MAMA Celebrates Modesto’s First Commercial Band and Radio Station
In the final years of the Great Depression, Modesto’s first radio station, KTRB, took to the airwaves, broadcasting a lively mix of recorded and live music. The very first band to appear on the station was a group of five young men who called themselves the Swanee Cowboys. Each member was known by a distinctive nickname: Roy Sanderson was “Hungry,” Eldon Barrick was “Slats,” Cliff Wheeler was “Jake,” Stanley Dennis was “Skeeter,” and Sydney London was “Sy.”
As KTRB gained momentum, other live acts followed, including Arkie and the Hillbillies and the soon-to-be-famous Maddox Brothers and Rose. But the Swanee Cowboys hold a special distinction as the station’s very first staff band. Originally scheduled from 7:00 to 7:30 each morning, their growing popularity soon earned them a full hour—and a weekly paycheck of $10.
Station engineer Cecil Lynch even made an experimental test recording of the Cowboys on an aluminum disc. Since the group typically performed live on-air, that single disc remains the only known recording of Modesto’s pioneering radio band.One of the songs they sang on the aluminum disc was called “Just Because.” The song “Just Because” was written in 1929 by Sydney Robin, Joe Shelton, and Bob Shelton, and it was first recorded by Nelstone’s Hawaiians that same year. It gained further recognition when The Shelton Brothers released their version in 1933. Elvis and Brenda Lee both later recorded a rendition of “Just Because”.
Skeeter Dennis’ family members will be attending the MAMAs as well as Bob Lang for KTRB Radio
Other guests will be announced closer to showtime.
Thanks to Wes Page for this research and effort connecting the family for the MAMAs.
