The “Nitty Gritty Band” serves as the Oak Cliff Lions Club’s Ambassador of Goodwill musical group throughout Lionism and the community.   Founded in 1974, by  J. C. Coalson and Karl Hoeffner , this group of musical Lions travels to Lions Banquets, Charter Nights,  District Events,  local Club Meetings and  community events such Charitable  Organization’s Annual Meetings, nursing homes, area community cities’ fund raisers and  other events to raise spirits,  promote goodwill and Lionism, and to raise funds for Oak Cliff Lions’ charities.

The name of the Band actually came as a refinement of the label that Master of Ceremonies Fred Ferguson applied to the group in their first “Extravaganza” appearance………”The Oak Cliff Lions Club…..finger lickin,  cotton pickin,  nitty gritty,  banjo pickin,  down home,  junk band !”

Complete with piano, violins, guitars, bass, banjo, fiddle, harmonica and vocalist, the group plays a variety of music, most of which leads to toe-tapping, hand-clapping enthusiasm.  The group sets its own engagements, rehearsals, and arrangements and the members donate their time to the benefit of the Club.

Since its organization, it is estimated that the “Nitty Gritty Band” has raised some $50,000 for Oak Cliff Lions’ charities.  As “thanks” for their dedicated efforts, the Band was featured at the Oak Cliff Lions Club’s 75^th Anniversary Banquet. 

Through the years, many outstanding Lions have been part of the “Nitty Gritty Band”, including   Coalson,  Hoeffner,  Allison and Mark Snyder,  Jerry Adkins, Steve Bayless, Carne Cunningham,   Harry Westbrook,  Dodson Hanes,  LeRoy  Thompson,  Warren G. Harding, Charles Collier, and Tull Rea..  Current  members  include   Adkins,  Al Bell, Bayless, Mary Bishop, Dr. Burt Bryan, Paula Craig, Cunningham, and  Dr. Thurman Ray.