The Little
River Novelty Band was organized in June 1980 “just for the fun of it.”  They provided free entertainment at Community
Centers and for charitable institutions and clubs.  Vivian Edge was the band Director and Henry
Pettitt, Manager.  

They
were a group of senior citizens who enjoyed playing, singing and sharing the
music of their youth.  Songs ranged from
“Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” first published
in 1910 and 1912 to 1920s jazz favorite, “Sweet Georgia Brown” and Hank
Williams’ 1953 country hit, “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”  They sometimes included polkas, patriotic
songs or Christmas music.  “When the
Saints Go Marching In” was their traditional closing number.

The Little River Novelty Band of the 1980s.

Band
members included Julia Barton, Joe Brock, Bob and Ruby Gibeau, Christine
Hamilton, Clyde and Elizabeth Hewitt, Melvin Hicks, Charles Jones, Ruth Mackey,
Seva Mackey, Laura Misenheimer, Grace Orr, Mollie Pace, Christine Pettitt,
Harry Sinnott and Virginia Spahn.

A band member on the washtub bass.

The
band used traditional instruments including piano, accordion, guitar, banjo,
mandolin and trumpet, along with drums, cymbals, maracas, and a
tambourine.  They also incorporated a washtub
bass, wash board, wash pan, broomstick and kazoos.

Over a
two year period they put on 82 performances. 
After being inactive for nearly three years the Little River Novelty
Band reorganized in 1986.  They continued
to play a less demanding schedule for the next couple of years before
disbanding as older members were unable to participate.

This
information is from a scrapbook kept by the band and now in the Local History
collection at the Transylvania County Library.

Photographs
and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library
hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional
photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at [email protected]
or 828-884-1820.

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(828) 884-3151

212 S Gaston St, Brevard, NC 28712