Uncle Harve and the Ragtime Wranglers Born:  March 26, 1914 Died:  January 14, 1981 WFEC Miami, FL WFTL Fort Lauderdale, FL WINZ Hollywood, FL WQAM Miami, FL WWPB Miami, FL

About The Artist William Harve Spivey was born in Douglas, GA to parents James and Mattie Spivey. Country Music fans would get to know him later as "Uncle Harve." Uncle Harve and his Ragtime Wranglers were a fixture in the Miami, FL area for many years. He lived in Miami for over 40 years. His band played for local dances around the Miami area and was part of the early television scene in southern Florida. Readers learned who was a part of Uncle Harve's Ragtime Ramblers in a 1949 Billboard article. The group had signed a five week contract to appear at Wometco Theaters in the Miami area. 0 Group Members: Harold (Happy) Thaxton - bass and comedy (B: September 26, 1918 — D: August 14, 1985) Rusty Linklater - guitar Tex Barnes - guitar Bill Wallace - steel guitar Harold (Lazy) Donelson - fiddle (B: August 15, 1928 — August 22, 1979) Uncle Harve (Spivey) - emcee and guitar In 1951, the square dance caller and band leader decided he wanted to run in the Democratic primary for Sheriff in April 1952. He said he had the support of the "Florida State Democratic League." In a short statement announcing his candidacy, he said that he wanted "...to return law enforcement to the people and take it away from pressure groups and special interests." Uncle Harve retired to Ocala, FL around 1979. Credits & Sources Hillbilly Wants Post As Sheriff; August 23, 1951; The Miami Herald; Miami, FL Folk Talent and Tunes; Johnny Sippel; July 16, 1949; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH

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