The Willis Brothers GUY WILLIS VIC WILLIS SKEETER WILLIS BIRTHDAY July 5 BIRTHDAY May 31 BIRTHDAY December 20 BIRTHPLACE Alexter, Okla. BIRTHPLACE .. Shulter, Okla. BIRTHPLACE .. Coaltan, Okla. JOINED OPRY 1946 JOINED OPRY 1946 JOINED OPRY 1946 Commemorative plaques and a cake help celebrate The Willis Brothers' ten years with Starday Records. The Willis Brothers, Guy, Skeeter and Vic, originally and their renditions of some of the commercial jingles known as "The Oklahoma Wranglers," are recognized on the Opry draw as much applause as regular musical internationally as one of the top country and western numbers. entertainment groups. The brothers have numerous record releases and per- Their colorful career began at KGEF in Shawnee, sonal appearances to their credit. Two of their most Oklahoma, and from there to "The Brush Creek Follies" recent hit recordings are "Give Me Forty Acres" and show on KMBC in Kansas City, Missouri. Following "Bob". Personal tours have taken them to England, World War II, they joined the Grand Ole Opry. They Holland, Germany, France, Ireland, Greenland, New- left to become the nucleus of Eddy Arnold's network foundland, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and every state radio and stage shows. They played the music on many in the union. of his early hit recordings, and also appeared in two movies with him. They pioneered "Jubilee, U.S.A." and The Willis Brothers have established themselves as later joined NBC's Midwestern Hayride. They were the a top act in every aspect of country show business. Guy, first group to back the late Hank Williams, later becom- the oldest and emcee of the show, plays guitar. Skeeter ing known as the original "Drifting Cowboys." is known as the "smilin' fiddler," and Vic is the accor- dianist who doubles on piano. All do solo or group -type The Willis Brothers have appeared on over 1,400 tele- work, including novelty numbers and impersonations of vision shows. In 1960, they rejoined the Grand Ole Opry, other artists. 123 .