Earl McDonald (1885-1949) led the Ballard Chefs' weekly performances on Louisville's WHAS radio for three years (1929-1932). Public response exceeded expectations, enhancing the popularity of jug band music throughout the eastern half of the United States. Earl McDonald’s voice and the rhythm of his jug blowing enlivened the recordings of more than 40 tunes with a half-dozen bands from 1924 to 1931. In addition to his Original Louisville Jug Band, those bands included Louisville Jug Band, Sara Martin’s Jug Band, Clifford’s Louisville Jug Band, Old Southern Jug Band as well as the Dixieland Jug Blowers, whose quality is praised in the new jug band film documentary “Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost.”

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