Though he started out as Tom back in 1918, he forever became known as Captain Stubby starting in 1938. Along with some friends from Indiana Central University he went into the music business (back then they were the Six Hoosiers). George Biggar (discoverer of Gene Autry and the Hoosier Hot Shots among many others) heard the boys on WDAN (a little 250 watt station in Illinois) and turned his car around, headed to Danville and signed the boys up on the spot to be on WLS in Cincinati - the most powerful station in America. A tour entertaining sailors interrupted his professional career for a time but after the war a stint in New York lead to National Barn Dance fame and a recording career that spanned decades. Tom left us in 2004 but his music will be around us forever.

After ABC cancelled the Barn Dance, our Captain and crew moved over to WGN and to Polka Go-Round on ABC TV.

By the way, his famous washboard is to be on display at the Cass County Historical Museum.

Over the years the Buccaneers had few personnel changes. Below is a listing of the key players:
Accordian: Peter Kunatz (piano), Buddy Ross, Tony Walberg, Pete Kaye
Guitar/Banjo: Sonny Fleming, Chuck Kagy (fiddle/madolin), Curly Myers
Bass Guitar: Tiny Stokes
Clarinet/Flute: Jerald Richards
Washboard: Captain Stubby

Fans room is coming. In the meantime, here are some of Barbara Stodden's pictures and memories (from the days when she was sweet 16)...

I am sending along some photos, one of all the Bucs, one of me with Stubby, and one of my brother Allan and me with Tiny Stokes. These were taken in 1953 at the Eighth Street Theatre -- before the days of good color film, so they were black and white.

The one with all the Bucs was taken in the little balcony studio there where they broadcast a program while the theater was emptying out and refilling for the second show.

Several times our family would travel from Wisconsin to Chicago to see the live broadcast of the National Barn Dance. We always bought tickets for both shows. The night the studio picture was taken Tiny had invited my brother and me to come to the studio when they were broadcasting that show. The announcer was Jack Holden, standing beside Stubby. Tiny is in the middle in the back. I am standing between Stubby and Sonny Fleming. Jerry Richards is kneeling in front. Pete Kaye is on accordion. He started playing with them after Tony Walberg was killed in an auto accident. In the background you can just see the dress and legs of Sonny Fleming's wife. Unfortunately, we didn't realize until after we got the pictures back that you couldn't see her face.