Pensacola Barn Dance in the 1940’s …
This is not a great photo … someone brought it to me to copy years ago and I ran across the negative in a box of copy negatives that I forgot that I had. I have no idea where this Pensacola Barn Dance was located, but I have heard of Neal McCormick. I think he went by the name of “Pappy McCormick” and I believe that he played with Hank Williams. In fact, that could be Hank sitting one the fender well. My father told me a story about him coming to Pensacola and staying at the San Carlos in downtown Pensacola. Back then, WCOA used to broadcast from their studio on the top floor of the San Carlos and they would get Hank to go up and play live on the air. There was a music store out past “A” Street on Garden Street and he would also go out there and play. The owner called my father and he went out and made some photos of Hank at the music store. My father said he was very agreeable to having his photograph taken and was just a very nice person. I have been looking for those negatives, but I have not run across them. I read in a small biography of Hank where he talks about coming to Pensacola and staying at the San Carlos, but I cannot remember the title. If any of you real “old-timers” remember hearing Hank on WCOA or ever across him when he came to Pensacola, please let us hear from you. I apologize for the quality of the image, but the copy that brought to me was not very good. Thanks for looking … Frank
Frank Hardy Made My Photographs Two 
Pappy Neal Was My Father. This Is a picture of one of his barn dance halls that he owned and played at in the 40s and 50s. His first “Barn Dance” was in Panama City. You can find a picture of it at the Panama City Library. My Sister had the original of this Picture and put it in his book called “The Man Behind The Scenes” that talks about his life and his time with Hank Sr. If anybody has a Photo during this time of Daddy or Hank I would love to have one.
God Bless, Tommy McCormick
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Tommy McCormick
October 10, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Thanks for writing…I did not know much about your father. I would love to read the book by your sister. If I ever run across any photos of your father or Hank, I will let you know. I thought that I would have more comments about Hank than I have over the past four or five years. Please check back … Frank
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Frank Hardy
October 12, 2014 at 8:37 pm
My cousin Dot, was married to Bill Hendrix. Bill played with Pappy at the Diamond Horseshoe, and, the Barndance. He had a band, Bill Hendrix and his Top Rail Wranglers. I recently found in census records that Bill was a broadcaster for a radio station in Panama City in 1945. I am compiling a history for my cousins, one who is suffering from Lou Gehrigs disease. Do you or family have any information or photo’s of Bill? He also played with Hank Williams. I would greatly appreciate any information you would share. Have tried to find a copy of your sister’s book. Thank you. E. James
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E James (@jawja100)
October 12, 2014 at 11:35 pm
Thanks for the comment…No, I do not and the only reason I have this photo is that someone brought it to me to copy 35 or 40 years ago. I have seen a copy of it in the childhood home of Hank Williams is Georgianna Alabama. You could contact the house / museum and they could maybe tell you something. There is also a Hank Williams Museum in downtown Montgomery and it might be worth your time to contact them for information on your relatives. Also, I am in Milton / Pensacola and Panama City is about 100 miles to the east of me. I would try to find the oldest AM radio station in that area and call them … ask for the program manager and tell him what you are looking for and he might be able to point you in some direction. The guy who posted before you here is a relative of Pappy McCormick, try contacting him and see if he has any photos / information. Let me know if any of this helps you and please check back … Frank
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Frank Hardy
October 13, 2014 at 7:50 am
Thanks for the reply. I thought I was replying to Pappy’s son. Appreciate your blog and wonderful pictures of the past. EJ
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elder james
October 13, 2014 at 11:00 am
Not a problem … Whenever you respond through my blog it comes to me directly. Thanks and please check back … Frank
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Frank Hardy
October 13, 2014 at 4:53 pm
Yes I Do remember Daddy Talking about Bill Hendrix. I think they played together along with Pee Wee Kersey. There is a guy in Pensacola that we call “General Macarther” that was with dad about that time. I am not sure how to reach him but maybe somebody here know Him. That oldest Radio Station in Panama City is WCOA. They are still on the air but is now a talk radio station. They might can help you find some info about Bill Hendrix. They only place that has any of dads books is the museum in the railroad station in Defuniak Springs Fl. I hope this helps. Once again, Be Blessed
P.S. That is Pappy and his first wife Nancy Jane on the fenders of the car. I am not sure about the guys in the band that are looking out the windows.
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Tommy McCormick
October 13, 2014 at 9:58 am
None of those people are familiar to me, sorry … Frank
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Frank Hardy
October 13, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Mr Hardy: I lived on N St, 1943-1949(1-7 yrs old) I can remember my mother frequenting the Diamond Horseshoe(much to my chagrin). Is it possible you have a picture of the building? I remember Pappy and Mammy, my Uncle Carney was friends. I know that Hank Williams visited Uncle Carney at least once. My cousin Dot met her husband there. He had a band “Bill Hendrix and his Top Rail Wranglers”. In the early 50’s Bill went to Nashville, but came back w/o a contract. He was alas a lot like Hank in his personal life. Thank you for any info about the Horseshoe. EJ
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E.James
September 30, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Never have heard of the ” Horseshoe ” or have ever seen a photo of the place. Go down to the Pensacola Historical Society and check with them. They have an extensive archive of everything and they might have something regarding the Horseshoe. Thanks for telling me about this place and about Hank Williams. If you have any photos of him in Pensacola or any more stories about him, please share them with us. Thanks again … Frank
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Frank Hardy
October 1, 2013 at 8:02 am
Thanks for reply. I lived on N, was very young, my aunt and uncle lived on Cypress. I can remember Hank coming up to the house with a driver. He was sitting on the edge of the porch. Aunt Ruby said “where are your boys, Hank? He said hell I don’t know. He had been on a toot.He and my uncle had worked together at the shipyard in Mobile. There is a reply under your Harbor Restaurant that mentions a Greek gentleman that owned it and the Diamond Horseshoe. Hank played there, Cowboy Copas, Hank Snow, and Pappy Neal McCormick.That I can remember.
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E.James
October 1, 2013 at 9:42 am
That is an interesting story about Hank Williams … I finally have a photo of Hank that my father made back in the 1940’s and I am going to see if the guy that owns the photo will let me publish it at sometime in the future. Thanks again for sharing those stories and I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful. Please check back and if you ever run across any photos that your family made when Hank visited, please let me know … Frank
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Frank Hardy
October 2, 2013 at 12:45 pm