Born in 1899 near Bellwood, Tennessee, DeFord Bailey was raised playing the "black hillbilly music" (as he called it) whose practitioners were especially numerous in that part of the state. Though proficient on banjo and guitar, he used only harmonica in his public performances. For years, he was the only African-American member of the Grand Ole Opry, and received a measure of professional and personal respect from the cast that was unusual in those days. Still, he was publicly referred to as the show's "mascot", and otherwise reminded of his place. 3 In the 1940s, responding to commercial pressures, the Opry management began requiring its musicians to perform new, copyrightable songs. Bailey's traditional repertoire became outdated, and he was fired for being "too lazy" to learn new material. Deeply embittered by this racist insult, he refused to have any contact with the Opry for many years, though they finally managed an edgy reconciliation shortly before his death in 1982.
DeFord Bailey, harmonica.
New York NY 4/19/27 = Brunswick 147
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