Biography
Born on 24 September 1916, Catron passed away on 31 October 1998 in Los Angeles, California. During the 1920s and 1930s he performed in Kansas City, Kansas, sharing stages with figures such as Count Basie and Jay McShann. Following World War II he relocated to Pomona, California, where he opened a Volkswagen dealership. The venture’s prosperity enabled him to pursue his musical interests by underwriting a dance orchestra of his own. Weekends were largely devoted to nearby engagements, allowing him to enlist leading big-band musicians, while summer seasons brought additional work at Catalina Island. As demand grew, Catron acquired a ballroom and restaurant in Glendora, California, giving the ensemble a stable base. The signature piece “Love Day” shared the set lists with original numbers including “There’s A Time And A Place For Everything,” “Valerie,” “The Volkswagen Song Polka,” and “This Old Place.” Nortac Records issued these and other selections on disc, and the group reached listeners through appearances on the Union Oil Company Show broadcast by KFI in Los Angeles, where Catron drew upon his automotive ties. Even after the big-band era waned and his own orchestra disbanded, he continued performing throughout California.