WWSC countdown to 75 — Ken Maynard

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts leading up to the 75th anniversary of Glens Falls radio station WWSC on Dec. 18, 2021.

Actor and trick rider Ken Maynard, the first singing cowboy in the movie industry, was a guest at 4 p.m. with Slim Skellett and his WWSC Rocky Mountaineers.

The broadcast promoted a concert by the two acts that evening at the Odd Fellows Hall in Greenwich.

Maynard got his start performing with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and Ringling Brothers Circus.

He acted in movies from 1923 to 1944, when he resumed touring with circus shows because of insufficient income from acting.

Montana Slim Skellett and his band had a regular program on WWSC for about 18 months in 1947 and 1948.

Band members were Willie, Curly and Little Brother Willie.

The band frequently appeared around the Glens Falls area, and Skellett was a square dance caller.

“Skellett’s authentic western dance style is very popular with dance fans of the area,” The Post-Star reported.

Earlier in 1947 Skellett was performing on in Garfield, NJ.

Later Skellett and his band performed on WDLC radio of Port Jervis, in Orange County, which went on the air in 1953.

Sources: The Post-Star, Dec. 9, 1947; July 27, Oct. 12, 1948; IMBd; The Billboard magazine, Feb. 13, 1947.

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.