Bud Messner

b. 9 October 1917, Luray, Virginia, USA. From 1938, Messner broadcast over various radio stations mainly in Louisiana, Maryland and Pennsylvania, including WWVA, WJEJ and WCHA. He appeared with singer Molly Darr, to whom he appears to have been married, and led his band, the Saddle Pals. He also worked with the Skyliners and accompanied Joltin’ Jim McCoy on his first radio broadcast in the mid-40s. Messner continued playing radio shows into the early 50s. He had a moderate hit with 1950’s ‘Slipping Around With Jole Blon’. Messner’s repertoire, which mixed lively hillbilly and western swing numbers with dolefully lachrymose ballads, included ‘I Died All Over You’, ‘Father, Put The Cow Away’, ‘Leaping Heart’, ‘Tell Her You Love Her Today’, ‘A Mother’s Smile’, ‘I Don’t Care What You Used To Be’ and ‘Mommy, Can I Take My Doll To Heaven’. In 1995, he performed at a concert in Cumberland Valley, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.