The history of municipal bands in Belle Fourche dates back to the first band in 1897. There were also bands in 1910 and 1912. In 1922 a band was organized under the direction of Charles McClung, Jr. Nine years later, in 1931, L.C. Morrison asked the Chamber of Commerce and the Roundup committee for more financial support. They responded and in June of that year the municipal band was transformed into the first Cowboy Band. Under the direction of Charles McClung, this band had 26 members consisting of newly graduated high school students and military band members from WWI.
Charlie McClung, at one time was a trumpet player in the John Philip Sousa Band in Chicago. He both directed and participated in the Cowboy Band until sometime after the second World War. Members of the band say he was a good musician, band instructor, and everyone liked him. He not only instructed the Cowboy Band here, but also the Spearfish high school and college bands. He directed until his sight was so bad that he had to step aside.
A big event for the band was in 1932 when Tom Berry, the governor of South Dakota, was invited to come out and be an official guest of the Roundup. Charlie McClung dressed the whole band in cowboy attire, boots, chaps, and black and white shirts, and big hats. He thought that might humor the governor. The governor liked it so well that he decided that was going to be his band, so he called it the Governors Band. He ordered the band to come out for an all expenses paid trip to Huron to play at the State Fair. For many years after that, the band traveled there.
The band briefly slowed down and dwindled in the 60's and 70's but after a big reunion push in the 80's, the band continues the tradition. Today, the band plays in Belle Fourche mostly around the celebration of the 4th of July as well as the Days of 76 Parade in Deadwood.
ORIGINALY POSTED BY SOUTH DAKOTA MAGAZINE:
By: Jessica Casteel
Belle Fourche's very own Cowboy Band has been rallying crowds to cheer with enthusiasm since before the turn of the century. Toes tapped to the tune, while trumpets blared, clarinets sang, and drums provided the beat for some of the very first events in Belle Fourche dating back to 1897 when the Cowboy Band was just a mere six people. Officially organized in 1931, the Cowboy Band consisting of twenty-six members. They were made of men straight out of high who would march in military bands in the first World War.
Famed for their uniforms, they quickly grew attention of surrounding communities. The band played at large events in and out of the state of South Dakota. In their ten-gallon hats, white shirts and buff corduroy pants with the fronts tucked into green and brown boots, they marched along with the music they played and quickly won hearts. Charles McClung, one of the first directors of the organized band stated "I can get more pep out of that cowboy band than any band I ever waved a baton in front of."
Today, the Cowboy Band still remains, members of all ages still gather and play catchy tunes at local events, you can find them playing during the Black Hills Roundup as well as in the Fourth of July parade.