barn Dance (1936 Edition)   June 28, 1936 Jackson County Fair Grounds Jackson, MI WLS Barn Dance   June 6, 1937 Miami County Fairgrounds Troy, OH   June 7, 1937 Grand Theatre Bluffton, IN WLS On Parade   June 9, 1937 Drake Theatre Chicago, IL WLS National Barn Dance   June 13, 1937 Seneca County Fairgrounds Tiffin, OH WLS National Barn Dance   June 14, 1937 Grand Theatre Paulding , OH WLS On Parade   June 15, 1937 Indiana Theatre Richmond, IN WLS Merry-Go-Round   June 16, 1937 Portage Theatre Chicago, IL WLS Barn Dance Show   June 20, 1937 Fairfield County Fairgrounds Lancaster, OH WLS Barn Dance Show   June 21, 1937 New Westland Theatre Portsmouth, OH WLS National Barn Dance   June 22, 1937 New Westland Theatre Portsmouth, OH WLS National Barn Dance   June 23, 1937 Murphy Theatre Wilmington, OH WLS National Barn Dance   June 24, 1937 Huntington Theatre Huntington, IN WLS National Barn Dance (1937 Edition)   June 27, 1937 Myers Theatre Francesville, IN   June 28, 1937 Palace Theatre Crown Point, IN WLS National Barn Dance   June 29, 1937 Colonial Theatre Bicknell, IN WLS National Barn Dance (1937 Edition)   June 30, 1937 Casey Theatre Casey, IL WLS National Barn Dance   June 6, 1938 Schroeder Hotel Milwaukee, WI   June 6, 1938 Schroeder Hotel Milwaukee, WI   June 19, 1938 Madison, WI   June 19, 1938 Madison, WI Read More About The Group Printer Friendly Version