MEMBERS:

Jerry Daniels

Ivory "Deek" Watson

Charlie Fuqua

Orville "Hoppy" Jones - it is unknown when Hoppy joined but we believe the trio became a quartet about May, 1934

This trio, previously called the Gates Brothers when they were in Cleveland, and later the Three Porters when they began broadcasting in Cincinnati over WLW/WASI (see Gates Brothers/Three Porters page), achieved considerable success after they became the King, Jack and Jester in late November, 1934. This is evidenced by their more that 200 radio broadcasts over WLW and sister station WASI from 30Nov/33 to 1July/34 - essentially a seven month period! These were 15 minute sustaining (no sponsors) broadcasts done almost every day. More than 40 days they made two broadcasts, usually one over each station. From January to April they had, first Monday and, later, Tuesday off but for six weeks in May-June they broadcast every day making single broadcasts on five days and doubles on two days. Although we found nothing to indicate they performed for live audiences during this period, they did commercials using Red Barber as their announcer who later announced for New York Yankee and Brooklyn Dodger baseball games. These commercials were made for the Crosley Broadcasting Company. [Goldberg, More Than Words Can Say, 1998, pg,8]

The picture shows Jerry, Deek and Charlie performing behind a WHK microphone. It is autographed to someone on 27Aug/79 and we suspect that the hand-written names, Jester, King and Jack, were added to the photo in 1979 when it was autographed. Presumably, the photo was taken when the trio performed over WHK as the Gates Brother in Cleveland.

We believe the trio likely became a quartet about May, 1934 when it added Orville "Hoppy" Jones. If so, they did not change their name - even by making their name the King Jack and Jesters although this is not certain. We did find half a dozen radio listing saying "Jesters", but all the other listings, including the last one on 1Jul/34" show the 'King, Jack and Jester".

We have no information about any vaudeville appearances for this group. Any corrections or new information would be greatly appreciated.