The Grand Coulee Dam big-band era

In January 1950, a group of community leaders formed the Grand Coulee Dam Athletic Association to fund community athletic teams.

To help provide funding, the association booked nationally recognized dance bands to the Coulee Dam high school gym.

A member from the association had a close contact within the Music Corporation of America, which was the nation's largest booking agency for famous-name bands.

What followed between January 1950 and May 1953 was then described as the "Parade of Bands." Some of the famous dance bands that came to Coulee Dam included Lawrence Welk and His Champagne Music; Jimmy Dorsey and His Dorseyland Orchestra; Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys; Tex Ritter and His Western Band; The Skitch Henderson Dance Band; Jack Fina and His Orchestra; Leighton Noble and His Orchestra; Charlie Barnett and His Orchestra; Gene Krupa and His Orchestra; The Al Donahue Band; Anson Weeks and His Orchestra; Tommy Duncan and His Western Allstars; The Skinnay Ennis Band; Blue Baron and His Orchestra; Claude Thornhill and His Orchestra; Tony Pastor and His Orchestra; and Alveno Rey and His Blue Reys. Can you imagine being able to see the most sought-after bands in the country performing in a small high school gym?

Bert Smith,

Them Dam Writers online 2020

Picture courtesy The Star