"To Hal - A good friend & business associate / the best to you / Jay Moffett"
The Sportsmen "officially" joined The Benny show in Sept. 1946. They stayed through (at least) 1963. They made several appearances before becoming regulars. They were Jack's Lawyer's in January 1942 episode of The Frightwig Murder Case. They sang the "Yhtapmys" jingles. They sang "That's for Me" with Larry Stevens on January 6, 1946.
The Sportsmen appeared as Mrs. Jillson's Nephews and Singing Group on The Joey Bishop Show in 1963. The group disbanded in 1971.
The members when they became regulars were Bill Days (top tenor), Max Smith (2nd tenor), Marty Sperzel (baritone), and Gurney Bell (bass). Sperzel was replaced by Jay Moffett in 1957.
Contrary to popular stories, John Rarig (baritone) did not sing with the group on the show (when they were regulars). He stopped singing in 1943 and stayed as their arranger. Thurl Ravenscroft was the original bass of the group and left for the war in 1942. He came back in 1948, made a few appearances and ended up being booted from the group. He left with Max Smith and they formed The Mellomen.
According Bill Days, who passed away on May 6, 2002 at 91, Mahlon Merrick was the one who got them into the show. He had worked on some recordings with them and suggested to Jack that they be hired.
They were also featured on The Judy Canova show, Eddie Cantor show, Sealtest Village Store, Ginny Simms show, Blue Ribbon Town with Groucho Marx, Phil Harris/Alice Faye show among others.
