Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jul 23 - 08:10 PM

I'm Eric Marsh's daughter, Stanley's grand-daughter!
Dad always said that Big Bill's recording of 'You Are My Sunshine' that he played on (he was a guitarist) would have been a chart-topper if they'd had a hit parade in those days!
My email is [e-mail] if you'd like to get in touch?
Louise Marsh

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Allan Harper
Date: 06 Aug 19 - 10:55 AM

My email is: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Allan Harper
Date: 06 Aug 19 - 10:42 AM

Hi
I'm one of Norman Harper's 4 sons in Switzerland. I was looking for recordings of that radio show, I suppose with Big Bill Campbell. It is also very difficult or impossible to get something from BBC. Therefore, if you have recordings of my father, how would it be possible to acquire it.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: cnd
Date: 24 Aug 16 - 06:41 PM

Here's some links and a CD you can buy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqcZpSeXyYQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9AcaBSGrRk

http://country-music-archive.com/country-cds/big-bill-campbell-rocky-mountain-rhythm/

Hope that helps some with hearing his music

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Liz Taylor
Date: 24 Aug 16 - 06:31 PM

I know it's a long time since anyone has posted to this thread but I've just come across it. I've recently found out that I'm related to Eric and Keith Marsh (also known as the "Marsh brothers") who used to tour with Big Bill. Their father was my maternal grandmother's brother, an actor, Stanley Marsh. They and their sister had followed him into a career on the stage. I have only just discovered this branch of the family as my grandmother never mentioned her brother or his family so I don't know a lot else apart from a few newspaper articles/ adverts on the internet. I would be intrigued to know more and especially hear any recordings

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Frank Ravlen
Date: 20 Jul 12 - 10:30 AM

Hi there, Some time ago I replied re Norman Harper whose Mother Elsie visited with us in Gorton,Manchester. (I can't find it on this site) when Norman was at Belle Vue Circus. We tried to make her comfortable as she felt a bit strange in our non-central heated terraced houses. I was only young at the time but I remember she was a nice plump lady with glasses on and spoke with an american accent but she may have been Canadian.She sent us food parcels for a couple of years afterwards.I have her photo somewhere,also a signed one of Norman and his horse.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 05:07 AM

Seeking information on a music-hall act "5 Canadian Mounties" during the 1940s/50s with names of Bill, Lew, Dave, Harry and Sam who I am led to believe were all Welsh lads.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 02:10 PM

Hello to guest Charlie
I was raised in the same village as Peggy and I know of a brother named Graham.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jun 12 - 08:38 AM

Hi Polly
My name is Royston Smith, aged 68, retired and I have a great interest in family and local history. For the past five years I have been researching my local village of Brithdir in the Rhymney Valley in Glamorgan, South Wales with the aim of writing the village history. I am a former resident of Charles Street and old neighbours have told me that a local girl who use to live in the same street by the name of Pearl Williams was also known as 'Peggy Bailey' and they remember going to see her in the Big Bill Campbell show.

I note from the forum that Big Bill was your grandfather and married to Peggy. I would very much like to obtain a photograph of Peggy Bailey, and wondered if you would have a photograph of her or of them together. Anything you could tell me about her would also be a big help.

Regards
Roy

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 02:17 PM

Looking for a photo of Pearl Bailey, can anyone help?

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,TERRY
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 04:16 AM

I SAW THE BIG BILL CAMPBELL SHOW LATE FORTIES/EARLY FIFTYS AT THE PENGE EMPIRE WHICH STARTED MY LOVE OF COUNTRY MUSIC AND MY FASCINATION FOR THE HISTORY OF THE EARLY WEST AND MOUNTAIN MEN AND HAS DRAWN ME TO HOLIDAY IN WYOMING FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS.THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER ARTIST ABOUT THAT TIME WHO RODE HIS HORSE DOWN PENGE HIGH STREET WHILST APPEARING AT THE PENGE EMPIRE THAT WAS SHERIFF JOHNNY DENNIS,ALSO APPEARING WITH BILL CAMPBELL WAS AN INDIAN CHIEF WHO WOULD CRACK A BULL WHIP OVER THE HEAD OF THE AUDIENCE,AH MEMORIES

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Roy Smith
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 06:41 PM

Hi all
Can anyone remember a Welsh girl singing with Big Bill?

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 06 Sep 11 - 03:40 PM

BIG BILL CAMPBELL Rocky Mountain Rhythm CD D 001
Rocky Mountain Rhythm/ I Like Mountain Music/ Covered Wagon Lullaby/ Hillbilly Jamboree/
The Call Of The Canyon/ Wait For Me Old Faithful/ Wouldn't Take A Million For The Old Grey
Mare/ The Strawberry Roan/ The/ Lonesome Trail Ain't Lonesome Any More/ Rollin' Plains/
Goin' Down To/ Santa Fe Town/ Red Hills/ Old Cowboy/ Sourdough Dan/ I Want To Be A
Cowboy's Sweetheart/ Moonlight Valley/ My Wagon, My Horse And Me/ Rocky Mountain
Melodies/ The Old Red Bar

ZEKE WINTERS A.K.A. BIG BILL CAMPBELL WITH ROCKY MOUNTAINEERS &
BUNKHOUSE BOYS CD D 008
Hill-Billy Songs-Medley Pts. 1 & 2/ It Ain't Nobody's Biz'ness What I Do/ I Laughed So Hard I
Nearly Died/ Blazin' The Trail/ At The End Of The/ Caribou Trail/ Hang It In The Hen House/
Haul That Timber/ Polly Wolly/ Doddle/ Big Rock Candy Mountain/ Little Red Caboose Behind
The Train/ Intro: Pony Boy/ I'm An Old Cowhand/ Red River Valley/ In 1992/ Wah-Hoo/ The
Wheel Of The Wagon Is Broken/ They Cut Down The Old Pine Tree/ When It's Harvest Time/
The Sunset Trail/ Saddle Your Blues To A Wild Mustang/ Christmas In The Rockies Pt.2/
Springtime In The Rockies/ Wal I Swan/ Springtime In The Rockies/ On A Good Old Time Straw

Both available (CD ) from CAMSCO Music. $12.98+S&H

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Mary
Date: 06 Sep 11 - 06:56 AM

I was one of his rocky Mountaineers playing violin way back in 1941 joining the show in Edinburgh at the Empire?? and toured with them for several months before joining up with a musical act and going off with them ..a long time ago I remember Harold Walden the Comedian Bob and Rita Acrobats Jack Mitchell Ken and Eric Marsh Lost touch with them all when my life moved on ..We shared digs and   a lot of fun times as well as lucky escapes. South Sheilds theater was bombed the night after we left Lll a long tiime ago!

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,GUEST Jeanc
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 10:03 AM

Hi Polly
I tried to email you asking for details about Big Bill Cambpell: I live in Littlebury, Essex where he lived and is buried. I am trying to collate information for our village history society; so any information you or others could give would be most welcome. As yet I have never found any photographs of him in the village -but there may be one out there somewhere! If anyone could contact me my email is [e-mail] - hope to hear from someone soon.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jul 11 - 11:59 AM

Hi Polly,
I am in contact with Mickey Dogherty, who is the son of Sgt. Ed Dogherty, from the Big Bill Campbell Show and he would like to get in touch with you. Not having his email address to hand, could you please reply to mine, which is : [e-mail]
With thanks,
Hugh

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Herb
Date: 05 Jul 11 - 04:34 PM

My father and i had tickets to see Big Bill in Ipswich when we heard that he had died. Ipswich Hippodrome I believe. I remember my mother
singing his songs. Part of my childhood memories.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:50 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,pollyf
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 04:45 PM

My email is [e-mail] of anyone wants to know anything about my Grandfather, Clarence Church Campbell aka Big Bill Campbell. He was born in Ottawa, Canada.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: olddude
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 02:54 PM

You bet I remember

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: karen w
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 10:58 AM

Hi can you send me your email address because I don't know how to download on mudcat I will send some photes of norman for your mother       thanks karen w

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 03:55 AM

Now that is the first I have heard of that marriage in Hendon, tho about that time, 3+ years old, I was a regular listener to the programme which my mother thought I would enjoy as I was just getting into cowboys; & we happened to live in the Borough of Hendon.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Chrissy
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 02:42 AM

Clarence Church Campbell married Kathleen Mary Melsom in 1935 in Hendon and had a son and a daughter.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 11:38 AM

Hi Ray,

I wonder if it might be possible for you to send copies of those photos of Norman Harper to my email address ?
It is : [e-mail]
I have great childhood memories of that program and, as I wrote in an earlier thread, saw him at the circus in Manchester.
Best regards,
Hugh

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,ray hitch
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 09:55 AM

Big Bill's real name was Clarence Church Campbell and he was born in Medicine Hat Alberta Canada in July 1891 and died 24th April 1952. He was known as Zake Winters with The Rocky Mountaineers on Radio Luxembourg. I have two photos of Norman Harper from a Rocky Mountain Rhythm Programme and recordings of him singing "The Old Apple Tree" and "You Are My Sunshine" from a recording of the radio programme.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 04:46 PM

Hi Karen
Could you join Mudcat and send me a copy of those photos if possible. My mother is 93 and a photo would give a much neede memory jab
Kenny B

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 03:53 PM

Some contradictions in this thread. Was Big Bill Campbell's real name Zeke Winters or Clarence Church Campbell as both have been quoted. Can someone set the record straight please?

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 01:03 PM

Dear Karen,

I used to listen to Big Bill's Rocky Mountain Rhythem boys when I was a lad around 1949/50. I learned several of the songs and would entertain my family and even a show in school ! Ragtime Cowboy Joe and Rock Me To Sleep In My Saddle, sang, I think by Norman Harper - who was your father ! How amazing ! I even saw him at the circus - Belle Vue, in Manchester, singing on his horse. He was my boyhood hero !
I would love to correspond with you and learn a little more about your father and his life and career.
My email address is [e-mail]
Best regards,
Hugh Flint

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,karen w
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 03:33 PM

hi my name is Karen Wright I am the daughter of norman harper "THE YODELING BUCKEROO" and his wife Doreen, my parents seperated in 1952 and I lost contact with my father, my mother told me stories of their life together on the stage and I have some old photos of him and Starlight his horse. After much research I discovered, through the Salvation Army,that norman passed away in Wetzikon Switzerland in 1976. I would be grateful if anyone has any information on norman's life between 1952 and 1976
Thankyou Karen w

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 04:40 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 06:17 PM

Hi Guest
Do you have any info regarding Norman Harper who was certinly the Yodelling Cowboy
I saw the Rider of the Range show in the Glasgow Pavillion? theatre and Norman Harper sang onstage on his horse "Starlight".
After the show I went with my mother and father to meet Norman and his wife in the dressing room. My parents knew Norman Harper and Ted Hockeridge who both had been billetted in Clydebank with the Canadian Navy during WW2. We then walked Norman and Starlight to the stables around the New City Rd area and I got 10 seconds or so held on Starlights back before before he was stabled for the night.
My mother(92) still kept a picture of Norman on Starlight in her handbag until recently.
Kenny B

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 11:29 AM

Polly you are correct 'Carol' Peggys First daughter was not his biological daughter but she was brought up under the illusion that he was and it wasnt till many years later and she required her birth cert to get married that it all came to light. Just for the record both peggy and her daughter Carol died a week to the day of each other carol on the 17th peggy on the 24th of december 2004. i would be interested to know who the other daughter was i know Anne from peggys side. and does anyone have photos?

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 10:14 AM

Ray    Big Bill DID die in 1951. I have been to his grave in Littlebury ,and also had long talks to Peggy when she lived in Bedford . She was known as "The sweet voice of the west",Buck Douglas was "the old cowpuncher" Norman Harper "The yodeling buckeroo" Mervin Saunders and later Eddie O'docherty "The sargent of the mounties" and Ronnie Braun played his old squeese box. Big Bill died in Ipswich in April 1951 while touring with the band. I have three CDs,a recording of the radio show and a touring programme signed by Peggy. I would answer any questions the best I can.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: Jim McLean
Date: 22 Aug 10 - 05:05 PM

Guest posted that Big Bill Campbell died in 1951. This can't be correct?

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Bazjaz
Date: 22 Aug 10 - 03:44 PM

My memory of Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers is the radio progamme always finishing with a line or tune saying 'The clock on the wall say's it's time to go home'

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 06 Aug 10 - 04:17 AM

If I remember correctly, Big Bill Campbell always sang " Peg o' my Heart, I love you" on all his BBC Saturday early lunchtime shows, before Billy Cotton came on.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 01:06 PM

ray      Big Bill Campbell (Clarence Church Campbell) died in 1951 and is buried in the churchyard at Littlebury on the Cambridgeshire/Essex borders. I met Peggy a number of times when she lived in Bedford near her daughter (from her marrage to Ernest Durose)but I think she died a few years ago.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Polly
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:53 PM

Hi all, Big Bill Campbell was my Grandfather! He was a very interesting character!! To set the record straight; he was Canadian, had three wives, two sons, two daughters. Peggy Bailey (The Sweet Voice of the West) was his last wife. Peggy's first daughter was not actually Big Bill's!! I could go on and on...glad to answer any other queries..

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,john kellett
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 10:18 AM

Memories from my childhood.Also,I remember a discussion with army mates when I was in Egypt in '54-56.It was mooted that the mountie[was it really Ted Hockridge?]always sang "There's silver on the sage tonight" and that Peggy always sang "Prairie Rose" I remember that there were meat sandwiches to go with the applejack;and who could forget thatline from Little Red Caboose ----and the angels are all sober as they ride along in the little red caboose behind the train? In a radio interview,Bill explained that caboose referred to the brake van.Thanks to foregoing contributors for reminding me of agreat show

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,charlie
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 06:32 AM

hi Mal

im afraid to say Peggy passed away a few years back im not sure about Bill as she had re-married and moved to staffordshire some years back. I know at least one daughter was born in Brighton (my mum) who has also passed and strangely enough a week to the day before nan (peggy) if anyone knows what happened to bill and weather he is still around or went on to have more children i would be really interested also if anyone knows if peggy had any siblings i always presummed she was an only child as she never talked about family.

thanks

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: Fortunato
Date: 11 Apr 10 - 06:29 PM

very cool stuff.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Apr 10 - 05:28 PM

the song was the gypsy rover

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Mal from Brighton
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 05:21 AM

Big Bill and Peggy used to stay with my mother when they were playing at the Hippodrome Brighton during the war. Peggy was a lovely lady who became very friendly with my brothers and I.   She was only very young then but she seemed very mature to us - I was only about 11/12 years old at the time.   I remember they had a very big car (with seat belts!) and it was a very big thing when we went out with them. It was with Peggy I had my first taste of wine - happy days. I would love to know what happened to them and their later life

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 05:01 PM

Glad this is still going - and getting more interesting all the time. Shows how memories play up! I orignally posted it as '..Rocky Mountaineers', so mine's doing the same!

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: Jim McLean
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 07:04 AM

Lisa, thanks, it's because, as I posted earlier, I was visiting my brother then and he introduced me to this big man who my brother said was Big Bill Campbell.

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Lisa
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 04:42 AM

I will do Jim - any other questions :-)

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: Jim McLean
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 04:15 PM

Lisa, could you ask your neighbour if she knows whether her father lived in Sherlock Road, Hampstead, London in and around 1960/1?

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 03:44 PM

Another regular saying on the show was 'Pass around the applejack'. Anyone remember that? Burl

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Lisa
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 03:17 PM

My neighbour is the daughter of Big Bill and Peggy, Big Bill died when she was very young though.
If anyone knows where I could get a picture of the stage show I know she would just love it! I have been googling but not come up with anything yet.
Cheers!
Lisa

Subject: RE: Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers
From: GUEST,Guest David Jones
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 04:25 AM

Remember the Big Bill Campbell show very well, the door of the cabin would fly open when a new guest would come in, you could hear the wind and BBC would say "Put some more flapjacks on the fire". There was a fine yodeler as I recall. BBC was Canadian I think. Thanks for all the info.
Elton Hayes, "Sweet Music and a Small Guitar" was his logo. He was very good, did a great rendition of "The Highwayman"