The National Orchestra Service, Inc. (NOS), was the most important booking and management agency for territory bands across the Great Plains and other regions from the early 1930s through 1960. NOS managed black, white and integrated orchestras and was headquartered in Omaha.
About National Orchestra Service specialized in booking ballroom dance orchestras known as territory bands. The company's reputation as the premier booking agent in that genre helped them dominate their industry for almost 20 years. Bands that NOS represented were typically smaller than the Glenn Miller-type orchestras, usually featuring about 12 pieces, sometimes 15; though ensemble sizes tended to wax and wane with the economy. NOS handled bookings in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and military bases.
History February 1930 — National Orchestra Service was founded in Omaha."Chicago," Billboard, March 4, 1950, pg. 22 Serl Frank Hutton was its founder and sole proprietor until 1952, when Lee Williams joined as a partner.
By way of merger with Music Management Service in January 1954, Royce Stoenner and David Wenrich, who formed Music Management Service, joined NOS as salaried employees."Booking Agents Merge," World-Herald (Omaha), January 24, 1954, col. 1, pg. 7C"Merge Firms of NOS, MMS in Ork Field," Billboard, February 13, 1954, col. 4, pg. 19, In September 1959, Royce Stoenner left the NOS agency to join as a 50% partner with the Dave Brumitt Agency, a territory band booking agency in Atlanta.
In 1939, the NOS headquarters at located at 709 World-Herald Building, Omaha, NE. Later, NOS moved to the eleventh floor — the top floor — of the Omaha National Bank Building in Downtown Omaha. The top floor was actually the sixteenth and the address was 1611 City National Bank Bldg.
In August 1943, Lee Williams was the only band working for National Orchestra Service due to war rationing (gasoline, tires, and the like) and shortage of musicians (the draft)."Midwest Territorial Band Biz Limping Along; May Collapse After October Call for Fathers," Billboard, August 21, 1943, pg. 13
In February 1960, National Orchestra Service, Inc., folded.
Sleeper buses & trailers Many territory bands from NOS traveled in sleeper trailers connected to tractor-trailer trucks. The most popular sleeper was manufactured by Wilson Trailer Company in Sioux City, IA. They were purchased, owned, and maintained by the orchestras. Lawrence Welk is thought to have been the first to design and use a sleeper.
Bands under management + Bands Managed byNational Orchestra Service, Inc. Name NotesVerne Byers Herbert Daly Phillips played with this band in the early 1950s"Chan" Chandlerand His OrchestraAccording to Royce Stoenner, Chandler had the best band ever at NOS and was one of the reasons he was lured to work for NOS. Former musicians: David F. Barnett (1926–2009); Marjorie King, singer. Chandler, a saxophonist, was known in some quarters as "America's most handsome orchestra leader." Before NOS, Chandler's orchestra had been managed and booked by McConkey Orchestra Company."Chan Candler and His Orchestra," The Billboard 1943 Music Year Book (5th annual ed.), Billboard, pg. 154Jerry Mosher"Jerry Mosher: Accordion stylist." Retrieved 10/26/07.Preston H. Love NOS became the booking agent for Preston Love in January 1954 by way of merger with Music Management Service, a booking agency founded by Royce Stoenner and David Wenrich.Preston Love, A Thousand Honey Creeks Later; My Life in Music from Basie to Motown, Wesleyan University Press (1997)Del ClaytonMusicians: Harry Bernard Risvold, drummer (1932–2001) — traveled with Clayton for 3 years; Glenna Fraser, singer; John Walter Nelson, Jr., drummer (1930—2006)Wayne ChapmanChapman was an organist who once played with Lee WilliamsJohn Paul JonesOrchestraAl HudsonHudson was a trumpet player who once played with Lee Williams. His band, essentially, was the former Lee Williams orchestra.Red Perkins& His Dixie RamblersLarry ElliottCarl ColbyKlif RiggsLee Williams(né William Brammer Leacox; 1918–1995) Several new bands were launched by Lee Williams. While touring for a half year, he would book the next half, then sell the band and take time off. In 1952, he became a partner with National Orchestra Service (see comments below, under "Principals, employees").Mickey BrideThe Little Man With a Big Band. Bride was a drummer who once played with Lee WilliamsOklahoma City Blue DevilsNOS launched the Blue Devils on a tour of the Northern Territories in 1930.Nat Towles and his QuintetTowels, an African American, played trumpet. His band was one of the best territory bands managed by NOS. Many well-known musicians are alumni of Towels' band.Sammy StevensStevens was a drummerLittle John BeecherBeecher, a trumpeter and valve trombonist who once played with Lee Williams, became a singer of novelty songs, leading his own band called "Little John Beecher and his Orchestra" throughout the 1950s. The band finished 1959 using NOS as its booking agent. When Royce Stoenner left NOS and moved to Georgia, Beecher followed and started working there through his agency. Beecher donated his music library to Auburn University before his death.Jimmy ThomasTommy AllanAn excellent band, Allan played trumpetLeo PeiperThis band was likely not with NOS (reviewing - Oct 2009) This band was with the McConkey Music Corporation in July 1947."2 Midwest Orks Hit Payola After Move to Major Agencies," Billboard, July 26, 1947, pg. 37 Former musicians: Lauren Brown, trombone (1915–1994)Jack Russelland His Sweet Rhythmic OrchestraRoy Turk wrote the words and Fred E. Ahlert wrote the music to Into My Heart, which became the theme song for the Jack Russell's Orchestra.The Big Band Reader – Songs Favored by Swing Era Orchestras and Other Popular Ensembles, by William Emmett Studwell & Mark Baldin, Haworth Press (2000), pg. 163; Billy Thompsonand His Melody CowboysNot sure whether this band was with NOS (reviewing - Oct 2009)Tillie Newelland His OrchestraNot sure whether this band was with NOS (reviewing - Oct 2009)Walter J. Martie(b. 1923; d. 1994) Not sure whether this band was with NOS (reviewing - Oct 2009) Former musicians include Art Delaney, Gordon Boore (drummer), and Delores Morgan (singer; née Dolores Helen Morgan; b. 1923; d. 2009). Delores married Walter in the 1940s.Earl Gardner and His OrchestraThe Band With a Million FriendsBob Calameand his MusicRobert Marvin Calame (15 Jan 1911 Grand Island, Nebraska – 3 Sep 1967 Omaha, Nebraska) wrote the music for Lawrence Welk's theme song, "Bubbles in the Wine." Calame's band played a sweet style, similar to Lawrence Welk. His daughter lives in Omaha.
See also Music of Omaha Culture of North Omaha, Nebraska National Ballroom Operators Association
References Notes
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External links Territory Bands Data Base