Hudson Brothers Band

    HUDSON BROTHERS BAND -- entertained from the early 1920's to the 1940's.  This photograph was taken September 6, 1938.  From left, Ray Hudson, Bass Banjo (that he made), was a carpenter, boat builder and retired from Civil Service; Edgar Hudson, Tenor Banjo, owned Edgar's Grocery, served on the City Council for nine years and as Mayor from 1948 until 1950; Grady Barnes, Banjo, retired from the L&N Railroad; Brack Hudson, Fiddle, was the Champion Fiddler of Northwest Florida, was a carpenter and served on the Santa Rosa County School Board; Leonard Wolfe, Guitar, worked at the Post Office and later became the Postmaster; Grover Barnes, Guitar, retired from Civil Service.
    The band was hired to play for dances at the Imogene Theater, Johnson, Hoodless and Bayview Pavilions, Floridatown Inn and Sanders Beach.  They also played Gospel music for revivals.  They had a weekly 30-minute WCOA Radio Show that broadcasted from the top floor of the San Carlos Hotel in Pensacola.  Along with radio broadcasts, there were personal appearances at schools and community centers in Florida and Alabama where they performed a Comedy Minstrel Show.  They had a strong following.  Friends and neighbors would travel just to listen and fellowship during their practice sessions which sometimes lasted to early morning.  Even now, you can overhear some of the old-timers, friends and families say, "Remember the time...?"

SOURCE: THE SANTA ROSA PRESS-GAZETTE, 06/30/1994, by ROSA ELLA HUDSON
COPIED BY: IDA MAE HUDSON, 07/02/1994