This site is a work in progress and will be updated frequently.  Please return often to share in honoring the lives and the memories of two men we all hold dear.  Our hearts go out to each and every family member, friend, and fan who is suffering from their loss.

Celebrate Their Life

To purchase the Black Legends of Springfield CD sampler,
T-Shirts, Posters, or to offer your financial support for the continued musical education of Springfield's African American students please contact David Shipps or Harold McPherson
or by mail to:  
Black Legends of Springfield Music
P.O. Box 5182
Springfield, MO 65801

Black Legends of Springfield Music*

In order to promote educational and career opportunities for school aged African American children of the Springfield, Mo. area, an endowment fund is being created to fund an annual college scholarship in the name of the Black Legends of Springfield Music.  Our first year goal is to raise $20,000 to create an endowment in support this endeavor.  Our first fund raiser at the Springfield Brewery August 2004, raised $1,000, half of which was donated to the Don Shipps Childrens fund.  In August of 2005 we sold a music sampler CD containing recordings of several Springfield musicians that was used to fund a $500 scholarship.

This scholarship will provide tuition assistance to musically and academically qualified African American students to attend the college or university of their choice.  This scholarship is open to any African American student in the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Fund raising will come under the non-profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporate umbrella of the Ladies Civic League of Springfield Mo.  We are currently going through the process of applying for our own 501(c)(3).

The scholarship is supported through the fund raising efforts of the Friends and Family of the Springfield Black Legends of Music.

The Friends and Family auxiliary consists of any and all active supporters of Black Legends of Springfield Music.  Points of contact are:

David Shipps            akshipps@hotmail.com

Harold McPherson:   The4max@juno.com    816-916-8580

Charlotte Hardin:     (no contact information provided)

Denny Whayne:        417-833-1966

Award of the scholarship is competitive and based on the college entrance criteria for eligibility that is currently being used by the Springfield R-12 School district.  We will award the scholarship to the African American student most qualified, both academically and musically.  In case of a tie, the scholarship will be divided equally.

The current trend in today's music on sampling and mixing of sound bites has de-emphasized the need for music theory, writing and performance among younger music students. The Black Legends of Springfield Music will partner with the Music Departments of Southwest Missouri State University and Drury University to help provide once a week free private music lessons for African American 8^th grade and above students.

In tribute to the living legends of music of Springfield, part of our charter will be to give tribute and recognition to living legends while we celebrate the legacy of those who have passed.

The list of deceased legends includes:

• Dallas Bartley bass,
• Gerald Brooks Band Director/teacher, brass instruments,
• John "Bebop" Brown tenor saxophone,
• Donald Shipps , bass, guitar and accordion. 
• Florence Duncan, piano,
• James Logan, Vocals
• Elbridge Moss, vocals
• Clarence Rice, Jr., Vocals
• The Hardin Brothers George, Joe, Donald and William;
• Dempsey Pike guitar,
• Leo Bedell drums,
• Hurley Bedell drums,
• Bobby Shockley saxophone,
• Harriet Coker piano,
• Florence Thompson piano/teacher,
• Mary Jane McPherson beginning music and percussion
• Florence Adams piano,
• Eddie Eugene drums/tap dance,
• Doc Dasher composer and tap dancer,
• Mr. Lucky, guitar,
• Lloyd Robert Bedell, piano,
• Kim Jefferson, drums,
• Sababa Buhutu, drums & African percussion,
• Adah Fulbright, piano/teacher,
• Ray Pike and the Jazz Hounds;
• Wollard brothers;
• Charlie Andrews, leader of the Silver Cornet band.
• Eddie Starks Band Leader
• Charles Armstrong  Saxophone

Dallas Bartley

Dallas graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1933 with Saxophonist John "Bebop" Brown and Drummer David Bedell.  In their senior year, they formed the band called the Lincolnites.  Dallas played the ukulele at that time.

Dallas played bass with the original Louis Jordan Tympani Five and composed many of the groups greatest hits, including "Small Town Boy" composed in Chicago when he was 18.  He worked with the leading jazz artists of his era performing with Billie Holiday and Earl "Fatha" Hines.   He also played the Apollo and Blackhawk Theaters and major clubs around the country with Jordan and his own band, the Small Town Boys. 

John "Bebop" Brown

Tenor Saxophonist "Bebop" Brown got his start professionally on the West Coast with the Rabbitfoot Minstrels and various bands and orchestras before settling back in Springfield.  Bebop's clubs on north Hampton and later the one on north 65 highway (the old Riviera club) were regular hotspots of entertainment for the black community.  Bop's clubs featured the likes of Bob Bettis on keyboard, Bobby Bedell on drums, Mr. Lucky on guitar and the Unholy Six and in later years Eddie Eugene on drums and tap dance. 

The Hardin brothers

Studied music under the venerable Miss Adah Fulbright.  While still in their teens, the brothers went to New York to audition for Major Bowes Amateur Hour.  They performed for a year on the East Coast, appearing at the Apollo and at Carnegie Hall.  Before one of the brothers got drafted into WWII, they recorded for the Decca record label. 

Wollard Brothers

Grant Wollard, had a small orchestra that played for events in the surrounding Springfield area. His uncle, Toby, played bass; James Rogers, piano. Haywood Wollard the was vocalist for this band, his sister, Lou Wollard Adams, played the piano.

Philharmonics

They were the most dynamic and versatile music group to ever come out of Springfield.  They were featured on ABC's national broadcast television show "Ozark Jubilee" in the middle 1950's along with Country and Western stars Red Foley, Brenda Lee and Porter Wagoner.  They also provided background vocals on many of those stars albums.  They won the famous Horace Heidt talent competition twice and then traveled on several tours with that Troop.  The group was composed of Eldridge Moss (deceased), Chick Rice (deceased), James Logan (deceased), George Culp, and Homer Boyd.  Joe Neal Hardin (deceased) was an earlier member of the group.

Their roots were in Gospel music, having started with pianist Florence Sample Thompson at Gibson Chapel Church in the 1940's.  Their talent enabled them to adapt to many different styles of music from gospel, R & B and pop to country and western.  They had splendid harmony, choreography, showmanship, a colorful wardrobe and an impeccable stage presence.

Don Shipps

Don was the premier bass player of his generation.  Born in 1952 Don was blessed with great timing, and the ability to play any style of music.   He played with various bands in Springfield from General Scott's Limousine, to Grannies Bathwater, Smoot Mahooty, Don Shipps and the Titanic Blues band, and he also was the bass player for the Motown group Martha Reeves and the Vandella's.  Don was a great musical ambassador who was able to bridge the gaps of all music styles and forge it into his own unique style and signature.

*All information on this page provided by Harold McPherson, Friends and Family of the Springfield Black Legends of Music.  Budget information available upon request via the mailing address above.