Edgar was born on the island in 1904. He died in 1990. Edgar's son, Ronnie Howard, started Howard's Pub. Edgar was an accomplished banjo player. Along with his brother Walter, who played guitar, they performed on stage in New York City and elsewhere in the 1920s and 1930s, often with stars such as Gene Autry, Al Jolson, and Cary Grant.
Look for an Ocracoke Newsletter about Edgar & Walter's jug band, The Five Harmaniacs, sometime this winter.
Our most recent Ocracoke Newsletter is a compilation of humorous stories told by or about islanders. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092113.htm.
Do any audio recordings exist of Mr. Howard's music? Does any group on the island document with audio recordings the music and the dialect of the island?
ReplyDeleteLook for information about audio recordings of old island music and the traditional Ocracoke dialect in a day or two.
DeleteWas Edgar's full name Edgar Hessenbruch Howard?
ReplyDeleteBob, I never heard Edgar's middle name. Don't even know if he even had one. I sent an email to his son, Ron. I will add another comment here if/when I find out.
DeleteBob, I just noticed the middle initial (H) on his tombstone.
DeleteHi, yes it was! He was his father's (Alonzo) friend who went hunting with him! I am his granddaughter!
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