If you don't know it there use to be a big dance hall located in what was Big Beaver and Holton Payne can tell you all the particulars. In fact he does not live too far from there. I dare everyone of you to look him and Jane (the real person behind those boys they raised) up and ask about Denoya, Kaw City, Big Beaver and every other detail about the area. Anyway Bob Wills use to play there and he is known as the founder of country swing. He was from Texas and you can look him up on the Internet but what made him great in the eyes of folks from Kaw City and Grainola was Joe Frank Ferguson. At least in the minds of folks from Osage country.
Joe was from Kaw City and learned to play the upright or electric bass player plus he was a lead singer for two groups one of which was Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys. Now in my mind that is a giant fiddle which stands about 7 feet tall and makes a big base sound. If you would like to go see and hear him try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xkRx0n6kbTk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vKnHTBldU38
Today his giant fiddle is in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and a number of years ago I had the pleasure of getting to see him perform with what was left of the group at the Mustang High School in Oklahoma City area.
He grew up in Kaw City and later moved to Grainola and lived in what was Jim and Maggie Olsen's house north of Grainola. He and his wife were very close friends of my mom and dad. Over the years before I knew he was famous they use to come by the house on occasion. My mom has about every video and recording there was of them playing as Joe Frank gave mom a box of videos that are not necessarily published. Most of what I remember is he had two good looking daughters.
What I am curious about is can anyone tell me additional information about Joe Frank (that is what everyone called him) and how he got started and how he grew up in this area. Was he a farm boy from Kaw and what relatives are still in the area.
I am always amazed at the magnitude of talent that has come out of our area and here is a list of the more famous folks from the Osage:
Joe was from Kaw City and learned to play the upright or electric bass player plus he was a lead singer for two groups one of which was Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys. Now in my mind that is a giant fiddle which stands about 7 feet tall and makes a big base sound. If you would like to go see and hear him try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xkRx0n6kbTk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vKnHTBldU38
Today his giant fiddle is in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and a number of years ago I had the pleasure of getting to see him perform with what was left of the group at the Mustang High School in Oklahoma City area.
He grew up in Kaw City and later moved to Grainola and lived in what was Jim and Maggie Olsen's house north of Grainola. He and his wife were very close friends of my mom and dad. Over the years before I knew he was famous they use to come by the house on occasion. My mom has about every video and recording there was of them playing as Joe Frank gave mom a box of videos that are not necessarily published. Most of what I remember is he had two good looking daughters. What I am curious about is can anyone tell me additional information about Joe Frank (that is what everyone called him) and how he got started and how he grew up in this area. Was he a farm boy from Kaw and what relatives are still in the area.
I am always amazed at the magnitude of talent that has come out of our area and here is a list of the more famous folks from the Osage:
- Maria Tallchief - probably the most famous ballerina in America - Fairfax
- Ben Johnson Jr. and Sr. - actor and cowboy - Pawhuska
- Patty Page - singer from Foraker
- Joe Frank Ferguson - Kaw City
- Danny Head for Head Country BBQ - Shidler
I know there are more and I especially know that literally hundreds came out of the area which are war hero's and teachers and NOT lawyers (just kidding), executives and just plain great business folks with high character and morals. Please send me the names and a short story about who they are and what they have done. Send me a picture if you can.
What do you learn in the Osage?
- YOU can become anything you want to become if you put your mind to it
- 90% desire and 10% talent and I dare you to prove me wrong on that
- Actions speak louder than words so watch what you are doing
Thanks for your time,
gary@thepioneerman.com
1 comment:
I SAT AND TALKED TO JOE FRANK IN PAWHUSKA AT THE FIRST BOB WILLS DAY THERE. HE TOLD ME AT SOMETIME HE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL IN THE 20'S ,HE LIVED AT ALLISON, TEXAS. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS A BIG OIL BOOM. HE TOLD ME THAT ALL DAY LONG THE OIL COMPANYS WERE BLASTING THOSE OIL WELLS. HE SAID IT SHOOK THE SCHOOL HOUSE ALL DAY.
Post a Comment