Old Time Hillbilly Music (1925 ~ 1940)

The main aim of this series is to document pioneering artists that played traditional old-time music from 1925 ~ 1940. The spread ranges primarily from the early 20th century to the late 1930s and focuses not only on recording artists, but also on artists that played on radio or did personal appearances.

Allen, Jules, Go to his page

Arthur, Emry (b. ca. 1900 in Elk Spring Valley, Kentucky (KY) - d. 1966 in Indianapolis, Indiana (IN).

Ashley, Clarence b. Sep. 29, 1895 in Bristol, Tennessee (TN) - d. Jun. 2, 1967).

Autry, Orvon Eugene (b. Sep. 29, 1907, in Tioga, TX - d. Oct. 2, 1998, in Studio City, California. 

Bailey, Deford (b. Dec. 14, 1899 in Carthage,TN - d. Jul. 2, 1982 in Nashville,TN)

Blevins, Frank: (b. Feb. 25, 1912, in Smyth County,Virginia, (VA)

Boggs, Moran Lee (b. Feb. 7, 1898, inNorton,VA- d. Feb. 7, 1971, inNorton,VA): Recorded forBrunswick

Bowman, Charles Thomas, Fiddlin' Charlie: (b. July 30, 1889, in Gray Station, TN - d. May 20, 1962)

Burnett, Richard

Caplinger, Warren (b. Jun. 16, 1889 - d. Jul. 7, 1957)

Carlisle, Cliff: (b. May 6, 1904 inTaylorsville,KY - d. Apr. 2, 1983 inLexington,KY)

Carlisle, Tommy: Son of Cliff Carlisle.

Carolina Tar Heels, North Carolina (NC) based group. Doc Walsh (banjo/vocals), Clarence Ashley (guitar), Gwen Foster (guitar/harmonica), Garley Foster (guitar/harmonica) [no relation].

Carolina Tarheels: Atlanta, Georgia (GA), based group. They were regulars on WSB, Atlanta, GA and the Georgia Jamboree, WSB, Atlanta, GA. Claude Davis (vocals/guitar/fiddle), Hoke Rice (banjo), "Carolina" Clyde Kiser (guitar/harmonica), Rudle Kiser (vocals), Esther May "The Carolina Sunshine Girl" Davis (guitar), Chuck Rogers (comedy), Louie "Slim" Bailey (comedy), Red Freeze, Esther Goodman McCain.

Carson, John William "Fiddlin' John": (b. Mar. 23, 1868 or 1874, inFannin County,GA- d. Dec. 11, 1949, inAtlanta,GA)

Carson, Rosa Lee “Moonshine Kate": (b. Oct. 10, 1909, inAtlanta,GA - d. 1992 in Bainbridge,GA).

Carter Family: Members included A.P. Carter (guitar/vocals), "Mother" Maybelle Carter (guitar/vocals), Sara Carter guitar/vocals/autoharp). 

Coon Creek Girls: Lily May Ledford (banjo), Rosie Ledford, Susan Ledford (guitar), Esther Koehler, Evelyn Lange. Later members were Opal Ambergy (bass fiddle) and Bertha Ambergy (fiddle).

Darby and Tarlton: Duo included Tom Darby (vocals/guitar) and Jimmy Tarlton (steel guitar).

Dixon Brothers: Duo included Dorsey Dixon (steel guitar/vocals) and Howard Dixon (guitar/vocals). 

Dykes Magic City Trio: ScottCounty,Virginia, VA based group. John Dykes (fiddle), Hubert Mahaffey (guitar) and Myrtle Vermillion (autoharp).

Fleming & Townsend: Duo included Reece Fleming (guitar/vocals) and Respers Townsend (vocals/guitar/mandolin/harmonica/kazoo)

Four Pickled Peppers: Rockingham County,NC, based group. Norman Woodlieff (vocals/guitar), Esmund Harris (guitar), Hamon Newman (banjo), Dallas Hubbard (bones/vocals), Earl Taylor (guitar), Lonnie Austin (fiddle).

Four Virginians: Danville,VA, based group. James Richard Bigger (fiddle), Elvin Bigger (vocal/guitar), Leonard Jennings (tiple), Fred Richards (guitar).

Georgia Yellow Hammers: Bud Landress (banjo/vocals), Bill Chitwood (fiddle/vocals), Phil Reeve (guitar/vocals), Ernest Moody (guitar/vocals). 

Grayson and Whitter: Duo included Henry Whitter (guitar/vocals) and G.B. Grayson (fiddle/vocals).

Greene, Clarence: Clarence Horton Greene (b. 1894 in NC - d. 1961).

H.M. Barnes' Blue Ridge Ramblers: Fred Roe (fiddle), Jim E. Smith (fiddle), Frank E. "Dad" Williams (fiddle), Frank Wilson (steel guitar), Lonnie Austin (piano), probably Harry Brown (mandolin), possibly Jack Reedy (banjo) and Henry Roe (guitar).

Hall, Roy Davis (b. Jan. 6, 1907, inHaywood County,NC - d. May 16, 1943).

Hoopii, Sol “Solomon” (b. 1902 inHonolulu,HI - d, Nov. 16, 1953)

Hopkins, Albert Green (b. June 5, 1889, in Watauga County,NC - d. Oct. 21, 1932, in Winchester,VA).

Hoyt Ming and his Pep-Steppers: Tupelo, Mississippi (MS), based group: Hoyt Ming (fiddle/vocals), Rozelle Ming (guitar), Troy Ming (mandolin), Rozelle's sister (mandolin).

Johnson, Robert Earl (b. Aug. 24, 1886, inGwinnett County,GA, - d. May 31, 1965).

Kazee, Buell (b. Aug. 29, 1900, near Burton Fork, KY - d. Aug. 31, 1976). Buell recorded forBrunswick (1927-1929). 

Lunsford,  Bascom Lamar (b. Mar. 21, 1882, inMars Hill,NC - d. Sep. 4, 1973).

Marvin, Frank James (b. Jan. 17, 1904, inButler,Oklahoma (OK) - d. 1985).

McClintock, Harry (b. Oct. 8, 1882 in Knoxville,TN - d. Apr. 27, 1957 inSan Francisco,CA).

McMichen, Clayton (b. Jan. 26, 1900, in Allatoona,GA - d. Jan. 4, 1970).

Montana Slim (Wilf carter) Carter (b. Dec. 18, 1904, in Port Hilford, CA-NS - d. Dec. 5, 1996, in Scottsdale, Arizona (AZ). 

Moore, William B. "Byrd" (b. Apr. 1889 in Blackwater, VA - d. 1949 in Wise County, VA).

Norris, Fate: SingletonLaFayette "Fate" (b. 1878 inResaca,GA - d. Nov. 11, 1944, inSuligna,GA).

 Poole, Charles Cleveland "Charlie" :(b. Mar. 22, 1892, in Randolph County,NC - d. Mar.  21, 1931 in Eden,NC).

Reed, Blind Alfred (b. Jun.15, 1880 inFloyd,VA- d. Jan. 17, 1956). He recorded for Victor (1927-1929).

Richardson, Don (b. 1878 - d. 1953).

Roanoke Jug Band.Roanoke,VA, based group. Band included Ray Bager (guitar), Mahon B. Overstreet (guitar), Clyde Dooley (banjo), Walter E. Keith (banjo), Billy Altizer (fiddle) and Richard Mitchell (mandolin-banjo). 

Robertson, Alexander Campbell (b. Nov. 20, 1887, in Delaney,ARK - d. Feb. 15, 1975 in Borger,TX).

Rodgers, Jimmie (b. Sep. 8, 1897, in Meridian,MS - d. May 26, 1933, in New York City).

Rutherford, Leonard 

Sisson, Allen (b. Aug. 31, 1873 - d. Sep. 22, 1951, inFannin County,GA).

The Skillet Lickers: Atlanta based group. They recorded forColumbia (1926-1931) and Bluebird (1934). Main members atColumbia included Gid Tanner (fiddle/vocals), Riley Puckett (guitar/vocals), Clayton McMichen (fiddle), Fate Norris (banjo). Other members included Lowe Stokes, Bert Layne, Bill Helms. Line-up at Bluebird included Gid Tanner, Gordon Tanner (fiddle), Riley Puckett, Ted Hawkins (mandolin) and possibly Arthur Tanner. 

Skyland Scotty, Wiseman, Scott Greene (b. Nov. 8, 1909, in Ingals, NC; d. Jan. 31, 1981, in Gainesville, Florida). 

Smith, Fiddlin' Arthur: (b. Apr. 10, 1898, in Humphreys County, TN - d. Feb. 28, 1971, inLouisville,KY).  

Sprague, Carl T. :(b. Mar. 19, 1895, in Houston,TX- d. Feb. 19, 1979, in Bryan,TX).

Stoneman, Ernest “Pop” :(b. May 15, 1893, inMonorat,VA - d. Jun. 14, 1968).

Tanner, James Gideon “Gid”: (b. Jun. 6, 1885, in Thomas Bridge, GA - d. May 13, 1960, in Dacula,GA). 

Thompson, Ernest (b. 1892 - d. 1961 in High Point, NC). 

Vest, William A. "Billy" :(b. Aug. 8, 1910 inAfton,VA - d. Jul. 20, 1985, in Albermarle County,VA).

Walsh, Coble “Doc”(b. Jul. 23, 1901, in Lewis Fork, NC - d. May 28, 1967)). 

Weems String Band: PerryCounty, TN, based group. Dick Weems (fiddle), Frank  Weems (fiddle), Jesse Weems (cello), Alvin Condor (banjo) and unidentified musician (guitar).

Roots of Country Music. Oct. 2011