Reply-To: "Bluegrass music discussion." ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Lulubelle Dies
Myrtle Eleanor Cooper, whom WLS National Barndance producer John ("Renfro Valley")
Lair nicknamed "Lulubelle" when he first teamed her with Red Foley, died last week in
North Carolina. She was 85, and became both a musical partner and very quickly the
wife of Skyland Scotty Wiseman.
Lulubelle & Scotty were the top stars of the WLS National Barndance and remained with
the Chicago-based show until they retired in 1958. They sang both comic songs and
ballads; Scott on the clawhammer banjo and Lulubelle the guitar. Lulubelle's smiling,
witty personality almost stole the act in spite of the gentle Scott trying to leash
her in. In fact, she would sometimes hone in on other Barndance acts, sometimes to the
chagrin of its other performers, most notably Jethro Burns of "Homer & Jethro" fame.
In 1936, "Radio Guide" readers voted Lulubelle "National Radio Queen," the most
popular woman in radio. She later served two terms in the North Carolina Legislature
after she and Scotty retired to Ingalls, NC.
Scott, author of the team's signature song "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You"
and co-author ("revisor") of Bascomb Lamar Lunsford's "Mountain Dew," died in 1981.
Lulubelle then remarried a family friend from North Carolina, Ernest Stamey.
Scotty also wrote "Brown Mountain Light," "Far Beyond the Starry Sky," "Remember Me
When The Candle Lights Are Burning" and many other ballads and novelties he sang in
duets with Lulubelle. He was heavily influenced by fellow WLS pioneer and early
country recording artist Bradley Kincaid.
In the early 60s the Wisemans came out of retirement to record LPs for Starday;
Lulubelle (who in later years insisted on being called "Lula Belle") recorded
"Snickers & Tender Memories" for Old Homestead in 1986 which is still available on
cassette.
Lulubelle & Scotty also broadcast on WSM's Grand Ole Opry in 1948, 1950 and 1952. They
made seven Hollywood films including the apparently lost Paramount "National
Barndance," and starred in the films with Roy Acuff and Roy Rodgers among others. The
duo recorded 78s for Columbia, Bluebird, Vogue (picture records), Conqueror,
Brunswick, London, Mercury and Vocalion. They also were members of TV's "Ozark
Jubilee" and performed from 1949 thru 1957 on WNBQ-TV, Chicago.
On personal appearances Lulubelle & Scotty shared the stage with the likes of Gene
Autry, Fibber McGee & Molly, George Gobel (then "Little Georgie Goebel"), Lum & Abner,
Burl Ives and Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Lulubelle was born in Boone, NC, 40 miles from Scotty's birthplace in Ingalls altho
they didn't meet until their tenure began on the WLS Barndance. Lulubelle leaves a son
and a daughter.
BILL KNOWLTON: "BLUEGRASS RAMBLE," WCNY-FM: Syracuse, Utica, Watertown NY
(since 1973)
...my research, by the way, tells me they were, for a time on WLW. Anybody know
anything about that?!
