Skinnay Ennis

Skinnay Ennis joined Hal Kemp's band as a drummer while both attended the University of North Carolina. They stayed together after college when Kemp formed his own professional band. Ennis soon started singing as well as drumming, and by the mid-30s, his spotlight singing solos made him Kemp's biggest star. Ennis formed his own orchestra in 1938 which soon became a regular personality on Bob Hope's radio show. This gave him enough fame so that his band was in demand in the summer off seasons. After WWII he returned to Hope's program, where he remained until 1948. He next had a similar spot on the Bud Abbott and Lou Costello radio show. Ennis finally worked with various bands until his death.