[78-L] Smoothies & Babs with the Ryan brothers

[Han Enderman]

For much more see:
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/No_Other.htm
and other pages (search: Babs)

I copy from this site:
  Above: Photo of The Smoothies (aka Babs And Her Brothers) from the cover of Down Beat magazine dated June 15, 1941. Excerpt from magazine: "One of the best-liked vocal groups in the game, The Smoothies are now part of the new Art Jarrett band, in its debut at Chicago's Blackhawk restaurant. Charlie and Little Ryan are the boys, Babs Stewart the girl." [Note: Ryan is the boys' last name ...they are brothers to each other, not to Babs.] 
  The vocal trio, formed in Chicago in 1930, joined Fred Waring's (Pennsylvanians) radio broadcasts in 1933. One of the show's sponsers was Old Gold cigarettes whose slogan was "America's smoothest cigarette". The trio would sing "You're An Old Smoothie" during the commercials, hence the origin of their alternate name "The Smoothies". 

  NOTE: "Babs" was Arlene Johnson when The Smoothies were with Hal Kemp's Orchestra and recorded for Bluebird/RCA Victor (1939-40), including "Say Si Si." 

  NOTE: There were several different "Babs" over time. On Decca, she was Blanche Redwine (billed as "Babs Ryan"). Almost all of the Bluebird releases, including "Playmates," had Arlene Johnson. A final Bluebird session in 1940 had Rosalind Stuart. There were probably other later "Babs" as the group continued until at least 1947 (ref. Apollo 1015). 

  Han Enderman

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Is anyone acquainted with vocal group The Smoothies, who used to sing 
with Hal Kemp?
According to some sources it was a trio formed by Babs Ryan and her two 
brothers Charlie Ryan and Little Ryan, with the girl being replaced by 
other singers later.
According to other sources Babs Ryan's brothers were Melvin Little and 
Charlie Little.
Lord lists Babs Ryan, Charlie Ryan and Little Ryan, and has no traces of 
Melvin or Charlie Little.
Kinkle, though, has I quote: "Babs Ryan and her brothers Charlie and 
Melvin (Little)".
Which could mean both that the boys' surname was Little or that Melvin's 
nickname was Little. In the register Kinkle has Charlie Little and 
Melvin Little.
Can anyone confirm either from other sources?
Kristjan
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