Since 1903, those famous clowns from Scottville, Michigan have been entertaining millions of music lovers throughout the state. The Scottville Clown Band consists of musicians from all walks of life and all parts of the map. They hold just about every job imaginable, or are retired from them!

The city of Scottville is located in Mason County, 7 miles east of Ludington. Scottville is a friendly little town of about 1,200. Only about 16 members have a Scottville address. The rest come from all over Michigan, parts of Florida, Texas, Indiana, Illinois,Tennessee, New York, and California. If we missed any, sorry guys.

The Clown Band’s roots date back to the start of the 1900’s when a musical group of Scottville merchants began to dress as hillbillies and entertained at local carnivals. Soon the group became more and more popular and the costumes became more and more risqué. World War II meant many hometown men went off to war; it also meant the end of the band. In 1947, Scottville merchant Ray Schulte reformed the group and created what is still known as the Scottville Clown Band. “It’s one of the highlights of my life,” said Schulte about re-organizing the group. “It’s one of the greatest organizations to come to Scottville.” Ray was known at “The Godfather” of the Band and he passed in 2007.

Believe it or not, the Clown Band is a corporation. The members are represented by a board of directors. In ways of charity, the Band helped fund, build and maintain the Scottville band shell, funded, built and maintains the Museum of Music at White Pine Village, funds the annual Raymond J. Schulte/George F. Wilson scholarship at West Shore Community College, funds the Bud Simms Memorial Grant and grants thousands of dollars in scholarships for education in music and the performing arts through the Raymond J. Schulte Music Scholarship Fund.

The Scottville Clown Band, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations to the Scottville Clown Band are tax deductable and can be made by sending a check made payable to The Scottville Clown Band, Inc and mailed to:

Rob Alway
Treasurer-Scottville Clown Band, Inc
405 N Main
Scottville MI 49454