Seeking information on Herbie Holmes who led the Herbie Holmes Orchestra around 1938 from the Kansas City area. I also have some photos of him to share. Pat Cummins thecomyn@aol.com

I knew Herbie, Nancy and his family. I have some recordings of his taken off the air from San Francisco broadcasts, plus a few tunes given me by his kids [or grandkids].

Back in the early 40s I had quite a few of his recordings, but over the war years and later, they have all gone.

Last time I saw him, I lived in Yazoo City and he was the Lincoln dealer.
Buford Atkinson [married to my aunt] bought his house on Grand Avenue, and lived there for some time.
Herbie, Miller and other siblings were older than I, and my connection was thru' one of his cousins, Mary Ann Holmes, whose father [Judge James Holmes] and Herbie's dad were brothers.

I would like to have recordings, if available.

I am mistaken about the house. Uncle Buford built the house, and later sold it to Herbie. It may still be owned by a member of his family [Herbie's]

Herbie Holmes was my great uncle. I would be interested in any stories you would have to share and memoriablia you could show me.

Thanks,
Katie Donavan Burkett

I lived in Yazoo City from 1925 til 1954 and then moved to North Carolina.
Was close friend of Mary Ann Holmes [now Cortwright], and new Miller and was acquainted with Herbie after he came back to Yazoo City.
Mary Ann had lots of Herbie's recordings - years later 50? I got in touch with her and she sent me a tape recording of some of his broadcasts and a few songs.
I'll be glad to send you a CD of them if you want

I have no memorabilia only great teen memories of, from and about Yazoo.

joefisher1925@yahoo.com

That would be wonderful!!!! My grandmother (Katie Holmes Donavan) passed away several years ago and my Uncle Miller doesn't remember much now days. I was too young and busy to realize the importance of my family history before it was too late. It would be wonderful to have a cd of Herbie's recordings. We have a few albums, but they have not been taken care of and no longer play.

I am from Belzoni originally and live in Nashville TN now.

I am trying to locate any of Herbie's relatives. My family's business (Turner's Drug Store in Belzoni) is being honored with a Historical Blues Trail marker for advertising/promoting Sonny Boy Williamson on the radio in 1947-48. Herbie and two of the Barriers from Yazoo owned the radio station (WAZF) that broadcasted the show from Belzoni.

We are looking for any of the Barriers or Herbie's kin that may have some records or memorabilia from the radio station. They only owned it for two years.

Thanks,

Doug Turner
Nashville TN
615-415-0970
jewelryman@comcast.net

My father, Francis "Si" Cummins played trumpet with the orchestra and arranged music for for it for several years until the break up in San Francisco. Herbie was Best Man at my parents wedding in Kansas City, KS, in 1938. Would like (and will share) any additional info on schedules, photos, etc. Patrick Cummins - thecomyn@aol.com

I personally remember Mr. Holmes in the early 1970’s. He was my mother’s boss when he was the director of the food stamp division at the Yazoo County Welfare Department when it was temporarily located in the old Delta National Bank building on Main Street. Mr. Holmes was in his later years at the time but he was very memorable to me because he was so different. I was not aware of his past musical infamy at the time as I was only around age ten but Mr. Holmes left an impression. He wore colorful suits as in red and black or plaid which was considered bizarre in 1972 conservative Yazoo and he always had a matching derby hat. His position was a political appointee job at the time and my mom said his greatest asset was keeping the morale high in a drab office work environment. He wasn’t very interested in poverty or the actual work but would break out in a soft shoe in mid-afternoon complete with an imaginary conductor’s instrument. Later, I learned his wife was a singer in the band. I have fond memories of Mr. Holmes as he enjoyed himself and never seemed to be concerned what others thought. He was a flamboyant treasure. I wish I had a video of him in his heyday!