The Western Aces

The Western Aces were a hillbilly/cowboy band formed in the mid-1940s by multi-instrumentalist Cliff Japhet, accordionist [a=Joe Mayo (2)], and guitarist [a=Jimmy Mayo (2)]. The band was formed in St. Albans, Vermont and was broadcast by the local radio station WWSR (taking over the timeslot from retiring hillbilly musician Lyman "The Old Sheriff" Meade). During their active period, The Western Aces also played on Gloversville, New York's WENT and Schenectady, New York's WSNY. They toured locally in Vermont, and regularly performed in New England, New York (Danemora), and Quebec (Cherry River). In the early 1950s, Joe and Jimmy Mayo formed their own band (The Western Ramblers), and "The Western Aces" came to be called "Cliff Japhet And The Western Aces".

Beyond Japhet and the Mayo brothers, other members of The Western Aces at various times included:
•Alfred "Pee Wee" Arsenault - guitar
•Billy Arsenault - pedal steel
•Corky Arsenault - bass
•[a=Carl Durgin] - guitar
•[a=Larry Fournier (2)] - fiddle, harmony vocals
•Cliffton "Yodelin' Skippy" Japhet, Jr. - vocals
•Alden "Little Zeke" Latour - fiddle
•Allen "Putch" Morley - banjo, caller
•Willie Pellegrini - accordion
•Harold "Curley" Plummer - lead guitar, harmony vocals
•Louie Ponzi - guitar
•Sheldon "Buddy" Truax - guitar, steel guitar, fiddle