There was, as well, a musical variety group in Ventura, California, with the same name, led by Kae Herron in the 1970s and 1980s.
The original 1934 band consisted of trumpeters Kay Walsh, Estelle Slavin, and Elvirah Roh, trombonists Ruth McMurray and Althea Heuman, Ruth Bradley, saxophonists and clarinetists Betty Stitcht, Helen Ruth, and Audrey Hall, pianists Jerrine Hyde and Miriam Greenfield, guitarists Helen Baker, bassist Marie Lebz, and drummer Lil Singer.
[1] Later notable band members included trumpet player Frances Klein, pianist Ruth Lowe Sandler, who played from 1934 to 1938, saxophonist Jane Cullum, guitarist Marian Gange, trumpeter Mardell "Owen" Winstead, and trombonist Alyse Wells.
[5] In 1934 Hutton was approached by Irving Mills and vaudeville agent Alex Hyde to lead an all-female orchestra, the Melodears.
An independent vocal trio known as the Melo-Dears was founded by Arleen Reuse in Chicago in the late 1930s.
It lasted into the latter half of the 1940s, traveling around the country, especially the Midwest, and appearing on the first commercial television station in Chicago.
To the best of this archivist's knowledge, there was no connection between Arleen Reuse's trio and Hutton's band, nor does he think that either group stole the name from the other.
This material was submitted by Arleen Gladys Reuse (Knoderer)'s oldest children, John and David.
A few years later, seeking to employ more of her musical talents, Kae started her own group, The Melodears, writing three-part harmonies and ukulele arrangements, performing at senior centers, military clubs and local events.