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Floyd Curley and the Rythem Four Presents
Floyd Curley of Dutch heritage was born near Fulton, Illinois in 1919. Floyd's parents Clifford and Mamie Curley moved
their young family first to a farm north of Thomson, Illlinois, and then to a farm just south of Hanover, Illinois where the
Curley's were known for several decades for growing and selling a variety of watermelons including a hybrid Floyd's father,
Clifford, grew known as an "ice box" watermelon.
As a grade school youth, Floyd and his younger sister Bertha
traveled to area country schools to entertain. Floyd played his harmonica, guitar and sang. His sister, Bertha, played clarient
and also sang.
During their teen years, Floyd and Bertha traveled to Freeport, Illinois to play live on the radio.
Soon
thereafter, Bertha was married and moved away. During the 1940's Floyd Curley formed his small dance band and
played where he could such as the VFW Hall in Hanover and The Little Brown Derby south of Hanover on Route 80 (now 84).
Known musicians who played with Floyd Curley from the later 1940's to 1975 were Frosty Winters, Hanover; Charles Straight,
Hanover; Jimmy Straight, Savanna; and Buddie Anderson, Leaf River. We're still looking for others.
In 1955, Floyd
Curley was hired briefly by the famed Red Fulley to perform as a "novelty act' playing his harmonica and Hawiian steel guitar.
Floyd's style was unique and lively. About a week after Floyd began with the Red Fulley Show, the Show ended due to Red Fulley
falling ill.
What you will hear here from time to time will be four songs recorded by Floyd in 1978 in Nashville on
the Tree label. From time to time, you will also here some home recordings of Floyd performing songs such as (to be added
soon) and about five songs of his 1960's band known as the Rythem Four.
During the late 1970's and early 1980's Floyd
Curley also sat in with the Red Hinton Orchestra at the Black Angus Supper Club north of Savanna and would also play piano
and sing at Meeker's Supper Club on the south edge of Savanna.
We'll be back to update and add more on Floyd Curley
who played piano, harmonica, Hawiian Steel guitar, acoustic and electric guitar. Floyd also loved to belt his favorite songs
like " Five Foot 2," " Just Because," "Skirts," and many others that we'll be sure to add.
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