Greetings Steven, I enjoy your site!  I am sending a photo of a Chicago & suburban band ;

 

"The Harmony Nites" dated 1939.  Hal Carlton played the banjo, lead guitar & sang.  He began his career playing  in the 1930's.  Never having a lesson he later on took classes but went back to playing "by ear" as it  was a natural for him since childhood.

 

The band played in Beverly Hills on the South side of Chicago as well as Downtown.  From jazz, swing,  to blues, the band was well loved. He married in 1941 and gave up his career to become the family man he always wanted.  Thus the band split. His three children were lucky as their Dad continued to sing and play teaching them all the old songs.

 

He was friends with Les Paul up to the time Les moved on to CA.  

 

Regards and keep up the good work, Jeanne