Foggy River Boys

1940s group

The Foggy River Boys began as the Matthews Brothers, a quartet of ordained Disciples of Christ ministers from Poplar Bluff, Missouri. They hosted two daily live broadcasts on Springfield’s KWTO-AM. In 1947, they performed on the Grand Ole Opry’s national segment, The Prince Albert Show, with Red Foley. After two members left to preach full-time in 1948, the group reformed as the Melodizing Matthews, soon renaming themselves the Jordanaires after a local creek. They signed with RCA and released secular recordings under the name Foggy River Boys, derived from the Cumberland River’s nickname. By 1952, personnel changes brought in Gordon Stoker, Hoyt Hawkins, and Neal Matthews Jr., creating the lineup that would later accompany Elvis Presley.

1950s group

The Foggy River Boys' second lineup came together in Springfield around 1954. Charlie Hutton sang lead, joined by brothers Bill and Monty Matthews, bass vocalist Warren Holmes, and pianist Bill Hedrick. After their first season on the Ozark Jubilee, Charlie Hodge took over lead vocals, Don Taylor replaced Holmes, and Newman Miller stepped in for Hedrick. Hodge was then replaced by George Richardson in 1958.

The group recorded for Decca, Mercury, Starday, and Foremost Records, backing artists like Fess Parker, Homer and Jethro, Red Foley, and Bobby Lord. In 1957, Les Roberson replaced Monty Matthews. That same year, they became the Marksmen, with Roberson on baritone, Richardson on lead, Earl Terry on tenor, and Don Taylor on bass. Roberson, Richardson, and Terry hailed from Los Angeles; Taylor came from Lakeland, Florida.

They were regulars on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee from 1955 to 1960, and also appeared on The Eddy Arnold Show in 1956, NBC's Five Star Jubilee in 1961, and in May 1957 on the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show and Cliffie Stone's Hometown Jamboree in Los Angeles.