Material Type

Recording

Date Range

no date

Physical Description

33 1/3 RPM long play vinyl record

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

Lester Samuel and Lloyd Handley were the sons of Roy Ingram and Lena Mae Handley [nee Koenen]. The family farmed in the Turin district, and the boys were educated in the Turin School. In 1930 they began to play at dances held in the Turin School. The original band members were Lester (fiddle), Lloyd (banjo) and their cousin Irene Matthews (piano). In the early 1930s the band was hired to play at an Iron Springs Hall Company dance. Irene Matthews left the group about this time, but Gilbert Haynes (piano), Bill Mehlen (guitar) and Bob Green (violin) joined the band. The new group was named The Homesteader Five. The Homesteader Five, renamed Handley’s Oldtimers by 1949, became popular performers in the 1940s and 1950s as old time dance clubs were formed throughout southern Alberta. The band played music for the two-step, polka, square dance, waltz and other dances. In the 1940s Corne Martens (drums) joined the group, as did Reg Romaniuk (accordion) and Barb Renfrow (keyboard). In the 1950s Jerry Hammond (guitar and square dance caller) rounded out the band. Among the band’s accomplishments, Handley’s Oldtimers played the annual ball of the Pioneers Pemmican Club for over 30 years. In later years family members played with the band, including Lester’s children Melody (piano) and Roger (accordion), and daughter-in-law Catherine (drums). Other musicians who played with the band in more recent years included Norman Grover (drums), John Wiebe (guitar), Stan Keeling (piano) and Ken Krogman (violin). Source: Coaldale Gem of the West 1900-1983 (Coaldale, 1983), pages 544-546

Language

English

Acquisition Source

Handley, Phyllis 2120 24 Street Coaldale, Alberta T1M 1J3

Scope and Content

"Handley's Oldtimers: Square Dance Jamboree". Rada Record Pressings Limited, Vancouver. Musicians on the album include Melody Handley (piano), Roger Handley (accordian), Lloyd Handley (banjo), Richard Handley (bass guitar) and Les Handley (fiddle). The album features 11 songs, and the album sleeve includes instructions as to how to dance to a variety of music.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20011116000

Collection

Archive

Less detail