Although born in Iuka, Mississippi, Shorty Fincher lived in Anniston Alabama
from the age of one where he grew up. In 1911, a younger brother, Hamilton — later
known as "Rawhide" — was added to the family. However, he and his brother's
entry into show business apparently took place in Pennsylvania about 1932.
Although his pre-war band usually bore the name Cotton Pickers, in January 1934
he recorded a number of radio transcriptions for the Crazy Water Crystals
Company under the name Colonel Jack [Brinkley] and Shorty's Crazy Hillbillies,
as well as six sides for OKeh at that time. In addition to Shorty and Rawhide,
then his band included a man named Shad Roe and a girl named Sue,
believed to be surnamed Fincher, and perhaps others.
RE: Further research indicates that "Susie" who was given label credit on two
the recordings she did with her brother and the Crazy Hillbillies was
indeed a sister. Her name was Ainis Thelma (Sue) Fincher Holiday. She was born
September 18, 1912. She passed away on September 23, 1998. In both Sally's
obituary and in the short biography included in a souvenir folio of Shorty Fincher
and his Prairie Pals From Radio Station W.O.R.K., Sally indicated she had gotten a radio as a gift and the
very first program she heard was of Shorty's Crazy Hillbillies. In 1934,
"Susie" got married to Gilbert J. Holiday and left the act. Sally wanted to be a part of it
and got the role and later, a husband.
Doc Williams in his first printing of his guitar instruction folio (and it underwent more than
a dozen printings and he often joked he put his daughters through school from its sales) contained
some history of where he worked and the band members that came and went. In 1938, Rawhide, Shorty's brother,
sustained some injuries jumping out of his third floor apartment in a fire. It took him a few months
to recover. Doc wrote that on June 26, 1938, he called it quits for the season and went on his
first vacation in five years. Rawhide decided to stay and joined his brother's band, the
Alabama Cotton Pickers who had just gotten a program spot on WWVA.
In the ensuing years, he played on radio over different stations including one
in Pittsburgh where Alexandra Kaspura, known as "Lonesome Valley Sally" (named
for a song), was added to the band.
RE: Alexandra Kaspura was listed as Lonesome Valley Sally in
a souvenir booklet of Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals. She married
Shorty on February 7, 1942. The confusion stems a bit from the fact that Alexandra's
mother's name was Laura Poniehtera, a native of Poland. Her death certificate
indicated her last name was Poniehtera and also indicated she was divorced.
Research in online newspaper archives revealed she was also known as Laura Rose Kacpura and Laura Rose Kasper. This
perhaps explains Alexandra's name in that booklet.
Other band members over the next few years included Florence Morosco or "Yodeling Flo,"
Dolph Hewitt who later became a star at the National Barn Dance, Ted Buchanan,
Tommy Nott, and Leonard "Lynn" Davis, who later married Molly O'Day.
The band toured some through Virginia and other southern states and
at some point worked at WORK radio in York, Pennsylvania, before coming
to WWVA and the Jamboree as well as daily programs.
For a couple of years, 1936-1937, Rawhide played with Doc Williams and the
Border Riders and then went to Shorty's band. Some of these band members may
not have stayed very long.
In the early 1940's, Shorty was looking for a place to base his operations
and perhaps other ideas. He found a seven acre tract of land just outside of York.
It was located one mile south of Hallam, PA on Yorkana Road. It was called "Valley View Park."
Shorty wrote of the park in one of his souvenir books, "...when we say Valley View, we mean just that,
because that same view (from the park entrance) can be seen from almost every part
of the park."
Shorty told readers that he rented the park the first summer. He and his gang did the work
that was necessary to make it comfortable for the fans when they came to the shows on Sundays.
But that was not enough. He had an idea and felt if the support from the fans was there,
he would buy the park and make further improvements to make it comfortable for the visiting
audiences. By the time the second summer rolled around, the park belonged to the Prairie Pals.
Once they owned the park, then the clean-up began in earnest. Shorty wrote that the venue
had to be enlarged. So, that meant "...trees cut down, bushes cleared out, stones removed,
stumps to be blasted out." They also build more tables for fans to enjoy a picnic lunch.
Shorty said it was indeed a team effort; everyone pitched in. Shorty said his father supervised
the project and Shorty felt in the end, "In fourteen years of travel I've seen a lot of parks, and I
still say Valley View is the best of the lot."
There was another aspect to the park that was near and dear to him. He set aside one day each
summer "...for the orphaned and under-privileged children of York and vicinity. A day when
they are the guests of Valley View Park. A day when they can get out and enjoy the beauty of
the country and forget the sorrows in their hearts."
In that same souvenir album, he relates a story of his early career and working with
someone that would find fame later. It was 1932 and he was at WMMN in Fairmont, WV. Scotty
Wiseman was also working at the station. Shorty said he and Rawhide went with Scotty
to a local store to make a recording that he would send to Chicago as an audition. The Prairie
Farmer folks at WLS liked what they heard and made him an offer and off to Chicago he went.
And of course it was there he met his future wife, Lulu Belle.
The first ads for the venue appeared May o 1940 and were simply billing the appearance
of Shorty and his Prairie Pals and a couple of other local acts.
From that point on, there would be a day of entertainment each Sunday during the summer months
between May and September. As time went by, Valley View Park saw many famed entertainers,
not just hillbilly music centric acts.
|
Acts appearing at Valley View Park - 1940 Season
|
|
| May 12, 1940 |
Grand Opening of Valley View Park
Featuring Prairie Pals
Uncle Will and His Big Amateur Contest
Peaceful Valley Gang
Donald & Charleen
Coco & Chocolate (Sentimental black face comedians)
Marie Sukie
Crash Miller and his death defying motor cycle stunts
|
| May 19, 1940 |
Featuring Shorty Fincher's Prairie Pals
Happie Johnnie and His Funsters (From WBAL with Dapper Dan the Personality Man)
The Commodors with the Original SIlver Star Trio
Janette and her $1,000 Accordion (with Gus & Nemo
|
| May 26, 1940 |
Featuring Shorty Fincher's Prairie Pals
BReingers Marimba Band (10 People)
5 Girls with Acrobatic Dancing and Novelties
Pappy and the boys from Frederick, MD
|
| June 2, 1940 |
No promotional ad seen
|
| June 9, 1940 |
Willard the Magician
SHorty Fincher's Prairie Pals
Texas Rough Riders with Toby the Comedian
|
| June 16, 1940 |
Hawaiian Aces (Featured with Major Bowes)
Clowns, COmedy, Acrobats
Labell Ray Troupe (Featuring Boo the Wonder Dog)
Uncle Will from Radio Station WORK
|
| June 23, 1940 |
Shorty Fincher's Prairie Pals
Steve Riley and His Rangers
Greased Pole Climb (Cash Prizes Awarded)
Country Store Night
Free Offer For the Ladies - every lady attending gets a free pass for the show
on June 30.
|
| June 30, 1940 |
Ladies Day; Free Admission To All the Ladies
The Prairie Pals
Jolly Jesters (From Reading, PA)
Greased Pole Climb Contest (Cash prizes)
|
| July 7, 1940 |
Western Mountain Rangers
Ray Myers, the Armless Wonders
Greased Pole Climbing - $20 First Prize
Country Store Night (Ten Giant baskets of groceries given away)
|
| July 14, 1940 |
Slim Bryant and the Georgia Wildcats (From WRVA Old Dominion Barn Dance)
Shorty Fincher and the Prairie Pals
|
| July 21, 1940 |
The Boblinks Revue (Quartette of Silver String Artists from KYW - Philadelphia)
Greased Pole Climbing - Cash Prizes
SHorty Fincher and the Prairie Pals with Rawhide and the Australian bull-whip act
|
| July 28, 1940 |
Shorty Fincher and the Prairie Pals with Rawhide and his Australian bull whip act
Lone Star State Boys
Dorie Dale, Babie Rae (Comedy team with Acrobatic Dancing and Novelties)
|
| August 4, 1940 |
Big Amateur Contests - Two Big Prizes Given (One person given chance to travel
with Prairie Pals and a steady job to person meeting qualifications)
Steve Riley and His Rangers
Ray Meyers "The Armless Wonder"
Shorty Fincher and His Prairie Pals
|
| August 11, 1940 |
Balloon Ascension and Parachute Jump - Walter Kuhnert
Johnnie Autry and his Rhythm Rangers
Johnson's Bird and Dog Act (Direct from World's Fair)
Shorty Fincher and His Prairie Pals, featuring Rosa Lee, the girl from
"Grand Ole Opra Barn Dance"
|
| August 18, 1940 |
Four Big Vaudeville Acts
The Three Nitwits (From Hollywood)
The Tumbleweed Caravan (jovial group from the wide open spaces)
The Flying Twins (daring skating act)
Shorty Fincher and His Prairie Pals
|
| August 25, 1940 |
Willard the Magician
Carolina Slim and The Mountaineers
Shorty Fincher and the Prairie Pals (Rawhide, Johnnie Boy, Lonesome Valley Sallie,
CLyde and Rosalee)
|
| September 1, 1940 |
Three Big Acts Vaudeville
Breininger's Marimba Band (All star cast of nine people)
The Hawaiian Sweetheart Revue (cast of five people)
Shorty Fincher and the Prairie Pals
|
| September 8, 1940 |
Three Big Acts Vaudeville
Breininger's Marimba Band (All star cast of nine people)
The Hawaiian Sweetheart Revue (cast of five people)
Shorty Fincher and the Prairie Pals
|
| September 15, 1940 |
1940 Season Finale
Cackle Sisters (First appearance in the area; from WLS)
Pappy and th eBoys (From Frederick, MD.)
Shorty Fincher and the Prairie Pals
|
|
Acts appearing at Valley View Park - 1941 Season
|
|
| May 4, 1941 |
1941 Season Opening of Valley View Park
Arkie the Woodchopper (From WLS National Barn Dance)
Steve Riley and the Rangers
Co-Co and Chocolate (Blackface Comics)
Shorty Fincher and His Prairie Pals (Rawhide, Sally, Rosalie, Johnny Boy and Clyde Fogle)
|
| May 11, 1941 |
Tri-State Barn Dance Show (KDKA and NBC Radio Favorites)
Slim Bryant and his Georgia Wildcats
Stanton Sisters
Jack Taylor, comic and harmonica
The Lone Star Cowboys and Girls
Shorty Fincher and His Prairie Pals with Rawhide, a riot of Laffs!
23 People on our stage
|
| May 18, 1941 |
Betty Boop (Direct from Hollywood)
Sherman Brothers and Tessie (Radio stars - impersonations)
Slim and his Gloom Chasters (with Betty and Darling Sisters)
Jim and Jane's Western Vagabonds
Shorty Fincher and His Prairie Pals with Sally, Golden Voiced SInger
5 All-Star Acts ; 24 People on Stage
|
| May 25, 1941 |
Roy Rogers and Trigger (and his Entire Company of Western Entertainers)
SHorty FIncher and his W-O-R-K Radio Stars (Sally - Johnny Boy - Rawhide)
Gene and his Saddle Pals
|
| June 1, 1941 |
Reg Hehoe and his Girl Marimba Band
Stanley Brothers (Comedy knock-about Hand Balancing Act from NY)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals (with CLyde Fogel - fiddlin' champion, Rosalie - dnynamic blonde
cowgirl yodeler)
|
| June 8, 1941 |
Hoosier Hot Shots (From WLS National Barn Dance)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 15, 1941 |
Girls of the Golden West (From WLS Boone County Jamboree)
Hugh Cross
Johnny Wages (one man band)
Arno and ZOla (Comedy magic act)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 22, 1941 |
Hoot Gibson
Miss Montana (The Hollywood Cowgirl)
Balbanow Revue (Music, Dancing, Accordions)
Arno and ZOla (Comedy magic act)
Pop Melchoir & Co. (w/daughter Marie - Comedy)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals from W-O-R-K
|
| June 29, 1941 |
Dinning Sisters (National Barn Dance)
Coo Coo Cowhands (fomerly with Tom Mix)
Will Morris and Bobby (Comedy bicyle act)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| July 5 and 6, 1941 |
Ken Maynard (with his horse - Tarzan)
Lone Star Rangers
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
Saturday, July 5, was kiddies day - all boys and girls from Children's Home
and Christian Home were guests of Ken Maynard and Prairie Pals
|
| July 13, 1941 |
Lulu Belle and Scotty (WLS National Barn Dance and WLW Boone County Jamboree)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
Plus five New York Vaudeville Acts
|
| July 20, 1941 |
Sons of the Pioneers
Graybill (Dog and Pony Show)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
Plus Free Movies of Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians in Pleasuretime
Plus The March of Time's Tobacco Land, U.S.A.
|
| July 27, 1941 |
Polly Jenkins and Her Plow Boys
Cappy Barra and his Harmonica Band (7 Musicians)
Leroy the Frogman
Jack and Mable Lund (balancing act)
Lew Myers (comedy juggler)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| August 3, 1941 |
Tri-State Barn Dance
Slim Bryant and his Georgia Wildcats (From KDKA)
Cowboy Jack and his Educated Horse Captain
Steve Brenner (Ventriloquist with Jerry)
Agnes Kasper (Queen of the Accordion)
Radiana (Girl Dancer from N.Y. World's Fair)
Stanton Sisters (Harmony Singers)
Kavanaugh and Raymond (Comedy - Novelty Act)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| August 10, 1941 |
Eton Boys
Mort Lawrence - Boys Dawn Patrol (From Radio station WIP)
Hack Sisters (Instrumental Entertainers)
Popeye and Wimpy (For a hearty laugh)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| August 17, 1941 |
No promotional ad seen
|
| August 24, 1941 |
Valley View Park closed until further notice.
|
| August 31, 1941 |
Valley View Park closed until further notice.
|
| September 7, 1941 |
No promotional ad seen
|
| September 14, 1941 |
No promotional ad seen
|
| September 21, 1941 |
No promotional ad seen
|
| September 28, 1941 |
No promotional ad seen
|
|
Acts appearing at Valley View Park - 1942 Season
|
|
| May 3, 1942 |
Season Opening Show
Curley Bradley (NBC Artist)
Red Newman and Company
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| May 10, 1942 |
Mac and Bob (From WLS National Barn Dance)
The Three Loose Nuts
The Kirkillos Trampolline Act
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals presenting Rosalie, the Champion Yodeler
|
| May 17, 1942 |
Carson Robison and His Buickeroos
Raymond and Gladys Frye (Chamption Horseshoe Pitchers)
The Melody Rangers (From Radio Station WFMD(
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals featuring Bonzie The Blue-Eyed Singer
|
| May 24, 1942 |
The Four Vagabonds (Blue Network Premier Quartette)
Mary Jane and her Merry Melody makers
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals featuring Rawhide The Funny Bone Fellow
|
| May 31, 1942 |
Hank Lawson and His Knights Of The Road
Freckles Ray (From "Our Gang" Cimedy series)
The South Mountain Rangers (The Hill-Billy Serenaders To Twang Your Chords of Mirth)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals featuring Sallie SInging the songs you love
|
| June 7, 1942 |
Big Slim Happy Ranch Rodeo
Quarantine (known in radio as its ugliest man)
The Great School Days Review (A Riot of Remembrances)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 14, 1942 |
The Three Loose Nuts (By Popular Demand)
The LaBella Ray Troupe (Novelty circus act causing you spasms of huzzahs)
Jim and Jane (Western Vagabonds from radio station WORK)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 21, 1942 |
The Carter Family
Trainer Graybill and Her Pals (Educated goats, dogs, ponies, cats)
Pop Melcher and His Buddies (trampoline, bar, barrel and clown act)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 28, 1942 |
The Three Guesses (Real Imitators of all the Stars of Stage & Screen)
Chuck Palmer and his Royal Rangers with Paopa Zeke (Star performers in Village Barn)
Penn Supreme 35-piece Band (York's own Meritorius Musicians)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - The Premier Stars of W-O-R-K
|
| July 5, 1942 |
Hoosier Hot Shots
Jim and Jane (Western Vagabonds from radio station WORK)
Willie Whistle (From radio station WEEU in Reading, PA)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - Your Five Favorite Friends and Able Entertainers
|
| July 12, 1942 |
Patsy Montana and Texas Lill
Slim and the Gloom Chasers with comedian Charlie (From radio station WEEU)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - The One Group Which The Soldier Boys Stay To Hear
and Praise Afterward — The Troup That Delivers Delight
|
| July 19, 1942 |
The Major Bowes All Star Unit (10 Stars - Winners of the 1942 Contests; Cyril Smith, emcee)
Troy Brown and Baron Lee (Movie stars)
The Three Glick Sisters (Charming Girls with Winning Songs and Smiles)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - Premier Artists of the York Radio
|
| July 26, 1942 |
Johnny Boy (Pv. John C. Huey, former member Prairie Pals)
The Musical Pellegrinos (A daringly beautiful revue)
Dare Devil Murphy (The Man Who Can't Be Hung - see him drop 50 feet and live to drop again)
Rekoma and Loretta (A comedy acrobatic team that will grip you)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - (Sally, the Song Bird; Rosalie, the Yodler; Clyde - the violiinst;
Rawhide, the rascal; Shorty, the leader of the pack)
|
| August 2, 1942 |
Hank Lawson and His Knights Of The Road (A return engagement by popular demand)
Landis and Company (World's noted straight Jacket escape expert)
Jesse Altmiller (with Biggest and Strangest Assortment of Musical Novelties seen or heard)
Pop Johnson and His Gang (Musical Novelty Troup)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - (Sally, the Song Bird; Rosalie, the Yodler; Clyde - the violiinst;
Rawhide, the rascal; Shorty, the leader of the pack)
|
| August 9, 1942 |
The Duke of Paducah (Whitey Ford)
The Grant Family (Four real fun makers)
Slim and the Gloom Chasers with Charlie, that scream of a fellow (From radio station WEEU)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - The Tribe of the Tingle Teasers Who Always Tickle and Thrill You
|
| August 16, 1942 |
The Southernaires (nationally famous NBC Quartette with three centuries of Negro music to thrill you)
Polly Jenkins and Her Musical Plow Boys including Uncle Dan (57 instruments and 1,001 surprises)
The Hawaiian Sweetheart Review (A charming team of boys and girls)
Bob Sanger, the Clown of Comedy
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - The Unit That Unites You to Your Dream Joys
|
| August 23, 1942 |
Lulu Belle and Skyland Scotty (From WLS National Barn Dance)
The Bar X Ranch Gang
Sunny Mark (Former singer with Cousin Lee troup)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - A Master's Show in Themselves Every Time
|
| August 30, 1942 |
Hoosier Hot Shots (From WLS National Barn Dance)
Jim & Jane (former York artists)
Landis and Company (World's noted straight Jacket escape expert)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - They Get You—Grip You—Gladden You
|
| September 6, 1942 |
Denver Darling and His Rangers and Rangerettes (Trailblazers to the Sunlit Peaks)
Bobby Gross and his Sunset Melody Boys (from radio station WKBO)
Raymond and Gladys Frye (Chamption Horseshoe Pitchers)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - Whom The Army Boys Call Their Favorites
|
| September 13, 1942 |
The Duke of Paducah (Whitey Ford)
Slim Carter and Brown Eyes (Heard over WWVA and WKST)
Raymond H. Dubb (York artist - famous afar for his wonderful sand pictures, rag, crayon and
chalk creations in beauty))
The Three Loose Nuts (For Rip Roaring Fun and Music; They Are The Bear Cat's Wow-wow
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - For More Fun And More Music They Thrill
|
| September 20, 1942 |
The Three Stooges - Moe, Curly and Larry - The craziest nuts that ever cracked open to split
your sides with laughter.
May and Her Melody Maids (Seven damsels to delight with variety)
Graybill and her Animal Pals (Trained goats, ponies, dogs - they're educated)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - The Life of the Party Always; All Except Rawhide—He is Life Itself
|
| September 27, 1942 |
The Southernaires (Return engagement by popular request - nationally famous NBC Quartette with three centuries of Negro music to thrill you)
Joan Lee and Her All-Girl Orchestra and Revue (11 beautifully gowned young women enrapturing by their music, songs and dances)
The South Mountain Rangers (Heard over WFMD)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - And Everyone a Star
|
| October 4, 1942 |
Grand Closing Day
Contests
Crash Miller (will drive fast auto head-on into 32-inch thick — 4-foot high solid wall)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals - Will hold open house to everyone for a Whooping Time
from noon till midnight
|
In mid-July 1942, Shorty had an accident at his father's farm near Hellam, PA. He was riding
a horse that suddenly reared itself up and caused Shorty to fall to the ground and then the horse
fell on top of him. A news article incdicated that Shorty had injuries to his back
and right ankle.
But the impact of World War II eventually impacted Shorty and his Prairie Pals. The July 26, 1943
local newspaper in York showed a picture of Shorty in uniform as a plant security guard.
The caption accompanying the photo contained some trivia. It is one of the rare occasions
that his real name is mentioned - Luther C. (Shorty) Fincher. It also noted that Shorty
had disbanded his group for the duration of the war. Johnny Huey and Clyde Fogle were
serving in the armed forces. Rawhide (Shorty's brother, Hamilton) was in defense work.
Shorty's wife Sallie was tending things at home. Rosalie Allen had moved on to New York
where her career would blossom.
It appears that the shows at Valley View Park were discontinued for a time. None were
advertised in August of 1943. There were a couple of shows in September. The promotional
ads indicated that Shorty was working with Rawhide, Nemo and Charlie. The park
had its closing show for the 1943 season on October 3, 1943. Tumbleweed Ludy along with Mary Jane
and her Merry Melody Makers, Jim and Jane, the Western Vagabonds, Landis the Wizard of Escape
were on that show.
Towards the end of 1943, Shorty had a new version of his Prairie Pals, but no indication
who was in the group. He seemed to work various Jamboree type shows with other acts
that were on radio station WORK.
Valley View Park's grand opening for 1944 was on Sunday May 7, fearuting
Karl and Harty. The ads indicated a new
Prairie Pals group, but Shorty was not mentioned. It was not until July of 1944 that Shorty's
name begins showing up in the ads again.
At the end of 1944, Coy McDaniel had become a member of the Prairie Pals.
In early 1946, Shorty and His Prairie Pals had moved to Wilmington, Delaware where he had
a show over radio station WDEL. Billboard told readers that Shorty had leased a spot
at Deemer's Beach which included a Merry-Go-Round, 12 concessions, rink and penny arcade.
The venue was to open on May 5, 1946. Bookings for the venue were to be handled by Frankie More, from
York, PA who also booked Valley View Park, Indian Echo Cave, Mountain Gretna Park
and Happy Johnny's Park in Baltimore. Research shows that he operated this venue for only
the one season in 1946. It was located in New Castle, DE, about seven miles south of Wilmington.
|
Acts appearing at Deemer's Beach - New Castle, DE - 1946 Season
|
|
| May 5, 1946 |
Season Opening Show
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
Happie Johnnie (featuring Dapper Dan Comedian
Joe Diorio (songs and comedy)
Harry Starker (Whistling Ventriloquist)
Miskey Sisters (Spanish dancers; acrobatic and adagio)
Smoky and Henry (black face comedians)
|
| May 12, 1946 |
Duke of Paducah
Bud Messner and his Saddle Pals
John Lucyn (Acrobatic and Hand Balancing Act)
Tumbleweed Ludy (Singer and Yodeler Deluxe)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| May 19, 1946 |
Nancy Martin (From Breakfast Club)
Virgil Neal and Troupe (A Hill Billie Show You Will Enjoy)
Merridith and Snoozer (A man and his educated dog)
Shertzer's Band (Musical Novelty Show)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| May 26, 1946 |
Lulu Belle and Scotty
Coon Valley Ramblers (Western Novelty Show)
Martinez Animal Circus
Argentina Duo (Bull Whippers Extraordinary)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 2, 1946 |
Kuhnert Brothers Aerial Show (Balloon ascension and poarachute jump)
Pee Wee and His Range Riders
Harvey Mearns (Musical novelty act)
Pee Wee Roberts and his Hoe Downers (A Hillbilly Novelty Show)
Monroe and Adams (Juggling extraordinary)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 9, 1946 |
Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys
Al Carlton (comedy bell ringing)
Blue Hen Ramblers (Hill Billie Novelty Act)
Wacky Esther Sisters (Dance Comedienne)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 16, 1946 |
Arkie the Woodchopper (From WLS National Barn DAnce)
Ray Myers, The Armless Wonder and His Golden Valley Folks (From WEEU)
Tex Rose (Wire and Balancing - a laugh a minute)
COlta and Colta (Magic and Marionettes)
International Rollos (Skating perfection)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 23, 1946 |
Pete Cassell (From WWVA)
Harold Pratt and the Hawaiian Sharps
Pal Costa and Doc Mifflin (Accorionist and Card Expert)
Pop Melchoir and Marie (Trampoline Act, With a Laugh a Minute)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| June 30, 1946 |
Cackle Sisters (From WSM Grand Ole Opry)
Hal Richie (Ventriloquist)
Maryland Pioneers (Hillbilly Novelty Groups)
Tennessee Pals (A western act full of songs and music)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| July 7, 1946 |
The Revelers (Singing Quartette)
Harvey Mearns (Musical Novelty Act)
Miskey Sisters (Acrobatic and Adagio Dancing)
Ernie McGee (Cartoonist)
Geery Epley and Cheerful Valley Gang (Hill Billie Novelty)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| July 14, 1946 |
Duke of Paducah
Santa Fe Rangers
Reidel, the Magician
Kelo Brothers (comedy acrobats)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| July 21, 1946 |
Polly Jenkins and Her Pals
The Revelers (SInging Quartette)
Joe Boyle (Comedy juggler)
The Davis Twins (From WWVA)
Great Fireworks Show
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| July 28, 1946 |
Lulu Belle and Scotty (From WLS National Barn Dance)
Pee Wee and His Rangers
Captain John Schreimer (Ventriloquist and Magician)
The Two Texans (Musical novelty - music on saws, balloons, etc.)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
|
| August 4, 1946 |
Red Foley
The Four Pals (a western act)
The Revelers (Singing quartette)
Mason Dixon Liners (Hill Billie Novelty Group)
Starlette Sisters (table contortion, tumbling, foot balancing and contortion ring act)
Slim Bland and his Guitar
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
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| August 11, 1946 |
Toby Stroud and His Radio Show (From WWVA)
Michael Coldman (Radio Artist - comedy quiz show)
Ozark Drifters (Hill Billie Show with something new)
Lorenzo - Magician
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
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| August 18, 1946 |
Reed Dunn - Singing Mountaineer (From WWVA)
The Prestons (Skating Act)
Coo-Coo Cowhands (Hill Billie Novelty)
Saylor Sisters (Singing that you will enjoy by this western novelty duo)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
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| August 25, 1946 |
Joe Barker, Little Shirley and the Chuck Wagon Gang (From WWVA)
Lillian Orr (Musical Novelty)
Dixie Playboys with the Carolina Sweethearts (Hill Billie show with plenty of good singing and yodeling)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
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| September 1, 1946 |
Curly Miller and his Ploughboys (From WLS)
Martinez Animal Circus
Maryland Pioneers (Hill Billie Act)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
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| September 8, 1946 |
Frank Annini and His First State Fireworks Show
Virgil Neal and his Gang (western act with imitations of all kinds)
Broadway Buckaroos (A Hill Billie Novelty)
Hal Ritchie (Ventriloquist)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
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| September 15, 1946 |
Slim Bryant and the Georgia Wildcats (From KDKA - Pittsburgh)
Bud Messner and Saddle Pals
JImmy Carter and the Melody Boys (western novelty act)
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals
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| September 22, 1946 |
The WWVA Jamboree
Pete Cassel (King of the Hillbillies)
Joe Barker and his Chuck Wagon Gang with Shirley and Little Nancy)
Big Slim (The Lone Cowboy)
Reed Dunn (Singing Mountaineer)
Millie Wayne and BOnnie Baldwin (Singing Rangerettes)
Hawkshaw Hawkins
Honey and Sonny Davis
Ed Moose and His South Mountain Rangers
SMiley Sutter (West Virginia's Champion Yodeler)
Touby Stroud and his Blue Mountain Boys
Shorty Fincher and his Prairie Pals (Farewell Appearance - end of season)
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Shorty was back at WWVA in 1946 with a mostly
new band called the Prairie Pals. Billboard told readers that Shorty and his group
would begin on September 28, 1946. They were to start doing personal appearances
in the area on October 15 and reports were they were already booked solid.
Along with Shorty, the Prairie Pals included Lonesome Valley Sallie and Rawhide.
Radio listings in 1946 and most of 1947 show Shorty had a program heard over WWVA.
In addition to himself and "Rawhide," who now
was known as "Cowhide," it included Johnny Huey, Clyde Fogel (1910-1992),
Bud Sloan, and a girl named Sally, who may or may not have been the pre-war
Lonesome Valley Sally. How long they remained at WWVA is uncertain, but
they did not appear in later cast photos.
In January of 1947, Shorty added George (Pud) Sloan to the Prairie Pals ensemble.
He was from Oxley, Missouri and played electric steel guitar.
In May of 1947, Shorty was preparing his new park, Golden Oaks Country Music Park,
near Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The planned opening day was May 4, 1947. He was going
to carry on with his usual approach - music and entertainment from 1:00pm to 11:00pm
every week and would book top names to the venue as well.
They were being heard
over WWVA in Wheeling at the time. The Prairie Pals at this time were
Shorty, Lonesome Valley Sallie, Johnny Boy Huey, Clyde Fogle and Pud Sloan.
In August 1947, Billboard readers were told that Shorty and the Prairie Pals would
be leaving WWVA in September 1947.
Things were changing. In October 1948, readers of Billboard learned that Frankie More's Log
Cabin Boys had returned to WWVA. Joining the group was Rawhide, formerly with the Prairie Pals.
The operation of Valley View Park was turned over to Nemo Lippert of the Ranger Riders starting
with the 1949 season. Nemo was with WNOW in York and the station had plans to do remotes on Sundays
from the park.
It would appear based on research of promotional ads in the York newspapers that the last
show at Valley View park was on Sunday, July 28, 1957 and featured a young Brenda Lee.
During that summer, many of the stars from the hit television series Ozark Jubilee made
appearances at Valley View and other venues. Ads indicated that his band
was now called the "Rhythm Ranch Gang".
The Rhythm Ranch Gang and Shorty were busy in 1954. There was a daily radio show on WGCB
in. The group also had a half-hour television show over WSBA-TV (Channel 43). Country Song Roundup
reported that the group held a Saturday night get together called "The Rhythm Ranch" at
the Chestnut Street Auditorium in Harrisburg, PA. That show was broadcast over WCMB. The Saturday
night show as spontaneous and unrehearsed.
Shorty passed away on March 24, 1958. He was scheduled to appear on March 26, 1958
at a show sponsored by the Seven Valleys Fire company.
In May of 1958, a Memorial Program was put on by over 20 different entertainers at the YMCA
in York. Admission to the program was to be by donation. The proceeds were said to go towards
erecting a monument at the final resting place of Luther C. (Shorty) Fincher.
Ironically, Shorty's real first name was never mentioned in the promotional ads; only
in small local news articles reporting an accident or other news.
Shorty married Anna Kling on January 20, 1919. They had three children, Fred, Nellie and Donald.
They divorce and it appears she remarried. She passed away on January 26, 1981.
Shorty's second wife was Alexandra (Sallie); they had one son, James. She passed away on June 4, 1987.
Rawhide (Hamilton Fincher) outlived his brother, he passed away on April 17,
1985.
Credits & Sources
- Hillbilly-Music.com would like to express its thanks to Ivan M. Tribe,
author of Mountaineer Jamboree —
Country Music in West Virginia and other
books that can be found on Amazon.com
and numerous articles in other publications for providing us with information about this artist.
- Shorty Fincher Hurt In Fall From Horse; July 15, 1942; York Daily Record; York, PA
- Now A Plant Guard (Photo with accompanying text); July 26, 1943; The Gazette and Daily; York, PA
- Fincher Leases Deemer's Beach; Spot Bows May 5; July 13, 1946; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
- American Folk Tunes; July 13, 1946; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
- American Folk Tunes; September 28, 1946; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
- American Folk Tunes; January 11, 1947; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
- American Folk Tunes; May 3, 1947; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
- American Folk Tunes; August 23, 1947; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
- Folk Talent And Tunes; Johnny Sippel; October 30, 1948; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
- Folk Talent And Tunes; Johnny Sippel; April 23, 1949; The Billboard; Cincinnati, OH
- Hillbilly Harmony; January 1954; Issue No. 28; Country Song Roundup; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT
- Seven Valleys Fire Co. Business Show Planned; March 13, 1958; The Gazette and Daily; York, PA
- Memorial Program Set for Shorty Fincher; May 8, 1958; The York Daily Record; York, PA
- The Simplified By Ear System of Guitar Chords by Doc Williams (1st Printing 1943); 1943; Andrew J. Smik, Jr.; Wheeling, WV
Appearance History This Month
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