Although musicians had been recording fiddle
tunes (known as Old Time Music at that time)
in the southern Appalachians for several
years, It wasn't until August 1, 1927 in
Bristol, Tennessee, that Country Music really
began. There, on that day, Ralph Peer signed
Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family to
recording contracts for Victor Records.
Known as the "Father of Country Music," James Charles Rodgers was
born in Meridian, Mississippi on September 8, 1897. Always in ill
health, he became a railroad hand, until ill health caught up with him
and he was forced to seek a less strenuous occupation. An amateur
entertainer for many years, he became a serious performer in 1925,
appearing in Johnson City, Tennessee and other places. In 1926,
Rodgers and Carrie, his wife of 6 years, moved to Asheville, North
Carolina, and organized the Jimmie Rodgers' Entertainers, a hillbilly
band comprising Jack Pierce (guitar), Jack Grant (mandolin/banjo),
Claude Grant (banjo), and Rodgers himself (banjo).
Rodgers, who died in 1933, never
appeared on any major radio show
or even played the Grand Ole Opry
during his lifetime. But he, Fred
Rose, and Hank Williams were the
first persons to be elected to the
Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961,
which is indicative of his importance
in the history of Country Music.
One of the most influential groups in country
music was The Carter Family (A.P., Sara, cousin
Maybelle, and others). The Carters first
recorded for Ralph Peer for Victor on August 1,
1927--the same day that Jimmie Rodgers cut
his first sides-completing six titles, including
"Single Girl, Married Girl," at a makeshift studio
in Bristol, Tennessee, known as the Bristol Barn
Sessions.
Sara and A.P. obtained a divorce during 1936, but continued working
together in the group, which now included Anita, June, and Helen
(Maybelle and Ezra Carter's three daughters) and Janette and Joe (Sara
and A.P.'s children). From 1936-39, the Family cut for Decca, and after
that for Columbia and again for Victor. The last session by the original
Carter Family took place on October 14, 1941, and the Family disbanded in
1943, having waxed over 250 of their songs and one of their signature
songs, "Sunny Side of Life", recorded in 1928. Also included is a video clip
from the 1950's of Maybelle's daughters June, Helen, and Anita who
carried on this legacy for more than two decades after the original Carter's
left the studio.
The songs of Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and the Sons of the Pioneers
put the Western in Country and Western Music. Much of this music
was written for and brought to the American public through the
cowboy films of the 30's and 40's and was widely popular
Known as the "King of the
Cowboys," and a major
western movie star between
1938 and 1953, Roy Rogers
started out as Leonard Slye in
Cincinnati, Ohio in 1911.
Influenced by his father, who
played mandolin and guitar,
Rogers began playing at local
functions during the 1920s.
After stints with such groups as the Rocky
Mountaineers and the Hollywood Hillbillies,
he formed his own band, the International
Cowboys. Later -- with the aid of Tim
Spencer and Bob Nolan -- he formed the
Sons of the Pioneers. Though this outfit
established a considerable reputation, Rogers
set his sights higher and began playing bit
parts in films, first under the name of Dick
Weston, and then assuming his guise as Roy
Rogers, eventually wining a starring role in
"Under Western Skies," a 1938 production.
Special effects