I thought I had discovered the predecessors to the 1960’s “garage bands” when I came across this photo, undated but probably from the late 1920’s or early 1930’s, of the J.F. Lorch Garage Entertainers.
The J.F. Lorch Garage was located at 111 North Broadway in Urbana, and apparently supported this musical group. The names on the back of the photo are Smiley Burnett, Allie Waller, and Katherine and Ileen Mink. Lester Alvin “Smiley” Burnett went on to play some 105 instruments, and worked with Gene Autry on the National Barn Dance radio show in 1933.
- Marnie, Archives Assistant