June 23rd 1983 newscast from Nashville features Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff unveiling DeFord Bailey's memoridal. Monroe and Acuff talk about Bailey and how "The Harmonica Wizard" should be included in the Country Music Hall of Fame ... which finally came true in 2005. Great film clips of Bailey playing. Video supplied by David Morton, Bailey's biographer, from his origional video tapes of the newscast
Precious....
Pickinbuddy 1 year ago
@idaltuguy What did they do, what did they say, and when? We could all use a history lesson.
moproducer 1 year ago
Some of those "crackers" you mentioned, were the ones who DID stand up for Bailey, including Acuff. Learn your history.
idaltuguy 2 years ago
Any idea if the first episode was recorded?
ZackPomerleau 2 years ago
Thank you soo much for posting this vid!!! It is wonderful to see Deford's story to be made aware and available to Youtube's world wide community! He was, and still is, a true inspiration and desreves WAY more credit and respect that he will ever recieve. A true innovator and an inpiration to us all.. What a talent!! Too bad he is still nt properly recognized at the ryman auditorium in Nashville, TN.. The place that he helped to make legendary.. Shame on you Nashville!! You know the truth!!
TraeBuckner 3 years ago
"Deford Bailey earned the right to perform whatever song he wanted, just as the other Opry members did." Radio stations that participated in the boycott of ASCAP, which was most of them in the country including WSM, did not have the right to broadcast any ASCAP tune.
JosephNScott 3 years ago
Deford Bailey earned the right to perform whatever song he wanted, just as the other Opry members did. The Opry has a history of getting rid of great stars who don't see things their way. Doesn't seem to matter what the fans want or say. Too many politics in the wrong place if you want a hillbilly's opinion! The Hall of Fame induction was many years overdue!!!
cmlbob 3 years ago
a lot of the great harp players have a lot to thank him for,good post,thanks.
harpfelt 3 years ago
He was the first black country music star, way before Charlie Pride. A lot of people didn't know that.
LeanaJo76 3 years ago
It's a shame the way he was treated. Even his Hall of Fame Induction, many years too late, wasn't done in sincerity.
BY1NO1 3 years ago