Ohio Entertains in Miami County

In honor of America’s 250th birthday, America 250 Ohio has set monthly themes to help celebrate the many accomplishments of Ohioans and everything Ohio has contributed to the country. March’s theme is Ohio Entertains: Music & Entertainment, and Miami County has some great music and entertainment history.

The Mills Brothers were the first African American artist to have their own national radio show and were one of the most successful American groups of all time, with 71 chart singles such as “Paper Doll”, “Glow Worm”, and “You Always Hurt The One You Love”. The band was made up of four brothers, Harry, Herbert, John Jr., and Donald Mills. They were born and raised in Piqua, Ohio and made their amateur debut in 1924 at the Mays Opera House in Piqua. This performance marked the beginning of the Mills Brothers’ trademark style of using their voices to mimic musical instruments such as horns, trumpets, and even tubas, all alongside flawless vocal harmonies. This historic band is now memorialized with a mural in Downtown Piqua on the side of the Park National Bank building.

Hobart Arena has been a Troy staple of entertainment for over 75 years for concerts, spots, trade shows, and other large community events. The arena has hosted musicians from a variety of genres and artist, such as Luke Combs, Alice Cooper, The Temptations, Whiskey Myers, and even the King, Elvis Presley.

Rogers Drums were made in Covington Ohio in the 1950s and 1960s, during the “Golden Era” of  the brand and one of the most transformative decades in music. Musicians such as Mick Fleetwood, Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Keith Moon and many other famous drummers used Rogers Drum set or parts such as cymbal stands, tom-tom holders, or bass drum pedals made by Rogers Drums.

Keep an eye out for future blogs on America 250 Ohio themes and events. For more information on America 250 events in Miami County, click HERE