Famed country music singer Kitty Wells died recently, which brings Neighbors to this photo of Jimmy Wells and his Dakota Roundup Band.
No, Kitty and Jimmy weren't related. Kitty Wells, in fact, was only Kitty's stage name.
But Jimmy Wells really was Jimmy Wells, and his country western band once was a popular outfit in the region.
The photo comes from Carol Rud, New Rockford, N.D., who got it in 1954 when the band was
going strong.
ADVERTISEMENT
Carol sent it in because of an earlier story about Jimmy, his wife, Ardis, and his band.
Jimmy was born in Doland, S.D., in 1914, lived in Minneapolis, then Aberdeen, S.D., and formed the band that played in the Fargo-Moorhead area and beyond. Ardis was a soloist with it.
Jimmy died years ago. Ardis, now 94, lives in an assisted-living residence in Alexandria, Minn.
This information came from Jimmy and Ardis' nephew Tom Hallett, Fargo, and Jimmy's cousin Orville Rydquist, Breckenridge, Minn.
Jimmy Wells didn't attain national fame like Kitty Wells. But in this region, he and his band did mighty well.
If you have an item of interest for this column, mail it to Neighbors, The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, N.D. 58107; fax it to (701) 241-5487; or email blind@forumcomm.com
