BT Memories

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At some point in the 1950s the Crackerjacks were invited to New York to appear on Robert Q. Lewis' CBS program. Lewis would often substitute for Arthur Godfrey during vacation periods. This photo is probably of a planning session for their guest shot. Sitting, from left: WBTV's Wallace J. Jorgenson, WBTV's Paul Marion, Robert Q. Lewis, ?. Standing: Sonny Smith, Arthur Smith, Tommy Faile, Ralph Smith. In the medium gray suits are the Harvesters Quartet: David Reece, Hershel Wooten, Buddy Parker, Pat Patterson and Bill Hefner (sitting on stage). The Harvesters appeared for years on Arthur's morning and weekly evening shows. In 1974 Hefner would retire from music to win a U. S. Congressional seat that he held for 25 years.

Show time at the Robert Q. program. Lewis is shown at left at desk. The Crackerjacks are on stage, and Arthur seems to be delighting the audience with some deft guitar licks (Guitar Boogie?). If this indeed is a fill-in show for Arthur Godfrey while the Old Redhead was on vacation, the musicians behind the Crackerjacks are part of Archie Bleyer's orchestra. Although the lighting equipment is labeled "CBS TV" this is obviously a radio show, since there is no set or room for the big bulky TV cameras of the day.

Courtesy Jim Scancarelli

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