Vernon Dalhart
Country music pioneer Vernon Dalhart was born on this day in 1883. Dalhart was originally an opera singer, but switched over to Country music in 1924, singing and playing the harmonica. His recording of “Wreck of the Old 97” was the first Country record to sell over a million copies.
Henry Whitter
Another pioneer of Country music, Henry Whitter sang and played the harmonica. Whitter made the first recording of the song, “Tom Dooley”. Through much of the 1920’s he worked as a duet with fiddler G.B. Grayson. Whitter was born on this day in 1892.
Big Walter Horton
Chicago Blues harmonica giant Big Walter Horton was born on this day in 1917. He started playing at the age of five and took lessons from Will Shade. He moved to Chicago in the early 1950’s and replaced Junior Wells in the Muddy Waters Band.
John Stax
Rock bass and harmonica player John Stax worked with the British Blues / Rock group, The Pretty Things from 1963 till 1967. Stax was born on this day in 1944.
Blind Mississippi Morris
Blues harmonica player Blind Mississippi Morris Cummings was born on this day in 1955. Cummings began playing the harmonica at the age of four and was playing professionally by the time he was ten.
That’s it for today. Have fun and practice!
