By William “Skip” Deegans
Seventy-five years ago, this June, Greenbrier Valley residents had a treat when the Meyer Davis Orchestra and the Populaires performed at Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall.
For many years, one of Meyer Davis Orchestras played at The Greenbrier at afternoon teas and in the ball rooms. At one time, orchestra leader Meyer Davis had 80 bands. Known as the “society band,” his orchestras were sought after for weddings and debutante balls. Davis’ orchestras played seven presidential inaugural balls from Coolidge to Kennedy. Musicians who performed as part of the Meyer Davis Orchestras include Benny Goodman, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and Kate Smith.
For over forty years the Populaires played in The Greenbrier’s Old White Club. Initially known as the Four Populaires, the band was organized in New York City in 1945 and began appearing at The Greenbrier in 1949. The original members of the band were Bill Sloane (tenor who played accordion and piano); Bill Walz (baritone who played bass and piano); Chuck Bills (bass singer who played saxophone and clarinet); and Mike Powers who played guitar. The quartet would play in the Old White Club from April through November. In the winter, they performed in Florida at Pier 66, the Breakers Beach Club, The Everglades Club, and Jack Valentines Restaurant.
Mike Powers dropped out of the band in 1957, and Kenny Martin who had played with Guy Lombardo, Sammy Kaye and Jimmy Dorsey came on as lead vocalist and played the trombone and drums. The band became a quintet when Don Bayton joined as the drummer. They recorded eight LPs under the Squire Records label and one by Greenbrier Recording Company. During the Populaires tenure at The Greenbrier, the resort was owned by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O). A story was told that the C&O brought the Populaires to Cleveland to play for the annual board of directors’ Christmas party and paid them with C&O stock certificates.
When alcoholic drinks could only be served in West Virginia in private clubs, The Greenbrier’s Old White Club served cocktails and was where guests gathered for after dinner dancing. Undoubtedly, many romances were kindled and rekindled there while dancing to music by The Populaires.
Sources: Sentinel, Charleston Gazette-Mail, Beckley Post-Herald, The Miami Herald, The History of The Greenbrier America’s Resort by Robert S. Conte.
