Griffis, Ken

Ken Griffis, best known for his work on documenting the Sons of the Pioneers, an early country music group, also researched and documented an earlier group known as the Beverly Hillbillies, a music group created by Glen Rice and the first hillbilly music group to achieve widespread acclaim, beginning in 1930 on radio station KMPC Los Angeles. In its most popular configuration, the group consisted of Jimmy Baker (Elton Britt), Marjorie Bauersfield (Mirandy), Harry Blaeholder (Hank Skillet), Ashley Dees (Jad Scroggins), Aleth Hansen (Lem Giles), Leo Mannes (Zeke Manners, Zeke Craddock), Cyprian Paulette (Ezra Longnecker), and Charles Quirk (Charlie Slater, Charlie Skillet).

Ken Griffis is best known for his work on documenting the early country music group, the Sons of the Pioneers. His research, begun in the 1960s, culminated in the publication of a monograph on the group, Hear My Song: The Story of the Celebrated Sons of the Pioneers (John Edwards Memorial Foundation, 1974/revised 1977). As of 2003, Griffis resided in Thornton, Colo.

The Beverly Hillbillies began their career on radio KMPC Los Angeles in 1930. The group was the brainchild of Glen Rice, who concocted an elaborate myth about the origins of the group, advertising them as authentic hillbillies when, in fact, each of the group's members was already living and working in the Los Angeles area. In its most popular configuration, the group consisted of Jimmy Baker (Elton Britt), Marjorie Bauersfield (Mirandy), Harry Blaeholder (Hank Skillet), Ashley Dees (Jad Scroggins), Aleth Hansen (Lem Giles), Leo Mannes (Zeke Manners, Zeke Craddock), Cyprian Paulette (Ezra Longnecker), and Charles Quirk (Charlie Slater, Charlie Skillet). In later years, this roster was subject to change. In 1932, the group split temporarily, with some members remaining in Los Angeles and others relocating to San Francisco. During this period, three future members of the Sons of the Pioneers joined the group. The Beverly Hillbillies continued to enjoy success, both on the radio and in live concerts, until the late 1930s. In addition to recording and touring, the Beverly Hillbillies appeared in several feature films and made hundreds of music transcriptions, including several for Armed Forces radio. The group was revived in the 1940s and an attempt at revival was made as late as 1957, but the Beverly Hillbillies never regained the popularity of their earlier years.