Monday, February 28, 2000
Friends watch march of time
WWII music fuels memories
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Fast friends Evelyn Ross and Evelyn Hoffman, otherwise known as The Evs, recently turned to each other in near tears as they listened to big band music from the World War II years.
The women, both widows in their 70s, were in Fort Thomas watching The Village Players perform “The 1940s Radio Hour.”
The theater production led them to reminisce about their days with The Rhythmettes, a four-piece, all-girl band that performed throughout Northern Kentucky between 1941 and 1944.
Mrs. Ross, 75, of Cold Spring, played clarinet and alto saxophone. Mrs. Hoffman, 76, of Highland Heights, played the piano and accordion.
Along with the other Rhythmettes, theyplayed many of the tunes performed recently at the play including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and the Pepsi Cola radio commercial.
The Rhythmettes performed at least once a week at schools, churches, hotels, VFW halls and dance clubs.
“It was a good way of killing time. Whatever we played, they danced to,” Mrs. Ross said.
She formed the band after her father encouraged her.
He had bought her a saxophone for $15 in 1938 and her education at Campbell County High School had emphasized music lessons. She gave it a try.
Her friend, the present Mrs. Hoffman, already played accordion and joined her musical endeavors.
Their fiances, Andrew Ross and Carl Hoffman, were overseas.
Both women said joining the band eased their pain and worry.
After every gig, they received about $15 each.
“We thought we were millionaires,” said Mrs. Ross, who recalled once buying a blouse, jumper and stockings for $26.
Mrs. Hoffman left the band to join the Navy's WAVES after she learned that her brother had died in combat.
The Rhythmettes disbanded soon after, and both women eventually married their fiances.
They instilled an appreciation for music in their children.
Sandy Ross, 52, of Cold Spring, took piano lessons and remembers coming across stacks of booklets with penciled markings. They helped her learn how to play Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and other big band hits.
She is proud of her mother and the Rhythmettes.
Rosie the Riveter wasn't the only female making a World War II home-front contribution, she said.
“There (The Rhythmettes) were, rooting and tooting every Saturday night,” she said.
The Village Players of the Fort Thomas Woman's Club began performing “The 1940s Radio Hour” on Feb. 16.
The last show was Saturday.
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