Jim Greer And The Mac-O-Chee Valley Folks

Jim Greer organized his band, the Mac-O-Chee Valley Folks, in 1961, with sister Valeda (Greer) Wentz playing guitar and singing the high tenor part. The name came from the historically rich valley where the Mekoche (Mequachake) Indian tribe lived, one of the five divisions of the Shawnee Indians, whose village once stood in the valley in Logan County during the 18th century. In July 1962 the band recorded their first releases at Starday Sound Studio, Madison, Tennessee, two songs being paired on a Nashville Records single. Initially, the band worked at jamboree-type shows, but in 1965 they became cast members of Jamboree USA in Wheeling, West Virginia, performing alternate Saturdays for three and half years. During the other weekends they travelled to play in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at the outdoor Shindig at Cripple Creek and the indoor Shindig in the Barn. During the summer months the band played at numerous fairs, festivals and Country music parks, sometimes working on weeknights. Their association with WWVA (Wheeling) led to a run of three albums for Uncle Jim O’Neal’s Rural Rhythm label; Log Cabin Songs (RR Greer 133, released in 1961), Stars of the WWVA Jamboree, Vol 1 (RR Greer 152, 1965) and Stars of the WWVA Jamboree, Vol. 2 (RR Greer 161, 1967). Also, they did an LP for Rite Record Productions, Bluegrass in Ohio (LP 2004, 1964) and finally Gospel Singing Time (Golden Shield LPS 132, 1969), which includes some sides on which Greer played 12-string guitar. The Mac-O-Chee Valley Folks disbanded early in the 1970s as domestic pressures grew too demanding; all members had regular day jobs, with Greer having a clothing store in West Liberty.