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Show Volume VII Issue IV THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 9 December 1, 2002 Historical Band Days Playing music for romance for about 40 years, the Shorty Ross “Men of Melody” Orchestra was one of the most popular dance bands in Weber, Davis, Box Elder and Morgan Counties. Liberty, Eden and Huntsville were some of the primary band performance locations. During the 1940’s through the 1980’s, the orchestra played at hundreds and hundreds of dances, often on Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week. Vern Harrop was the band’s trumpeter for its entire life. This orchestra played for “Gold and Green Balls” church dances, “Sweetheart Balls” at the Officers’ and NCO Clubs, school dances, wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations, reunions, various dance clubs, the Eagles and the Elks, at the Ogden Golf and Country Club, and every Saturday night for 13 years straight at the Berthana Ballroom in Ogden. The photo taken at the Berthana shows dance band members: saxophonist Ellis Cragun; trumpeter Vern Harrop; saxophonist Grant Russell; marimba player, vibraharpist and band leader C.R. Shorty Ross; pianist Vena O’ Dell; trombonist Charles Letts; drummer Roy Critchlow; and bass guitarist Dee Sparrow. Other permanent or temporary members of the band included: pianists Ida Marriott, Wayne Devereaux, Leonard Fredlund, Lauro Planton and Marlin Hill; trombonist Otto Nye; drummers Herb Hillier and John Wise; bass violinists Maurice Campbell and A. C. Cook; saxophonists Mel Williams, Robert Springfellow and Orin Nate; vocalist Betty Ross; organist Eva May Chapman; and violinists Joan Stallings, Norma Fay Wright, Verlin Wood and Pat Van Drimmelen. Couples danced to scores of tunes, including “Alice Blue Gown,” “Always,” “Basin Street Blues,” “Because of You,” Canadian Sunset,” “C’est Si Bon,” “Charmine,” “Chatanooga Choo Choo,” “Dark Town Stutters Ball,” “Don’t Blame Me,” “Edelweiss,” “Elmer’s Tune,” “Exactly Like You,” “Hava Nagela,” “Heart and Soul,” Huindustan,” “Hold Me,” “How About You,” “I Married an Angel,” “In the Mood,” “Mama Yo Quiero,” “Pennsylvania Polka,” “Somewhere My Love,” “Stardust,’ “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” “Varsity Rag,” “Whiffenpoof Song,” and “Whispering.” Submitted by Lowell Marriott Harrop and Jerry Harrop of Ogden. Historical Photo The photo taken at the Berthana shows dance band members: saxophonist Ellis Cragun; trumpeter Vern Harrop; saxophonist Grant Russell; marimba player, vibraharpist and band leader C.R. Shorty Ross; pianist Vena O’ Dell; trombonist Charles Letts; drummer Roy Critchlow; and bass guitarist Dee Sparrow. Photo courtesy of Lowell Marriott Harrop and Jerry Harrop of Ogden. The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call Shanna 745-2688 or Jeannie 745-2879 if you have material that you would be willing to share. Jewelry Repair Silver & Gold Largest Silver & Amber Inventory in Town (801) 393-1986 278 Historic 25th St. Ogden, UT 84401 Taraneh’s 801-745-4000 2555 WOLF CREEK DR. EDEN STORE HOURS: MON. - SAT. 7 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 7 AM - 9 PM Dreyers Grand Ice Cream 1.75 qt. 2 for $5.00 with coupon Limit 2 per coupon Western Family Expires 12/15/02 Apple Juice or Cider 64 oz. 89c with coupon Limit 3 per coupon Expires 12/15/02 Shasta 2 liter Bottles 2 for $1.00 Limit 4 per coupon All Flavors with coupon Expires 12/15/02 Save $1.00 Fresh Deli on any Valley Market Pizza 12 inch or 16 inch Limit 1 per coupon Expires 12/15/02 |