The Texas Top Hands
The Texas Top Hands Band, organized in 1946, is one of the southwest's finest, oldest and most versatile dance bands. Not only have they some of the best musicians, but are said to be one of the friendliest bands on or off stage. Each member is a showman in his own right. The band always does their best to please the people, moving from one tune to another, from one style to another with swiftness end precision. They not only play the current top tunes, but the standards too.They have appeared on many television and radio shows throughout Texas, played nearly every type of state or county fair or rodeo, the majority of the clubs and dance halls, and practically every military base in the state of Texas. They appeared in two movies, one entitled "Echo Ranch". Ray Sczepanlk, the band's current leader, not only acquired a full page copy of a 1947 San Antonio Express Newspaper advertising the movie, but also owns a copy of the movie itself.
The band has had only four leaders since it organized -- Welter Kleypas, 1945-52; "Rusty" Locke, 1952-55; and "Easy" Adams, who was leader from 1955 to 1979. In 1979, Ray Sczepanik, who has been a member of the band since 1967, bought the band from "Easy" Adams, and is the current leader and owner of the band.
Willie Nelson, in an article in 1974 "Tribute to Bob Wills", recognized the Texas Top Hands Band as one of the leading bands in the state of Texas.
The band has been featured as the opening act for many shows and backed up the greats of the industry. Some include Webb Pierce, Tex Ritter, Moe Bandy, Johnny Rodriguez, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Morgen, Jacky Ward, and Mel Tillis. They backed up the legendary Hank Williams, Sr. during his final appearance in Texas on December 16, 1952 in McDonna, Texas. Movie stars the likes of Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy, Bill Elliott, and Chill Wills have appeared on the radio program the band had daily for many years.
Ex-members of the band include Johnny Bush, who at one time was a drummer with the band, guitarist Charlie Harris and fiddleman Buck Buchannan. All three later became members of Ray Price's Cherokee Cowboys Band.
In 1975, the Texas Top Hands Band celebrated 30 years in the music business. Former Top Hands drummer Johnny Bush provided the music for the 2,000 plus who attended the occasion honoring the band. Letters of congratulations were received from Lady Bird Johnson, Ernest Tubb, U.S. Representative Henry B. Gonzalez, Mayor Lila Cockrell, Governor Dolph Briscoe and many others.
The "Bandera Waltz", which was composed and recorded by ex-band leader "Easy" Adams, was one of the band's top recordings. The song was later recorded by such other artists as Slim Whitman, Ernest Tubb, Rex Alien, Jimmy Wakely, Adolph Hofner and David Houston. The "Cotton-Eye Joe" which in past recent years has become a big hit for many bands, was recorded by the Texas Top Hands in 1947 while doing studio work in New York.
The following are just a few of the fairs and rodeos at which the band has appeared: State Fair in Dallas, Fort Worth Fat Stock Show, Houston Fat Stock Show, San Antonio Fat Stock Show, Central Texas Fair in Temple, Stompede and Rodeo in Bandera, Buccaneer Days in Corpus Christi, Oil Show in Odessa, Wool Show and Rodeo in San Angelo, Stockman's Ball in Laredo, Peanut Festival in Floresville, Strawberry Festival in Poteet, Watermelon Jubilee in Stockdale, Horse Show and Fair in Junction, Rodeo in El Paso, many Elk and Moose Lodges. also conventions such as the National Junior Chamber of Commerce Convention held at the State Fair Grounds in Dallas where they performed before 10,000 people. The band has entertained political figures such as former Texas Governors Allan Shivers, Beauford Jester, Bill Clements, John Connally, numerous county and state lawmakers, senators and peace officers.
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