MERLE ABNER

Swanee River Boys

Instruments: Vocals- Bass
Date of Birth: 1913
Place of Birth: Wedowee, Alabama

The Swanee River Boys had a unique sound and were often compared to the Mills Brothers, due to their "black", spiritual sound with smooth, close harmony. The lead singer, Buford Abner, was born in Clay County, Alabama. He wrote many famous songs including "Gloryland Jubilee". His brother, Merle Abner, was born in Randolph County, Alabama and attended school in Wedowee, Alabama, he sang bass for the group. They sang together for thirty-seven years and had network programs on both NBC and CBS. They did some Country, Folk and Western music but specialized mostly in soft spirituals. In World War II the Swanee River Boys disbanded to fight in the war. After the war they picked up their singing career, again with nation wide network programs. In the 1960's they joined the USO shows performing for our troops overseas.