Overview
Includes a new foreword by musician Dom Flemons, forty-five illustrations, and a complete session discography. A founding member of the Grand Ole Opry and the program’s first Black star, DeFord Bailey (1899–1982) was among the Opry’s most popular early performers. Known as the “Harmonica Wizard” for his virtuosity on the instrument, he was also a singer, guitarist, banjoist, and composer. For decades following his departure from the Opry, Bailey’s story was shrouded in mystery. This meticulously researched biography, long out of print, tells the story of a pioneering Black star in early country music in rich and fascinating detail. The book’s original publication in 1991 helped pave the way for Bailey’s election to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
Full Product Details
Author: David C. Morton ,
Charles K. Wolfe ,
Dom Flemons
Publisher: Country Music Foundation Press,U.S.
Imprint: Country Music Foundation Press,U.S.
Edition: First Edition, New Edition
Dimensions:
Width: 14.90cm
, Height: 2.30cm
, Length: 22.50cm
Weight: 0.313kg
ISBN: 9780915608393
ISBN 10: 0915608391
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 13 June 2023
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.
Reviews
“David Morton’s book is a story about this wonderful little man, who stood less than five feet tall, and his gift to this world. It is beautifully illustrated, and is worth reading both to know about the musical contributions of DeFord Bailey, but also for a deeper understanding of the early days of radio, the Grand Ole Opry, the South of that era, and to see how this music came to be, and what still makes it so wonderful.” —James Talley, Journal of Country Music
"“David Morton’s book is a story about this wonderful little man, who stood less than five feet tall, and his gift to this world. It is beautifully illustrated, and is worth reading both to know about the musical contributions of DeFord Bailey, but also for a deeper understanding of the early days of radio, the Grand Ole Opry, the South of that era, and to see how this music came to be, and what still makes it so wonderful.” —James Talley, Journal of Country Music ""A legend comes to new life in this dynamic biography. . . . Morton offers [Bailey's] story to a new generation, with a strong hint that further veneration of this amazing talent should now be in order."" --BookReporter"
"""David Morton's book is a story about this wonderful little man, who stood less than five feet tall, and his gift to this world. It is beautifully illustrated, and is worth reading both to know about the musical contributions of DeFord Bailey, but also for a deeper understanding of the early days of radio, the Grand Ole Opry, the South of that era, and to see how this music came to be, and what still makes it so wonderful."" --James Talley, Journal of Country Music"
Author Information
David C. Morton holds a B.A. in history from Auburn University and has completed the coursework required for a Ph.D. in history at Vanderbilt University. He retired after many years as executive director of the Reno (Nevada) Housing Authority. The late Charles K. Wolfe was professor of English and folklore studies at Middle Tennessee State University. He is the author of ten books about American music, and he served as editor of several more.
