Seen at Sherrie’s Show Bar, and at the Casa Blanca on Gwynn Oak Avenue. In 1952 they were known as 3 Bugs and a June featuring June Bowen (vocals), Bill Evett (sax), Lee Green (keys), and Gene Smith (guitar). In late 1952 Gene was replaced with Chuck Regner.
By ‘54 Gene returned and Carroll Skinner (sax, accordion, piano) had replaced Lee Green. Throughout the mid-’50s they performed at the Biltmore Lounge, Traveler’s, Cy Bloom’s Blue Mirror, Manhattan Lounge, and Pappas Lounge on Pulaski Highway.
In 1955 the group performed on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts TV program.
By 1957 June, now Mrs. Evett, performed in a duo with Eleanor Dell at venues such as Harold’s on N. Charles, and Kathleen’s Musical Bar on E. Baltimore Street. Eleanor continued to perform as a solo pianist appearing at the Living Room in 1959.
June Evett (Bowen) went on to sing for the Eddie Long Trio, the Joe King Trio, and also later fronted her own group. Skinner played locally with Gordon Haymes group in the 1950s. He earned a degree at Peabody and went on to play for artists such as Nelson Riddle, Peter Duchin Orchestra, and Frank Sinatra, Jr. After several years of performing in Las Vegas clubs he returned to Baltimore and established a career as a music teacher. Skinner continued to play locally including stints with the Zim Zemarel Orchestra until he passed away in 2002.
