The Indiana Red Birds

Joe Taylor was a native of Portsmouth, Ohio and later when he was 16, his family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1948, he formed a band called the Indiana Red Birds that became pretty popular in the area. They were featured over the airwaves of radio station WGL in Fort Wayne every Saturday from noon to 1:00pm. They offered a variety of entertainment for their listening fans. The group often did appearances at the infamous Buck Lake Ranch. Joe Taylor was known as "The Cowboy Auctioneer". Other members of the Indiana Redbirds included an 18 year old accordionist, Patti Corbat. She could also do square dance calls, twirl the baton and provided some of the vocals. Connie "Cheeseburger" Smith provided expertise on the spanish and steel guitars. They termed Bill Allen a 'three-in-one' entertainer as he could play three instruments - bass, guitar and harmonica. And to round out the group's musical sounds, they had Gene Davis who provided good old fashioned hoe down fiddling. When Gene and Patti teamed up on a square dance, things got to moving in the halls where they performed. Group Members included: Joe "The Cowboy Auctioneer" Taylor (Born:  May 11, 1921 - Died:  March 24, 2011) Patty Corbat, accordion Connie "Cheeseburger" Smith, Spanish and steel guitar Bill Allen, bass, guitar and harmonica Gene Davis, hoe-down fiddler Credits & Sources Cowboy Songs No. 21; July 1952; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT