The Cavaliers

A mid-60s combo from Madison High School, in Madison, Tennessee who were the "Nashville Tennessean Discovery of the Year" in 1966. They are not to be confused with the Texas band of J. Frank Wilson, who had a hit with "Last Kiss."

The "Discovery of the Year," the Cavaliers combo of Madison, are performing for a crowd of 6,500 during The Tennessean's Centennial Park concert Aug. 28, 1966. Members are Hugh Howell, left, Rudy Carver, Bobby Watral, Jerry Armour and Gary Scruggs.

History[edit | edit source]

The Cavaliers (Hugh Howell, Bobby Watral, Gary Scruggs, Rudy Carver, and Jerry Armour) were formed in October 1964 in Madison, Tennessee [Northeast Nashville]. Started by a group of friends at Madison High School, the Cavaliers Combo played the hits of the day as well as R&B at events at area high schools, in their community, at corporate events, and at private parties around Nashville (within a 50-mile radius).

In December 1964, the Cavaliers played for the Middle Tennessee Realtors Association Christmas Party at Nashville's Andrew Jackson Hotel and later that month for a J.C. Penney Christmas Breakfast.

In the Spring of 1965, the Cavaliers performed on WSIX TV Channel 8’s “8-Teen Review,” a Saturday afternoon tv show showcasing local high school talent. From there, the band began getting even more gigs (mostly area high schools-related) and private parties.

According to Cavaliers drummer Jerry Armour, "1965-66 were the Cavaliers' prime years." Jerry remembers "In mid-December 1965, we again played for the Middle Tennessee Realtors Association Christmas Party, this time at the Blue Grass Country Club in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a Christmas dance in Joelton, TN, another J.C. Penney Christmas Breakfast, and a high school dance in Hartsville, Tennessee (all in 4 consecutive days)."

In 1966, the band became very active, playing most Friday and Saturday nights somewhere around Nashville as well as for private adult parties and college fraternity dances. That summer, they also played for Nashville's Madison, Dupont, and West High Schools' "Band Camp Dance Night" in LaVergne, Tennessee.

Eventually, their gigs led to a Nashville Tennessean/Centennial Park Concerts Bandshell performance. Opening for Bobby Bare, on August 21, 1966, as the Nashville Tennessean's "Discovery of the Week," the group returned the following week to receive a trophy as the "1966 Discovery of the Year." The Tennessean reported that their appearance the second week included a rare off-stage performance of bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs as the guitar tech for the band, tuning the guitar for Hugh Howell.

Columbia Records offered to record the Cavaliers in September 1966, but college and other interests caused three of the members to decline. The group continued playing until early 1967.

In 2002, the band reunited for a Madison High School All-Class Reunion and several additional performances with the lineup of Bob Harvey- lead guitar & vocals, Jerry Armour- drums & vocals, Hugh Howell- guitar & vocals, Randy Handley- keyboards and vocals, and Cam King- bass & vocals. This reunion included at least one backyard show, just like the old days. In 2010, they finally called it quits.

The Cavaliers Reunion: Pictured here (left to right): Bob Harvey- lead guitar & vocals, Jerry Armour- drums & vocals, and Hugh Howell- guitar & vocals. Nashville, June 2002. [(not pictured are: Randy Handley-keyboards & vocals, and Cam King-base & vocals.]

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Jerry Armour graduated from the University of Tennessee, majoring in Pharmacy. After practicing as a pharmacist in Nashville for 22 years, he later earned a Ph.D. in Psychology (Pre-Doctoral Internship at The University of Notre Dame) and practiced in Nashville in that field until 2013. Jerry and his wife now live in Mt. Juliet, TN.

Gary Scruggs, the eldest son of famous bluegrass musician Earl Scruggs, graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Philosophy and went on to have a lasting impact (as a songwriter, musician, producer, and author) on the music business. He and his brother Randy were members of the Earl Scruggs Revue during the 1970s. Gary died in Nashville, TN in December 2021.

Hugh Howell graduated from Belmont University, after which he joined his father in the auctioneering and real estate business. Of note, Hugh helped his father's business auction some of the personal effects of Hee-Haw star Stringbean Akeman and his wife Estelle, after they were murdered in Ridgetop, Tennessee, in 1973. Hugh also drove tour buses for top-name musicians for over 50 years. Hugh passed away in Hendersonville, TN in May 2021.

Bobby Watral signed with Monument Records in September 1966. Bobby recorded “Concrete Jungle / Gotta Find a Way” (arranged & produced by Ray Stevens) under the name Bobby Allen Poe for Monument Records in September 1966. He made music his career but tragically died at age 38 in New York City in 1988.

Rudy Carver graduated from Vanderbilt University, majoring in Engineering. He still works as an engineer in California as of 2023.

Bob Harvey graduated from Sewanee University with a major in mathematics. After a successful career in this field, he now lives along with his wife in Washington State.