Verne Byers
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Verne Byers (1928 - November 1, 1959, Dubuque, Iowa[1]) is an American big band leader of an orchestra that plays music of the World War II (composers like Glenn Miller) for dance halls, ballrooms, and hotels around the country.
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[edit] Early years
Originally from Denver, Colorado, Verne started playing piano at age 9 but switched to bass in junior high because "there was more call for it". At the age of 19, in 1937, he joined the Musicians Union for $50. In his naivete he thought the work would come to him.
After playing in the Navy Concert Band during World War II, Byers worked with Ted Ferrido for a year and then toured with Herb Miller, Glenn's brother. Byers likes to tell people how Herb was jealous of his more famous brother and refused to play any of his songs. Eventually, the musician made his way back to Denver where he purchased a dance hall called the Rainbow Ballroom[2] and met his wife of 51 years.[3]
[edit] Family
Verne is married to Jean Byers. She is the widow of one of his former band-mates who died from a sudden illness on a traveling gig to Kansas. According to Byers, his wife, Jean, never liked musicians or the spirited life they lead. A few years after her first husband's death, the two were urged to date by mutual friends and two weeks later we were married.
[edit] Touring years
The Verne Byers Orchestra (12 pieces) toured the Midwest and Rocky Mountain in the 1950s as one of many territory bands. The were booked by the National Orchestra Service.
[edit] Las Vegas years
Verne and his wife, Jean, first moved to Las Vegas in 1983 a time that Byers refers to as when the music industry fell apart in Las Vegas. The swing band era was at a low, and major casinos were switching from live bands to taped music, which resulted in a major musicians strike. And interest in swing bands seemed to be waning. His orchestra currently plays regularly in in Las Vegas and also books special events.
[edit] References
- ^ Harlan Tribune, January 8, 1060, Harlan, Iowa (note: editor of this article is not absolutely sure that this is the same person).
- ^ The Rainbow Ballroom is located a Fifth and Lincoln. It was renovated into an office building in 2003 by its current occupant, Sink Combs Dethlefs.
- ^ Emmily N. Bristol, Still in the Swing, View Neighborhood Newspapers, August 29, 2001.
