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Tex and Jess

About the Group

About The Group

Tex and Jess were seasoned veteran entertainers when we first find mention of them in 1954. They were airing over WMSA in Massena, New York then. Their act started some 10 years prior to that. By 1954, they were enjoying their third year at Cap's Inn in Messena, NY, which was located on the St. Lawrence river Power and Seaway Project.

Tex began his entertainment career with a personal appearance on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour show in 1943. Later, that led to sharing the show bill with such major acts as Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff as well as a traveling theatrical show by Montana George and the Buckaroos, the Tennesse Ramblers and others.

Jess Jessmer seems to have started entertaining folks a bit later, for it appears he first started after he served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army Air Force Band. Some of the big orchestras he played for included the Stan Kenton and Glen Miller organizations. He was said to be a whiz on 12 instruments, "...reads and fakes on all of them" and was quite adept as an emcee.

Timeline and Trivia Notes

Group Members included:

  • Tex Hubert, guitar and other stringed instruments
  • Jess Jessmer, emcee, 12 instruments

Credits & Sources

  • Cowboy Songs No. 34, June 1954, American Folk Publications, Inc., Derby, CT.