Bob Munstedt Bunker Hillbillies papers

The Bunker Hillbillies was a musical youth band for Boys’ Club of Boston Charlestown branch members, ages 7-13. The band was founded by entertainer Bob Munstedt in 1941, and directed by him for nearly 40 years (with a brief interruption while he served in World War II, 1942-1945). Munstedt was skilled in puppeteering, accordion playing and ventriloquism, and performed in variety shows and at various events as “Mr. Bob”, largely to youth audiences.

To join the Bunker Hillbillies, the boys auditioned with “Ranch Boss” Munstedt. Upon a successful audition (demonstrating they either had rhythm or could sing), they were invited to join the band, starting off as a Junior Wrangler. As they got older, they could progress through a series of levels, up to that of Bunker Hillbilly. The top seven performers among the Bunker Hillbillies were chosen to form the Ranch House 7, the most talented subgroup of the band.

The Bunker Hillbillies performed American folk songs and comic vaudeville, and had their own signature song “March Up Bunker Hill”, written by Munstedt. The boys dressed in cowboy regalia and took on cowboy nicknames. As the Boys’ Club of Boston’s “Goodwill Ambassadors”, they performed throughout Boston, at events and in places such as hotels, schools and nursing homes. They also performed on television, including on the Johnny Carson show “Who Do You Trust” in the early 1960s, and travelled to New York City and Washington D.C. to perform on multiple occasions. On one visit to D.C., they performed for the Boys’ Club of America Board of Directors at the White House, and President Richard Nixon joined them on the piano.

In 1979, Munstedt disbanded the Bunker Hillbillies, due to declining levels of participation. A coed version of the band was relaunched in 1986 by Bunker Hillbillies alumnus Steve Coyne.

Alumni of the band continue to gather and perform to this day (as of 2026).

1941

Bunker Hillbillies founded by Bob Munstedt at Charlestown Boys' Club of Boston.

1964 May

Bunker Hillbillies travel to Washington, D.C., and perform at 58th Annual Convention of Boys’ Club of America.

1969 December

Ranch House 7 travel to Washington D.C. to perform for the Boys’ Club of America Board of Directors at the White House. President Richard Nixon accompanies them on the piano.

Early 1960s

Bunker Hillbillies travel to New York City and perform on Johnny Carson’s television show “Who Do You Trust”.

1972-1975

Ranch House 7 perform for the United Way rally in Boston for four consecutive years.

1979

Munstedt disbands the Bunker Hillbillies.

1986

Bunker Hillbillies alumnus Steve Coyne revives a coed version of the band.

1987

Munstedt is honored through a gift of a Paul Revere Bowl by Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn.

1995

Munstedt is honored at the Boys' Club of Boston alumni annual reunion.