The Georgia Crackers, also known as the Newman Brothers, were a close harmony singing group formed by three siblings: Hank (born Henry J. Newman on April 3, 1905, died July 1978, in Cochran, Georgia, USA; guitar/string bass/vocals), Slim (born Marion Alonzo Newman on June 18, 1910, died October 1, 1982, in Cochran, Georgia, USA; guitar/vocals), and Bob (born Robert Newman on October 16, 1915, died October 8, 1979, in Cochran, Georgia, USA; songwriter/string bass/guitar/vocals). Hank began his career as a solo performer on WCOC in Meridian, Mississippi, before moving to KWKH in Shreveport. He was later joined by Slim, and together they primarily sang popular ballads while touring and broadcasting on several radio stations, including WRDW in Augusta and WTAM in Cleveland, where they replaced Gid Tanner.
In 1931, the group settled in Columbus, Ohio, where they secured sponsorship for a daily program on WAIU, which later became WHKC and eventually WTVN. Their growing popularity led them to appear on various stations across multiple states, including WROW in Atlanta, WBT in Charlotte, WWVA in Wheeling, and stations in Reading, Pennsylvania. In 1934, they recorded for Vocalion Records under the name Hank and Slim, and by 1935, Bob, who contributed many of their original songs, joined his brothers on bass. Their act gradually evolved into a full band, which included musicians such as fiddlers Shorty Long, Clarence ‘Curly’ Herdman, and Winnie Waters, as well as guitarist Jerry Langston and Hawaiian guitarist Harold Snyder. Adorned in cowboy attire, they adopted a western swing style reminiscent of the Sons of the Pioneers and became known as the Georgia Crackers.
By 1940, the ensemble featured the three Newmans along with Waters and Snyder and was showcased on WHKC Columbus and the Mutual Network radio. However, the group disbanded in 1941 when Slim and Bob were drafted into military service. Hank relocated to California, where he managed film actor Smiley Burnette and appeared in a minor role in Red River Valley.
After World War II, the brothers reunited with accordionist Johnny Spies to reform the band. In the late 1940s, they performed in several B-Westerns starring Charles Starrett, including The Fighting Frontiersman (1946), South Of The Chisholm Trail (1947), Desert Vigilante (1949), and Old Trail. They also hosted a regular evening show on KXLA in Pasadena. They recorded for RCA Victor Records in 1947 and 1949, while Slim recorded four solo tracks for Black And White Records under the moniker Cactus Andy And The Texas Dandies, which featured Tex Williams’ band.
From 1950 to 1958, they were joined by lead guitarist Allan Myers and remained based in Columbus, occasionally including singer Janie Swetman in their daily broadcasts on WHKC, which were also aired on the Mutual and National Broadcast Networks. During this period, they established The G Bar C Ranch, a country music park near Columbus, where they hosted live shows. They toured within the state and recorded numerous transcription discs to fulfill their radio commitments during tours. In the late 1950s, Bob made over 20 solo recordings for King Records, some of which were reissued on the 1984 compilation Hangover Boogie by the German label Bear Family Records.
Bob continued to write songs, but his health declined in 1958, prompting him to move to Arizona, where he worked as a disc jockey and later became the program controller at KHAT in Phoenix. He passed away in 1979. That same year, the group made their final recordings for Robin Records, and after Bob’s departure, they disbanded. In the late 1960s, they briefly reunited to record an album for Hank's G Bar C label, achieving local sales. In the early 1970s, the brothers came together again for special reunion shows, including performances alongside Ernest Tubb. Hank and Slim remained in Columbus until their deaths, after which their wives continued to operate a restaurant at 2882 Johnstown Road in Columbus, which they had opened in 1954. The restaurant became a notable destination for country music enthusiasts. The Georgia Crackers are recognized as one of the few southern country acts that spent most of their successful years performing in the northern United States.
