The Swing Billies

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The Swing Billies
General information
Genre (s) Country Music ( Western Swing )
founding 1936
resolution 1938
Founding members
Charlie Poole, Jr.
Harvey Ellington
Garfield Hammond
guitar
 Sam Pridgen
guitar
 Ray Williams

The Swing Billies was an American country band . The Swing Billies emerged from the North Carolina Ramblers, the backing band Charlie Pooles .

Career

After Charlie Poole's early death in 1931, Poole's son, Charlie Poole, Jr, (* as Charlie Dunk) reformed the North Carolina Ramblers. Roy Harvey and Posey Rorer had already continued the group for a while. Together with various musicians, he founded the North Carolina Ramblers, which was soon renamed The Swing Billies in reference to their jazz- influenced sound . The group made their first appearances on the WPTF radio station in Raleigh North Carolina . On the afternoon of August 6, 1937, the Swing Billies recorded ten tracks, including some songs by Poole's father, at the Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte , North Carolina. However, one could not follow the success of the North Carolina Ramblers. The songs were released on the Bluebird label , a sub-label of the RCA Victor Record Company . In 1938, however, the band broke up again.

Charlie Poole Jr. volunteered for the army during the war and fought in Italy . Poole was badly injured in the throat in a fight between him and a German soldier, but survived. Due to the serious injuries, however, it was no longer possible for him to sing.

Discography

year title Remarks
Bluebird Records
1937 Leavin 'Home / From Buffalo to Washington [White House Blues]
1937 Moonshine in the North Carolina Hills / If You're Sorry, Say That You're Sorry
1938 Melancholy Baby / Everyday Away from You Sweetheart
1938 Somebody Loves You Yet / Crazy Yodelin 'Blues
1938 I Can't Give You Anything but Love / St. Louis Blues (instrumental)

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