Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 22, 1936.
LULU BELLE AND SKYLAND SCOTTY COMING TO THE PREMIER MONDAY
The WLS Sweethearts, Lulu Belle and Skyland Scotty, will appear in person at the Premier Theatre on Monday, as the stars of the WLS Barn Dance appearing there.
Behind the romance of these two very popular radio artists, is a very unusual story. They were both born in the state of North Carolina, within twenty-three miles of each other. However soon after her birthday, Lulu Belle’s family moved to Kentucky, where she spent her early life. After she had passed her thirteenth birthday, her father obtained a position in Florida, and the family moved to Miami. From Florida the Cooper family came all the way north to Evanston, Illinois, and it was there that John Lair found Lulu Belle, and brought her to WLS.
In contrast with the roving life that Lulu Belle leads, Scotty’s days were spent in the region of North Carolina, known as the Land of the Skyーfrom which he draws his name. It was here that he learned to sing and whistle the mountain tunes in the fashion peculiar to the section of the country. He attended school, and eventually graduated from N.C.U., prepared to become a district school teacher, but some one had heard him sing, and recommended him to WLS. He came west, caught on like wildfire, and besides catching hold of the radio public, caught Lulu Belle for a wife.
The rest of their story is generally known. Now there is a third member of this famous combination, little Linda Lou. but she makes personal appearances for Mama and Papa only. However, to quote Lulu Belle, “She’s by far the most important member of the family, now.”
