Hillbilly-Music.com—The People. The Music. The History.
Mac and Bob
WLS National Barn Dance
WLS Chicago, IL
WNOX Knoxville, TN

About the Group

About The Group

Lester "Mac" McFarland was from Gray, KY and Robert "Bob" Gardner was from Oliver Springs, TN.

They met at around 1916 where they were both studying music in teh "Kentucky School for the Blind".

Mac played the piano, coronet, trombone, guitar and mandolin and later became a music teacher. Bob made a living as a piano tuner as he had a perfect ear for pitch and tone.

About 10 years ago (1932 publication date) they teamed up as a harmony duo and recorded about 200 songs with sales totalling over a million.

When Mac and Bob learned a new song, the notes and words were read to them and they punched them out on a sheet using the "point system" as their names are written at the top of this page.

Timeline and Trivia Notes

  • Mac played the church organ when he was only 9 years old
  • Mac's real name is Lester McFarland
  • Bob's name was Robert Gardner
  • Mac's wife was Ruby; they had three kids, Carol Gay, Mac and Larry
  • Bob was married, too, to Frances.

Sound Sample—(YouTube Video Format)


A Faded Rose A Broken Heart

Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)

 
Conqueror
Rec. No. Side Song Title
  8003 A Does True Love Live Today?
  8003 B Two Little Girls Loved One Little Boy
  8004 A She's More To Be Pitied Than Censured
  8004 B 'Tis Sweet To Be Remembered
  8005 A That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine
  8005 B When I Was A Boy From The Mountains
  8006 A When The Roses Bloom Again
  8006 B What Does The Deep Sea Say?
  8060 A Where The River Shannon Flows
  8060 B My Wild Irish Rose
  8061 A Three Leaves Of Shamrock
  8061 B Diamonds and Roses
  8137 A When It's Lamp-Lightin' Time In The Valley
  8137 B I Told The Stars About You
  8534 A Just A Kerosene Lamp
  8534 B Paint A Rose On The Garden Wall
  8568 A Keep A Light In Your Window Tonight
  8568 B Please Let Me Broadcast To Heaven
  8583 A Under The Old Umbrella
  8583 B When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming
  9418 A What A Friend We Have In Mother
  9418 B There Must Be A Bright Tomorrow
  9419 A Down The Lane Of Memory
  9419 B Under The Old Sierra Moon
  9420 A Take Up Thy Cross
  9420 B I Heard My Mother Call My Name In Prayers
  9421 A He Left The One Who Loved Him For Another
  9421 B I've Nothing To Live For Now
 
Vocalion
Rec. No. Side Song Title
  05126 B Clover Blossoms