Dr. Humphrey Howell Bate, Jr. and Wife, Ethel (Hesson) Bate
Country music pioneer Dr. Humphrey Bate died on this day in 1936. He learned to play the harmonica from field hands on his family’s farm while growing up in Tennessee. By WWI he was playing in three bands as well as running a medical practice. He is responsible for bringing Deford Bailey to the Grand Old Opry.
TJ Klay
Country Harmonica ace TJ Klay was born on this day in 1955. TJ has worked as a studio musician, in country bands and as a solo performer. I’ve gotten a couple of his CD’s and he’s absolutely terrific!
Adam Hamil
Harmonica technician Adam Hamil was born on this day in 1987. Adam knows the workings of a harmonica in and out. A couple of years ago he actually customized a chromatic for me so the slide was on the left-hand side, thus allowing me to play keys and chromatic at the same time. Very cool.
That’s it for today. Have fun and practice!
