A Band of Killers & Convicts: The Prisonaires
In 1953, a quintet of inmates from the Tennessee State Penitentiary gained fame with their hit song “Just Walkin’ in the Rain.” They rose to prominence as some of Tennessee’s most renowned prisoners, often showcasing their musical talents at Governor Frank Clement’s mansion.
The band, led by Johnny Bragg, included John Drue, Marcell Sanders, William Stewart, and Ed Thurman.
The Band Members and Their Crimes
John Henry Bragg, also known as Johnny Bragg, purportedly born on February 26, 1925, in Nashville, Tennessee, claimed his birthdate was May 6, 1926. However, lacking an official birth certificate, his brother’s birthdate was used in documentation.
On February 9, 1943, at the age of 17, Johnny Bragg was arrested on two counts of criminal assault*, accused of attacking two black women — a mother and daughter. The victims alleged he broke into their home and assaulted the daughter with an iron bar. Reports suggest Johnny was suspected in at least eight similar incidents. Subsequent to his arrest, additional charges including house-breaking, larceny, assault with intent to kill, and five more criminal…
