Hillbilly-Music.com—The People. The Music. The History.
Joe Mayo
and his Western Ramblers

About The Artist

In mid-1953, Joe Mayo and his Western Ramblers were making a name for themselves in Vermont and northern New York and parts of Canada. They did personal appearances that were sponsored by various schools and civic groups.

They also had a daily broadcast from 5:00pm to 5:15pm over WWSR out of St. Albans, Vermont for about six years.

Joe was known as a pretty good accordionist and could do other kinds of music as well as hillbilly and western music, including pop, boogie, polkas and Latin.

The other members of the band were all versatile musicians too. Though Marion Donah must have been a site to see when she played the bass fiddle as she was only four feet eight.

Joe was also a member of Cliff Japhet and the Western Aces, too.

Timeline and Trivia Notes

Group members included:

  • Joe Mayo, accordion, guitar, piano
  • Judy Dickerson, rhythm guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, vocalist/yodeler
  • Bill Clark, fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass
  • Marion Donah, bass, comedienne, vocalist/yodeler

Credits & Sources

  • Cowboy Songs No. 27 (July 1953); American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT.