Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center Honored Hoss-Hair Pullers August 20

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Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center Honored Hoss-Hair Pullers August 20

 

An intimate group of relatives and community members gathered at the Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center to pay tribute to the Hoss-Hair Pullers on August 20.  The Hoss-Hair Pullers were formed by Dr. Henry Harlin Smith in 1926.  It was the height of the great string band era in America and Dr. Smith held a contest to find local musicians to form a string band.  The winners were grouped into a string band he named the Hoss-Hair Pullers.

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The group performed all over the state, “appeared” on KTHS radio in Hot Springs, and recorded a record for Victor Records in Memphis.  They achieved national acclaim because the signal from the Hot Springs radio station reached a broad national audience.

 

In a different era, the Hoss-Hair Pullers helped put Calico Rock on the map.  At each of their radio and public appearances, their introduction promoted beautiful Calico Rock in the Ozark foothills.

 

During the tribute at the museum, family members of original members were in attendance including Bryan Lackey’s sister, grandson and granddaughter; Owen Hunt’s granddaughter and cousins; and many more.  Reed Mac Perryman’s father drove the group to their appearances.  Dr. John and Laurie Lane currently live in the house that Dr. Smith built and lived in during his career in Calico Rock and were also present at the tribute.

 

The museum honored the group with a PowerPoint presentation, a performance by acclaimed fiddle player Emily Phillips, and a time when anyone in the audience could join in the musical performance.

 

The Calico Rock Museum builds a bridge between the past and present.  To learn more about our local history, visit www.calicorockmuseum.com or call 870-297-6100.