Smiling Steve and His Gang

About The Artist In early 1953, the East coast had a group of country-style entertainers that made themselves a bit of a name. "Smiling Steve and his gang" had the hillbilly music fans far and wide sitting up and taking notice. From about 1950 to 1953, Steve and the boys entertained their audiences over radio station WCPA out of Clearfield, PA. They were heard each day from 10:30am to 11:00am. It was deemed "... a most enjoyable half-hour of country style entertainment at its best." Steve they said always liked to spread some of the publicity to the other members of his band. There was the comedian and mandolin player, Dale Carson, who was also Steve's brother. They said he was "quite a Casanova." Bashful Bill, was the bass fiddlin' vocalist of the group and was one of their most popular members. The group's accordionist was Frank Hooke. Handling the square dance calls was Paul Custer. Timeline and Trivia Notes Group members included: Smilin' Steve (Carson) Dale Carson, comedian, mandolin Bashful Bill, vocals, bass fiddle Frank Hooke, accordion Paul Custer, square dance caller Credits & Sources Country Song Roundup No. 22, February 1953, American Folk Publications, Inc., Derby, CT.