Features: North Polk County (FL) Music Hall Of Fame

North Polk County entertainers from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s who would impact the music and careers of the local music community (including my own) but also go on to influence the national and international communities. This is by no means a comprehensive list. I am sure there are others that I am not aware of or have forgotten. Suggestions for other inclusions should be accompanied by biographical information and photos (when possible).

Names are listed here in alphabetical order. The orginal PolKats are listed with a blue border.

Bobby BraddockFrom Auburndale, FL, songwriter, recording artist, producer and author, Bobby Braddock has written around 1,200 songs, of which about 80 songs made it on to the charts, about 35 were "Top 10" hits, and approximately 13 were "Number 1's". He has produced a #1 hit single and album for artist Blake Shelton and has made numerous recordings for numerous major labels under his own name.

Rick BurnettDrummer, Rick Burnett, played in several local North Polk County garage bands during the late 60's and early 70's including "United Sounds" and "Raintree County". In 1972, he and guitarist Larry Howard went to Macon, GA where they helped create southern-rock's "Ginderswitch" with Dru Lumbar and Joe Dan Petty. Signed to Capricorn Records, Grinderswitch would record 9 albums and perform around the world over the next 7 years.

Duke Burr Best known for his lightning fast harmonica licks and complex guitar riffs, multi-instrumentalist Duke Burr played with local rockers "Sam Hill" and for country singer/songwriter Carl Chambers until he got his opportunity to join the Reba McIntire road band in the early 1980's. Duke currently owns and opererates "Burr Printing Company" in WInter Haven, FL.

Bruce CanovaSinger, saxophonist and keyboardist Bruce Canova, was awarded the honorary title "PolKat Potentate" at the 2001 PolKat Reunion Show in Winter Haven, FL. Bruce mentored almost everyone of the PolKats and often hired them to work in his lounge acts, always offering strong encouragement to the young players-- and all this while, working as City Manager for the city of Auburndale, Florida, a job he held for some 32 years. Bruce passed away in 2003.
Jim Carlton Jazz guitarist, singer, comedian and freelance writer, Jim Carlton, is a Winter Haven, Florida native who began his music career in 1962 with Jim Stafford and Gram Parsons in their rock band the Legends. As a comedy and script writer, Jim's credentials go on and on and include material for the Smothers Brothers, Jim Stafford, Johnny Carson, Arsenio Hall and David Letterman -- just to name a few. He is also a published author.
Carl ChambersAuburndale, Florida native, Carl Chambers, is one of those rare talents that managed national successes without ever moving from his Central Florida home. Among those accomplishments were: playing guitar for the Bellamy Brothers (in the studio and on the road) on 4 #1 hits during the 1970s; charting his own record in 1981 and writing a #1 hit song for superstars Alabama and a #4 hit for super-picker Ricky Skaggs during the '80s.
Jesse ChambersA connoisseur and student of the bass guitar, Auburndale's Gerald "Jesse" Chambers traveled the world as both a side-man and personal manager first for the Bellamy Brothers in the late 1970s and then for superstar Ricky Skaggs during the '80s. His strict sense of timing as well as his sophisticated touch made him an intricate and coveted member of Skaggs' "super-pickers" rhythm section.
Jon CornealDrummer, singer and songwriter, Jon Corneal, is considered one of the pioneers of the country-rock movement that was spearheaded by Gram Parsons back in the late '60s. Jon was drummer on what is considered the first country-rock album, "Safe At Home" by the International Submarine Band and also played on tracks included on the Byrds only country effort, "Sweetheart of the Rodeo".

Les DudekBorn in Rhode Island, guitar rocker Les Dudek's family moved to Central Florida in 1959. Les played in several local garage bands until 1971, when he migrated north to Macon, GA and became involved with the Allman Brothers Band. He has since made an indelible mark on the music industry collaborating with artists such as Boz Scaggs, Steve Miller, Cher and Stevie Nicks, just to name a few. Les still makes his home in Auburndale, FL.

Bobby DrawdyBobby Drawdy made a name for himself as both a sideman and as a songwriter during the seventies and eighties, working for several years as lead guitarist for country music legend, Ferlin Husky and writing several notable songs that were recorded by major artists including: Ferlin Husky, Johnny Cash and Tammy Wynette. Bobby passed away in 1997.
Randy FerrellGuitarist, Randy Ferrell, made his mark on the music business during the early '80's when he became guitarist for the Bellamy Brothers Band. The architect of many of the identity licks featured in the Brothers' hits during that period, Randy became an integral part of the Bellamy's '80's sound. He is also an accomplished music electronics repairman.

Donnie HelmsA Florida native, bassist, Donnie Helms, says the most influential musician in his musical formative years was marching band icon, John Phillip Souza. Donnie began his career playing with a traveling "Gospel" group but by the the mid-eighties he was playing for country-rock music staples "The Bellamy Brothers". He played on several of their albums and Top 10 hits. Donnie is still an active musician today.

Larry Howard Guitarist, Larry Howard, as a 13 year old trombonist, had the opportunity to meet and play under the tutelage of the legendary Count Basie while attending a music camp at the University of Miami. Larry then taught himself to play guitar and joined with other local teens to play rock and roll in several Central Florida area garage bands. In the early 70's, he and drummer friend Rick Burnett traveled to southern-rock mecca, Macon, GA and helped form the group Ginderswitch. They would record 9 albums beforebreaking up in 1979.

Dannie JonesSteel guitarist, Dannie Jones played on over a dozen Bellamy Brothers albums and toured all over the world with the Bellamys off and on through out his career. He was equally at home on both the concert stage and in the studio. A native Floridian, Dannie's family lived in the Sebring area but his musical career was rooted in the Auburndale area of North Central Polk County. Dannie passed away in 2004.
Jon LaFrandreKeyboardist, Jon LaFrandre, started his career in the sixties, playing with Winter Haven's garage band, the Spades, He and brother Halsey left that group and formed one of the seminal garage bands of the era, Purple Underground. In 1978, Jon teamed up with Howard and David Bellamy to form the foundation of the Brothers' new road and recording band. Jon would spend many years in their employ recording numerous albums and top 10 singles.
Kent LaVoie (Lobo)Probably best remembered for early his seventies soft-rock perennials, "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" and "I'd Love You to Want Me," singer/songwriter Kent LaVoie was best known by his stagename "Lobo". A prolific songwriter, he also produced chart topping hits for country artists Joe Stampley and Christy Lane during the 1980's. Now retired, Lobo still enjoys great popularity in the Asian markets.
Wayne LewisKeyboardist, Wayne Lewis, spent the early '80's playing keyboards and performing the duties of road manager for the Reba McIntire organization. He now resides in Bartow, FL and is currently retired from the music business.
Mike Marshall From his roots in the Central Florida bluegrass scene, Mike Marshall, has become one of the most innovative players of the new acoustic music genre. After leaving the Central Florida area, Mike spent five years (1985-1990) as a member of the David Grisman Quintet and has since explored just about every avenue of jazz, world and traditional music. He continues to push the envelope with every new project.
Herb McCulloughBorn in Dunedin, Florida, but reared in Winter Haven, songwriter Herb McCullough didn't play or sing during the 1960's, but did hang out with all the guys who did. In 1974, he moved north to Nashville, and as they say, the rest was history. A prolific songwriter, Herb had songs recorded by many of the day's country stars and worked for many major publishers over the years and was a major influence on Carl Chambers' career.
Mickey MerrittNorth Polk County native, Mickey Merritt, got his start in the music business playing piano for the Southland Trio, a Southern Gospel Quartet that achieved national success during the late 60's. He later became the preferred studio piano player for country acts that would frequent Central Sound Studios during the '70's and '80's. One of Mickey's career highlights was playing in the original Ricky Skaggs band during the 1980's. Mickey passed away in 2002.

Gram ParsonsBorn in Winter Haven, FL, singer-songwriter Gram Parsons, pioneered the fusion of country music with rock music, creating a new genre known variously as country-rock, alternative country and/or Cosmic American music. Major fame would elude him during his 26 years of life, but since his tragic death in 1973, the Parsons legend has grown to, what can only be described as, mythical proportions.
Rodney PriceBorn in Indiana, drummer and percussionist, Rodney Price began his career as a youngster during the sixties performing in a duo with his brother, Robert, who played accordion. After his family moved to Central Florida he played locally until, during the late '70's, he joined the road and studio band that backed up the Bellamy Brothers and in the early '80's went to work for Ricky Skaggs. Rodney played on several of the Bellamy's, as well as Skaggs, top ten singles. He is still an active player in the North Polk County music arena.

Joe SpannAn authority and student of the banjo, Auburndale's Joe Spann also became one of the areas premier lead guitarists after taking up that instrument in the early '80's. Although national success has long eluded him, Joe's expertise in banjo history and lore are sought out worldwide. He remains an influential force on area and regional artists and instrumentalists through his studio productions and live performances.
Jim StaffordBorn in Eloise, Florida, just outside of WInter Haven, Jim Stafford is an all-American entertainer with unique talents, a wry sense of humor, and a business savy that, in the course of his career, has scored him not only a string of quirky country-pop hits in the 1970s and a stint with TV in the 1980s, but has ultimately led to his now owning and operating his own theatre in Branson, Missouri. A true professional.