THE TINY TOWN of Peshastin, Washington, was the base for a homegrown Hawaiian music group formed by guitarist John Coppock & his high-school pals around 1919. The positive reception they got after playing a few gigs there & in nearby burgs like Leavenworth and Wenatchee encouraged him enough to head off to Hollywood in 1923. It was there that he (seen here, 2nd from left) formed a new quartet and began climbing the ladder to stardom.
By 1924 Coppock's Hawaiians had added one genuine Hawaiian musician -- the ukulele ace, Dave Mahuka -- and soon scored their own weekly radio show. In 1925 the band cut a 78rpm disc for one of the West Coast's very first labels, Sunset Records, & they became one of the top acts of their type on the So-Cal scene. Throughout the summer & fall seasons of 1927 they toured through various states, including a swing up the coast & right back into Coppock's old stomping grounds.
On the evening of Friday October 28, 1927 Coppock and his crew -- which included his own brother Paul on vocals -- made a triumphant return to the old hometown for a performance at the Peshastin School Auditorium.This rare old poster shows the local pride at having a couple of their own boys -- "Coppock's Famous Radio and Recording Trio" -- back for a visit: even the Peshastin Symphony Orchestra (!) lent a hand that night. And, as a special treat, the Coppock brothers entertained one & all with a few numbers played on their musical handsaws.