Big Jeff Bess born 2 September 1920

Big Jeff Bess (2 September 1920 - August 23, 1998) was an American country singer, radio personality and former co-owner of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.

Grover Franklin Bess was born near Ashland City in Cheatham County, Tennessee where his parents sharecropped a 60 acre farm. The nickname "Big Jeff" came from pronouncing his initials and his six foot frame. Jeff moved to Nashville about 1940 and by 1942 was appearing on WSIX. He also seems to have worked in tent shows. By late 1945 or early 1946, he was on WLAC with a show of his own. This station had several daytime acts with shows including Mac O'Dell, Ted & Wanda Henderson, Jack & Louise Henderson, and later Mel & Stan. But Big Jeff & His Radio Playboys seemed dominant and most long-lasting. Hattie Louise, by then known as Tootsie, married Jeff and became the Playboys' on-stage comedian and de facto manager. Big Jeff's tenure at the station lasted about sixteen years, eventually as mostly a deejay.  

The Radio Playboys were not only a popular band but were something of a proving ground for musicians who became better known later. These included Benny Martin, George McCormick, Grady Martin, Johnny Sibert (steel player for Carl Smith in his prime years), Carl Tipton, and Hillious Buttram. Big Jeff made his mark on Nashvilles club scene. At various times he owned Ship Ahoy, on Franklin Road, Big Jeff's Country Club in Germantown, then the King of Clubs on Clarksville Highway.  In one instance he was fined $25 for hitting someone who he was trying to force to leave "Big Jeff's Place" on Clarksville Highway in June of 1957. He thought the person had too much to drink and possibly tried to hit Jeff as Jeff was trying to get him into a car. During the 50's he also owned a catfish diner on the east side of the Cumberland River where many musicians would go via ferry aftertheir weekend Opry performances.

                                   

During this time he recorded rather sparingly on small labels. The greater number of Jeff's recordings appeared on Randy Woods' Dot label that was based in Gallatin, Tennessee before it had attained much prestige (that came from Pat Boone's rise to fame). At the time, phonograph platters were not of much consequence to one who was doing well. Big Jeff also appeared in a couple of movies, A Face in the Crowd and Wild River. In the former film, he played a husky sheriff named "Big Jeff Bess," in the latter he sang "In the Pines." Big Jeff. In March 1960, Tootsie and Jeff took over the lease of a club, Mom's Place, on Nashville's Lower Broadway. The club name changed to Tootsie's Place, and, finally, to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge after a decorator painted the exterior a vivid purple.

In October 1960, Sheriff Leslie Jett was trying to crack down on minors frequenting drinking establishments. After repeated warnings, he said the next step would be arrests. On a Friday night, Franklin Big Jeff Bess was cited at Tootsie's for allowing minors to loiter where beer is consumed. However, the charge was dismissed in General Sessions Court on Monday, October 24, 1960 after three deputies disagreed in their testimony. Troubles seemed to find him. He was given a $100 fine and a 30-day workhouse term after he pled guilty to charges of illegal possessing whiskey for resale. He was operating of an unnamed Nashville beer tavern at the time. 

Another article reported his establishment was raided in November 1962 and he was charged with selling, tippling and storing 46 half-pints of whiskey which was confiscated. However in April, his sentence had been suspended. His attorney had argued that the publicity resulting from his client's trial had provided "sufficient punishment" of Big Jeff in this case. As the 1960's came and went, Big Jeff's fortunes began to decline. Live radio on morning shows were fading away as deejays began to replace most of them (Flatt & Scruggs on WSM being a notable exception). He and his wife, Hattie Louise divorced in 1961; she got Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and he got another club or two that soon folded.

Later Big Jeff worked for a time as a deputy sheriff (reprising his movie role). He made some recordings for Delta in the early seventies. Then in the 1980's, he suffered a stroke. His third wife, Jo Neill, died in 1996 and becoming diabetic he had a leg amputated. He also endured a throat operation that required him to breath and speak through an electronic voice box. Living alone in a mobile home, he declined rapidly but was sometimes cheered by old friends like Benny Martin and Hillous Buttram.

He died at the age 77 in Davidson, Tennessee due to complications from diabetes.

(Edited from Hillbilly Music & The Tennessean)