WBAM Deep South Jamboree WBAM Montgomery, AL

WBAM Deep South Jamboree Along about the mid-1950s, 1954 or so, Montgomery, Alabama audiences were listening to the WBAM Deep South Jamboree that was being hosted by Shorty Sullivan. Shorty happened to be the younger brother of one of the Lonzo and Oscar boys. WBAM was a 50,000 watt station back then. They wrote that Shorty and his Green Valley Boys were playing to SRO crowds down at the Fort Dixie Graves Armory in Montgomery. You do know that Montgomery was the home of Hank Williams, right? Another star of the show was Rebe Gosdin and his Sunny Valley Gang. They also featured a gal singer by the name of Judy Jenkins, who had been with the Roy Acuff show. Rebe had recorded on both the MGM and Tennessee record labels back then. He had also written a few songs such as "My Empty Arms". Rebe and his gang were quite busy with WBAM - they had appearances twice a day. Another star at the time on their show was Jack Turner, who had just signed with RCA Victor records back then and was said to be a protege of Hank Williams' mom. They characterized Ray Howard as being someone who could sing unusually smooth hillbilly music. Betty Howard was a featured vocalist, too and was Ray's wife. And they said the day was never complete unless Fred Wamble did one of his tunes in his own unique style with hillbilly songs. Some of the acts that were a part of the WBAM Deep South Jamboree included: Shorty Sullivan and his Green Valley Boys Rebe Gosdin and his Sunny Valley Gang Judy Jenkins, formerly of Roy Acuff's show Jack Turner Wayne Cobb Lonnie Allen Curley Culpepper Ray Howard and his Southern Playboys with Betty Howard Fred Wamble Shorty Sullivan and his Green Valley Boys Jack (The Singing River Boy) Turner Lonnie Allen Wayne Cobb Ray Howard Curley Culpepper Fred Wamble   Credits & Sources Country Song Roundeup No. 32 (Jun 1954), American Folk Publications, Inc., Derby, CT