My first and only band was in Tucson AZ in 1962. I worked at a club, Ash Alley 241, built by local Folk lovers. We had all the touring singles/groups traveling east and west at that time go through the club (Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Greenbrier Boys, Judy Collins, Travis Edmonston [Bud and Travis]) and others, best forgotten, who had jumped on the folk bandwagon. Michael Cooney, a local Tucsonian, did a week here and there. During the summer of 62, Dave Graham, part owner and local Folk DJ decided to put together a group to play at the club during the slow season (110 degrees in the shade) and the "Ash Alley Singers" was formed. Alan Fudge, Dave's brother, on guitar and one who liked the pop groups, Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, etc. Alan went on to a career in Hollywood on TV and in the movies. Bob Kimmel, guitar and bass, who liked blues and eventually formed the Stone Ponies with Linda Rhonstadt, a local girl. Bob eventually ran the concerts at McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica CA. Ellen Davidson - guitar - old Childs Ballads, she got married, and me on banjo and guitar with my list of obscure Southern Mt ground hog and piggy songs. We had a unique act where we all were on stage for an opener and then three would leave and one would solo and then one would come back on stage for a duet then another would come up, then all four, then three leave so Ellen could wail the Cherry Tree Carol or some such and so on and all on stage for the final "rouser". Lots of fun but we broke up after the summer. We did travel up to Phoenix one time for a gig but that was about it.
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