Maddox Brothers
In the Depression days of 1933, Charlie and Lula Maddox took their five young children; Rose Maddox (b. Roselea Arbana Brogdon, 15 August 1925, near Boaz, Alabama, USA, d. 15 April 1998, Ashland, Oregon, USA), Cal (b. 3 November 1915, d. 1968), Henry (b. 19 March 1928, d. June 1974), Fred (b. 3 July 1919, d. 27 October 1992), and Don (b. 7 December 1922), illegally boarded freight trains and headed for California, eventually settling near Bakersfield. They followed the various harvests, working as "fruit tramps", and were soon joined by eldest son Cliff (b. 1912, d. 1949). All were musical, and to help their income, they began to play for local dances, with the 12-year-old Rose providing the vocals, even in noisy honky tonks. They first appeared on radio on KTRB Modesto in 1937, but by 1941, when they disbanded owing to Cal, Fred, and Don being drafted, they had become a popular act, due initially to appearances on the powerful KFBK Sacramento station. In 1946, they re-formed as the Maddox Brothers And Rose and became popular over a wide area. Their bright and garish stage costumes earned them the title "the most colourful hillbilly band in America". Cliff died in 1949, and his place was taken by Henry. By the early 50s, with an act that included comedy as well as songs, they were regulars on The Louisiana Hayride, played concerts and also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. In 1947, they recorded for 4-Star before moving to Columbia Records in 1951. Their successes included Rose's stirring recordings of "The Philadelphia Lawyer" and "The Tramp On The Street". Rose also recorded with her sister-in-law, Loretta, as Rosie And Rita before elected to pursue a solo career. The Maddox Brothers And Rose recorded their final session for Columbia in summer 1957, and with the departure of Rose the other members decided to call it a day. Fred Maddox went on to run the successful Fred Maddox Playhouse.
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