DeFord Bailey was an absolute wizard with the instrument, and the very first star of the Grand Ole Opry. Unfortunately for all of us - but especially for him - his skin was considered the wrong color, very soon after the Opry went from a studio program to a performance before a live audience. Whatever effort was made to make it up to him in later years simply wasn't enough.
DeFord Bailey was deprived of a stardom that was rightfully his. Shame on Nashville.
@moproducer - He also got screwed over by ASCAP back in the 40s because of stupid licensing issues. Another reason those ASCAP bastards should be hung in the gallows.
@floydclaptonblues2 Absolutely agree. For the times, Bailey was an unfortunate combination of color & circumstances. I understand that he took it all gracefully (what choice did he have?) and in his own way, turned his back on the music establishment.
@TheSnidge You either didn't live in Jim Crow south or you're simply ignorant of the times. I was there, buddy. Acuff said it himself, eulogizing Bailey on NBC News.
If you require documentation (and I'm all about good journalism), and you can read more than 200 pages, you can start with "The Social Origins of the Urban South: Race, Gender, and Migration in Nashville & Middle Tennessee, by Louis M. Kyriakoudes.
There's a lot more published work, but you wouldn't know about that.
All the published accounts say he was fired for not learning new tunes or because of copyright issues.
Here are Acuff's actual words;
"I wouldn't say he was lazy. It wasn't that he wouldn't learn new tunes, he couldn't learn new tunes. That was the only objection. I know that he was willing to do what he could do and when it came to playing the songs he knew, there was none of them who could top him."
@TheSnidge Well, I provided one so far. Go read it, if you are able, and then get back to me. I would also love to hear just how you are so sure that you've seen "all the published accounts"...is there a database that claims to have absolutely everything on this topic?
@moproducer That's why I'm so keen for you to share your source by pasting the relevant paragraph.There are only a few references to DeFord Bailey in that particular book so it shouldn't be too difficult.
Unfortunately you appear unwilling or unable to do so.
@TheSnidge I've been assuming you're an adult and apparently I'm wrong; very sorry. I won't paste entire passages, there's limited space here.
Please have a parent, teacher or trusted adult friend help you with this. There are words used in this and other books I could cite that might be inappropriate for you.
You will learn that race relations in early 20th century USA were far from perfect, and the founder of the Grand Ol' Opry was among the most racist of people. Good luck!
This is the kind of performance that makes want to get better and better at harmonica playing, please check out my style if you like fast solo harmonica playing
@printer944 The best tribute that one could ever make to Mr. Bailey is to become a virtuoso on the harp, then be able to tell the world, "DeFord Bailey inspired me to do this".
Deford made few recordings. The only ones I am aware of were made around 1928 and perhaps some recording by David Morton, Deford's friend and advocate as well as biographer.
You may already have also heard these blues harpists: Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Walter Horton, Peter Madcat Ruth, Little Walter, and Billy Boy Arnold. I recently found another great harpist on YouTube-Tom Walbank.
Oh my ghosh, this is the first time I'm seeing a footage of Mr. Bailey playing. This is just brilliant...just look at how still he is when he plays. He's just amazing. Thank you so much for posting this video. I've been looking for something like this everywhere.
The same as for your posting of Mr. Bailey's Fox Chase video, thank YOU Robert Montgomery! What a thrill to see the man in person. Brilliant! Too little acknowledgment, too little money, too little respect too late for his life, by the Opry. But better late than never for his loved ones.
white blues
MrJolwa 8 months ago
Industrial music.
woodbell67 9 months ago 3
Bravo ! GOD-gifted,All-American Country Boy, making Country Music ! Doesn't get no better than that.
glencoe6305 1 year ago
Geee neee ussss. How did he do it?
1234bimbom 1 year ago
Anyone have a vid of him doing Evening Prayer Blues? Love to hear it.
jarmbru 1 year ago
@jarmbru I know, I've been looking for that one too, and the only version I've heard from Evening Prayer Blues is from Bill Monroe.
vcp430 9 months ago
He's awesome, just a bit shy :)
negrokezo 1 year ago
DeFord Bailey was an absolute wizard with the instrument, and the very first star of the Grand Ole Opry. Unfortunately for all of us - but especially for him - his skin was considered the wrong color, very soon after the Opry went from a studio program to a performance before a live audience. Whatever effort was made to make it up to him in later years simply wasn't enough.
DeFord Bailey was deprived of a stardom that was rightfully his. Shame on Nashville.
moproducer 1 year ago 6
@moproducer - He also got screwed over by ASCAP back in the 40s because of stupid licensing issues. Another reason those ASCAP bastards should be hung in the gallows.
floydclaptonblues2 2 months ago
@floydclaptonblues2 Absolutely agree. For the times, Bailey was an unfortunate combination of color & circumstances. I understand that he took it all gracefully (what choice did he have?) and in his own way, turned his back on the music establishment.
moproducer 2 months ago
@moproducer 'His skin was considered the wrong colour'-where did you get that from,or did you just make it up?
None of the published work on either Bailey or the Opry(or indeed Bailey's own account) gives that as the reason he was fired.
TheSnidge 1 week ago
@TheSnidge You either didn't live in Jim Crow south or you're simply ignorant of the times. I was there, buddy. Acuff said it himself, eulogizing Bailey on NBC News.
If you require documentation (and I'm all about good journalism), and you can read more than 200 pages, you can start with "The Social Origins of the Urban South: Race, Gender, and Migration in Nashville & Middle Tennessee, by Louis M. Kyriakoudes.
There's a lot more published work, but you wouldn't know about that.
moproducer 1 week ago
@moproducer Really?
All the published accounts say he was fired for not learning new tunes or because of copyright issues.
Here are Acuff's actual words;
"I wouldn't say he was lazy. It wasn't that he wouldn't learn new tunes, he couldn't learn new tunes. That was the only objection. I know that he was willing to do what he could do and when it came to playing the songs he knew, there was none of them who could top him."
Please provide a concise supporting reference.
TheSnidge 1 week ago
@TheSnidge Well, I provided one so far. Go read it, if you are able, and then get back to me. I would also love to hear just how you are so sure that you've seen "all the published accounts"...is there a database that claims to have absolutely everything on this topic?
moproducer 6 days ago
@moproducer That's why I'm so keen for you to share your source by pasting the relevant paragraph.There are only a few references to DeFord Bailey in that particular book so it shouldn't be too difficult.
Unfortunately you appear unwilling or unable to do so.
Have a nice day!
TheSnidge 6 days ago
@TheSnidge I've been assuming you're an adult and apparently I'm wrong; very sorry. I won't paste entire passages, there's limited space here.
Please have a parent, teacher or trusted adult friend help you with this. There are words used in this and other books I could cite that might be inappropriate for you.
You will learn that race relations in early 20th century USA were far from perfect, and the founder of the Grand Ol' Opry was among the most racist of people. Good luck!
moproducer 6 days ago
This is the kind of performance that makes want to get better and better at harmonica playing, please check out my style if you like fast solo harmonica playing
printer944 2 years ago
@printer944 The best tribute that one could ever make to Mr. Bailey is to become a virtuoso on the harp, then be able to tell the world, "DeFord Bailey inspired me to do this".
GO FOR IT!
moproducer 2 months ago
Amazing, I'm stuck for words.
hankedful 2 years ago
Comment removed
hankedful 2 years ago
He was great but was there ever some kind of solo LP/CD.? I ghave him only on compilations.
Another great artist - even more influential than many other- was Jimmy Reed.
I did an animated short film to honor man and music. Just click on my name to watch it. It is only 13 seconds longer than this clip.
Greetings
2009framat 2 years ago
Deford made few recordings. The only ones I am aware of were made around 1928 and perhaps some recording by David Morton, Deford's friend and advocate as well as biographer.
joybird25 2 years ago
ALL ABOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cravenmoorrrrrrrrr 2 years ago
Now THAT was COOL!!!
anotheraoluser 2 years ago
Zack, CD's available on Amazon. Best of Blues vol. 1: Harmonica Genius Deford Bailey; The Legendary De Ford Bailey: Country Music's First Black Star.
sibersong 3 years ago
Thanks so much friend!!!
ZackPomerleau 2 years ago
You may already have also heard these blues harpists: Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Walter Horton, Peter Madcat Ruth, Little Walter, and Billy Boy Arnold. I recently found another great harpist on YouTube-Tom Walbank.
sibersong 2 years ago
Phil Wiggins, too.
sibersong 2 years ago
Any albums I can hear him on?
ZackPomerleau 3 years ago
Thank you Robert. Absolutely amazing. Just saw a special on TV and he is still not in the Opry Hall of Fame?
bnichol5 3 years ago
Oh my ghosh, this is the first time I'm seeing a footage of Mr. Bailey playing. This is just brilliant...just look at how still he is when he plays. He's just amazing. Thank you so much for posting this video. I've been looking for something like this everywhere.
ashishd88 3 years ago
The same as for your posting of Mr. Bailey's Fox Chase video, thank YOU Robert Montgomery! What a thrill to see the man in person. Brilliant! Too little acknowledgment, too little money, too little respect too late for his life, by the Opry. But better late than never for his loved ones.
ElizabethGS 3 years ago
I'd give 10* for this one if that was possible...THANKS!!!
Mazblues 3 years ago
Great train !!
Tsutsomu 3 years ago
1st class.
harpfelt 3 years ago
Great rhythms!
harmonikan 3 years ago
Man! Is he cool?,or what!!!
BLUEHARPER 3 years ago