Historical Highlight (October 2018)

10/12/2018

Did you know...

Jimmie Wilson’s famous Catfish String Band made six recordings for the Raido-Victor recoring Company in Dallas: “Argentine Rag,” “Catfish Whiskers,” “My Two Sweethearts,” “Catfish March, “Comin’ Around the Corner,” and “Polecat Creek Blues.” Members of the band at that time were Jimmie Wilson, John Ed Harris, Bob Dennis, Oren Potter, Charles Potter, Bill Jones, Speedy Moulder, Perley Santee, Steve Neff, and Henry Minsky. (Sapulpa Herald, October 16, 1929).

The band was not really a "string" band - more like a "novelty" band - for they made their own instruments. We have a few of these homemade instruments displayed in our museum - check them out when you visit!

*Bonus* check out this link to hear their music:

Listen to the Music of Jimmie Wilson & the Catfish String Band

'Historical Highlight' features this-month-in-Sapulpa-history.

Historical Highlight is the second segment of the new series, "Then and Now." This particular segment will be available every 2nd Friday each month. The series will be available every Friday (July 2018 to June 2019).

4 Comments

Tammy Posey

11/24/2018 12:14:45 pm

Do you know if "Johnson's Farm" was an actual place, or simply a prop for this photo?

Sapulpa Historical Society

11/28/2018 10:08:20 am

What we believe is that Jimmie had a sense of humor and may have used it as just a prop. We think this because he would often comment on his radio show 'broadcasting from Polecat Creek' - when he was actually sitting at home. If there is/was such a farm, we may never actually confirm its existence.

Janis Myers

9/5/2019 09:47:25 am

Love the picture of the Catfish Band at Johnson Farm. My grandfather is in the picture and his name is not listed. Could you please email me so we could add his name to this page.?
Thank you
Janis Myers

9/5/2019 10:07:46 am

Yes, we need to add your grandfather's name! What's his name? Do you know which one he is in the picture?

Then and Now

Historical Highlight (October 2018)

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